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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 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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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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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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Artist Interviews Bloodhype Interview
This week, Features contributor Marjorie Alford speaks with Chicago-based Maureen Neer of the mostly-solo electronic and lounge act, Bloodhype. They discuss the solo and collaborative nature of Bloodhype and being more interested in jokes and commitment to the bit than love songs.
"It's all Bloodhype. It's all Bloodhype because as long as I'm in it, it's Bloodhype. And whoever's along for the party, great. Which is very confusing to everyone else but me. So the fun thing is, if you see Bloodhype on a bill, [...] you might see a different set than you've seen before." - Maureen Neer
Photo Credit: Maureen Neer
Produced by Brian Szpak
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Artist Interviews Defcee Interview
This week, Features co-director Mick R speaks with Chicago rapper and poetry teacher, Adam Levin aka Defcee. They discuss the parallels between poetry and hip hop, the genesis of the style of his flow, his influences, his dream collaboration with producer Blockhead, and the naming of his album For All Debts Public and Private.
"I just wanted to be honest and open about those struggles I have as well, because I can be as superhuman as I want to be on the microphone, but at the end of the day, if I'm not being vulnerable in my music as well, there's nothing to distinguish it from the next rapper who thinks they're the best out there." - Defcee
Photo Credit: Michael Salisbury
Produced by Jessi D.
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