CHIRP Radio Podcasts

Local band Crown Larks recently sat down with CHIRP volunteer Amanda Dabandons in the CHIRP studios to talk about their upcoming album, touring, and one bleak night in Phoenix. See Crown Larks live at their album release show on 5/6 at the Empty Bottle. produced by Jessi DiBartolomeo photo by Greg Reigh

"All of the songs are emotionally autobiographical," Jens Lekman explains of the tension between fiction and non-fiction in his songwriting. Dylan Peterson met Jens before his show at the Metro to talk about working at weddings while feeling cynical about love, learning how to become your own role model in your 30s, and being in Chicago the night the Cubs won the World Series. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

Teddy, Ronnie and Jackie of local band The Bingers stopped by the CHIRP studios to talk with Features Co-Director Amelia Hruby about their new (and first!) LP Stay Satisfied, the haunted basements they've recorded in, and how to say "bingers." produced by Amelia Hruby (@ladyameliaa)

SXSW veteran Colleen Green talked with Dylan Peterson before playing a solo set, and with The Memories, at Burgermania 2017 at Hotel Vegas. Colleen and Dylan talked about Adam Sandler movies, their first guitar riffs and CDs, quitting weed and growing up. Colleen Green opens for The Wedding Present this Friday, April 21st, at Lincoln Hall for a CHIRP Welcomes show. produced by Dylan Peterson (@tdvsbl)

Lucille Furs (fka Shah Jahan) recently stopped by the CHIRP studios to chat with Features Co-Director Amelia Hruby. They talk about how the band got together, their first three songs, and how hard it is to rename a band. produced by Amelia Hruby (@ladyameliaa)

Half Gringa is the brainchild of local artist Izzy Olive. She stopped by the CHIRP studios to chat with CHIRP volunteer Amelia Hruby about what it means to be "half gringa" and the space between her mother's homeland of Venezuela and her upbringing in the United States. produced by Andrew Meriweather photo by Maren Celest

Local band Nest caught up with CHIRP volunteer Julie Mueller at the CHIRP studios. They talked about the band's 90s influences, their favorite places to play in Chicago, and what it's like to listen to music on vinyl versus digitally. produced by Amanda Mayo (@AmandaRMayo)

Before their show at Thalia Hall, The Radio Dept. sat down with Jennifer Roger to talk about unintentionally making a political album, starting their own label, and the experiencing the extremes of Chicago. produced by Joseph Griffin (@griffjc) interview by Jennifer Roger (@jenn_roger)

CHIRP volunteer Marites Velasquez talks with Pylon Reenactment Society member Vanessa Briscoe Hay about what it's like to continue performing after losing a band member (Pylon guitarist Randy Bewley died in 2009), how Athens became a center of independent arts in the South, and Vanessa's unique vocal stylings. produced by Marites Velasquez and Amanda Roscoe Mayo photo by Mike White

explicit language Ozivell Ecford is a songwriter, designer, and performer. He has studied at Depaul and the International Academy of Design and Technology. He's worked with the Old Town School of Folk Music as well as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has produced and composed for a number of independent films, plays, local artists, and bands, and performs with his band Kick Bricks regionally and nationally. Ecford was ranked as one of Chicago’s Top Ten Teaching Artists by 3Arts.org in 2014 and 2015. produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

CHIRP volunteer Shawna Kaiser recently sat down with Trevor Shelley de Brauw (of Pelican) in the CHIRP studios to discuss his new solo album, Uptown. They chat about "epic" sounds, the anxious origins of the album, and getting things done. produced by Joseph Griffin

explicit language Tristan A. Smith is an actor, writer, and comedian born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the city's South Side in the Bronzeville neighborhood. It's a known fact amongst performers that great art comes through Chicago. Tristan has spent more than enough time in the city to provide all the evidence you need of just how special the homegrown talent is. A lot of elements have had a hand in crafting Tristan's artistry both in Chicago and in his travels. From his time in Atlanta at Morehouse College, to his improv and writing training at Act One Studios and Second City, to his everyday experiences. All of it makes an impact. He is honored to be working with Chirp Radio for the first time and happy you are listening. produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

CHIRP DJ Andy Weber met up with the members of Bleach Party to chat about the Craigslist origins of the band, working with local label Tall Pat, and what they've been listening to lately. Produced by Cyrus Leddy.

explicit language Comedian and immigration rights activist Chris Trani tells the story of how he posed as a journalist from Street Wise to interview Jane Fonda and Eve Ensler. produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

CHIRP DJ Alli Klein sat down with local band So Pretty after a recent band practice to discuss their new record and how it highlights their ethos about staying true to yourself, your band and your fans in order to emphasize being inclusive instead of exclusive. produced by Jenn Rourke