Chicago is an unrivaled garden for talent. By some ridiculous chance, Kanye West; Earth, Wind and Fire; The Smashing Pumpkins; Common; and Donny Hathaway—joined by a legion of other renowned established and upcoming acts—have all come from one place, changing the face of their city and of the music industry worldwide.

Singer-songwriter Tasha is on her way to joining that legendary garden. Inspired by fellow Chicagoans like Noname, KAINA, and Jamila Woods, the artist has released music to critical acclaim in the years since her debut album, Alone At Last (which featured seven tracks as an ode to self-care and comfort in seemingly hopeless times) arrived in 2018.

But what is the secret to Chicago’s rich music scene? According to Tasha, it’s all about the community, the simultaneous sense of being in a big city and a small town—and the fact that the cold months of the year tend to force creative legwork. “What better thing to do during six months of winter than stay at home and write some songs?”

But when cruel winter turns into spring, so do the musicians reemerge from their homes and studios—and flock to these Tasha-approved locales to share what they worked on during those cold months.

Also check out celebrity stylist Whitney Middleton’s guide to fashion and nightlife in Chicago.