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The CHIRP Blog
Kevin Fullam writesThe fourth Wall: “Casino Royale”
Welcome to The Fourth Wall, CHIRP's e-conversation on cinema. This week's subject is the 2006 film Casino Royale.
This edition is written by CHIRP Radio volunteers Kevin Fullam and Clarence Ewing.
Clarence:
“Bond. James Bond.”
Anyone who knows anything about film history will recognize that famous introduction. Even those who have never seen a frame of the 25 feature films on which this character is based.
I was one of them. Until a few months ago, I had never seen an entire James Bond movie in one sitting. I was familiar with many of the scenes, the one-liners, the cultural discussion of the character and the actors who played him. But not the movies themselves..
Recently, though, I’ve binge-watched all five of the Bond films featuring its most recent lead actor, Daniel Craig. I remember when he made his first Bond appearance in Casino Royale in 2006 there was controversy around how a blond-haired, blue-eyed actor, even a talented one, could pull off such an iconic role. Skeptics needn't have worried; He did, and continued to for another 15 years.
Casino Royale is a bit of a strange entry in the Bond series. The first movie to carry that title (released in 1967) isn’t considered official canon for several reasons and was panned by critics when it first released, but it was based on the Ian Flemming novel of the same name, in which the character James Bond first appears.
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Nov 13 - Nov 19)
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday Nov 14: CHIRP DJ Night at the Native feat. DJ Joe Held
- Tuesday Nov 21: CHIRP Music Trivia Night at Beermiscuous
- Saturday Nov 25: CHIRP Radio welcomes Dianogah to the Empty Bottle
- Wednesday Nov 29: First Time: First Step at Martyrs'
- Tuesday Dec 5: CHIRP Night at the Whistler with Flowtone and Mikhael Hell
- Wednesday Dec 6: Both Sides Now at Schuba's featuring DJ Alli Klein
- Sunday Dec 10: CHIRP DJs at Schubas Winter Market
- Tuesday Dec 12: CHIRP Radio weclomes Anjimile to Schubas
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Nov 6 - Nov 12)
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday Nov 7: CHIRP Radio welcomes Mike Doughty & Ghost of Vroom to Lincoln Hall
- Tuesday Nov 7: CHIRP Night at the Whistler with Kelsey Montanez and BaseKase
- Tuesday Nov 14: CHIRP DJ Night at the Native feat. DJ Joe Held
- Tuesday Nov 21: CHIRP Music Trivia Night at Beermiscuous
- Wednesday Nov 29: First Time: First Step at Martyrs'
- Tuesday Dec 6: CHIRP Night at the Whistler with Flowtone and Mikhael Hell
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Q&A With BassKase (Performing at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on 11/7)
Chicago artist BassKase (Bandcamp | YouTube) will perform at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on Tuesday, November 7th. We caught up with BassKase recently to ask him a few questions about himself and his music…
So...What’s going on? Tell us about your current releases and/or upcoming shows (such as CHIRP Night at the Whistler!).
The next BassKase EP called Rabbit Holes dropped on Bandcamp on October 27 and will drop on all streaming platforms on November 3. Hopefully, it’ll be in rotation before CHIRP Night at The Whistler, as I’ll bust out one or two tracks on that night.
Other than CHIRP Night, my next show is in Toronto on October 26 at Decoy Bar. Starting to set up dates in Chicago for 2024 soon!
How do you go about turning your thoughts, ideas, and feelings into sounds?
Generally, if a kernel of an idea pops, I’ve lay it down on whatever element is driving the idea (typically bass and drums, but not always). Then, I create more elements that I think either add more to the vibe/texture or work as a counterpoint to it.
After that, it’s an iterative process stripping bits down and slathering on sonic confectionary.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesCHIRP Radio Q&A With Drinking Poppy (Performing at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on 11/7)
Chicago band Drinking Poppy (Bandcamp) will perform at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on Tuesday, November 7th. We caught up with Cisco (Bass), Mig (Backing Vocals, Keys/Synth), and Doug (Guitar, Synth) recently to ask a few questions about them and their music…
So...What’s going on? Tell us about your current releases and/or upcoming shows (such as CHIRP Night at the Whistler!).
Doug - Clarence, thanks for having us on the blog! After releasing our debut EP in May, we had a busy summer of performing all over the city and suburbs incl. Cubby Bear, the Palatine Park District, 95 WIIL Rock’s Bandemonium and more.
Our final show of the year will be CHIRP Night at the Whistler Nov. 7th! We’re ecstatic to be releasing four new singles in the upcoming months. We’re building a community of friends, family and diehard music fans. It’s fun to watch it grow.
How do you go about turning your thoughts, ideas, and feelings into sounds?
Cisco - It's more of a symbiotic thing between whoever I'm writing with.
Mig - It just depends on the idea. For example, with keys/synths it does take me a bit of thinking. Almost like solving a mathematical equation. However, doing harmonies and additional background vocals come to me as organically as breathing.
That said, I'm very big on collaboration, and I rely on my bandmates heavily to get these ideas to come to fruition.
Doug - I try to put myself into a state where I can feel creative and appreciative. I travel, spend time in nature or with my kids. I’m always listening for naturally occurring patterns and rhythms, especially outside or in a new place. I try to keep my stress low.
Eventually, I find myself humming or whistling something that I think is catchy. From there, I craft it for about a month until I have the bones of a song that I can share with these guys and we can collaborate on it from there.