Artist Interviews Al Rose Interview

This week, Features contributor DJ Ninja speaks with Chicago artist Al Rose. They discuss his eighth album, Again the Beginner, his spontaneous and in-the-moment setlist planning, how he future-proofs his protest songs, and why he doesn't play the flute at shows anymore.

"The fun part is because of the release and catharsis. I still kinda drum up the rage that happens when I wrote the song, but the release is fun. Because playing music, anybody who's ever been in a band or is watching, it looks like the musicians are having a really good time playing, whether it's a quiet thing or a loud, raucous thing. I will say from experience that it is fun; it's great to be in a band and make noise like that." - Al Rose

Produced by DJ Ninja.

Photo Credit: Al Rose

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Artist Interviews Pool Kids Interview

This week, Features contributor Matty G sits down with Christine Goodwyne and Nicolette Alvarez of emo/indie rockers Pool Kids to talk about their self-titled album, the hurdles they encountered in releasing it (including a studio flood!), how they made their way up from Florida to call Chicago home, and much more!  

Pool Kids self-titled album is out on Skeletal Lightning.

"Well, we definitely lucked out... [It's] like we showed up and we had this huge extended family of people that welcomed us in and were like, 'Hey, do you want to start a band with us? Hey, do y'all want to go to the show with us?' We were really able to just tap into this whole network of friends and artists and it's been really, wonderful since then." - Pool Kids, on arriving in Chicago from Tallahassee.

Produced by Brian Szpak.

Image Credit: Mimi Hong

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Artist Interviews Shame Interview

This week, Features contributor Lee Gomez speaks with Charlie Steen, Sean Coyle Smith, and Josh Finnerty of English post-punk band shame. They discuss their current American tour and how things have changed from touring pre-pandemic, their newest album Drunk Tank Pink, their collaborative music video process, and their frenetic dance moves.

"Don't stop writing, don't stop playing. I mean, there's other things, but those are the big ones. Keep doing that. Or else." - Charlie Steen

Produced by Adalyn Staats.

Photo credit: Sam Gregg

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Artist Interviews The Cool Kids Interview

The Cool Kids are an American hip hop duo combining the talents of Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish. For more than a decade, they have been cutting a unique path through the world of rap, releasing groundbreaking albums and delivering unforgettable performances. They're now set to take it to another level with an event they are calling Night School, which will be taking place at Thalia Hall on September 24th. It will feature a dinner curated by Chuck Inglish & Chef Ben Trusdell of Dusek's, a live Mystery School Podcast recording hosted by Sir Michael Rocks and Owen Bones, and a cameo stuff performance by The Cool Kids themselves in which they will be performing their latest three-part album, Before Shit Got Weird. Features Co-Director Mick R. caught up with the dynamic duo to talk about the concepts and inspirations behind their new album and Night School, and where the guys believe their project is headed next. 

Stream Before Shit Got Weird on Spotify. 

Tickets to Night School are available through Thalia Hall. 

"In a way, [Night School] turns the concert concept upside down a little bit. I think that gives more room for us as curators to do what we do best. Because I think that's the era that we're able to step into now. We're at a point right now where [The Cool Kids] have been curating so much through music and through fashion and through our own tastes and interests that now we need to bring those tastes and interests and bring that curatorial spirit into how we present our shows and tours." - Sir Michael Rocks

Produced by Mick R. 

Image Credit: Jamal Peters

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Artist Interviews Chicago Research Interview

Conversation with Blake Karlson of local label Chicago Research, talking about the collaborative origins of the label, its aesthetics and focus on local music, why it's coming to an end, and Blake's new record store, Signal Records, located at 3156 W. Diversey Ave.

"I think the project [Chicago Research] was successful in what I initially wanted it to be was just archiving a very specific point in time from a very specific place, because we only released stuff that was in Chicago." - Blake Karlson

Produced by Mick R. 

Image by Chicago Research

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