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 Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Stuart Adamson Edition
The legendary BBC DJ John Peel once referred to this man as “Britain’s answer to Jimi Hendrix.” I don’t know how many people shared that opinion, but there is no doubt that Stuart Adamson could do so amazing things on his guitar. Adamson got his start in the post-punk band Skids, playing fantastic songs such as “Working For the Yankee Dollar”. Once Skids ran its course, Adamson really hit the big time, fronting the powerful Big Country. Big Country may have been a victim of “amazing first single syndrome,” as “In a Big Country” was so powerful, it was tough for the band to match. But Adamson and crew put out some fine records and he continued to grow as a guitarist (and, of course, he was famous for making his guitar sound like bagpipes). Sadly, Adamson passed away in 2011. In honor of Adamson on his birthday, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Azure writesJoin Us For the 12th Annual CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights on Saturday April 12th!
Calling vinyl collectors and lovers of all things awesome! It’s almost time again for CHIRP’s 12th Annual Record Fair & Other Delights!
Come join the fun this Saturday, April 12th, 2014 at Chicago Journeymen Plumbers’ Union. This is your chance to browse through thousands of records from over 50 vendors from across the great Midwest. We've got labels (including Already Dead Tapes & Records, FPE Records, plus Chicago’s own Reggie’s Live) slinging merchandise for you all day…keep your eyes peeled for some good finds!
And what is the “Other Delights” part you ask? Besides the greatness of the record fair, you’ll have the chance to hear some sweet tunes for the always amazing Windy City Soul Club. You can also test your music knowledge during the Music Quiz, hosted by CHIRP’s very own Austin Harvey. Win some cool prizes during the CHIRP Raffle, too!
As if all this wasn't enough, there will be food and drinks. I repeat, food AND drinks. Chow down on some tacos from our buddies over at Big Star, and for our vegan friends we've got Upton’s Breakroom to satisfy your tummies through the day. Keep your spirits high with some coffee from good folks at Dark Matter, who will also be selling the limited edition CHIRP Radio Morning Mix Blend at the fair. For all the adults out there, Goose Island will be providing libations to keep you hydrated and feeling good.
If this sounds like something you’re into, we want to see you there! For all you enthusiasts out there who are looking for first dibs, you can hit the early bird from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for just $25. General admission to the Record Fair, beginning at 10 a.m., is only $7, or $5 with a flyer. Parking is free for all those attending the fair. Come join us for a day of music, fun, and good times!
Chicago Journeymen Plumbers’ Union is located at 1340 W. Washington Ave., Chicago, IL 60607. The Record Fair is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Early Bird 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.). For more information regarding the fair and the full list of vendors, visit chirprecordfair.org.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday Apr. 11 to Thursday Apr. 17
(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 April 11
Arra
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Circle takes the Square, Lord Snow, Itto, Coma Regalia
Beat Kitchen 9pm
Terraplane Sun, Little Daylight, Flagship
Bottom Lounge 7pm
The Lox
Double Door 8pm 21+
The Clowder, Pres Maxson, FULL SERVICE, The Big Payback
Elbo Room 8:30pm, 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
The Coathangers, Audacity, Tim Larson, Rabble Rabble DJs
Empty Bottle 9:30pm, 21+
Dead Rider, Nick Butcher and Mike Bingaman
Hideout 10pm, 21+
Daley
Lincoln Hall 10pm, 18+
E. Malcolm Martinez writesJoin CHIRP for Juana Molina at The Old Town School of Folk Music This Thursday!
Argentinian musician Juana Molina will perform her melodic soundscapes at The Old Town School Of Folk Music (4544 N Lincoln Ave) on April 10th at 8pm. Leaving behind a successful comedic acting career in 1996 to concentrate on her original love, Molina has become a highly acclaimed and respected performer on an international level. Her music has been described as a cross of folk and electronica, though attempting to place it in any genre would be a disservice to Molina’s gifts.
On stage Molina builds an aural front of acoustic guitar, synthesizer and vocal patterns that she loops and layers to create often beautiful, sometimes haunting maelstroms that can mesmerize. Molina is touring in support of her sixth album, Wed 21 (Crammed Discs), which came out in late 2013. Visit her website at www.juanamolina.com to learn more about this uniquely talented artist.
Amanda Roszkowski writesCHIRP Radio Presents LOMA: Music & Art Project @ Subterranean This Thursday!
Music is art, and often times the art can be the music. That’s why CHIRP is excited to be presenting a new startup music and arts festival idea this Thursday at Subterranean. The LOMA: Music + Art Project startup was created through Homeroom Chicago’s Emerging & Established Artists Exchange Program.
The event will host an array of artists ranging from a funk/hip-hop group, to an electronic/trap/hip-hop one man show, to a violinist turned guitarist. These artists are whysowhite, Nick Astro, Deer Emerson, Hanna Ashbrook, Bobby Magic and Elias Abid, and they all hail from Chicago or the Chicagoland area.
Whysowhite is a funk/hip-hop group that released their self-titled debut album in February 2013 and it was well received by listeners it shot to the front page of the popular social news site Reddit, was #1 on Bandcamp with featured coverage on Jay-Z’s Life + Times. You can learn even more about them here.
Nick Astro’s obsession with Stevie Wonder tunes inspired him to begin rapping at age 11 but his talents don’t stop there. He also is active in theatre arts and will be graduating Columbia College Chicago May of 2014. Read more about Nick.
Deer Emerson is a new age indie pop artist. If you want to learn more about her, you can do so here. Hanna Ashbrook first began her life with music learning to play the violin at the age of 9. She played until her junior year of High School and then shifted her focus to the guitar, singing and songwriting. She cites her influences as Thom Yorke, Feist, Sigur Ros, Jeff Buckley, Priscilla Ahn, Brandi Carlile and many others. Listen to some of Hanna’s music here.
Bobby Magic is actually producer/DJ Tyler Irvin, who has developed a unique genre of music that resides as a fusion of electronic, trap and hip hop. Listen to some of Bobby’s music here.
Elias Abid is an 18-year-old electronic artist, who released a 16 track hip-hop LP entitled "L.I.F.E. (Living Isn't Fair or Easy)," with Kansas City rapper, Le$ Paul. To read more about Elias, click here.
You wont' want to miss this opportunity to join in recognizing up and coming Chicago artists at the edge of their careers who have artfully translated their unique tastes into their music. The show begins Thursday, April 10 at 9pm. Doors open at 8:30pm. Get your advance tickets here for $8 or pay at the door for $10.