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
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Dec 13 - Dec 19)
Upcoming Events:
- Friday December 17: CHIRP Radio welcomes The Sueves, Spread Joy, and Happy Day to The Empty Bottle (CHIRP Radio DJs will be there too!)
- All December: CHIRP Radio's volunteers share their favorite albums of 2021!
On the Podcast:
- Lee Gomez talks with METZ
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 12/6/21:
p.a. Pritchett vs. BassKase – Throwdown At The No K Corral (Soundpoint)
Kevin Fullam writesFrom the Chicago Critics Film Festival: “Red Rocket”
by Kevin Fullam
“You invited me. It is not my custom to go where I am not wanted.” -- Mystery Man, Lost Highway
In some lore, vampires are rendered powerless in homes unless they have been formally invited inside. In the case of washed-up "adult film" star Mikey Saber (Simon Rex), he might not exactly have been invited into the dens of his potential marks... but he's also not swiftly booted out after he manages to wedge his feet in the doorways, either.
Bobby Evers writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Bobby Evers
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our first list is from DJ Bobby Evers.
In spite of everything, this has been an incredible year for music. I am a little self conscious about my list being predominately white women writing sad breakup songs, but this is where I'm at right now in the year 2021. I do have a top 3, but the rest are unranked and equal in my eyes.
#1 Home Video by Lucy Dacus (Matador)
Lucy Dacus came back with a vengeance this year in an album that was both a shower AND a grower. She gives us glimpses into her past relationships and friendships, turmoil with sexuality and religion and the insecurity of living in a small community. She presents herself as the kind of friend who will tell you the hard truths you need to hear and destroy herself for her love for you. May we all try to be that friend to someone. AOTY.
CHIRP Radio writesCIHRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Dec 6 - Dec 12)
On the Podcast:
- Mick R. interviews Chicago musician Fire-Toolz
On the Blog:
- Nikki S. interviews Bradley Morgan about his new book U2"s The Joshua Tree: Planting Roots In Mythic America
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 12/6/21:
p.a. Pritchett vs. BassKase – Throwdown At The No K Corral (Soundpoint)
Nikki Stout writesThe CHIRP Radio Interview: Author Bradley Morgan Discusses His Book “U2’s The Joshua Tree: Planting Roots in Mythic America”
Written over the course of pandemic and published today, December 1, Bradley Morgan’s new book U2’s The Joshua Tree: Planting Roots in Mythic America takes a critical look at the monumental album and how its call for justice in 1987 continues to resonate in an America shaped by the election of President Donald Trump.
Out today, Bradley's book offers a historical perspective on the circumstances and policy that allowed us to get where we are, and invites its readers to remain steadfast in hope and their belief in the human spirit.
I sat down with Bradley over Zoom to discuss the scope of the book, its message as told through The Joshua Tree, and how the legacies of the Reagan and Trump administrations continue to have global repercussions.
So, how do you feel? I've been following your posts about the numbers the book is doing leading up to the publishing date, and you are definitely making a mark. I would love to hear about your feelings on where you're at now with your relationship to the book, and your reaction to how, 11 months into Joe Biden's presidency, much of the work still applies.
To understand my relationship to this book, you have to take into consideration the journey I've taken to write it.
Prior to getting this published, I had never been a professional writer outside of a few pieces published here or there, so I didn't have much of a network. And when you're writing a book, it's not just about the quality of the writing but the pipelines of access to publishing resources.
So during that time, you’re going through a very isolated process because in writing you’re alone all the time. You have to reconcile your own issues and insecurities in order to get to a place where you have confidence in your writing. And even after getting a publishing contract, there are still ways in which your confidence can be shaken.