Now Playing
Current DJ: Willie McDonagh
Madeline Bell Help Yourself from Doin' Things (Philips) Add to Collection
The CHIRP Blog
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesCHIRP Battle of the Bands 2016: Round One, Part Two
Welcome to the part two of the opening round of the 2016 CHIRP Battle of the Bands. Click here to see part one, and read an explanation about the project and methodology. Voting for Round One closes at 6pm on Sunday, March 27, so make like Mayor Daley and vote early and often.
The Chance Regional
#1 Seed: Chance the Rapper
First Round Song: "Sunday Candy"
Why They're Here: The transcendent 2015 Donnie Trumpet collaboration Surf
#8 Seed: In Tall Buildings
First Round Song: "Flare Gun"
Why They're Here: The literary (and lovely) indie pop of 2015's Driver
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesCHIRP Battle of the Bands 2016: Round One, Part One
It's officially spring. That means it's once again time to crown CHIRP's favorite Chicago band. Inspired by the mayhem of that famous basketball tournament, we've once again collected 32 of the city's best current bands for the CHIRP Battle of the Bands.
In 2015, Modern Vices charged to an unexpected victory in a final round that saw the tournament's first-ever tiebreaker. They'll have the chance at repeat glory in 2016, and they'll be joined by 31 other artists that met the following criteria:
* Born, based, or founded in Chicago or the suburbs
* Earned a significant amount of airplay on CHIRP
* Released new music in 2015 or 2016
Below, vote on your favorites in part one of our Round One match-ups. Part two is right here. Voting for Round One closes at 6pm on Sunday, March 27. Is this Chance the Rapper's year? Can Veruca Salt hang tough? Will Meat Wave pull a stunning upset? The answers to those questions, and more, await your input.
The Wilco Regional
#1 Seed: Wilco
First Round Song: "Random Name Generator"
Why They're Here: The flirting-with-trademark-disaster rock of 2015's Star Wars
#8 Seed: Meat Wave
First Round Song: "Witchcraft"
Why They're Here: The post-punk brawn of 2015's Delusion Moon
SKaiser writesWhat’s Happening at CHIRP Radio (Week of March 21)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- This is the final week of CHIRP’s Spring Fundraising Drive! Share the good word with your friends and family by this Friday, March 25th. We have set a goal of $20,000 for this drive and are giving away a Pilen Lyx bicycle (courtesy of J.C. Lind Bike Co.) to one lucky giver. Your donations help us pay our ongoing station costs, including the care and maintenance of our new tower where we will be broadcasting on FM107.1 later this year. Thanks for your continued support!
- Join us for CHIRP Night at the Whistler with Over Ow and Caroline Campbell on Wednesday, March 23 at 8:30 PM | 21+
- CHIRP Radio welcomes Ezra Furman to Lincoln Hall (2424 N Lincoln Avenue) on Saturday, March 26 at 9:00 PM | 18+
NEW MEDIA:
- Jessi Roti writes The Power of the River: Bruce Springsteen and The Ties that Bind
- Amelia Hruby interviews Shane and Daniel of Dial In at the CHIRP station
- Live Free with CHIRP Radio's March Events poster created by Greg Kantowicz
- In Rotation: My Gold Mask
- Friday MP3 Shuffle: Happy Birthday Grant Hart Edition
- Dylan Peterson interviews Martin Courtney of Real Estate
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesFriday MP3 Shuffle: Happy Birthday Grant Hart Edition
(photo from Blurt)
Today we wish a Happy Birthday to Grant Hart, drummer, singer and co-songwriter for seminal Rock band Hüsker Dü. Slamming into the hardcore scene with SST records, the band’s mid-‘80s trio of albums (Zen Arcade, New Day Rising, and Flip Your Wig) are about as close as you can get to required listening for anyone interested in the style. Those records left a permanent impression even as the band later moved into more melodic directions that would influence Alternative and “College” Rock groups from the Pixies to Nirvana to those guys making all that noise in the garage down the street.
Hart later struck out on his own, switching to guitar and forming the band Nova Mob as well as working as a solo artist. But there’s no question that the group he started with is on the short list of “Bands That Really Need to Get Together for a Reunion While Everyone Is Still Alive.” While tensions have been high among the group members post-breakup, it seems that there may be a recent thawing of relations. In the next few years, look for rumors to build about a possible get-together which, if it ever became a reality, would be something special.
Let’s wish the good Mr. Hart a happy birthday by pressing the “shuffle” button on your MP3 player and sharing the first 10 songs you hear:
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesIn Rotation: My Gold Mask
Chicago band My Gold Mask has been making music together since 2008. Experiencing their albums, including their newest release Anxious Utopia, one will hear a distinct combination of influences including polished Pop and indigo moods of Goth and Darkwave. In this band’s hands, these flavors mix together in a unique and satisfying fashion that may well inspire a trip to the dance floor to shake off the last bits of winter.
Songs from Anxious Utopia are available for listening both in rotation and by request on CHIRP Radio.