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The CHIRP Blog
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesTop Five Chicago Soul Love Songs for Your Valentine’s Mix
Valentine's Day is this Saturday, one of the few days left in this Spotify'd world when the humble mixtape (or CD) still gets a chance to shine. Whether you're cooking up a romantic playlist for a partner or celebrating schadenfreude with some anti-love tunes, your mix isn't complete without one thing: some smooth Chicago soul. On this week's Top Five, we've got five songs from the city's soul heyday that would make any potential crush pull off their headphones and take notice. As a courtesy, we've also included some mix placement suggestions intended to maximize romantic impact. You're welcome in advance.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesMark Your Calendar…The CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights in Coming This April!
Mark your calendar and start saving your pennies, because it will soon be time for the next CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights!
Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than making new musical discoveries and adding to your collection? We're returning to Plumbers Hall for the THIRTEENTH edition of our event, which will be chock full of music, food, art, entertainment, and more music. Plus, we get to hang out together! What could be better?!?!
The fair will be held on Saturday, April 11th. Early admission will get you in from 8:00am to 10:00am with readmission all day long. Regular admission begins at 10:00am and includes a discount if you bring a flyer or ad with you.
Click here for the full details and to RSVP. If you're a vendor and are interested in participating, you can download a contract here. See you soon!
Mike Bennett writesFriday MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Dave Davies Edition
Being the brother of a legend can’t be easy, and the relationship between Dave and Ray Davies has always been perilous, but birthday boy Dave has carved his own deserved niche in rock history. Indeed, Ray has taken great pains to point out how essential Dave’s dirty, feedback laden playing was to putting The Kinks on the map, and, in so doing, sending rock into harder and louder territory. Dave also has been one of the great backup singers in rock history and has penned some fine Kinks tunes (such as “Death of a Clown”). Dave’s solo career has been pretty solid too. He has recovered decently from his stroke from a few years ago, but it remains to be seen if that will prevent any hope for a Kinks reunion. Let’s celebrate Mr. Davies by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesOn Tape: Material Issue, “Diane” (Live at MTV Spring Break 1991)
Welcome to On Tape, CHIRP's weekly exploration of Chicago music in films, videos, and beyond. Each week, our editors will reach back into the archives for the interviews, music videos, live concert appearances, and found footage of the city's most important musical icons. This week: Material Issue.
Mike Bennett writesFriday MP3 Shuffle—“Happy Birthday Tricky!” Edition
(originally published in 2012)
Let’s pay tribute to an artist who has melded genres and wielded considerable influence over the past 20 years, Tricky. Adrian Thaws was part of a crew that evolved into the innovative band Massive Attack. He rapped on Massive Attack’s first album, and then leaped into producing Martina Topley-Bird before striking out on his own with a series of acclaimed solo albums. Since Tricky digs being eclectic, I’m sure he’d dig being honored for his birthday with folks grabbing their iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.