CHIRP Radio Podcasts

explicit language Christopher Meister is a CHIRP DJ, actor, writer, improvisor, former slam poet, and maker of fine jellies, jams, and chutneys. Recently, Chris was last seen in the New Stages production of Mother Road at the Goodman. On TV, you may have seen Chris portraying various cops, drunks, or Dads on such shows as Chicago Fire, Sirens, Chicago PD, The Chicago Code, really anything with a Chicago in the title. He may also be seen endorsing products he never actually uses. Chris also is an award winning filmmaker with films playing in Sundance, SXSW, Hamptons International film festivals among others. Chris has been the host of "The Riff Hypnotic" on CHIRPradio.org for a little over three years. He believes his best job ever was getting pigs drunk for science.   podcast produced by Brian Heath

UK's Stealing Sheep played a few shows in the states for SXSW 2016 and Dylan Peterson had the opportunity to catch one of their sets in Austin and hang out with Emily, Lucy and Becky. They talked about their girl power and taking inspiration from pop surrealism, and they bedazzled Dylan during the interview. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

The comedy of Arish Singh, with its unique fusion of absurdist humor and political commentary, has been praised by many and described by many more as “totally not my thing.” Singh has performed with Hasan Minhaj (The Daily Show), Kamau W. Bell (Totally Biased), Barry Rothbart and Chris Thayer. He is the comedy coordinator for the Witching Hour arts festival in Iowa City, and co-produces Chicago’s Solid (Hil)arity, a storytelling and comedy show that fundraises for activist groups and labor unions.   Podcast produced by Brian Heath

Kristine and Lyle of Tiny Fireflies came to the CHIRP studios recently to talk with CHIRP volunteer Amelia Hruby. They chat about how the band formed, the circumstances that inspired their new album, and what's coming up for them in the second half of 2016.  Be sure to check out the premiere of a clip of their new song "Farewell" at the end of the podcast! produced by Amelia Hruby (@ajhruby)

explicit language Jenn Gibbons - Jenn Gibbons is a rower, cyclist and coach who likes starboard side, handstands, running marathons, eating hot wings (not at the same time) and kicking cancer’s butt–one rower at a time.  She is also the founder and Executive Director of Recovery on Water (ROW) a rowing team for patients and survivors of breast cancer. In the summer of 2012, Jenn rowed the 1,500 mile perimeter of Lake Michigan raising over $150,000 to buy boats and equipment for ROW. She’s been featured Fitness Magazine, Marie Claire Magazine, Make It Better Magazine, Gapers Block, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, WGN,WCIU, Chicago Public Radio, The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun Times and covered in media outlets across the country via the Associated Press. Podcast produced by Brian Heath

Dylan Peterson caught up with Jessy Lanza before her show at the Metro with Junior Boys, of whom Jessy cites as major inspirations along with Steely Dan, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and Lol Creme. They talked about being an outsider in spite of pop pursuits, and no longer feeling lonely on tour. CHIRP Welcomes Jessy Lanza to the Empty Bottle this Thursday, June 16th. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

explicit language David is a law professor at DePaul and former law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  He makes regular appearances on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight.  While studying at Yale, he was invited to perform with its improv group, the Purple Crayon. He once shook the late Vaclav Havel by one hand while the late Strom Thurmond shook him by the other. They were not late at the time.  Sometimes he runs into short celebrities (Jackie Mason, Julianne Moore, Jon Stewart) or very tall ones (entire professional basketball teams), but has very little experience running into medium-sized celebrities. He has been known to stare into the middle distance. Podcast produced by Brian Heath

Local band Monobody recently came into the CHIRP studios and sat down with CHIRP volunteer Amelia Hruby. They discussed their songwriting process, the way they choose song titles, and how a conflict with border patrol, a case of mono, and a thrift store made for one of their most memorable shows. produced by Amelia Hruby (@ajhruby)

After one of her showcases at SXSW 2016, Michelle Zauner sat down with CHIRP's Dylan Peterson to talk about Japanese Breakfast. They discussed the thriving music scene in Philadelphia, how Michelle's mom's "meaning making" inspired her songwriting process, and the childhood dog that showed Michelle what grieving can look like. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

CHIRP volunteer Amelia Hruby sat down with John, David, and Taylor of local band Paper Mice to discuss the litigious story behind one of their tracks, what it's like recording an album in a school gymnasium, and how many tracks you really need to release an album in 2016. You can see Paper Mice at the Hideout on 7/21 with Cloud Becomes Your Hand, and Wei Zhongle. produced by Amelia Hruby (@ajhruby)

Before playing at the Empty Bottle, Yuck frontman Max Bloom sat down with CHIRP's Jessi D to talk about returning to his parents' place to record another album, making music with Yuck again after other members started side projects, and how his sister motivated him to play guitar better. produced by Jessi D (@OriginalJessiD)

CHIRP volunteer Eve Szokolai walked across the hall from the CHIRP studios and interviewed CHIRP's neighbors Third Coast Percussion about their recent Steve Reich album and the corresponding app. produced by Eve Szokolai

Amongst the grackles of Austin, Texas, Julien Baker and CHIRP's Dylan Peterson found shelter from the rain to talk about making type-B music with a type-A personality, "In Christ Alone" in "Go Home," and coming out at church. This interview was conducted at the SXSW Music Festival in 2016. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

Jenna Chapman is Co-Director of CHIRP's Annual Record Fair and erstwhile Creative Writing 101 student. Born in the UK, she grew up in the western Chicago suburbs, went to college in Minnesota, and came back to the city proper for grad school. When she was seven, she memorized the spelling of antidisestablishmentarianism from the dictionary to impress her friends, and has steadily been building an improved understanding of social dynamics ever since. Published works include numerous editions of origami-ed M*A*S*H notes, a series of escalatingly PG-13 jump rope rhymes, and three chapters of a very elaborate Twin Peaks/X-Files/Stargate SG-1 crossover fan fiction. She now lives in Andersonville with her roommate, two laptops, and an ever-expanding Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel collection.

How does a minimal aesthetic transition across multiple projects in visual and audio formats? CHIRP volunteer Amanda Roscoe Mayo interviews local artist Michael Vallera about how he builds minimalistic sounds and imagery across his solo work and other projects, including local bands Luggage and Cleared. produced by Amanda Roscoe Mayo (@AmandaRMayo) photo by Stephen Vallera