First Time First Issue - Ozivell Ecford

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Ozivell Ecford is a songwriter, designer, and performer. He has studied at Depaul and the International Academy of Design and Technology. He's worked with the Old Town School of Folk Music as well as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has produced and composed for a number of independent films, plays, local artists, and bands, and performs with his band Kick Bricks regionally and nationally. Ecford was ranked as one of Chicago’s Top Ten Teaching Artists by 3Arts.org in 2014 and 2015.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Issue - Tristan A. Smith

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Tristan A. Smith is an actor, writer, and comedian born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the city's South Side in the Bronzeville neighborhood. It's a known fact amongst performers that great art comes through Chicago. Tristan has spent more than enough time in the city to provide all the evidence you need of just how special the homegrown talent is. A lot of elements have had a hand in crafting Tristan's artistry both in Chicago and in his travels. From his time in Atlanta at Morehouse College, to his improv and writing training at Act One Studios and Second City, to his everyday experiences. All of it makes an impact. He is honored to be working with Chirp Radio for the first time and happy you are listening.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Issue - Chris Trani

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Comedian and immigration rights activist Chris Trani tells the story of how he posed as a journalist from Street Wise to interview Jane Fonda and Eve Ensler.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Issue - Dustin Drase

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If you’ve been to Chicago in the past two decades, you've probably seen or heard Dustin somewhere -- be it DJing, hosting a radio show, or peddling records at local fairs and events. Obsessive record collecting as a teenager led him down the path of music journalism (Magnet, Dusted, MTV2, Stop Smiling), then to hosting a radio show and DJing. You can currently hear Dustin at monthly gigs at Coles or the Whistler in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. A veteran of the local record label scene, Dustin spent time in the trenches at Locust, Drag City, and the archival reissue label The Numero Group. In 2015, he was nominated for a GRAMMY (Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package) an A2IM Award (Creative Packaging) and won an AIM award (UK) for his work on the Numero release, Cities of Darskcorch. As if all that weren't enough to keep him busy, he also runs/owns two boutique record labels, Addenda and Plustapes. In the few instances when he has free time, Dustin enjoys playing board games and indulges his more nerdy interests by collecting comic books and vintage synthesizers.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Gig - Elle Quintana

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If good stories come from a riotous life, Elle’s background is just the thing. Born in Albuquerque, she traveled her whole life, which involved attending 22 different schools, before landing in Chicago 20 years ago. She’s been a talent buyer (translation: books bands) for 17 years, and loves whiskey, taking naps, bad decisions, and her daughter. In 1980 at Washington Elementary in Kalamazoo, MI, she won student of the month. She considers that the pinnacle of her success.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Gig - Megan Ensley

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Megan is a writer, actor, singer, political activist, and aspiring psychologist. She sings with the band, The Mashed Potatoes, has performed in numerous cabarets with Brown Paper Box Co., and has told stories for Story Lab Chicago and TUTA Theatre. She has also been a performer, writer, and director for various sketch comedy shows at The Second City Training Center and Stage 773. When not performing, Megan can be found working on graduate school applications to become a clinical psychologist.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Gig - Rachel McCartney

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Rachel McCartney has performed in way too many bars to still look so out of place in them. Based in Chicago, she is a regular at the Laugh Factory, and recently made her Comedians You Should Know debut opening for Drew Michael at his album recording. She has also performed at the Comedy Exposition, the Green Gravel Comedy Festival, and the Orlando Indie Comedy Festival.

The Chicago Tribune once described her as a "New Year's treat," which probably made more sense when the article was published in early January. In less calendar-sensitive praise, local legend Peter-john Byrnes once called her "Chicago's foremost grammar comedian," and she plans to have that distinction carved into her headstone.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Gig - Ada Cheng

Ada Cheng is renegade academic and a professor turned storyteller, improviser, and comedian. She is a recent Moth story slam winner, Bughouse Square Debate runner up, and presenter at The National Storytelling Network Conference. In her free time, she loves sleeping (with or without cats) and playing with cats (sleeping or not). Her motto is: Make your life the best story you tell.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Gig - Alicia Swiz

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Alicia Swiz is a professor and performer who facilitates conversations about feminism and pop-culture through humor, candid observation and being really smart. She teaches Media & Gender Studies at Harold Washington College and is the creator of SlutTalk, a performance that raises awareness of slut shaming and encourages sex positivity. Sometimes she's funny; sometimes she's not. Find her on the Internet @popgoesalicia

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

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First Time First Taste - Fran Hoepfner

Fran Hoepfner is a writer and comedian from Chicago. She has written both pop culture criticism and personal essays for The AV Club, Brooklyn Magazine, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, and Jezebel, among several  others. She can be seen performing stand-up around the city, most notably as a resident of the monthly Bell Hop showcase with Ian Abramson at the Virgin Hotel. She currently works as the Digital Editor at The Onion.

produced by Dan Epstein and Brian Heath

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