Sima Cunningham (Finom)

Sima Cunningham has had two albums released this year: Not God from Finom, her band with fellow Chicago singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Macie Stewart; and a long-gestating solo project, High Roller. With Finom kicking off a tour this weekend and a solo album launch and a Roches-themed show coming up, Cunningham is enjoying the culmination of a lifetime of music-making and collaboration. Here she recalls growing up in a musical and artistic household; tells of her sibling-like connection with Stewart and how they find their beautiful, surprising, distinct harmonies; recounts their history with Jeff Tweedy, who produced Not God, and her work with Chance the Rapper, Richard Thompson and Waxahatchee; emphasizes the importance of community; and explains as best as she can why the band had to change its name from Ohmme. Plus, she sings snippets of songs she wrote when she was 11. (Photo by Shannon Marks.)