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Zvrra is a Chicago producer and game developer who makes techno and dark ambient music inspired by fantasy RPGs and video games soundtracks. Mick R checked in with this innovative artist to learn more about her work and what games inspire it.
Zvrra's latest album Solace can be found on Bandcamp.
"I try to capture that early 2000s electronic vibe and kind of merge it with a modern sound." - Zvrra
Produced by Mick R.
Photo Credit: Zvrra
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This one is for all you baseball fans. Josh Kantor is a former Chicago resident and current organist for the Boston Red Sox. CHIRP DJ and Features contributor Mike Nikolich caught up with Josh to talk about the saga that resulted in him becoming the owner of Nacy Faust's organ, an instrument that she used to delight White Sox fans for many many years. The story starts with an auction and culminates in a cross-country tour featuring Kelly Hogan of the Decemberists, Max Crawford of Poi Dog Pondering and Robbie Fulks player Gerald Dowd. Also in this interview, Mike and Josh cover Josh's work with Hot Stove Cool Music and his many rock band side projects.
"Keep the repertoire current, keep updating, keep learning the new pop songs, it's more work than just kind of sticking to what you already know. But it's well worth it." - Josh Kantor
Produced by Mike Nikolich
Photo Credit: Adam Glanzman
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This week, Features co-director Mick R. catches up with Chicago-based percussionist Quin Kirchner while on tour with Ryley Walker in Europe. They discuss adapting to a variety of styles of music in the bands he plays with, the conversational art of improvisation, and the creative processes of making accessible excerpts for his release Concentric Orbits, a duo with France-based pianist Rob Clearfield.
"It's so important to listen and to be aware of what the other musicians you're playing with are saying and where they're coming from because it is a conversation." - Quin Kirchner
Produced by Jessi D.
Photo Credit: Lizzie Kirchner
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Kashika is Flung, an Oakland polyrhythmic and experimental music project that bridges the worlds of poetry and sample-based music. They have a new album dropping this summer called Apricot Angel, and in this interview they speak with Features co-director Mick R. about how the new album came together, how Kashika translates their songs to a live setting, the enduring influence of Zimbabwean Shona Marimba on their music, and more.
Flung will be playing the Hideout on July 2, 2022. Information can be found at https://hideoutchicago.com/
Apricot Angel will be out on Citrus City on Citrus City on August 19, 2022.
"Once the songs going you're part of it and you have to stay with it and you have to attend to it, and even if something falls away, you still have to get back on it and give it what you can" - Kashika
Produced by Mick R.
Photo credit: Jordan White
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This week, Features co-director Mick R. speaks with Nat Breeden of Arcadia Grey, a formerly Indianapolis-based and now Chicago-based emo/pop punk band. They discuss Arcadia Grey's surprising influences, the rise of fifth-wave emo during the pandemic, and the maturation of the band's sound on their upcoming sophomore album.
"Once our music is out there, it isn't our music anymore, it isn't our art anymore, it's the people who listen to it and how they want to interepret it. I think, looking back, on the process of making the art, I think it's a good idea to have someone else create it with their own intentions in mind, and have the audience intrepret it. I think that's cool. I think that's what we try to strive for in our music." - Nat Breeden
Produced by Jessi D.
Photo Credit: V. Sidaugaite
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