CHIRP Radio Podcasts

CHIRP's Katie Owens stopped by Beauty Bar in Noble Square to chat with Zach Medearis of Outer Minds. Zach shared that playing Pitchfork does not ensure instant success, and explained why "pysch" is used too liberally. Don't miss Outer Minds at Chicago Pysch Fest V at Hideout Inn on Friday, January 24. produced by Brian Szpak

CHIRP's Alex Dziura met with Portland's Pure Bathing Culture before they played Schubas on Halloween. Download the episode below or subscribe to CHIRP podcasts on iTunes to hear her conversation with the band.

CHIRP's Cher Vincent chatted with Haley Fhor, aka Circuit des Yeux, in Little Village over expresso, discussing her hometown of Lafayette, Indiana, making her voice "sound like a trumpet," and the mythology of her fourth album, Overdue. Circuit Des Yeux will be opening for Oneohtrix Point Never and Tim Hecker on Thursday, January 16th, at Lincoln Hall as a part of Tomorrow Never Knows 2014! produced by Matt McFarland

CHIRP's Cher Vincent caught up with Majical Cloudz before their Pitchfork Fest pre-party at Lincoln Hall. They discussed the hip-hop elements in their music, explained why they're avoiding collaborations after having worked with Grimes, and gave a shout out to Cher's mom. Download the episode below or subscribe to CHIRP podcasts on iTunes to hear her conversation with Devon Welsh and Matthew Otto. produced by Matt McFarland

Storyteller Ellen Lekostaj's performance from CHIRP Radio's live-lit/music show First Time: First Scare, 10/9/13. Ellen describes the first time she was really scared - lost and alone with her dog on a mountain overnight in the cold. Join us for the next First Time edition - First Time: First Lesson - Wednesday, January 15 at Martyrs in North Center. More info: http://chirpradio.org/events/the-first-time-first-lesson (Podcast produced by Mickey Capper)

CHIRP's Katie Owens met up with Anthony Cozzi of Radar Eyes at Logan Square's El Charro to chat about his love of studio life, the direct relationship between a crowd's mood and the band's, and making a living in entertainment media management. Radar Eyes released their first full length on cassette via Happenin Records in December, are releasing the 'Positive Feedback' 7" on HoZac Records in January and will be releasing a second LP in March 2014 to line up with their trip down to SXSW.  produced by Briavael O'Reilley

In  October,  the theme for CHIRP’s live lit and music series, The First Time, was first scare. Helean Lee is a CHIRP DJ, Chicago sports fan and self-admitted TV freak. And it was while watching TV, curled up in her “blanket burrito,” that Helean got her first scare, weeks after being hit by a motorcycle while she was crossing the street. Join us for our next First Time—First Lesson, at Martyrs’ on January 15th. Click here for more information.   Podcast produced by Mickey Capper

Where: West Town "It's like the dark side of recycling that people don't see."

The Underground Multiplex (TUGM) is an arts advocacy and community outreach group founded in 2010 by Lew Ojeda and Richard Lewis. TUGM is a "transmedia" group, which means they advocate on behalf of all media types. They helped break the story of the possible sale of the Portage Theater, which led to a campaign to help save local independent movie theaters and video stores. More recently, they mounted a Kickstarter campaign to help recover hundreds of marionettes hand-crafted by Ralph Kipniss, a third-generation Russian puppeteer who ran a marionette theater on Chicago's north side. That campaign didn’t reach its goal. CHIRP's Kwame Shorter spoke with Ojeda and Lewis about the campaign and why it was important to help save the lost marionettes of Ralph Kipniss.   Music from The Soldier's Tale by Igor Stravinsky Additional editing by Dan Epstein

The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s live lit and music series. Back in October 2013, the series saw its first show at its new home, Martyrs’, in North Center. The theme was first scare. Adam Burke is a comedian and writer who’s become a regular feature in Chicago’s stand-up comedy scene.  For his first scare story, Adam reached back to his childhood in Ireland when he was convinced his brother and father were conspiring to break both of his arms. Join us for our next First Time—First Lesson, at Martyrs’ on January 15th. Click here for more information.   Podcast produced by Mickey Capper

CHIRP's Micha Ward sat down to dinner with Those Darlins before their show at Schubas to talk about how the band's sound has evolved, why they dropped their surnames, and mid-interview drop-ins from random fans. produced by Vince Ziols

CHIRP's Katie Owens met up with Chicago's Minor Characters before their show at Empty Bottle. They discussed their forthcoming debut full-length, how Joyce Johnson inspired the band’s name, and aspiring to playing The Hideout. You can catch Minor Characters next at Tomorrow Never Knows 2014 at Schubas Tavern on January 15. produced by Liz Anderson

CHIRP's Blake Burkhart went backtage at the Bottom Lounge with Surfer Blood, where they talked about the difficulties of recording with a producer, the benefits of touring with the Pixies, and why the Bottom Lounge is a special venue. produced by Gabe Michalski

CHIRP's Julie Mueller sat down with Jered and Leslie from Bare Mutants on the eve of their record release show for The Affliction at the Empty Bottle.  They discussed how that venue is a thread connecting all members of the band, and how things have changed since Jered formed The Ponys 10 years ago. Bare Mutants will play the Tomorrow Never Knows Fest at Schubas Tavern on January 17th. produced by Daniel Musisi SSebowa

Shana East, Megan Kasten, Carrie Shemanski, and Kate Walsh of Girl Group Chicago met with CHIRP DJ Jessi D at the bands' headquarters/Shana's living space in Avondale. They all tried really hard not to laugh through the whole interview, and discussed reclaiming and reinterpreting 1960's hits with a modern feminist perspective, cultivating a social support system focusing on empowering women and the community formed as a result of their 20+ member, all-girl band. You can catch Girl Group Chicago next at The Hideout for a special NYE show. produced by Bri O'Reilly