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 Bev Rage & the Drinks Interview

This week, Features contributor Ronald Pagan speaks with Bev Rage of Chicago's own queer garage pop band, Bev Rage & the Drinks. They discuss their upcoming full length album, Exes and Hexes, the expansion of their member lineup, the refining of their sound while retaining their sense of humor, queer diversity in the music scene in Chicago, and the importance of showcasing their humor and being a highly visual band in the form of music videos.

"Everything I write on this album is either coming from a true place or an exaggerated piece of truth that happened in my real life. I find most of my lyric writing comes from real life things that I've experienced. So everything you hear on this album, it's all real." - Bev Rage

Produced by Adalyn Staats.

Photo Credit: Dan Jarvis

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Artist Interviews Zvrra Interview

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. 

Zvrra also streams on Twitch. 

"I try to capture that early 2000s electronic vibe and kind of merge it with a modern sound." - Zvrra

Produced by Mick R. 

Image courtesy of artist. 

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Artist Interviews Josh Kantor Interview

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

Image: Adam Glanzman

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Artist Interviews Quin Kirchner Interview

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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Artist Interviews Flung Interview

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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