We're happy to be nominated in four categories for the Reader's 2024 Best of Chicago poll. Find them all here and cast your ballot by December 31!
We're happy to be nominated in four categories for the Reader's 2024 Best of Chicago poll. Find them all here and cast your ballot by December 31!
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by Eddie Sayago
When you think of Pride anthems, I’m sure you have the classics like Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out”, Cher’s “Believe”, and Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel” in your playlist. As we enter the half point of the 2020s, it’s time to update the playlist with some fresh voices and songs, many from artists who grew up in a rapidly changing society where it became less difficult to be out and proud. It is still tough out there for us, no matter what the corporate pride ads say. In a time where our rights are being threatened with greater force at the local, state, and federal level–not to mention that there are still over 60 countries on this very hot planet where homosexuality is still illegal–it is essential to have Pride Month, no matter how you commemorate or celebrate. For your friendly neighborhood DJ, music is how I celebrate Pride. Nearly every show I have hosted on CHIRP features a selection of LGBTQ+ artists from Chicago and around the world. These are eight songs released over the past couple of years that deserve a listen and to be added to that playlist for Pride (and all year round). Previous versions of the Pride Playlist can be found here and here. |
Alex Anwandter “Maricoteca”
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Chicago artist Alessia Kato of Ghost Days will perform at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on Sunday June 30th. We recently caught up with Alessia to ask a few questions…
So...What’s going on? Tell us about your current releases and/or upcoming shows (such as CHIRP Night at the Whistler!).
Hello! We’ve been doing well, keeping busy playing some shows and working on new music-we’re going to be releasing an EP/short album later this year. We recently released a single called "vampire blu." I had a lot of fun writing this song and bringing it to life.
We’re looking forward to our next show for CHIRP radio at the Whistler with the amazing Desert Liminal! I’ve been a huge fan of theirs for a while now, so it’s going to be really special.
How do you go about turning your thoughts, ideas, and feelings into sounds?
I guess I have a very fluid and organic process. It might start off with just playing around on guitar or synth and then adding on to it. Sometimes it might start with a drum beat and then I just sort of jam to it and then something will form out of that.
I hear melodies in my head all day and a lot of times I’ll try to get them out and find the right lyrics that express the feelings of what I’m hearing inside.
Chicago artist Sarah Jane Quillin of Desert Liminal will perform solo at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on Sunday June 30th. We recently caught up with Sarah Jane to ask a few questions…
Tell us a little about the band.
Desert Liminal is a three piece experimental trio of me, Rob Logan, nd Mallory Linehan. I started Desert Liminal and am the primary songwriter, so I sometimes perform a stripped down set as Desert Liminal solo for smaller, active listening environments. I'm doing DL solo for the CHIRP benefit at the Whistler on June 30.
So...What’s going on? Tell us about your current releases and/or upcoming shows (such as CHIRP Night at the Whistler!)
After the June 30 solo show at the Whistler I am going to tour with the Desert Liminal trio in Europe for the first time. We are supporting DEHD on a leg of their Poetry album release tour and will be traveling to Germany, Amsterdam, France, and Switzerland.
I love DEHD who have been great mentors, I love my band, and I'm ecstatic to be going on this tour of Europe. After that, Desert Liminal has a finished record that will be released later this year.