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
Mike Nikolich writesCHIRP Welcomes Shredders to to Subterranean on Saturday Feb. 3!
Subterranean
2011 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
17+
Shredders is a hot new Minneapolis hip-hop group featuring rappers P.O.S. (Stefon Alexander), Sims (Andrew Sims) and producers Paper Tiger (John Samels) and Lazebeak (Aaron Mader), a founding member of the Doomtree hip-hop collective.
Inspired by their “Flipping Cars” collaboration, Shredders released a three-track EP earlier in 2017, featuring the party anthem “Cult 45,” which led to the release of the full-length album Dangerous Jumps, which received rave reviews, as well as extensive airplay on CHIRP Radio 107.1 FM. Dangerous Jumps features 12 meticulously-produced tracks that are loaded with hooks, double-time beats and rapid-fire raps.
The evening’s performance will feature DJs P.O.S. and Sims on the raps, and Papes and Beak on the beats. Don’t miss this must-see performance at SubT!
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesClassic Album Sundays Spins Steely Dan’s “Aja” on Sunday Jan. 28!
Classic Album Sundays is back with a listening party featuring Steely Dan's 1977 masterpiece Aja.
Released at a time when Disco, Punk, and Rap were starting to push progressive rock and Laurel Canyon pop off the music front pages, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's masterpiece was a throwback of sorts, relying on almost 40 session musicians and rooted in a Jazz-based sophistication that stood up to the growing DIY cultural attitudes. Read Owen Jones' essay about the album here.
This worldwide event is for music lovers to gather in various cities and have a group listening experience of the greatest albums of all time. The Chicago edition of CAS takes place Sunday, January 28th from 5:30pm – 8:30pm at Saturday Audio Exchange, 1021 W Belmont Avenue, Chicago IL, 60647. Tickets are $5 in advance and can be purchased here.
KSanders writesConcert Review: Passion Pit at the Riviera Theatre (Jan. 17, 2018)
by Kyle Sanders
In between set lists, two songs played over the PA system as stagehands readied the stage for the main attraction: "Black Sun" by Death Cab for Cutie, followed by "Bizarre Love Triangle" from New Order.
It wasn't the smoothest transition between songs, as neither sound entirely similar, but I commented to my fellow concertgoer that perhaps this was the ultimate definition of Passion Pit's music: indie pop's melancholic lyrics infused with '80s synthesizers.
It's not a bad thing--in fact, I'd say it perfectly encapsulates the era in which the indietronica band from Cambridge debuted on radio stations, right along the likes of similar artists such as MGMT, Grizzly Bear, Arctic Monkeys, and Franz Ferdinand. It was during the latter half of the 2000's when college radio received a big push thanks to the likes of iTunes and YouTube.
Sure, the lyrics of Millennial angst resonate with the young crowd, but there's a not-so-subtle hint of nostalgic familiarity that Generation Xers can relate to as well. As I looked around the venue, staring at concertgoers both young and old, it seemed to make sense.
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.