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The CHIRP Blog
Craig Reptile: Your Sunday Sonic Sundowner writesThe Final World From Ultimate Painting
by Someone (not me!) should do a study on the commonalities in bands that break up before releasing their final album, and now we can add to that pool of relevant research subjects Ultimate Painting, the London-based duo comprised of Jack Cooper (Mazes) and James Hoare (Veronica Falls).
Originally, UP! was scheduled for an April release, but Cooper announced on February 12 that the group was breaking up and he had asked their current label, Bella Union (run by Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins fame) to not release it.
When announcing their “irreconcilable breakdown,” Cooper indicated that his partnership with Hoare (both of whom are songwriters, vocalists and guitarists), was always “a very fragile thing” and even on their three original releases, that delicate sense of fragility was an intangible, ineffable through-line that made all of their music something wonderful to hear.
Mike Nikolich writes15 Minutes with Superfyre
Ayme “Superfrye” Frye is a popular CHIRP DJ (Mondays 9am – noon) and an accomplished musician. Her trio will be playing with 8-bit crEEps at CHIRP Night at the Whistler this Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8 pm.
We caught up Superfyre to ask her what’s in store for her upcoming performance.
Q Ayme, you’re a DJ, musician and podcaster. How do you manage to channel so many interests and do them so well?
A “I am an explorer and I have had the chance to live in cool places like Alaska, Costa Rica, Montana, Japan and Spain. I’ve been trained by exceptional musicians like Hamid Drake, Kelan Phil Cohran, Rockin’ Johnny Burgin, and Thomas De Utrera. I’m finally ready to focus on music full-time and I have put together a great band.”
Mike Nikolich writes8-bit crEEps Play New Sounds on Old Circuits
Chicago’s music scene is bursting with talented bands that deserve national attention, and 8-bit crEEps is no exception. Founded in 2016 after guitarist Mick Kong, bassist Jbird James and keyboardist Ginger Glitch dissolved The Van Goghs, they beefed up their sound and became the 8-bit crEEps when former Wedding Photography drummer Joey Charch joined the band.
“We were looking for a new drummer and put an ad on Craig’s List,” Mick says. “Joey’s drumming blew us away. He helped transform our sound and we’ve continued to refine it ever since.”
While 11 of The Van Gogh’s pop gems live in perpetuity on Soundcloud, the 8-bit crEEps have a harder-edged sound, featuring longer tracks that give the quartet plenty of opportunities to stretch out and show off.
“Our music definitely has a psych-surf/post-punk sound,” Jbird says, “but we have been influenced by so many artists and genres of music that we find it difficult to put a label on our music. We describe it as new sounds on old circuits.”
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writes@CHIRPRadio (week of February 26)
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday February 26: The February edition of CHIRP Night at the Whistler features 8-bit crEEps and Superfrye live on stage!
New Media
- Amanda Mayo converses with Rayland Baxter
SKaiser writes@CHIRPRadio (Week of February 19)
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Saturday, February 24th | 5:00 PM | Spudnik Press (1821 W Hubbard St) | Join CHIRP and 17 other chefs from local organizations, businesses, and Spudnik’s own members for The Hashbrown Showdown: Spudnik’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Fair and Chili Cook Off! All ages welcome.
- Sunday, February 25th | 5:30 PM | Saturday Audio Exchange (1021 W Belmont Avenue) | Join CHIRP at Classic Album Sundays as we will feature Alice Coltrane's "Journey in Satchidananda." All ages welcome.
- Sunday, February 25th | 7:00 PM | Gman Tavern (3740 N Clark St) | Have fun and celebrate CHIRP’s Best Local Music Podcast recognition by the Chicago Reader Best of Chicago with So Pretty, Ovef Ow, and Fury!
NEW MEDIA
- CHIRP volunteer Sarah Brooks interviews Julia of local band Ratboys
- Lily Wellen writes Six Songs To Play For Your "Gal-entine's Day"
- Lily Wellen writes Nine Songs For Your Break-Up Mixtape