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CHIRP Podcasts
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 Djunah Interview
This week, Features contributor Marjorie Alford speaks with Chicago-based noise rock artist with "a leg for a bassist," Donna Diane of Djunah. They discuss her Frankenstein-style Moog bass synthesizer pedal board she uses in place of a bassist, the creation of her handmade chainmail bikini for the cover of her recent album, Femina Furens, the exploration of her C-PTSD in the creation of this album, and her end-of-show tradition of destroying her guitar onstage with various sharp objects.
"On this tour, I've really been thinking about my younger self on stage. And I'm like, I'm gonna make her proud of me. She's who I'm singing to, she's who I'm really emoting for, and hoping that other people connect with it, too." - Donna Diane
Produced by Jessi D.
Photo Credit: Courtney Brooke Hall
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Artist Interviews OK Cool Interview
This week, DJ Ninja speaks with Bridget Stiebris and Haley Blomquist of OK Cool. They discuss the Chicago music scene, getting over nerves associated with performing in front of others, their new EP, Fawn, and their musical inspirations and processes.
Their upcoming album release show for Fawn will be held May 4th with their dream lineup at Schuba's Tavern.
"We're just two buds. We're just hangin' out. Sometimes we make music, sometimes we don't. And sometimes I think it's good to not take it too seriously." - Haley Blomquist
Produced by DJ Ninja.
Photo Credit: Kennedy Cottrell
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Artist Interviews Fire-Toolz Interview
Fire-Toolz is an experimental music project from Chicago-based producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Angel Marcloid. In this interview with Features Co-Director Mick R., she discusses how her spiritualism informs her work, responses to her latest album I am upset because I see something that is not there, and her complicated relationship with vaporwave.
I am upset because I see something that is not there is out on Hausu Mountain Records.
"My earliest memories are of people not really knowing what to do with me. I'm used to not being understood. That's always been really hard for me, but I can't be inauthentic and conform, or else I feel like I'm suffocating." - Angel Marcloid
Produced by Mick R.
Image Credit: Eliza Janus
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Artist Interviews Screaming Females Interview
DIY and punk trio Screaming Females have pioneered an uncommon path through the underground and the larger music business since their inception almost twenty years ago. They've released their eighth studio album this year, titled Desire Pathway, now out on Doni Govani records. Ahead of their Chicago stop on their spring tour, vocalist and lead guitarist Marissa Paternoster and drummer Jarrett Dougherty talked with Features Co-Director Mick R. about the state of their creative process and its democratic underpinnings, the contributions of producer Matt Bayles to their latest record and their steady and supportive relationship with Don Giovanni Records.
Find Desire Pathway at https://www.dongiovannirecords.com/
If you're truly having like a democratic creative process where everyone gets to chip in their two cents, you're never going to get exactly what you like, or might absolutely desire. But the whole beauty of being in a band is that ... you come up with something together that you never even expected. - Marissa Paternoster.
Produced by Mick R.
Image Credit: Krista Schlueter
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Artist Interviews Doom Flower Interview
Doom Flower is a stormy and conceptual anti-folk and trip-hop band based in Chicago. Features Co-Director Mick R. caught up with vocalist Jess Price and bassist Bobby Burg to talk about how the band came together, the moods and secrets contained in the songs off their latest LP Limestone Ritual, and the significance of Jess's retro, digital camera to the group's aesthetics and visuals.
Limestone Ritual is available on Bobby Burg's own 'Record Label.'
"I like that comparison [of our music] to a big storm. I think often times when it storms, there's kind of a sense of it coming, the mood changes, things quiet a little bit as color of the sky changes, the smell change. And so that's kind of a fun comparison as far as your senses being confused or like just having your attention taken over for a little bit." - Jess Price
Produced by Mick R.
Photo Credit: Collin Bunting
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