Artist Interviews Makaya McCraven Interview

Makaya McCraven is an influential composer, producer and jazz drummer who calls Chicago home. For his most recent album Deciphering The Message, he was granted access to the Blue Note archives and, utilizing their library, created a record that combines classic jazz samples with fresh recordings produced by his band. Features co-director Mick R caught up with this local luminary to talk about the story behind the record and what he hopes the listener takes away from their experience of it. 

Deciphering The Message is available through Blue Note. 

Makaya McCraven will be performing for two nights at Lincoln Hall in Chicago on May 27 & 28, 2022. 

 "All of the work that I do as a musician, as much as it is my professional output, I try to maintain a student of music and look at every opportunity as a chance to grow and learn something as an artist." - Makaya McCraven

Produced by Mick R. 

Image Credit: Nolis Anderson 

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Artist Interviews FURY Interview

This week, Features contributor Marjorie Alford speaks with Chicago rapper, FURY. They discuss the genesis of her performing name and her creative background, winning the Chicago Works Community Challenge Grant of $1.5 million which will add amenities to Columbus Park in Austin, hosting Lyrics & Libations weekly open mic and how the next generation of artists reinvigorates her, and her forthcoming EP, FURY Revolution.

"I got tired of not showing myself to the world, so "FURY Revolution" is just seeing how I can get my music to tie into bettering the place where I live. I feel like that's what you want, you don't just want to create things. I can rap, I'm talented, but it's more than that. What I love is that people get excited around me, they wanna show me they can rap. [...] How do I get back to where I first started when I was new, I was hungry? Seeing all the people that are up-and-coming, that is what gets me reinvigorated, that's what gets me excited all over again. And I think a lot of us have to find how to get back to that place we once were where it was all new and exciting." - FURY

Produced by Brian Szpak

Photo Credit: Samantha Jordan

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Artist Interviews Daydream Review & Smooth Rogers Interview

Earlier in 2022, Zac Bron of Smooth Rogers remixed one of the songs off of Chicago local psychedelic rock band Daydream Review's self-titled EP. The remix of "Yesterday and Tomorrow" brought out some fun and funky space disco and was released as a separate single. Daydream Review's Elijah Montez and Zach are long-time collaborators in various projects, and Features Co-Director Mick R caught up with both of them to talk about their most recent single and get some insights into how they work together. 

Both Daydream Review's self-titled EP and the "Yesterday and Tomorrow" remix single were self-released via Bandcamp. 

"The way that I talk about the EP with other people is each song is almost like trying on different hats... [and] Zach has a really great expertise in making things sound funky almost like without even trying." - Elijah Montez

Production by Mick R. 

Image courtesy of the artists. 

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Artist Interviews Porches Interview

Aaron Maine released the fifth LP with his project Porches titled All Day Gentle Hold! at the end of 2021. This past spring he embarked on his first tour since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. Features contributor Matty G caught up with Aaron to talk about the significance of the tour for his life and his career and how his time in quarantine effected the sound of his latest album. 

 All Day Gentle Hold ! is out on Domino Recording.

"It feels like the first album I ever put out. It feels like the first tour I've ever been on. That feeling and that energy is really inspiring. It is difficult to take any of that for granted now and it just feels like such a gift." - Aaron Maine

Produced by Brian Szpak.

Photo Credit: Jason-Nocito

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Artist Interviews Brittney Chantele Interview

This week, Features co-director Jessi D speaks with formerly Pittsburgh-based pop/hip-hop and visual artist Brittney Chantele, who now calls Chicago home. Brittney discusses their drive to always speak out for what's right, working through their traumatic experiences during their military career on their album The Golden Opportunity, and DJing Taylor Swift Night at Subterranean as their entry into the Chicago DJ world.

"I was just sharing my story, I was just sharing what happened to me. And for me that is a part of saying something instead of doing nothing." - Brittney Chantele

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Riley J. Benson 

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