CHIRP Radio Podcasts

explicit language If you’ve been to Chicago in the past two decades, you've probably seen or heard Dustin somewhere -- be it DJing, hosting a radio show, or peddling records at local fairs and events. Obsessive record collecting as a teenager led him down the path of music journalism (Magnet, Dusted, MTV2, Stop Smiling), then to hosting a radio show and DJing. You can currently hear Dustin at monthly gigs at Coles or the Whistler in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. A veteran of the local record label scene, Dustin spent time in the trenches at Locust, Drag City, and the archival reissue label The Numero Group. In 2015, he was nominated for a GRAMMY (Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package) an A2IM Award (Creative Packaging) and won an AIM award (UK) for his work on the Numero release, Cities of Darskcorch. As if all that weren't enough to keep him busy, he also runs/owns two boutique record labels, Addenda and Plustapes. In the few instances when he has free time, Dustin enjoys playing board games and indulges his more nerdy interests by collecting comic books and vintage synthesizers. produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Two Dylans got together backstage at Thalia Hall to talk about ghost stories, zines at Quimby's, and rock and roll parents. Dylan Baldi is the frontman of Cloud Nothings, and Dylan Peterson is the Features Director at CHIRP. Cloud Nothings' 2017 album Life Without Sound is out now on Carpark Records. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

Wyatt, Zach, and Paul of local band Pool Holograph recently came to the CHIRP studios to chat with volunteer Amelia Hruby. They talked about how the band got started, the origin of their most recent EP Town Quarry, and the ways in which rock 'n roll is particularly well suited for storytelling. produced by Amelia Hruby (@ajhruby) Be sure to catch Pool Holograph live at this month's CHIRP Night at the Whistler on February 22nd at 9pm. poster by Wyatt Grant of Pool Holograph

Tortoise bassist Douglas McCombs recently came to the CHIRP studios for a conversation with CHIRP volunteer Amelia Hruby. They discussed the genesis of Tortoise's most recent album The Catastrophist, what it was like to play 117 shows in 2016, and Doug's favorite Tortoise album. (No spoilers. Tune in to find out!) produced by Amelia Hruby (@ajhruby)

Local group Air Credits (aka Hood Internet & ShowYouSuck) recently stopped by the CHIRP studios to sit down with Features Director Amelia Hruby. They discussed the post-apocalyptic premise for their first album Broadcasted and how it feels to be making overtly political music in the current climate. (Hint: awesome.) You can catch Air Credits live in Chicago on February 19th at the Empty Bottle for a Red Bull Sound Select show with Dan Deacon and Marijuana Deathsquad. produced by Amelia Hruby (@ajhruby)

Rock and roll duo King Khan & BBQ caught up with CHIRP's Dylan Peterson and Amanda Dabandons in the Empty Bottle basement before their sold out show last year. They talked about their love of diva cups, living without fear in fearful times, and growing up but not really growing up. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

"So much of our lives are rationalized and routinized, and everything seems kind of known or knowable. So anything that feels like it's not quite knowable is what I like to do creatively. ... When there's no explanation for something, that's where I like to let my mind and my music stay." Last fall, Whitney Johnson came to the CHIRP studios to talk with Amelia Hruby about Johnson's solo electronic project, Matchess. They discuss how she builds the multi-layered structures of her songs, the inspiration she draws from industrial field recordings, and what magic happens when you listen to repetitive sounds over and over again. produced by Amelia Hruby (@ajhruby) photo by Jeremy Deputat

explicit language If good stories come from a riotous life, Elle’s background is just the thing. Born in Albuquerque, she traveled her whole life, which involved attending 22 different schools, before landing in Chicago 20 years ago. She’s been a talent buyer (translation: books bands) for 17 years, and loves whiskey, taking naps, bad decisions, and her daughter. In 1980 at Washington Elementary in Kalamazoo, MI, she won student of the month. She considers that the pinnacle of her success.   produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

explicit language Megan is a writer, actor, singer, political activist, and aspiring psychologist. She sings with the band, The Mashed Potatoes, has performed in numerous cabarets with Brown Paper Box Co., and has told stories for Story Lab Chicago and TUTA Theatre. She has also been a performer, writer, and director for various sketch comedy shows at The Second City Training Center and Stage 773. When not performing, Megan can be found working on graduate school applications to become a clinical psychologist.   produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

explicit language Rachel McCartney has performed in way too many bars to still look so out of place in them. Based in Chicago, she is a regular at the Laugh Factory, and recently made her Comedians You Should Know debut opening for Drew Michael at his album recording. She has also performed at the Comedy Exposition, the Green Gravel Comedy Festival, and the Orlando Indie Comedy Festival. The Chicago Tribune once described her as a "New Year's treat," which probably made more sense when the article was published in early January. In less calendar-sensitive praise, local legend Peter-john Byrnes once called her "Chicago's foremost grammar comedian," and she plans to have that distinction carved into her headstone.   produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Kyle Kelly is the co-owner and head chef of The Cajun Connoisseur. He's a self-taught Cajun chef starting out his second winter in the “deliciousness business” of Chicago’s food truck scene. With his crew of family on board, Kelly serves grits, jambalaya and po'boys, makes plans for his brick-and-mortar restaurant, and offers opportunities to young people from his Englewood neighborhood. But his mantra of good food and forgiveness can't prevent gun violence from touching his business and his life. This story was produced as part of new collaboration between CHIRP Radio and City Bureau, a Chicago journalism lab. City Bureau reporter Sarah Conway worked with CHIRP producer Dan Epstein to create this day-in-the life radio portrait as part of City Bureau's fall 2016 cycle on Englewood's food desert.

Ada Cheng is renegade academic and a professor turned storyteller, improviser, and comedian. She is a recent Moth story slam winner, Bughouse Square Debate runner up, and presenter at The National Storytelling Network Conference. In her free time, she loves sleeping (with or without cats) and playing with cats (sleeping or not). Her motto is: Make your life the best story you tell.   produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

explicit language Alicia Swiz is a professor and performer who facilitates conversations about feminism and pop-culture through humor, candid observation and being really smart. She teaches Media & Gender Studies at Harold Washington College and is the creator of SlutTalk, a performance that raises awareness of slut shaming and encourages sex positivity. Sometimes she's funny; sometimes she's not. Find her on the Internet @popgoesalicia   produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

explicit language Billy is a CHIRP Radio lifer – he was there the weekend it first came together, and they've been stuck with him ever since, as a board member, erstwhile DJ, and even Music Director for the station's first five years. In his 30 years on this planet, he's owned three iPods, gotten his picture taken with Ludacris, and had a letter published in Yahoo! Internet Life, not necessarily in that order. When he's not striving to make an honest living, he lives with his wife and their two pet rabbits in Humboldt Park, where he cooks, mourns the decline of the modern super hero comic, and tries not to drink his beer so fast.   produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Before playing Thalia Hall, Madrid's Hinds sat down with CHIRP's Amelia Hruby to talk about their favorite American fast foods, being inspired by being young and alive, and how no matter what part of the world you're in you can be sure that every garage rock scene is pretty much going to be all about smoking weed. Produced by Liz Anderson (@liesanderson)