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CHIRP Podcasts
Artist Interviews Poi Dog Pondering Interview
Frank Orrall is the creative head of long-running, and currently Chicago-based, alternative music collective Poi Dog Pondering, who self-released Keep On Loving Each Other earlier this year. CHIRP DJ and Features contributor Mike Nikolich caught up with Frank to talk about his band's latest album, their journey to Chicago from Hawaii, and how his diverse influences have impacted the band's sonic evolution over time.
"All of a sudden, there were people, from Europe mostly, but [elsewhere as well], they were adopting acoustic instruments but with a punk mentality, and that's really how we started. Early on, people would say, "Oh, [you're] kind of a Neofolk band." But we weren't looking at it that way." - Frank Orrall, on the origins of Poi Dog Pondering's sound.
Produced by Mike Nikolich
Photo Credit: Frank Orrall
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First Time: First Family - Josh Friedberg
Josh Friedberg is an author who is excited to be reading for his first First Time event. His writing has appeared in two books, including the 25th anniversary of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, and he has done storytelling with You're Being Ridiculous and a TEDx talk on creativity and autism. You can read his Substack blog, Spectrum Sounds, at joshfrmusic.substack.com. He is also a proud DJ at CHIRP Radio, hosting the nerd-tastic eclectic show Music Historian's Corner on Wednesdays at 9am-12pm.
The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.
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Artist Interviews CalicoLoco Interview
This week, Features contributor Matty G speaks with Dani Robles and Zeke Ramsey of Chicago-based jangly glitzy rock band CalicoLoco. They discuss their musical genre influences, writing love songs for yourself, the various friends and family members that create the charming artwork behind their singles, their love for the vast DIY Chicago scene, and why they have Taylor Swift covers on their Bandcamp.
"I say we sound like a bedazzled denim jacket. That's our genre. I don't think we really fit into a lot of genres [...], but we pull from so many, and every song we pull from different genres of what we're listening to at the time." - Zeke Ramsey
Produced by Ninja
Photo Credit: Vicki Holda
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First Time: First Family - Keisa Reynolds
Keisa Reynolds is a writer, storyteller, and educator. Originally from Richmond, California, they hold a MA in Women’s Studies and Gender Studies from Loyola and a BA in Cultural Studies from Columbia College Chicago. Between 2016-2018, they co-produced Whine Club at Uncharted Books with Nohemi Rosales and CONNECTIONS at Jimmy Beans Coffee with Jenny Chukwu. Keisa's time and energy is split between running a non-profit organization, parenting a toddler, and somehow finishing their first essay collection on navigating mental health and sexuality.
The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.
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Artist Interviews Motel Breakfast Interview
This week, Features contributor Daniel Edelstein speaks with Mick O'Donnell of Chicago-based band Motel Breakfast. Currently celebrating their five year anniversary as a band, they discuss the band's musical origins and founding, their ethos around giving back by raising funds for the Harold Washington Cultural Center and Feeding America, how their writing style has evolved while being spread across the Midwest, and recording digitally versus on analog.
"It's always been important. It's kind of always been in our ethos. We want to make sure to give back. We're so very lucky to be able to play music and follow our dreams in this way. We wanted to make sure we were giving back as much as we could." - Mick O'Donnell, on Motel Breakfast's fundraising efforts over the years.
Photo Credit: TJ Maksimovich
Produced by Adalyn Staats.
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