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The CHIRP Blog
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesA Conversation With Ken Stringfellow of The Posies
Jon Auer (l.) and Ken Stringfellow of The Posies (photo from City Winery Web site)
The Posies have been around the world and back again. Formed by Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer in Bellingham, WA during the 1980s-90s creative tidal wave of west coast rock music, the band enjoys a well-earned repuation for their records, their outstanding live shows, and a spirit of collaboration with musical peers and newcomers. The story continnues as they visit select US cities on their 30th Anniversary Tour.
On Wednesday, January 31st, CHIRP Radio welcomes Ken and Jon to City Winery where they will take the stage and perform songs from The Posies' entire catalog. Prior to the event, CHIRP was able to ask Ken some questions about himself and the band.
You’re now entering your fourth decade of making music. For the benefit of our social media world, sum all that up in one or two sentences.
I come from very humble origins, and I've been gifted the world, and music has been the interface. It's a miraculous substance.
Sophie Holtzmann writesNew Album Review: “IX” by Rent Strike
by Sophie Holtzmann
Just as a happenstance of exposure, I usually only write about Chicago music, but it’s time to pay tribute to some amazing folk punk coming out of the Michigan DIY scene. In January 2018, Rent Strike released IX, a 9-track masterpiece fit for endless replay.
Mike Nikolich writesJen Dot Can’t Wait to Take the Stage at CHIRP Night at the Whistler
by Mike Nikolich
Break-ups are never easy, and Jen Dot claims she’s still not over the break-up of Swimsuit Addition, a popular Chicago band that was considered one of our city’s rising stars as recently as 2016.
“It broke my heart when Swimsuit Addition dissolved,” Dot says. “I put my heart and soul into that band and I wondered if I ever could recapture the magic.”
Fortunately for us, Dot is resilient, as evidenced by the release of Can’t Wait, a fine new recording by her latest band, beastii. While she still smarts from the pain of the dissolution of Swimsuit Addition, Dot clearly has moved on, calling her new album “Some of the best work of my career.”
beastii and Sex No Babies are the featured acts at the January 24 edition of CHIRP Night at the Whistler. The show starts at 8:30 pm, and admission to free to anyone 21 years or older.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writes@CHIRPRadio (week of January 22)
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday January 24: CHIRP Night at the Whistler kicks off the new year with performances by Sex No Babies and beastii
- Saturday January 27: CHIRP spins at Lincoln Square Winter Brew
- Sunday January 28: Classic Album Sundays holds a listening party featuring Steely Dan’s 1977 classic Aja.
New Media
- Eddie Sayago chills everybody out with 5 Songs to Get You Through This Winter
Eddie writesOh, So Cold Up North: 5 Songs To Help You Endure This Arctic Winter
by Eddie Sayago
We have just survived a long period of subarctic weather and for that, we are rewarded with a couple of rainy days with temps above 50 degrees. (It was 58 degrees at the time this very sentence about our short winter weather break was written.) And not only do we get winter weather again, but more snow is coming! And the storms have names now. Yippee!
Here are five songs about the cold to accompany you while are walking (in layers) in this winter wonderland. Stay warm!
“Cold Weather Blues” by Muddy Waters [from Folk Singer (1964, Chess Records)]
The opening (oh man, that guitar) 15 seconds is possibly the best way to step outside into this Chicago winter. Its early morning, still dark. Snow is falling onto your head. You can see your breath even though your mouth and nose is covered under a wool scarf. Recorded at Tel Mar Studios in the South Loop, this track includes Buddy Guy strumming on the guitar that sets the mood for the dark wintry day. Oh man, that guitar.