CHIRP's exclusive artist interviews, conducted on-location and produced entirely by CHIRP volunteers. Subscribe to the feed to receive new interviews with local and national acts every week.

Artist Interviews California Wives

Chicago’s California Wives’ released their first full-length record on Vagrant Records in early September, 2012. Art History is a dream pop celebration for the new-wave band, marking years of hard work and support from the local scene.

Blake Burkhart caught up with the band during a busy Lollapalooza weekend, reminiscing with the guys about the good ride they’ve had so far, and hope to continue now that they’ve officially dropped their long-awaited debut.

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

Artist Interviews Serengeti

On location at the Chicago Media League softball night in Kosciuszko Park, Dylan Peterson talked with CHIRP’s unlikely starting pitcher, Anticon’s Serengeti. 2012 saw the release of the Kenny Dennis EP and C.A.R. full-length, two radically different albums from this enigmatic and imaginative local rapper. Before taking the mound, Serengeti reflected on living a loner’s lifestyle in Chicago, working with Why?‘s Yoni Wolf, and the ’87 Cubs

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

Artist Interviews Bowerbirds

Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Bowerbirds released their third full-length album, The Clearing, on Dead Oceans in March of 2012. CHIRP DJ Dylan Peterson had the pleasure of hanging out with the entire band after their performance at Lollapalooza.

In this exclusive CHIRP interview the band reflects on their place in the nu-folk canon, Beth and Phil’s on-again, off-again, on-again relationship, and how accidentally adopting a dog affected their outlook on life.

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

Artist Interviews Bear in Heaven

CHIRP DJ Blake Burkhart sat down with Bear in Heaven at the Harmony Grill before their headlining show at Schubas. They talked about the promotional idea to stream their new album at a super-slow speed, and the process of infusing pop into experimental music. Bear in Heaven is playing at Lollapalooza this weekend.

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

Artist Interviews Zammuto

CHIRP DJ Dylan Peterson met up with Nick Zammuto (founder of The Books) under the marquee of the Chicago Theater before his new band’s show with Explosions in the Sky. They talked about the death of The Books, how family affects art, Steve Reich vs. John Cage, and new nostalgia.

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