We're seeking new members for our 2025 Board of Directors, as well as our founding Associate Board for young professionals 35 and under. Details and application at each of the links above.
The CHIRP Blog
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesThe History of Chicago Blues (1972)
CHIRP Radio's Citations presents interesting and informative content about Chicago or music (or both) from around the Web.
Blues is a music with a rich cultural history that tells stories of change, migration, suffering, and hope. To not know something about the Blues is to miss a very important part of American music.
This film, produced and directed by Harley Cokliss in 1972 for Irit Film Productions, looks at the Chicago Blues scene in the late '60s and early '70s, when tentions were still running high because of events like the Vietnam War and the chaotic and violent Democratic Party National Convention Chicago hosted. The document features artists such as Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells.
CHIRP Radio writesIn Rotation: Outronaut
Kill the Light, the new self-released album from Chicago band Outronaut, is in rotation on CHIRP Radio 107.1 FM Chicago!
Beatnik writesThe Songs That Get You Through: “Windfall” by Son Volt
These are obviously strange times we are living in, so we asked some of our CHIRP volunteers to tell us about a particular song they like to listen to when things are tough. We're calling it, "The Songs That Get You Through."
DJ K-Tel, who you can hear Sundays from 12-2pm, shared this story:
“Windfall” by Son Volt always makes me happy—especially when I remember it as the soundtrack to my epic 1997 three-week, cross-country road trip with two best friends. When Jay Farrar croons, “Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel / May the wind take your troubles away,” there’s nothing else to do but scream, “Hell, yeah!” while careening through the back country roads of Wyoming.
The entire Trace album was on heavy rotation, along with Grant Lee Buffalo, Uncle Tupelo, Swervedriver (and Third Eye Blind—hey, it was 1997, and “Semi-Charmed Life” was everywhere!). This was long before mobile phones, way before GPS. Armed only with a trusty Rand McNally atlas and a rough idea of where we wanted to go—west!—we were young and wide-eyed and winging it, crashing at cheap roadside motels and sleeping on floors—and experiencing 18 states and parts of Canada. When this pandemic is over, I’m seriously considering doing it all over again. With the same soundtrack.
Jessi D writesCHIRP Radio Shelter In Sound Presents: Jordanna
Like you, the CHIRP Features team is staying home to help flatten the curve! We are shifting our programming to present a new series in our Artist Interview Program.
Shelter In Sound features interviews with artists and local music related tastemakers on what they are doing right now during this global pandemic. Tune in to learn how some of your favorite folx are managing and staying creative while hunkered down.
In this edition, local RnB artist Jordanna spoke with Features Co-Director Jessi D through the magic and safety of the internet. They discuss her experience thus far sheltering in place with a particular focus on responsible social media use while in isolation. Jordanna also kicks around some interesting ideas on releasing music entirely online, including her new single “Same Old Thing,” which dropped April 27th.
Produced by Jessi D
Photo credit: Jordanna
CHIRP Radio writesIn Rotation: Chad Taylor Trio
The Daily Biological, the new album from Chicago group the Chad Taylor Trio, is out on Cuneiform Records and in rotation on CHIRP Radio 107.1 FM Chicago!
