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 writesYFEE Plans Deeply Personal Performance at CHIRP Night at The Whistler
The Whistler audience is in for a treat March 28, when YFEE takes the stage at CHIRP Night at the Whistler. Sharing the stage with experimental noise-rockers Mermaid N.V., the Chicago hip-hop/electronic artist will spin tales of relationships, intrigue, sci-fi, astronomy and maybe a conspiracy theory or two.
“I’ve been singing and writing lyrics and poetry since I was seven years old,” YFEE says. “I love to play with meanings and give room in my lyrics for things to mean more than one thing at the same time.”
A graduate of Northwestern, YFEE studied Film and Astrophysics. Her passion for both subjects is evident in her videos and lyrics, and YFEE isn’t afraid to wear her emotions on her sleeve, either.
“I always want my songs to come from a deep, emotional place,” YFEE says. “I try to express feelings that are very personal and universal to all human beings.”
theironkurtain writesMusic as Memory: Getting Witchy with Tori Amos
by Kurt Conley
May 30th, 1996, Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, PA
September 12th, 1996, Warner Theater, Erie, PA
When I think about certain musicians, I tend to think of them in relationship terms. Things can start hot and heavy when I discover a new artist, and all I can do is think about them, wanting to consume everything they have to offer. Eventually, things cool off and maybe I stop seeing them. Or we fall into a comfortable routine. Or maybe I just ghost on them altogether.
This is my roundabout way of saying my long term relationship with Tori Amos is a complicated one. It started out carefree and fun in the early '90s. I first discovered her on Canadian television. Erie county is relatively close to Canada, and that allowed for us to pick up Toronto’s City TV station. It was my go-to channel for the many years we didn’t have cable. There were a few programs in particular that would show music videos, and that’s where I saw the video for “Cornflake Girl,” one of Amos’ biggest hits.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writes@CHIRPRADIO (Week of March 26)
Special Announcements
- THANK YOU to everone who contributed to our just concluded Spring fundraising drive. Thanks to you, it was our biggest fundraiser EVER, with over $28K raised for station operations. You rock!
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday March 28: It's CHIRP Night at The Whistler with Mermaid N.V. and YFee!
New Media
- Andrew Meriwether, talks with Chicago's own Brandon Markell Holmes
- Marites Velasquez meets up with Dirty Fences
- Leslie Gwam compares and contrasts two versions of "I'm Every Woman"
- Shawna Kaiser takes a look at The Hideout
HipHopHeadmistress writesTake Two: “I’m Every Woman” (Chaka Khan Vs. Whitney Houston)
by Lesley Gwam
Until 1978, Chaka Khan was known as the powerhouse lead singer of Chicago funk band, Rufus. That changed, however, with the release of Chaka Khan’s eponymous debut solo album, which featured “I’m Every Woman” as its lead single.
Written by Ashford and Simpson of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” fame, “I’m Every Woman” begins with a riveting string arrangement accompanied by a funky bassline that immediately captivates the ear. Chaka’s powerful vocals and harmonies demonstrate the confidence that came to dominate her illustrious solo career; most noticeably at the bridge of the song, where Khan showcases the breadth of her vocal abilities.
SKaiser writesIndustrial District: The Hideout
"The Hideout is a regular guy bar for irregular folks who just don’t fit in, or just don’t want to fit in. We didn’t choose the name; it has been called the Hideout since it opened (legally) in 1934."
There are no outsiders inside The Hideout. The doors of the 100 year old public house built in two days by the hard-working remain open to all, no matter the instruments you clang together or rebellion held in your heart.
Here is the kind of place customers recommend bands, where children's plays are performed, musicians choose to hold their listening parties, and everyone dresses up as robots. The Hideout is music, art, performance, plays, poetry, rock and rebellion.
It's likely the secret to it's historical standing in Chicago is the longlived community platform residing within its walls.
Take a poke around The Hideout's calendar and interspersed between comedy shows, dance parties, and a flipping sweet flea market, are opportunities to support your community through events like the weekly Soup & Bread meal that contributes to local food pantries, or the monthly discussion hosted by women for women called The Girl Talk.
On February 27th The Girl Talk hosted an edition called Women at Work. The hosts, Jen Sabella and Erika Wozniak, asked three women questions related to fighting for their rights in the workplace and the reward of standing strongly together.
Esthela, a leader of the “Hands Off Pants On” campaign, spoke about her work as a housekeeper and the city ordinance win to ensure all hotel workers who work alone are equipped with panic buttons by July 1, 2018. Esthela was named Person of the Year by TIME Magazine as one of the “The Silence Breakers.” Erica Sanchez has been a Chicago Public Schools janitor and SEIU Local 1 member for the past 21 years. Over that time, Sanchez has been a steadfast leader within her union and its fight for economic, racial, immigrant and environmental justice, including the push for $15 and a union at Chicago’s airports. Pennie McCoach has worked at the Chicago Transit Authority for 17 years as a switchmen and she has actively been involved with her union, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) for 14 years. She holds the position of 2nd Vice President of the ATU.
Check out the next sesson of The Girl Talk on Tuesday, March 27th at 6:30 PM. Meet your neighbors for dinner at this week's Soup & Bread on Wednesday, March 14th, at 5:30 PM. Bring on the pozole, the borscht, the harrira; the shorbit amas and the soupe joumou!
Hosts of The Girl Talk (far left, Jen Sabella and second from right, Erika Wozniak) talk about Women in the Workplace with Esthela, Pennie McCoach, and Erica Sanchez.