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The CHIRP Blog
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writes@CHIRPRadio (Week of October 15)
EVENTS
- October 17 | Martyrs (3855 N. Lincoln Ave) | CHIRP's live music and lit series presents First Time : First Fall
- October 19 | Bottom Lounge (1375 W. Lake Street) | CHIRP Radio presents Titus Andronicus with a solo performance from Ted Leo
NEW MEDIA
- Amanda Roscoe Mayo interviews Twin Peaks
- Alli Klein chats with Bev Rage and The Drinks
- Kyle Sanders checks out the 2018 Chicago International Film Festival
KSanders writesCHIRP Radio Goes to the 2018 Chicago International Film Festival!
written by Kyle Sanders
Movie critic Roger Ebert put it best when he said "We are put on this planet only once, and to limit ourselves to the familiar is a crime against our minds." It's a quote I've unknowingly followed for years, specifically when it comes to movies. I love movies. And when you've seen as many films as I have, you tend to venture outside your comfort zone and search beyond the familiar to find a flick you've never seen before. Personally speaking, that which is unfamiliar to me are foreign films.
Of course, I've seen many of the classic international motion pictures that every film studies course recommends as essential viewing: The Grand Illusion, Seven Samurai, La Dolce Vita, Black Orpheus, Raise the Red Lantern and so on and so forth. But just like today's new releases of American cinema, who's to say what current foreign films will end up a classic? This is why each year during the month of October, I look forward to the Chicago International Film Festival.
SKaiser writes@CHIRPRadio (Week of October 1)
EVENTS
- October 6 and 7 | Dovetail Brewery (1800 W Belle Plaine Ave) | CHIRP is joining Dovetail Brewery and Begyle Brewing for the 3rd annual Oktoberfestiversary! The festival is free with a $5 suggested donation to benefit CHIRP Radio along with The Friendship Center, and Friendship Pet Food Pantry.
- October 6 and 7 | Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest (CTA Western Brown Line Stop) | Kick off the fall season with CHIRP at the family-friendly Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce's 31st Annual Apple Fest!
NEW MEDIA
- First Time: First Try with Kellye Howard
- Andrew Meriwether caught up with Kaya who records, produces, and performs her music under the moniker Okay Kaya
- Music and Malt: Half Acre Beer Co. by Rebecca Suzan
TOP OF THE CHIRP CHARTS
1. LaLa LaLa – The Lamb (Hardly Art)
2. Noname – Room 25 (self-released)
3. Joey Purp – Quarterthing (self-released)
Mike Nikolich writesBrace Yourself for Sparkletears at CHIRP Night at the Whistler!
written by Mike Nikolich
When Sparkletears delivers their sonic assault at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on Wednesday, Sept. 26, you may be surprised by what you hear and see.
The Chicago trio plays an infectious blend of garage rock, punk, surf and doo-wop that sounds familiar, until you realize those noisy guitars aren’t guitars, but an electric, solid-body ukulele. And, it isn’t a gimmick; it’s how this band rocks.
Rebecca writesMUSIC AND MALT: HALF ACRE BEER CO.
Welcome to Music and Malt, a series that examines the intersections where music and beer meet in Chicago.
by Rebecca Suzan
It was August 2017 and I had just moved to Chicago. Eager to get a taste of the city’s craft beer scene, I headed to Half Acre Beer Company’s Lincoln Avenue brewery one Saturday morning for a tour. Music was playing throughout the brewery. The music continued playing during the tour so that our guide had to project his voice over it. That moment made me wonder if the brewers played music while they worked and the “Music and Malt” blog series was born. I was fortunate to close out the summer with the brewery that sparked this series, attending Half Acre’s 2018 The Big North. The Big North, an annual event held at the brewery’s Balmoral facility, showcases limited edition beers and local bands for a quintessential Chicago party.
When I arrived at Balmoral, the line stretched the length of the building and around the block. Attendees show up early for this party, and with good reason: the beer is first come first serve.
Standout selections included the “2018 Benthic,” a barrel-aged imperial stout with coconut and coffee, the “Red Raspberry Loam,” a fruited wild ale, and the event’s namesake beer, “The Big North,” a peach lacto pale ale. The peach pale ale in particular was refreshing, easy drinking, and it took the top spot as my favorite of the day.
While beer was front and center at the event, it was by no means the only diversion. Live music on an outdoor stage, photo booths, a balloon artist, axe throwing and shuffleboard, local crafters selling their wares, and CHIRP radio came together to fill out the facility’s production space, beer garden, and tap room. And though there was something to see or do to satisfy every sense, the atmosphere remained relaxed. “This is low key,” one attendee told me as we sat at a picnic table scarfing down burgers and chips, “It’s not like other beer events where there’s pressure to hit everything.”
Each of the three Chicago-based bands that took the stage made sure to keep the good vibes coming. First up was dreampop quartet Divino Niño, whose surf rock melodies were a perfect backdrop for sipping brews on a warm afternoon. Dehd took the stage next, bringing the energy with a brand of garage pop that made the thirsty throngs waiting on line for their next beer stop and take notice. Psychedelic outfit Post Animal was the last to play, and they were the perfect cap to the event. Though they would be at home among any number of ‘60s acts who’ve influenced them, Post Animal has turned nostalgia into a fresh, contemporary sound.
And, as the warm afternoon turned into a breezy night, a few people still trickled into the party, while others, riding on their well-established buzzes, took selfies with their balloon animals. I was thankful to get back to the brewery that inspired this series, and I can’t wait to check out The Big North again next year.