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
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWorld Premiere Video: “Psycho Crush” by Ovef Ow
Behold the new video by Chicago band Ovef Ow for their song "Psycho Crush" from their 2017 Working EP! Directed by Chiago artist, designer and musician Timothy Breen, whose work with Numero Group has earned him two Gramy nominations, the video dips the band's infectious punky sounds into a pool of psychadelic colors and textures for a satisyfingly cool summertime effect.
Ovef Ow is Marites Velasquez (bass, vocals, and CHIRP volunteer...!), Sarah Braunstein (drums, vocals), Kyla Denham (synth, vocals), and Nick Barnett (guitar). Check out their CHIRP Radio podcast interview. The band will be performing Wednesday August 1 with (ORB) and Sat. Nite Duets at Sleeping Village (3734 W. Belmont) as part of the "In the Pit" Series.
Psycho Crush by Ovef Ow from Ovef Ow on Vimeo.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writes@CHIRPRadio (Week of July 16)
Upcoming Events
- Monday July 16: CHIRP Radio and The Chicago FIlm Society present Urgh! A Music War at the Music Box Theatre
- Tuesday, July 17: The CHIRP Radio Local Showcase series premieres at Burbon on Division, featuring Les Strychnine, Rare Ms Steak, and Protovulcan
- Friday July 20 to Sunday July 22: The Pitchfork Music Festival takes over Union Park for three days of music, food, and fun! CHIRP Radio also hosts the Record Fair and Other Delights.
New Media
- Ari Mejia chats with Bret Koontz
- Josh Friedburg reflects on Ella in London
- Shawna Kaiser steps inside City Lit Books
Josh Friedberg: Music Historian's Corner writesRediscovering Our Record Collections: “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”
written by Joshua Friedberg
At Pitchfork this week, Lauryn Hill is expected to give an electric performance of her one solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. With the album celebrating its twentieth anniversary, it’s a good time to revisit its success and its meaning to listeners, including me.
Lauryn Hill’s 1998 disc proved to be an instant classic. I remember at ten years old, I heard about this album garnering the kind of critical and industry acclaim that Nirvana’s Nevermind received several years earlier. And though today it appears to have lost some of its critical luster compared to Nevermind and Radiohead’s OK Computer—which today are both in the statistical aggregate acclaimedmusic.net’s list of the top 10 most acclaimed albums of all time, while Miseducation sits at a “measly” #131—it continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans of many different generations, genders, races, and classes.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesTONIGHT! ‘Urgh! A Music War” at The Music Box Theatre!
On Monday Night CHIRP Radio and the Chicago Film Society present a very rare and special screening of the 1981 motion picture Urgh! A Music War at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave. 60613). It's not just a movie, but a performance experience of 26 bands that helped define the New Wave era, including Devo, Echo & the Bunnymen, X, 999, Klaus Nomi, Au Pairs, Oingo Boingo, UB40, The Cramps, The Go Go's, Gary Numan, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and XTC. The '80s never left, they've just been waiting for moments like this. You can buy tickets here.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesClassic Album Sundays Spins “Ágætis byrjun” July 15th!
One of the most acclaimed albums of the 2000s was produced by Sigur Rós, a then-little-known band from Iceland. Ágætis byrjun defied easy categories and styles, and still does today. With its extended bouts of beauty and complexity, the record richly rewards those looking for musical adventure.
This Sunday, July 15th, the Chicago chapter of Classic Album Sundays will hold a listening party for this remarkable album. Music fans will gather at Saturday Audio Exchange (1021 W. Belmont Avenue 60657) to listen to the album in its entirely on high-fidelity equipment.
The all-ages event begins at 5:30pm and is part of the global listening experience of Classic Album Sundays. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.