We're seeking new members for our 2025 Board of Directors, as well as our founding Associate Board for young professionals 35 and under. Details and application at each of the links above.
The CHIRP Blog
Jenny Lizak writesWhat CHIRP Means to Me: Jenny Lizak
My name is Jenny Lizak, and I'm the President of the CHIRP Board of Directors. One of my earliest memories is listening to my mom play 60's folk music on her guitar. As I grew older, I took piano lessons, sang in choirs, and eventually began competing in the radio category of the school speech team. In college, I feel in love with being on the air and sharing my music with the audience while working at the campus radio station. When I graduated college and later went on to a career in the music business, I both felt sad that radio was no longer a part of my life, and saw firsthand the high need for radio stations that play independent, local and boundary-pushing music and arts programming as part of a strong cultural community in our city.
I've been a volunteer with CHIRP Radio since its inception, seeing it grow from just a dream into what it is today - a highly acclaimed community radio station operating 365 days a year, with the help of over 200 volunteers from neighborhoods around the city of Chicago contributing their time and passion for radio. Every week, when I am on the air on Sunday afternoons, I hear from listeners who are craving CHIRP's programming - commercial-free, non-profit, independent music and interviews curated by people truly passionate about what they do. When I'm around the city at CHIRP events, I talk to listeners who tell me CHIRP is the reason they listen to radio, and how thrilled they are to have discovered their new favorite band through CHIRP. As a music business professional, I see the positive impact of CHIRP's presence in our city on the work I do every day.
That's why I'm asking you today to make a donation to CHIRP Radio, Chicago's independent community radio station, during our spring fundraising campaign to help us continue to grow and thrive. Our goal is $15,000, and I know with your help, we will hit and even surpass that mark.
If you are able, please give what you can to help us continue to provide this service this year and for years to come. We can't do it without you!
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Quincy Jones Edition
Today is the birthday of a giant in the music industry, Quincy Jones. Jones showed musical aptitude at an early age, getting a scholarship to the forerunner of the Berklee School of Music at 18. He left school a year later to tour in Lionel Hampton’s band. Within a few years, he was producing and arranging. For example, at the age of 22, he was producing Louis Jordan, trying to help the jump blues king adapt to the rock ‘n’ roll age (a project that was artistically successful, although a commercial flop). Having worked with a who’s who of jazz legends, by the time he was 31, he was an executive at Mercury Records. He worked on film scores, made his own records, produced Leslie Gore and did tons of other things. This set the pattern for his career. Make a few records, do some soundtracks and work with major artists such as Frank Sinatra. Of course, his legacy was cemented with his work with Michael Jackson on Thriller. In honor of Mr. Jones, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and please share the first 10 songs that come up.
Amanda Roszkowski writesJoin Us for the 11th Annual Creative Chicago Expo @ The Chicago Cultural Center!
At CHIRP Radio, we’re continually trying to strengthen our presence in the local community and make people aware of who we are. One way we’re doing that is by attending the 2014 Creative Chicago Expo this weekend! The Expo connects thousands of creative individuals, businesses and organizations with local and national tools and resources to strengthen their enterprise.
There will also be several keynote speakers including artist Theaster Gates, fashion designer Maria Pinto, chef Carrie Nahabedian and film producer Robert Teitel. There will also be several workshops and tasty food vendors for you to choose from.
The event is held at the Chicago Cultural Center and runs Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 from 10-4PM. Admission is FREE and you don’t even have to RSVP! Learn more here about the Expo and come by this weekend to see CHIRP at the event!
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday Mar. 14 to Thursday Mar. 20
(Weekly Voyages is CHIRP Radio's listing of concerts in Chicago at select venues. Information about tickets can be obtained from the venues' Web sites. Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday March 14
American English, The Fortunate Sons
Abbey Pub 21+
WithoutaBreath, Red Novella, Never Leave Chicago, Along The Parallel
Beat Kitchen 21+
Fatbook Bassel & The Supernaturals, Dos Santos, Sonorama DJs
Double Door 9pm, 21+
Kevin Leeds and Global Cooling, The Fine Print
Elbo Room 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
Jimbo Mathus, Cousin Dud, Old Grand Dad, Reins
Empty Bottle 9pm, 21+
Jimmy Whispers, Yawn, Roommate, Thin Hymns
Hideout 10pm, 21+
Rachel Woodall writesYour Official Lineup for “D.C. Against the World” at SXSW on March 13th!
We are very excited to announce the CHIRP sponsored “DC Against the World” show at this year’s South by Southwest music festival! On Thursday, March 13, CHIRP will bring an entire day of music to the New Movement Theater in Austin, TX. From 11am to 6pm, catch bands from all over the country, including Chicago’s own Outer Minds, not to mention the Free Beer and Free Tacos! The lineup is as follows:
Main Stage
11:25am-11:55am Olivia Mancini :: On team DC is the lovely and multi-talented Olivia Mancini. Mancini is a singer-songwriter who masterfully combines folk-pop, doo-wop, and rock ’n’ roll sounds into one upbeat and lively package.
12:20pm-12:55pm Audacity :: All the way from California, Audicaty is a quartet of true garage band rockers. Together since the ninth grade, these musicians have stuck together and stayed true to their guitar-driven, high energy, garage band feel.
1:30pm-2:00pm Outer Minds :: From CHIRP’s hometown of Chicago comes the band Outer Minds. They skillfully combine big garage band, pop, and psychedelic riffs together to create a unique sound.
2:35pm-3:10pm Blind Shake :: Out of Minnesota comes the dynamic power trio Blind Shake. Their unique sound comes in part from the use of a baritone guitar instead of a typical bass.The three put on an electrifying punk rock show.
3:45pm-4:20pm Deleted Scenes :: Another in the Team DC camp, Deleted Scenes bring a unique and unmatched genre to the show: art-rock. Using sound from dozens of genres—including punk, avant-garde, ambient electronic, and pop— the trio has a strong and memorable sound to go with thoughtful lyrics.
4:55pm-5:40pm The Coup :: From Oakland, California, The Coup describes themselves as playing “funk, punk, agressive-disco” music, alongside the description “political hip hop.” Their unique sound and thought-provoking lyrics will leave an audiencedancing…and thinking.
Small Stage
11:55am-12:25pm Vaadat Charigim :: Vaadat Charigim is an Israeli trio who consider their music both dream pop rockand conceptual art. It will be all about the tight, ambient and interestingly laced guitar sounds for most listeners, as the band sings all in Hebrew. The trio gives a breathtaking and thought-provoking performance.
12:55pm-1:30pm Vertical Scratchers :: Vertical Scratchers is a musical duo out of sunny California. Although the band is small in size, they are anything but small when it comes to soundTheir punk-pop-rock sound is extremely energetic and powerful, and the lyrics are equally so.
2:00pm-2:35pm Hospitality :: Out of Brooklyn, Hospitality is a pop-rock trio with an edge. Frontwoman Amber Papini’s smooth vocals blend well with intricate guitar solos and tight drums. This band packs a punch, but their sound is just lighthearted enough to get you bobbing your head along with them.
3:10pm-3:45pm No Regrets Coyote :: This band takes punk rock back to it’s roots. Not only do they give a great performance, leaving you ready to party, but their guitar riffs and catchy hooks prove they have great musical talent behind those just-wanna-party attitudes.
4:20pm-4:55pm Tereu Tereu :: Another for team DC! Tereu Tereu is an indie duo with a strong DC post-punk influence. They are all about past and present meeting: heavy guitar hooks combined with electronic melodies from their laptops. “We all just hope to survive the digital era,” they explain.
5:40pm-6:00pm Coeds :: From Austin & NYC, Coeds is a girl/guy electro pop duo. Between Meridith Munoz’ lyrics and vocals and Ryan Kailath’s skillfully composed music, it’s no wonder the Coeds are such a joy to listen to. They will get you dancing with a lighthearted, '80s-inspired, feel good sound!