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Entries categorized as “Interviews” 93 results
Erik Roldan writesLaura Szumowski of Zoo-Mouse-Key Press
Did you like our Fall Pledge Drive T-Shirt? It was designed by Chicago-based illustrator Laura Szumowski. We chose her design for it’s clever, layered point of view — qualities you’ll find throughout her body of work. I spoke to her about her business (Zoo-Mouse-Key Press ), her mission, and living in Chicago. Thanks so much for your design, Laura!
Erik Roldan writesCHIRP + Coach House Sounds Present: The Dig
New York based band, The Dig , mines the recent history of indie-rock, using their youth to reinterpret the strengths of Julian Casablancas and adding some more control. CHIRP is very excited to present their session for Coach House Sounds, to be released on Tuesday, September 20 at www.coachhousesounds.com . Listen to CHIRPRadio.org to hear tracks from this session be sure to check out The Dig when they play at Schubas on Thursday September 22, 2010.
Erik Roldan writesSeth Fein - Founder of the Pymalion Music Festival In Champaign-Urbana
The Pymalion Music Festival, founded by Seth Fein, is Champaign-Urbana’s highly successful venture into the music-fest circuit, enjoying high profile names and notable attendance. CHIRP DJ Nathalie Lagerfeld interviewed Fein and talked about the fest’s beginnings, growing pains and the future. The Pygmalion Music Festival is happening September 21-25, more details available at www.pygmalionmusicfestival.com
Erik Roldan writesCHIRP + Coach House Sounds Present: Judson Claiborne
Judson Claiborne has two albums to its credit, and its understated folk rock has only gotten better. Mystical observations of the world co-mingle with warbly, weary vocals reminiscent of Tim Rutili (Califone, Red Red Meat) to leave a heart-shaped imprint in your ears. Judson Claiborne answered some questions for CHIRP in anticipation of their upcoming Coach House Sounds session, available at www.coachhousesounds.com on August 16th, 2011. Hear preview tracks all week on CHIPRadio.org and download the session next week!
1. What the dumbest thing you’ve ever done in a basement?
I tried to slow dance with a security guard in the basement of the Saint Louis Art Museum while on LSD. It was the Ancient Egypt exhibit maybe? I was wearing headphones, listening to Dead Can Dance’s Into the Labyrinth on the walkman. She was a good sport about it, I think.
*2. Can you tell me about one time when you realized this was YOUR city? *
While living in Seattle last fall and winter, trying to find a hot dog without cream cheese all over it. I’m serious.
3. Describe a scenario where Judson Claiborne could be someone’s life coach and the top 2 life lessons you’d teach them.
To quote one of my favorite bank robbers – “spirit ain’t spit without exercise”. You can’t expect to survive life’s gravity or steal a hundred thousand dollars without dancing around or riding your bike everyday. Also, it’s a real good idea to say hello and nod to people on the street. Get to know your neighbors and ask them to tell you their stories. I’d give this advice to anybody, any ol’ time.
4. Tell me about your CHS session—what did you like about it? Was there anything that surprised you or was spontaneous that came out in the recording?
It was nice running into The Eternals on the way out of their session. It was our first time recording with The Reverend Jacob F. Ross, our new guitar player, so that was some nice nervous excitement to play with. There are polaroids all over the place down there of bands who’ve done CHS sessions previously. I imagined these bands recording, then being blasted into outer space. “What will outer space feel like?”, I wondered. Am I in outer space?
5. What’s happening? What are your current/upcoming shows or releases?
My band and I are working on a new record. We’re doing a little bit of everything right now. Just spent two days out at Key Club Recording Company in Benton Harbor, MI with our Engineer Tim Iseler and his new life partner in crime, Marketa Irglova. She sang some amazing harmonies on a couple of songs we’re working on and made a mean home made Tomato Cream Soup. Still plenty of writing to do, we’re planning for a spring 2013 release. Been thinking / reading about successful bank robbers and whirling dervishes. In other news, I’m playing a really interesting music festival here in Chicago on Aug 13 called Found Sound . It’s a site specific series of performances in Ukrainian Village. You grab a map and bike around to experience shows in garages, backyards, or the Duk’s hot dog stand patio, which is where I’m playing. Also finishing up a residency at Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar in Bridgeport on Aug 14..
Erik Roldan writesCHIRP + Coach House Sounds Present: The Eternals
Damon Locks and Wayne Montana (currently) are The Eternals . The band has been fusing rock, dub and Caribbean rhythms into a sound that was once so hard to categorize, they made up their own: “rawar style.” This year, they released Approaching the Energy Field (Addenda Records ), garnering critical praise for evolving with the sound they pioneered in 2000. CHIRP is proud to present their session with Coach House Sounds, streamable and downloadable at coachhousesounds.com on Tuesday July 26th!
1. What the dumbest thing you’ve ever done in a basement?
Assumed that the water wouldn’t get any higher.
2. The Eternals have a long history in Chicago. Can you tell me about one time when you realized this was YOUR city?
Hmm…as a band? I think only recently. Our old band Trenchmouth always felt like outsiders (our label was out of Minneapolis) and The Eternals have felt similarly. After years and years of playing, we feel as though we have successfully graffiti’d the walls of Chicago’s musical landscape.
3. Describe a scenario where Eternals could be someone’s life coach and the top 2 life lessons you’d teach them.
Over the years, I think the band could be described as a life coach to other younger bands like Watchers or Jai Alai Savant. Whether they took heed is another thing all together.
Top life lessons for bands:
The music industry doesn’t care about you. It doesn’t know good music. Pay as little attention to it as possible.
The more universal you attempt to make something, the less personal. The more personal you make something, the more universal it can be.
4. Tell me about your CHS session—what did you like about it? Was there anything that surprised you or was spontaneous that came out in the recording?
I generally enjoyed the experience. The guys were very friendly and accommodating (thanks for the cookie and the use of the sunglasses).
During the performing of “Shadow Radio” I was so enthusiastic that I inadvertently knocked my sampler off my keyboard and it fell onto my vocal effects pedal and changed the setting. I really got into that performance.
5. What’s happening? What are your current/upcoming shows or releases?
We have a bunch of shows coming up this summer:
w/ Ted Leo at Fireside July 26th
Milwaukee Art Festival July 30th
Experiment Sound Studio August 27th
We are in the planning stages of doing a show at the MCA. That should be a lot of fun. We are also talking about playing The Hideout Block Party.