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The CHIRP Blog
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writes@CHIRPRadio (Week of July 16)
Upcoming Events
- Monday July 16: CHIRP Radio and The Chicago FIlm Society present Urgh! A Music War at the Music Box Theatre
- Tuesday, July 17: The CHIRP Radio Local Showcase series premieres at Burbon on Division, featuring Les Strychnine, Rare Ms Steak, and Protovulcan
- Friday July 20 to Sunday July 22: The Pitchfork Music Festival takes over Union Park for three days of music, food, and fun! CHIRP Radio also hosts the Record Fair and Other Delights.
New Media
- Ari Mejia chats with Bret Koontz
- Josh Friedburg reflects on Ella in London
- Shawna Kaiser steps inside City Lit Books
Josh Friedberg: Music Historian's Corner writesRediscovering Our Record Collections: “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”
written by Joshua Friedberg
At Pitchfork this week, Lauryn Hill is expected to give an electric performance of her one solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. With the album celebrating its twentieth anniversary, it’s a good time to revisit its success and its meaning to listeners, including me.
Lauryn Hill’s 1998 disc proved to be an instant classic. I remember at ten years old, I heard about this album garnering the kind of critical and industry acclaim that Nirvana’s Nevermind received several years earlier. And though today it appears to have lost some of its critical luster compared to Nevermind and Radiohead’s OK Computer—which today are both in the statistical aggregate acclaimedmusic.net’s list of the top 10 most acclaimed albums of all time, while Miseducation sits at a “measly” #131—it continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans of many different generations, genders, races, and classes.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesTONIGHT! ‘Urgh! A Music War” at The Music Box Theatre!
On Monday Night CHIRP Radio and the Chicago Film Society present a very rare and special screening of the 1981 motion picture Urgh! A Music War at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave. 60613). It's not just a movie, but a performance experience of 26 bands that helped define the New Wave era, including Devo, Echo & the Bunnymen, X, 999, Klaus Nomi, Au Pairs, Oingo Boingo, UB40, The Cramps, The Go Go's, Gary Numan, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and XTC. The '80s never left, they've just been waiting for moments like this. You can buy tickets here.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesClassic Album Sundays Spins “Ágætis byrjun” July 15th!
One of the most acclaimed albums of the 2000s was produced by Sigur Rós, a then-little-known band from Iceland. Ágætis byrjun defied easy categories and styles, and still does today. With its extended bouts of beauty and complexity, the record richly rewards those looking for musical adventure.
This Sunday, July 15th, the Chicago chapter of Classic Album Sundays will hold a listening party for this remarkable album. Music fans will gather at Saturday Audio Exchange (1021 W. Belmont Avenue 60657) to listen to the album in its entirely on high-fidelity equipment.
The all-ages event begins at 5:30pm and is part of the global listening experience of Classic Album Sundays. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesJoin Us for Square Roots Festival 2018 This Weekend!
Now entering its 7th year, Square Roots Festival has estalbshied itself as a fantastic Chicago mid-summer destination for great food, beer, and music. Over 70 artists and bands will provide entertainment in a truly neighboorhgood setting. CHIRP Radio will be there too, so make sure to stop by our table to say hello!
The festival is open Friday, July 13th (5-10 PM), Saturday, July 14th (12-10 PM) and Sunday, July 15th (12-9 PM) on Lincoln Avenue, between Montrose and Wilson. Musical headliners include The Jayhawks, Matthew Sweet, The Tossers, and Pokey Lafarge. Suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 seniors/kids, and $20 for families.