CHIRP Radio Podcasts

This week, Features contributor Noah Haynes speaks with Sean and Ben Chicago-based cow punk band 96 Cougar. They discuss their newest full-length album, Forklift Radio, the evolution of "cow punk" as their genre, their love of releasing music on tape, and being a band of inside jokes. "I think we kind of have an unofficial rule of no idea is too dumb as long as it rocks." - Sean, 96 Cougar 96 Cougar will be playing Cafe Mustache on April 14th. Produced by Noah Haynes. Photo Credit: Chris Semel

This week, Features contributor DJ Ninja speaks with jazz vocalist and composer Keri Johnsrud and woodwind specialist, performer, recording artist, and composer Shawn Maxwell. They discuss their musical beginnings, their collaborative album C8H10N4O2, and the nods to hometown Joliet in the tracklisting. "Composing and coming up with tunes that tell stories, I feel it's a lot easier for me now than it was 20 years ago. I feel like I have so many ideas and if I could, I'd probably put out an album a month." - Shawn Maxwell The Keri Johnsrud-Shawn Maxwell Band will be playing at City Winery on Tuesday, April 8. Produced by DJ Ninja. Photo Credit: Michael Barton

Natalie Whalen is a local comic, CHIRP DJ, and mediocre guitarist. She also loves to support and appreciate people who share their own version of these arts with the world. Natalie likes dogs, sandwiches, running, and adventure and chuckles in the face of a monotonous routine. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Steve is an Actor and Storyteller living in Chicago, IL. He's worked with several theatre companies in Chicago, most notably with Shattered Globe, The Mercury, and First Folio. He toured seven times with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and is currently understudying Macbeth at Invictus Theatre. If you didn't see him go on two days ago, then you blew it, that was his one guaranteed performance. As a storyteller, Steve has been a repeat performer at Writer's Theatre's "Show and Tell" series, at The Gift Theatre's first annual "CampFire Stories", and has been featured on "The Moth Radio Hour," having won two Moth StorySlams and one Moth GrandSlam at the Athenaeum Theatre here in Chicago. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

This week, Features contributor Juliet Davidson speaks with Lauren Owen of Staring Problem, a Chicago-based DIY proto-goth/shoegaze/no wave/dark wave three-piece. They discuss the band's 15-year run and various makeups, their newest album, Equinox, and the joys of collaborating. "I thought it just felt like a more balanced time, coming out of COVID; looking for balance and acknowledging like the light and dark of everything. Just trying to find a harmony and then equating that with the physical season change of equinox." Lauren Owen on the naming of Staring Problem's release, Equinox Produced by Jessi D. Photo Credit: Tina Mulroney

This week, Liz Mason speaks with Chicago-raised Latina DJ and Producer Christine Gutierrez and E of Dark Chisme, a Seattle-based dark wave band. They discuss Christine's DJ career in Seattle and how it led to the inspiration behind their performing name, the emotional guidance behind when to write in English and when to write in Spanish, and their comics and zine publishing studio, Really Easy Press. "I am huge on mariachis and Mexican traditional singers, and I love the way that they sing out loud and you can just feel it in their soul what they're singing. I wanted to capture that in the music." - Christine Gutierrez Produced by Liz Mason. Photo Credit: Bella Petro

This week, Features co-director Marjorie Alford speaks with Darren Keen of Chicago one-man electronic band PROBLEMS. They discuss the genesis of his project PROBLEMS, Darren's transplant journey from Nebraska to New York back to Nebraska before finally landing here in Chicago, his booking company Personal Space Booking and their upcoming all day fest Personal Space Lost Weekend, the importance sobriety played in his music career and life, and taking over booking for The Burlington. Coming here to Chicago with some sobriety under my belt and working here in the scene ... doing what I do now it's the realization of a dream I couldn't have had otherwise." - Darren Keen of PROBLEMS on sobriety. Catch PROBLEMS this Sunday, 01/26 at CHIRP Night at the Whistler, alongside Speed Babes. Produced by: Marjorie Alford Photo Credit: PROBLEMS

This week, Features co-director Marjorie Alford speaks with Renn Fontana and Lex of Chicago based post-hardcore band Rat Chasm. They discuss the singles Sorry Carly and Wasteland Centerfold, the recording of their album First Feed while Lex was still aclimating to the band, and the struggles of growing up queer. First Feed is out now. Catch Rat Chasm live February 20th at Empty Bliss. Produced by Marjorie Alford. Photo Credit: Cori Knox

This week, Features contributor Josset Yarbrough speaks with Kathy Patino, aka Girl K. They discuss her songwriting process behind her newest release, My Future, her collaboration with Chicago Argentine HEARTGAZE, and her inspriation move from indie rock to glamorous pop. "I don't know if it's necessarily my dream to be a famous musician, but music itself is my dream and I just want people to hear what I'm making, and I want to have fun making it." - Kathy Patino aka Girl K Produced by Brian Szpak. Photo Credit: Alicia Patiño

James Porter is a local DJ, musician and journalist based in the Chicago area. His writings can be found in the pages of the Reader, Chicago and Streetsblog, he can be heard DJing once a month on WLUW, as the host of Hoodoo Party, and he can be seen singing and playing harmonica with the James Dean Joint. He is currently finishing a book about African-American rock musicians. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Beverly Rage is the singer, songwriter, and guitarist of Bev Rage & the Drinks, a Chicago-based queer garage rock band. Bev Rage & the Drinks have been a fixture in the Chicago music scene for nearly a decade and have toured the country with notable acts such as Bully and Pansy Division. Outside of the band, Bev is a gardener, environmentalist, activist, and lover of pistachio ice cream. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Anthony Spaulding is a dynamic writer, author, entertainer, and musician. He has conquered the Goodman, Second City, and many venues in Chicago land. See www.anthonyspaulding.com The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

This week, Features contributor Matty G speaks with Ari and Nate of Chicago-based indie rock group Billy Joel Jr. They discuss their first EP, Rubberhose, the diversity of their band and therefore sound, and of course, their love of the Beatles. "I like the question of diversity, right? Having a diverse sound, we also have diverse members from different parts of the world and the country that kind of come together in Chicago, almost like an analogy for the larger melting pot of Chicago." - Nate Dorian of Billy Joel Jr. Produced by DJ Ninja. Photo Credit: Bailey Radnitzer

Hannah Enstrom was a regular contributor for her hometown’s local paper reviewing kids’ products when she was 9 and that is pretty much the extent of her professional writing career thus far. Her celebrity encounters are all the worst people you can possibly think of, and she often cries in work meetings with her supervisor (who is very nice about it). She is also the co-producer of the bimonthly wacky variety show Movie Club at Bric-a-Brac Records. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Ines Bellina is a writer, translator, and bon vivant. You can find her writing in Gloria, The Cut, Saveur, Daily Beast, Chicago Magazine, and other publications you’ve probably heard of. She is the co-author of LGNSQ, a bilingual photography book about Logan Square. You can find out more about her work and where the hell she is in the world on her newsletter The Cranky Guide The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Kathleen is a writer, event producer, performer, and events gay who has lived in Chicago for 11 years but will always talk about being from Texas. They produce Resilient, a charity show benefitting survivors of sexual violence in Chicago. Kathleen is also published with The Queer Foundation, Scout and Birdie, The Herald-Zeitung, and Seguin Gazette, among others. Their short film, The Last Day, was the winner of Eleven 04's Production Grant. Kathleen is currently assembling a poetry chapbook. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

This week, Features contributor Sophia Ramirez speaks with Emily Haden Lee, a singer-songwriter and artist originally from Missouri who is now based in Chicago. They discuss her new album, The Woman I Would Be, and how her pregnancy has affected its release, how her grief surrounding the loss of her father and brother have shaped her writing, and collaborating with her husband on the album. "I think I'm glad that I have finished this album before I'm having a child and moving into this new chapter of mine [...] Releasing this music, I feel like I'm sort of releasing that time in my life." - Emily Haden Lee Produced by Sophia Ramirez. Photo Credit: Sarah Elizabeth Larson

This week, Features director Marjorie Alford speaks with Angel Lunetta of Chicago-based ethereal experimental metal band Alenia. They discuss the band’s inception and current line-up, their song writing process, Angel’s one woman production company Voodoo Masochist Productions, and advice for artists looking to break into the scene. "I think it’s very important to be patient with yourself because being an artist, any type of artist, is a whole process." - Angel Lunetta of Alenia Produced by Marjorie Alford. Photo Credit: 106 Fever

This week, Features contributor Liz Mason speaks with vocalist and multidisciplinary artist Shami of Mother Fortune, a Chicago-based five-piece hip hop cooperative. They discuss Shami's elaborate and intentional stage presence, the band's collaborative songwriting process, and his work on the online sex positive zine, Zig Zag Sex Mag. "I'm just fortunate to be one of the gears in this clock that is Chicago music." - Shami of Mother Fortune Produced by Liz Mason. Photo Credit: Lex Vasquez

This week, Features contributor Sophia Ramirez speaks with multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, recording artist & hearing conservation advocate Joel Styzens. They discuss the collections of quiet moments that make up his newest release, Resonance, and how his battle with tinnitus helped him discover his voice as a composer. "Sometimes the smallest moments can sometimes be the most powerful, or the most moving or inspiring." - Joel Styzens Produced by Sophia Ramirez. Photo Credit: Sarah Boudreau Joel is performing October 16th at the Cliff Dwellers in Chicago and November 2nd at The Blue Strawberry in St. Louis, MO.