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 Bob Rok Interview

This week, Features Co-Director Marjorie Alford talks with Chicago-based MC Bob Rok. They discuss the history of the name Bob Rok, the skits he creates with Greenlights Music, the ways in which "politics" touch every facet of our lives and why he mirrors that in his music, his upcoming concept album The Automat about labor and workers, and his disdain for AI and wealth hoarding. 

"Politics needs dancers. It needs celebration. It needs humor. Your life and your expression is incredibly important and you are a part of that." - Bob Rok

Catch Bob Rok live at Liar's Club, Thursday May 30th at 9 p.m. Or with Greenlights Music at this month's CHIRP Night at the Whistler, Sunday May 19th at 8:30 p.m. Listen to his latest album Memory Lane anywhere you stream music. 

Produced by Marjorie Alford

Photo Credit: Bob Rok

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Artist Interviews Sacha Mullin Interview

This week, Features contributor Liz Mason talks with Chicago-based singer songwriter Sacha Mullin. They discuss his new album Casino Wilderness Period, the surprising popularity of his favorite song Margaret, his musical background, and the importance of collaboration for artistic growth. 

"Just because you have a crayon in the box doesn’t necessarily mean you need to use it.”  Sacha Mullin, on knowing when and how to use his vocal range. 

Produced by Liz Mason

Photo credit: Sarah Elizabeth Larson

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Artist Interviews Impulsive Hearts Interview 2024

This week Features contributor Alyssa Edes talks with Danielle Sines of Chicago-based bubblegrunge group Impulsive Hearts. They talk about friendship breakups, feeling ALL of your feelings, societal collapse, and the new album Fit 4 the Apocalypse. 

"It's sort of this mental preparation for the end of the world in my mind... Either I'm gonna get fit or I'm gonna stay in bed all day."  - Danielle Sines, on the new album Fit 4 the Apocalypse.

Fit 4 The Apocalypse is out now. Catch Impulsive Hearts at Andersonville Midsommar Fest Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 7p.m. on The Swedish Stage. And you can hear Danielle - AKA D Rock - on CHIRP Radio with The Apocalipstick Beatz - Tuesdays 12-3pm.

Produced by: Alyssa Edes
Photo Credit: Jovan Landry

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Artist Interviews Wolfman Interview

This week, Features co-director Jessi D speaks with Carrie Shemanski and Crispin Torres of Chicago-based surf rock band Wolfman. They discuss how they met through performing in various cover bands across Chicago, taking a risk and shredding with new friends, recording their debut five-song EP The Wolfman Agenda at Electrical Audio, and the upcoming Shemanskifest, a celebration of Carrie's birthday in which she tries to perform in as many bands as possible.

"So here we are with my band - I couldn't believe it. I was like, people who know how to play instruments also want to play my songs? What a dream!" - Carrie Shemanski

Wolfman will be debuting their new EP at Shemanskifest on Friday, March 29, 2024 at the Burlington Bar.

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Fotio

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Artist Interviews Born Days Interview

This week, Features contributor Liz Mason speaks with Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist singer, songwriter, and producer Melissa Harris of Born Days, a conceptual darkwave synth-pop project. They discuss Harris's pandemic-era roadtrip across the country to Arizona to find a quiet place to finish recording her album, spending hours experimenting with synths as a form of meditation, and working through generational trauma in music on her new album, My Little Dark. 

"When I was writing the album, I was seeing it as kind of like a sci-fi coming of age story. I imagined it if it was a book, it would be for teens." - Melissa Harris on the creation of her new album, My Little Dark.

Produced by Liz Mason.

Photo Credit: Erica Contreras

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