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 Mandy Interview

This week, Features contributor Alyssa Edes talks with Chicago-based artist Miranda Winters AKA Mandy, about her debut solo album Lawn Girl.  They discuss the genesis of Lawn Girl which took material from her past and finally laid it to rest, The song Mickey’s Dead Things about losing early life friendships, her cover of Jimmy Webb’s Now That I’m a Woman from The Last Unicorn, the importance of an all female band, and the routes we take to try to get back to our most authentic and vulnerable selves of early life.

“Obviously the best way forward is to analyze your past.”  - Miranda Winters of Mandy. 

Miranda Winters is a song-writer and musician best known for her role as the indomitable vocalist / guitarist of Chicago powerhouse, Melkbelly. Drawing on deep roots as a song-writer in Chicago DIY, Winters continues to evolve a signature sound by pursuing her music as a solo artist. 

Catch Mandy live August 30th at Sleeping Village. 

Produced by Alyssa Edes.

Photo Credit: Mandy

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Artist Interviews Hannah Frances Interview

This week, Features contributor Connor Broderick speaks with Chicago-based vocalist, guitarist, composer, and poet Hannah Frances. They discuss her new album, Keeper Of The Shepherd, and the grief that shaped the creation of the album, the different chapters of her life informing her writing process, and the push and pull of being a solitary person and learning to lean on others.

"I treated it a bit like a thesis. I was like, I know what I am actively working with in terms of processing, emotional processing." - Hannah Frances on the writing of her new album, Keep of The Shepherd.

Produced by Brian Szpak

Photo Credit: Eleanor Petry

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Artist Interviews Bianca Xunise Interview

This week Features co-director Marjorie Alford talks with cartoonist Bianca Xunise about their graphic novel Punk Rock Karaoke. The two discuss the confusion of early adulthood, finding grace for the people you love, how a lack of representation in the media lead to Bianca filling that void for themself,  and most importantly, punk rock. 

"I put so much of my heart and my own punk experiences into this story that I want to sit with it. I want to be with this beautiful piece of art that I made." - Bianca Xunise, on why they won't be rushing into their next project.

Bianca Xunise is a cartoonist based out of Chicago, Illinois. Their work primarily focuses on the plight, joy, and daily struggles of misfits within the black community.  In 2017 Xunise earned an Ignatz for Promising New Talent for their comic Say Her Name, an autobiographical story of police brutality and social justice. In 2020 Xunise earned their second Ignatz for their contribution to Be Gay, Do Comics published by IDW. Xunise has collaborated with Vogue, The Washington Post, The Nib, and Believer Magazine. They are also a contributor to the book How We Fight Supremacy: A Field Guide to Black Resistance along with Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tarana Burk, and Harry Belafonte. Bianca became the first nationally syndicated non-binary cartoonist when they joined the comic strip Six Chix in 2020 as their first black creator.

Punk Rock Karaoke is out now!

This interview features songs highlighted in Punk Rock Karaoke. Tracks included:

Lake Shore Drive - The Cell Phones

Waiting Room - Fugazi

I am A Poseur  - X-Ray Spex

Photo Credit: Bianca Xunise

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Artist Interviews Zoofunkyou Interview

This week, Features contributor Michal Gliszewski speaks with Jake Hennessy (drums), Matt Coglianese (bass), and Derek Dare (guitar and vocals) of Chicago based soulful-psychedelic group Zoofunkyou. They talk about the band's ten year history, keeping things fresh over the years by reworking old songs with new members, learning to write collaboratively,  and sourcing inspiration through live music.  

Produced by Jack Deubner and Jenn Rourke.

Photo Credit: Zoofunkyou

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Artist Interviews C3zr Interview

This week, Features contributor Daniel Edelstein speaks with Chicago-based pianist, producer, and teacher, Cesar Pino aka C3zr. They discuss his most recent full-length release, Round Voyage, the joy of connecting and collaborating with fellow artists, the jazz lounge, Opus, that he runs with his father and mentor, and his beloved keytar.

"That's the beauty of it... music is music, and so I just try to challenge myself and reach into different corners of musical spectrum." - Cesar Pino, aka C3zr

Produced by: Jessi D

Photo Credit: Vanessa Valadez

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