Interview: Analogue Heart

I experienced a visit with a very friendly ghost in the machine and was able to capture our conversation as a digital recording for your enjoyment and vindication. If you don't already know, Analogue Heart is an anonymous elector-emo artist who combines skramz, midwest emo, and digital collage into a wild tapestry of contemporary sentiment and scrambled nostalgia. We get deep into their latest Lonely Ghost release, User Pleasure Guaranteed, their general motivations and goals for the project, and their thoughts on AI art in DIY spaces. Plug in, tune out, and feel the power! 

Check out the interview here:  

Listen to User Pleasure Guaranteed here: 

Interview: NaturoSynth

Image Credit: Zain Siddiqui

Got to talk with the cool cats of NaturoSynth for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview series this week. They make a very slick-sounding, '80s-inspired style of future funk and psyche that sounds like a cross between Tame Impala and Daft Punk and I'm all about it. They are super polished, confident, and great to talk to, as well. I was shocked to learn this was only their second interview ever. You can check our convo on CHIRP's site here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · NaturoSynth Interview

Check out their latest EP In Control here: 

Interview: Joan of Arc

Image from the band.

I've dreamed about doing this interview since I started curating the CHIRP Radio podcast, many many moons ago. I dreamed of it but I never actually thought it would happen. I don't want to come across as too much of a swooning sap or a porridge-brained idealist, or one of those psychos who claims that The Secret "works," but I've somehow willed this into existence and you can now enjoy the fruits of my mental sweat equity and good fortune. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to interview Tim, Bobby, and Theo of Joan of Arc about their performance soundtracking Carl Dryer's classic film The Passion of the Joan of Arc as part of the 2023 Chicago Humanities Festival. You can listen on CHIRP's site here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Joan of Arc Interview

Interview: The Bollweevils

Image by Paul Catani

I got to be a huge punk nerd this week and chat up Daryl from Chicago legends The Bollweevils for CHIRP Radio's Artist Interview Series. The first time I saw the Bollweevils was in Chicago at Riot Fest in 2006(?), and all I knew about them then was that they were a big deal and had just gotten back together for the Fest. Sweaty, dumb little me with footprints on the back of his NOFX shirt from when some dude who had 60 pounds on me steamrolled my ass in the pit during Fear City's set, had no idea that he'd someday get to chat with one of these dudes about their legacy and continuing to love music while striving to do your best regardless of where you find yourself in life... It's a weird feeling looking back. A good feeling, but weird and hard to explain. I'm going to stop writing before I get too mushy here and blow what little punk cred I have left. You can check out my interview with Daryl here, or below:  

CHIRP Radio · The Bollweevils Interview

The Bollweevils latest album, and first in fourteen years, Essential, is out on Red Scare. You can listen to it below: 

Interview: Fire-Toolz

Had my second conversation with Angel Marcloid for CHIRP Radio's Artist Interview Series last week and the episode is now live (this is literally the fastest I have ever edited anything in my life)! We mostly talked about her new album I am upset because I see something that is not there. This may sound like a standard interview, but she started it out by telling me that the title was inspired by a channeled work, and things pretty much proceeded apace from there. I ended up having to cut out quite a few interesting tidbits in order to trim it down to time. Some fun facts about the fundraising campaign and merch decision are now lost to the abyss, in addition to some in-depth info on the cover art. Most interestingly I learned that the holy trinity is represented there. I'm not going to say how, but if you give it a glance you might be able to guess. You might also notice that Angel herself is featured on the cover (possibly a first for the project), adorned with a halo. The reason, as she explained to me, is not to sanctify herself but rather to indicate her connectedness to all things; an acknowledgment, not that she is most sacred, but that all living things, humans included, are sacred. There is more that I'm not going to get into right now, but if you listen to the interview you'll still be able to glean some penetrating insights. Most illuminating of all, is that Fire-Toolz is about having fun. Mostly Angel having fun... but she's not going to deny you a good time if you're open to it. You can listen to the full interview on CHIRP's site or below:

CHIRP Radio · Fire - Toolz Interview

Listen to I am upset because I see something that is not there here: 

Interview: Screaming Females

Image by Krista Schlueter

Screaming Females was probably my favorite band at one time. The first time I saw them at a house show in Wisconsin and they made such a powerful impression on me that I would go out of my way, braving all sorts of conditions, to see them again afterward. Driving on black ice-frosted road conditions in the dead of night, careening around mountain passes, forgoing meals to pay for gas, getting back from a venue hours away at 4 am when I had to be to work a mere three hours later- if they were playing near me, I was going to see them. My interests in music have evolved a lot since I first encountered this band, but I am still in awe of them in many ways, especially their relentless tenacity and willingness to do it themselves, as much as possible, nearly 20 years into their career. It was pretty cool to finally have the chance to talk with vocalist and guitarist Marissa and drummer Jarrett for CHIRP Radio about the band's latest album Desire Pathway, and all the things that came together to make it happen. I might be an irrepressible enthusiast, but I don't think the conversation came off as a "fan" interview by any stretch. I kept it together, is what I'm saying. You can listen to our conversation on CHIRP's site here, or below:  

CHIRP Radio · Screaming Females Interview

Desire Pathway is out on Doni Govani Records. You can listen to it below: 

Interview: Doom Flower

Image by Collin Bunting

Had a delightful check-in with Chicago band Doom Flower this week for the CHIRP Radio podcast. I got to talk with Bobby and Jess, the band's bassist and vocalist, respectively, about their latest album Limestone Ritual, the incredibly organic way that the group formed, their striking visual presence, and how that visual identity almost caused the band to go by a different name. We had to do this interview while Jess was waking up in a hotel somewhere out West while schlepping Destroy Boys around on tour. We had to schedule the call for 9 am Chicago time, and I'm still surprised that we made it happen! Even when sleep-deprived and road-worn, Doom Flower was a delight! You can listen to the interview below, or on CHIRP's site. 

CHIRP Radio · Doom Flower Interview

Listen to Doom Flower's Limestone Ritual courtesy of 'Record Label' below:

Interview: Defcee

Image by Michael Salisbury

 A couple of weeks back I got to talk with Chicago-local hip-hop artist Defcee for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series, where we talked about his new single "Learning Gravity," went into the weeds on his inspirations and sources of gratitude, and what we can learn from watching The Sopranos. You can listen to our conversation here, or below:

CHIRP Radio · Defcee Interview

Listen to "Learning Gravity" produced by Blockhead

Interview: Ester

Image by Ash Dye

Had the opportunity to talk with a phenomenal Chicago-local singer and songwriter this week for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series. Anna Holmquist of Ester has self-released a double single Red Rover / Change is Allowed, and we unpack those songs, as well as talk about the role of humor in their music and our mutual love of early Snow Patrol. You can listen to the full interview on CHIRP's site here, or below:

CHIRP Radio · Ester Interview

Listen to Red Rover / Change is Allowed here: 

Interview: Tommy Kessler

Image by Katlyn Sansone Wentzel

Had the pleasure of speaking with man about town, Tommy Kessler for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series this week. Tommy is one of those guys who has an effortless ability to realize the vision and intention for his work and he's amassed an impressive catalog after moving from St. Louis to Chicago as a result. We mostly talked about his solo work, particularly his double EP Mortal Love, but also got into the history of his solo work and the comp of local artists that he assembled and produced to benefit local, community non-profit Brave Space Alliance. It was a fun conversation and I'm fairly happy with the production job on the final cut too. You can listen on CHIRP's site here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Tommy Kessler Interview

Listen to Mortal Love here: 

Check out the Wiener Tape Comp here: 

Interview: Walker

Photo by James Werner

I continue to meet some very cool people doing this podcast for CHIRP Radio. Case in point, local singer/songwriter/music teacher Walker. He's a very chill human with a great approach to music. If I were the age to be taking music lessons, I'd be honored to have him as my coach/instructor. In this interview, we talk about his methods, his journey to Chicago, his latest album Phew, and the role joy plays in his music. You can check out the whole conversation here, or below: 

Listen to his album Phew below: 

Interview: Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis of Sound Opinions

Image by Marty Perez

Saving the best for last this year. For my last interview for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series this year I got to talk with two people who I have admired for many years from afar. Greg Kot and Jim DeRogartis are two people who I have trusted for news and opinions for close to two decades and it was a true honor to speak with them about the origins of their excellent podcast Sound Opinions, as well as integrity in reporting, and the ongoing importance of genuine music journalism. I'm not going to wax anymore about this one because I could probably run on for another five paragraphs. And, frankly, the episode speaks for itself. Check out the interview on CHIRP's site or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Sound Opinions Interview

Interview: Chaepter

Photo by Vanessa Valadez

My interview with the thoughtful and innovative Chicago-based pop artist Chaepter is now up on CHIRP Radio's site. We talked mostly about his new album, Kicking the Cat, but that was enough to fill almost an hour's worth of conversation. I'm sorry, that you only get to hear 10 minutes of it, but I still think you'll be able to get the drift. I saved you the best bits after the cut. Promise! You can listen to the interview on CHIPR's site here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Chaepter Interview

I can't get over how much I love his record. He describes it as "MidWest Gothic" which is perfect, in my opinion. Check out Kicking the Cat below: 

Interview: Discussing the Sun

Image courtesy of the artists

Had a really wonderful conversation with Mars and Nelson of the emo-pop group Discussing the Sun for CHIRP Radio this week. We talked about their new album Feel It All, how the band formed, the boundaries they pushed in terms of their creativity, and the significance of the album's lyrics. I'm still impressed with how much we were able to cover in such a short period of time. You can check the interview here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Discussing The Sun Interview

Feel It All is objectively great as an album and another amazing release from Lonely Ghost. Check it out below: 

Interview: Jordan Reyes

Image by Katherine Squier

I had the pleasure of talking with experimental artist and American Dreams label head Jordan Reyes this week for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series. It was a little spooky conversing about his  new album Everything Is Always given the psychological turmoil that it comes out of and the mortal fear that inspired it, but the topics are perfectly suited to the season and I'm glad that this interview dropped in time for Halloween. You can listen to the interview here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Jordan Reyes Interview

Jordan will also be playing a release show on Nov. 4th at the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago. You can listen to Everything Is Always, out on American Dreams below:

Interview: Liska

Photo by Matt Allen

Got to talk with a very talented and rising rock/pop star for the CHIRP Radio Interview Series this week. We talked about her secret inspirations, growing up surrounded by musicians, and her new EP La Boom. You can check it out on CHIRP's site here, or below:

CHIRP Radio · Liska Interview

La Boom was self-produced and released. 

Interview: The Cool Kids

Got to chat up the ever-evolving duo, Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish of Chicago's The Cool Kids for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series this week. They went a lot deeper than I expected them to into their new musical project, cinematic triptych, mega-album(?) Before Shit Got Weird, as well as their multi-level performance (literally) NIGHT SCHOOL at Thalia Hall this weekend (9/24). They are serving food that they cooked themselves at the show. I've never experienced something like that before but I want to! I hope it starts a new trend frankly. When people make it out to a show, feed them dammit!

You can listen to the interview either here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · The Cool Kids Interview

Listen to Before Shit Got Weird Below: 

Interview: Chicago Research

Had a chat with Blake Karlson of local electronic and post-punk label Chicago Research, where we talked about the collaborative origins of his label, its aesthetics and focus on local music, and why it's coming to an end. I also got the scoop on Blake's new record store, Signal Records, located at 3156 W. Diversey Ave. This was for CHIRP Radio's Artist Interview Series. You can listen to it here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Chicago Research Interview

Interview: Jeff Parker

Image courtesy of the artist

Got to talk with the great Jeff Parker for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series this week. We mostly talked about his most recent album Forfolks, so if there is anything you wanted to know about that album or its origins you're in luck! You can listen on CHIRP's site here, or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Jeff Parker Interview

Listen to Forfolks below: 

Interview: Zvrra

Image from the artist

 I got to hang out and talk games and dance music with Chicago producer Zvrra for the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series this week. I really love the kind of techno she is making and I'm very happy to be able to share her music with the station's audience. If you've visited her Bandcamp, you may have noticed that she's a prolfic producer. She's also working on a game, which we talk about a little bit in the interview, and which sounds really badass. It's surprising that she finds the time to stream on Twitch with everything else she is doing. An inspiration to the rest of us I tell ya! You can listen to the interview here or below: 

CHIRP Radio · Zvrra Interview

Listen to one of her more recent albums Solace below: