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Kevin Fullam writesThe Fourth Wall: Good Time
Welcome to The Fourth Wall, CHIRP's weekly e-conversation on cinema. This week's subject is the heist thriller Good Time.
This edition is written by CHIRP Radio volunteers Kevin Fullam and Clarence Ewing.
Kevin:
"Bank heists are performed by professionals. Amateurs, don't try this at home -- and especially not in an actual bank." -- K.J. Fullam
What would Danny Ocean & Co. make of the sibling duo of Connie and Nick Nikas? The ramshackle robbery engineered by the latter at the outset of 2017's Good Time is probably an accurate depiction of what would occur if one of us tried to knock over a bank and had, oh, an hour or so to prep beforehand.
The ultra-suave Rat Pack this is not. Connie (Robert Pattinson) is a deadbeat who, while dragging along his mentally-handicapped brother Nick, clumsily robs a NYC bank to the tune of $65,000. Unbeknownst to him, the money is marked, and thanks to explosive dye packs, the two of them are soon literally marked as well. Nick is woefully unequipped for the ensuing getaway; he quickly gets hauled in by the police and is set to be shipped off to Riker's Island. As most of the stolen money is ruined by the dye and thus not enough to cover the bail, Connie is forced to ad-lib an assortment of schemes over the next 24 hours in the hopes of freeing him... with misfortune befalling any unfortunate soul who gets sucked in along the way.
Mike Nikolich writesBuddies Turn 20 Year Friendship into a Killer Band
CHIRP Night at the Whistler always spotlights some of Chicago’s finest bands, and our August 22 show is no exception, when The Thin Cherries and I Lost Control take the stage around 8:30 pm. Tickets are free, but you will need to RSVP to this 21+ show.
The Thin Cherries [Bandcamp | Facebook] is the newest musical project founded by veteran Chicago indie rockers Steven Delisi and Mark Lofgren. Delisi is a musician and songwriter with a background in theater and film production. His previous band, Phenomenal Cat, blended his pop/punk sensibilities with experimental music and the Russian folk influences of his bandmates.
Songwriter/musician Lofgren is one of the founders of the psychedelic pop/rock band The Luck of Eden Hall, who have toured Europe and released music on a variety of independent labels, including Headspin Records and Fruits de Mer Records. In 2014 Lofgren released his solo debut, The Past Perfect.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writes@CHIRPRadio (Week of August 13)
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Wednesday, August 15: CHIRP Radio weclomes Free Cake for Every Creature to the Hideout
NEW MEDIA
- Ari Mejia talks with Desert Liminal
SKaiser writes@CHIRPRadio (Week of August 6)
UPCOMING EVENT
Come show off your music nerdery at the CHIRP Music Quiz! Tonight, August 6th!! The fun kicks off at Cole's Bar (2338 N Milwaukee Ave) for this 21+ event at 8:00 PM.
NEW MEDIA
- Sam and Archer of Sea and Cake sat down with interviewer Michael Reed. Sea and Cake performs at Millennium Park on August 16, 2018.
- Josh Friedberg writes a book review on Woman Walk the Line: How the Women in Country Music Changes Our Lives
- Music and Malt: Beermiscuous and Spiteful Brewing by Rebecca Suzan
Rebecca writesMusic and Malt: Beermiscuous and Spiteful Brewing
Welcome to Music and Malt, a series that examines the intersections where music and beer meet in Chicago.
by Rebecca Suzan
In Chicago, music and beer are the cornerstones of a perfect summertime party. Fortunately, both were on hand to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Beermiscuous, Chicago’s craft beer café. I sat down with Andrew Hilsberg, Events Director at Beermiscuous, and Calvin Fredrickson, Account Manager at Spiteful Brewing and singer/guitarist for sewingneedle, at the celebration to talk about the artistry that goes into making and selling both beer and music.
RS: Andrew, how did you become involved with Beermiscuous?
AH: My entry into the beer world was marketing. I had worked in marketing in the music business and in print media. A couple months before it opened, I read a story on DNA Info about Beermiscuous, and I reached out to the owner. He hired me to start email newsletters, run social media, and make industry connections. I have an understanding of consumers, how to differentiate a brand, and how to get people to take notice and take action. I’ve always been at the intersection of commerce and culture, and I’m very fortunate that it’s been in music and beer. It becomes a lifestyle, not a job.
RS: I like that. It’s giving me hope that there are people out there doing things they love while I toil away at my day gig.
CF: Not every day is roses. There are tough days. There are some days you eat dirt. Not everybody wants to see you all the time, and some days you’re just not firing on all cylinders. Those days are discouraging, but most days are positive. I try to remember I’m lucky to do this. Very few people get this chance.