Artist Interviews Warm Human Interview

This week, Features co-director Jessi D speaks with Chicago-based sludge pop trash princess, Meredith Johnston aka warm human. They discuss how the purchase of a new instrument usually inspires the creation of an album, navigating loss by letting the creative process loose on her newest album, Hometown Hero, and how dealing with a uterine fibroid removal in the days of the Roe v. Wade overturn inspired the single "PUSSY IS A GUN."

"And so, honestly, I don't remember a lot of it, but I do remember that I just kind of said 'yes' to every single thing that I came up with. I was like, 'yep, great, yep, great.' And that was just so liberating, and maybe that's because I didn't have the capacity to be nervous or comparative. As an artist, I can get so bogged down with, 'well, this doesn't sound like what other artists are making,' or 'this doesn't sound like this artist that I've been listening to on repeat lately.' I just didn't have any of that. I was like, we're going for it. We're wailing." - Meredith Johnston, on the creative process of her newest album Hometown Hero

Warm human will be playing at the Empty Bottle on Saturday, June 24th with Jimmy Whispers and Sports Boyfriend.

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Gavin McDonald

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all Artist Interviews podcasts

Artist Interviews The Bollweevils Interview

Daryl Wilson is the lead singer of the seminal Chicago punk band The Bollweevils. Formed in 1989, the group has released many records and been through many iterations over the decades, but as Daryl shares in this interview with Features Department Co-Director Mick R, their latest album Essential is the best that the band has ever sounded. Tune in to hear how the record came together over the course of more than a decade, the band's awesome relationship with local punk label Red Scare, and why they'll never change their style. 

"It's our coming out party, to say 'Here's The Bollweevils!' ...  it epitomizes how far we've come... and you can hear it now in how it sounds, better than before." - Daryl Wilson, discussing the decision to re-record thier classic song "Bottomless Pit" for their new record Essential. 

Essential is out on Red Scare.

The Bollweevils will be playing a record release show with the Brokedowns on 5/27 at the Chop Shop. 

Produced by Mick R. 

Image Credit: Paul Catani

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all Artist Interviews podcasts

Artist Interviews Djunah Interview

This week, Features contributor Marjorie Alford speaks with Chicago-based noise rock artist with "a leg for a bassist," Donna Diane of Djunah. They discuss her Frankenstein-style Moog bass synthesizer pedal board she uses in place of a bassist, the creation of her handmade chainmail bikini for the cover of her recent album, Femina Furens, the exploration of her C-PTSD in the creation of this album, and her end-of-show tradition of destroying her guitar onstage with various sharp objects.

"On this tour, I've really been thinking about my younger self on stage. And I'm like, I'm gonna make her proud of me. She's who I'm singing to, she's who I'm really emoting for, and hoping that other people connect with it, too." - Donna Diane

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Courtney Brooke Hall

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all Artist Interviews podcasts

Artist Interviews OK Cool Interview

This week, DJ Ninja speaks with Bridget Stiebris and Haley Blomquist of OK Cool. They discuss the Chicago music scene, getting over nerves associated with performing in front of others, their new EP, Fawn, and their musical inspirations and processes.

Their upcoming album release show for Fawn will be held May 4th with their dream lineup at Schuba's Tavern.

"We're just two buds. We're just hangin' out. Sometimes we make music, sometimes we don't. And sometimes I think it's good to not take it too seriously." - Haley Blomquist

Produced by DJ Ninja.

Photo Credit: Kennedy Cottrell

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all Artist Interviews podcasts

Artist Interviews Fire-Toolz Interview

Fire-Toolz is an experimental music project from Chicago-based producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Angel Marcloid. In this interview with Features Co-Director Mick R., she discusses how her spiritualism informs her work, responses to her latest album I am upset because I see something that is not there, and her complicated relationship with vaporwave. 

I am upset because I see something that is not there is out on Hausu Mountain Records.

"My earliest memories are of people not really knowing what to do with me.  I'm used to not being understood. That's always been really hard for me, but I can't be inauthentic and conform, or else I feel like I'm suffocating." - Angel Marcloid

Produced by Mick R. 

Image Credit: Eliza Janus

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all Artist Interviews podcasts