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
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesTop Five Chicago Folk Artists Who’ll Make You Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution
We're three weeks into January, and New Year's resolutions are already dropping faster than a lapsed gym membership. If you're reading this blog, it's safe to guess that "learn a musical instrument" has appeared somewhere on your list in the last 20 years or so. Worry not, CHIRP listeners: this is the year you finally pick up that guitar/trumpet/mountain dulcimer, and we've got the inspiration to help. Five kinds, actually, all provided by musicians associated with Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. It may take more than a year to catch up to John Prine, but with this list, you'll be equipped to power through.
Mike Bennett writesFriday MP3 Shuffle - Happy Birthday Captain Beefheart! Edition
[originally published in 2010]
It’s time to salute the reclusive damaged blues singer with the four and one-half octave range who gave the world such memorable albums as Trout Mask Replica and Bat Chain Puller and important songs such as “Nowadays a Woman’s Gotta Hit a Man” and “A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond”. Yes, it’s Happy Birthday time for Captain Beefheart (a/k/a Don Van Vliet), who deconstructed classic American music and made it modern and dangerous, inspiring countless bands along the way. To honor the good Captain, please get your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesOn Tape: Naked Raygun, Live at the Metro (1985)
Welcome to On Tape, CHIRP's weekly exploration of Chicago music in films, videos, and beyond. Each week, our editors will reach back into the archives for the interviews, music videos, live concert appearances, and found footage of the city's most important musical icons. This week: Naked Raygun.
CHIRP DJ writesCHIRP Factory Session - Daniel Knox
Chicago singer/songwriter Daniel Knox performed four exclusive new songs from his upcoming self-titled album out onChicago’s Carrot Top Records on February 24th. Recorded and engineered by Mike Lust (Tight Phantomz, Lustre King), this session features Chris Hefner on saw & melodica, Paul Parts (Village) on bass, Jason Toth (The Handsome Family) on drums, and Daniel Knox on vocals and keyboards...
SKaiser writesArt On Armitage
If you take a stroll down Armitage you may suddenly come upon a live performance. Or maybe instead it's a giant six foot tall glittery soldier standing in the window. These are a couple examples of what happens at the window gallery called Art On Armitage.
Since 2003, founder and owner Mary Ellen Croteau’s been using the raised window box to feature local artists exhibitions, installations, and other lively creations. Art On Armitage (4125 W) breaks out of the traditional gallery by making art accessible to the public.
“People in the community love it. We have narratives and live performances that draw people walking by and they’ll stop and just watch. They might talk amongst each other and interpret the art,” Croteau explains.
Through January 2015 Art On Armitage is featuring the photo series At Work/At Home, En el Trabajo/En Casa by Nelson W. Armour. The series focuses on the hard work and identity of latino landscape workers in Highland Park, IL.
“Even though people live in different communities and come from different backgrounds, there are basic things that connect all of us,” Armour said. “In At Work/At Home, En el Trabajo/En Casa, I’m just trying to see the basic elements of our humanity. In photographing these individuals both on the job and at home I hope to present these workers in a new light, not just as individuals who help our communities look good, but as individuals with their own lives.”