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 (Jan 18 - Jan 24 2021)
Best of Chicago 2020
- The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2020 finalists are out! CHIRP Radio has been nominated for Best Overall Radio Station, Best Music Podcast, Best Blog, Best Live Lit Show (The First Time), and Best Radio DJ (Nicole Oppenheim: Ear Candy and Ninja). Polls are open until February 8th...click here to cast your votes.
On the Podcast:
- Mick R. converses with Jayanna, Jacob, and Brandon of Couch Prints
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 01/18/21:
Gal Gun – Critical Hit (Human Instrumentality Project)
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Jan 11 - Jan 17 2021)
On the Podcast:
- Mick R. talks with Christopher Salveter of Judson Claiborne
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 01/04/21:
Gal Gun – Critical Hit (Human Instrumentality Project)
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Jan 4 - Jan 10 2021)
On the Blog:
- CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers' favorite albums of 2020
On the Podcast:
- Jessi D interviews Oceantor
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 12/28/20:
The Twilite Tone – The Clearing (Stones Throw)
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio’s Top Albums of 2020
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2020.
As we get ready to turn another page, it’s time to present CHIRP Radio’s collective list of the Top Ten albums of the year. Of the 300+ records mentioned by our volunteers in their individual lists, these are the ones cited the most often.
In the summer of 2020, an enigmatic UK entity released one set of songs in June and then another in September, during the latest historic period in America’s struggle for equality. The powerful style and messages of these two releases resonated with many of our volunteers the rest of the year; Almost every reviewer who cited one of the albums on their year-end list mentioned the other one with equal praise. All things considered, it just doesn’t make sense to think of them as separate items.
Therefore, for the first time in the history of CHIRP Radio list-crafting, the same artist claims the #1 and #2 albums of the year, topping a list of new and veteran musicians who helped the rest of us keep it together during these savage times.
CHIRP Radio thanks all of the musicians, labels and venues who keep on making their art, because that’s what artists do. And a special Thank You to our listeners who never stopped supporting us through this year. It’s an honor and a joy to be part of your community.
Here’s to better days for all of us. See you in 2021.
Shawn Campbell writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2020: Shawn Campbell
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2020. Our next list is from Founder and General Manager, DJ Shawn Campbell.
What a year, huh? When I caught two shows in a single day (The 45 in the afternoon, John Cale at night) at the end of January, I thought, "maybe 2020 will be a big live music year for me!" As I took in a triumphant, sold-out hometown show for Beach Bunny at Metro in late February, I thought my big question for the year was going to be, "is crowd surfing making a comeback?" rather than, "will this be the last show I see in person in 2020?"
Obviously, 2020 didn't turn out the way any of us planned. But I'm so glad we were able to bring you so much great music this year, and that we could raise up the voice of so many amazing independent artists.