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 Ester Interview

Anna Holmquist is the leader of Chicago based indie folk group Ester. They have released a stand alone double single Red Rover / Change is Allowed  in January 2023. Features Co-Director Mick R. caught up with Anna to talk about the origins of their band, the role of humor in their music, and some of their earliest concert going experiences. 

"[I used to think that it] wouldn't make sense for me to do things that are louder or wouldn't make sense for me to do things that were a little less serious or whatever. But I realized that the music I write is the music I write and whether that is something that is on the quieter range of things or something that is a little louder, or maybe sillier, it's all stuff that is Ester because I'm creating." - Anna Holmquist

Produced by Mick R. 

Photo Credit: Ash Dye

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Artist Interviews Tommy Kessler Interview

Tommy Kessler is a busy local singer/songwriter who released a full LP and a double EP in 2022, in addition to producing an entire ccompilation of local indie artists to benefit Brave Space Alliance. Features Co-Director Mick R. caught up with Tommy to talk about the origins and inspirations of his solo work, his distinctive color palette, and his string of recent releases. 

You can find the Weinder Tape compilation as well as Tommy Kessler's full catalog at on Tommy's BandCamp.

 "The main feedback I get is that [my music] sounds like me. That's the nicest thing anyone could possibly say about anyone's art, is that it sounds like them." - Tommy Kessler 

Produced by Mick R. 

Photo Credit: Katlyn Sansone Wentzel

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Artist Interviews Walker Interview

Singer and songwriter Walker is a recent transplant to Chicago, but already considers it home. He released his debut album, Phew in December 2022 and Features Co-Director Mick R. caught up with him to talk about the album, his process, and his experience teaching music to others as a self-taught musician. 

Walker will be releasing a series of singles in the sping of 2023; you can keep up with his upcoming releases by following him on Instagram @walkerwonder_.

"[T]he main thing I try to do is just follow joy, because for me, joy is my muse." - Walker 

Produced by Mick R. 

Photo Credit: James Werner

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Artist Interviews Footballhead Interview

Ryan Nolen is the creative engine behind the Chicago-based alternative rock project Footballhead. Features co-director Mick R. caught up with Ryan to talk about his most recent EP Kitchen Fly, the Chicago underground rock scene, whether or not his music is "emo," and his ranking of the best Nick-Toons characters of all time. 

Ryan will be playing at Sleeping Village with Dazy and Graham Hunt as part of Tomorrow Never Knows Fest on January 18, 2023. 

"I was playing in my band Kirby Grip at the time and we were trying to do like an alternative based, [Smashing] Pumpkins, semi-shoegaze thing, and I had [writen] all these songs that were more like Gin Blossoms or Vertical Horizon almost... Songs that were too poppy... So I said to myself, 'I needed an outlet for these things.'" - Ryan Nolen on the origins of Footballhead

Produced by Mick R.

Photo Credit: Ryan Nolen

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Artist Interviews Aya Ito Interview

This week, Features co-director Jessi D speaks with Chicago-based singer-songwriter, Aya Ito. They discuss her newly released EP, Just Might, and how each purchase on Bandcamp comes with Aya's favorite homecooked recipes, her Black and Japanese heritage, re-releasing some of her already J-Pop perfect songs in Japanese, and how a Japanese video rental store shaped her upbringing in Indianapolis.

On her nickname, the Blazian Sensation:

"I really, really love both sides of my culture. I love my Black side, I love my Japanese side. I really consider myself fully Black and fully Japanese. I'm proud of my heritage, and proud of being Black and Asian. And Blazian Sensation obviously rhymes, so I was like, it flows! Let me be Blazian Sensation." - Aya Ito

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Abboye Lawrence

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