Natalie Chami of TALSounds and Whitney Johnson of Matchess have joined forces to create the experimental music project Damiana. They spoke with Features Co-Director Mick R about the origins of the band, making their new record Vines, techniques for improvising music, and how they came up with their band&#39;s name.  If I&#39;m having a good improv set usually something happens in that set where it&#39;s like, "Oh wow! That  made me curious!" ... Something strange happens, you hear a sound that&#39;s unfamiliar, and you&#39;re like, "I want to try to keep pursuing that as long as it makes sense." - Whitney Johnson Vines is out now on Hausu Mountain Records. Produced by Mick R.  Photo Credit: Doug Kaplan 

CHIRP Radio Podcasts

Damiana Interview

This week, Features contributor Matty G speaks with local artist Jean Cochrane, who performs as Hard Femme. Jean discusses their latest release, A Layer of Topsoil, and how the album was initially conceived as a group effort became a solo project during the pandemic, the effect Chicago has had on their music, and their safer and more relaxed bike route mapping project, Mellow Bike Map. "I think that can-do ethic with very little investment in local social standing but then also the BMF of the music industry writ large is something that I really respect; that kind of raised me in a sense and it&#39;s an ethic I try to pursue." - Jean Cochrane Produced by Jessi D. Photo Credit: M Slater

Hard Femme Interview

Jaimie Branch is an accomplished jazz trumpeter and composer from Long Island, who once upon a time called Chicago home. For this week&#39;s episode of the CHIRP Radio Artist Interview Series, Features Co-Director Mick R. caught up with Jaimie to talk about latest album Fly Or Die Live, her connections to Chicago, and how she balances her singing with her trumpet playing on her song "Prayer for Amerikkka pt 1 & 2." "Music is on the side of beauty. We need to put it into the world however we can." - Jaimie Branch Fly Or Die Live is available from International Anthem.  Produced by Mick R.  Photo Credit: Abdesslam Mirdass 

Jaimie Branch Interview

Sober 21 is a compendium of essays by and interviews with 21 sober musicians. Elia Einhorn, formerly of The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, curated the collection as a tool specifically for musicians who are seeking sober voices and perspectives in an often challenging and addiction-enabling industry. The zine is free for download through The Creative Independent. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, Elia recommends the following resources: Alcoholics Anonymous  Narcotics Anonymous MusiCares Interview and production by Jessi D. Photo Credit: Elia Einhorn

CHIRP Docs: Sober 21

Paul and Jon of the Chicago-based hardcore band La Armada discuss their band&#39;s origins in the Dominican Republic, their migration to the United States, the Latin roots of their sound, and cultural and religious origins of the cover art for their new EP Opías. Interview by Features Co-Dirrector Mick R.  Buy Opías from Mal De Ojo Records.  Production by Mick R.  Photo Courtesy of La Armada. 

La Armada Interview

This week, Features Co-Director Jessi D speaks with Chicago-based artist Ifeanyi Elswith. They discuss themes of self-care and setting personal boundaries in her music, being inspired by Sharon G. Flake&#39;s novel The Skin I&#39;m In, and releasing an album, Everything Festyle, during the pandemic. Produced by Jessi D Photo Credit: Maseo

Ifeanyi Elswith Interview

 Dominic "I.B. Fokuz" Pettis EL of Chicago hip hop group Jyroscope goes deep on the history of his collaboration with bandmate Robert "Collasoul Structure" Moman, explains the origins of their name, and provides illuminating insights into their new EP and collaboration with producer Montana Macks titled Happy Medium. Interview by Mick R. Jyroscope&#39;s Happy Medium is available on Bandcamp.  Produced by Mick R.  Photo Credit: Jason Neloms

Jyroscope Interview

This week, DJ Ninja speaks with Sophia Nadia of Cold Beaches. They discuss the first show after a pandemic hiatus, creating an album during the social justice reckoning in the summer of 2020, the happenstance meeting with another band that led her to Chicago instead of New York, and her newfound interest in scoring video game music. Cold Beaches new album, Drifter, is available now. Produced by DJ Ninja Photo Credit: Miles Kalchik

Cold Beaches Interview

Luca Cimarusti, aka Annihilus, talks with Features Co-Director Mick R. about his second LP, Follow a Song From the Sky. Luca explains the origins of his band&#39;s name, the collaborations that inform his latest record, and why he doesn&#39;t see the project appearing in a live setting.  Follow a Song From the Sky is available through Federal Prisoner Records.  Production by Mick R.  Photo Credit: Michael Vallera

Annihilus Interview

This week, Features contributor Matty G speaks with Chicago-based multi-genre artist Frankii Davis. They discuss her American Idol dreams as a teenager, her musical origins in the church, her collaborations and busy schedule, and how the pandemic forced her to focus on creating her debut EP, Sapio. Produced by Jessi D. Photo Credit: Brandon Appleton

Frankii Davis Interview

Gabacho is a Chicago-based surf and psychedelic rock artist with a penchant for soft harmonies and Latin rhythms. For this week&#39;s episode, he speaks with Features Co-Director Mick R. about the origins of his name, the make-up of his band, and the single and video for "Los Feels" which he did with Mexican singer and songwriter Dromedarios Mágicos.  You can follow Gabacho on Facebook and Instagram.  You can buy Gabacho&#39;s self-titled EP from Bandcamp.  Produced by Mick R. Photo Credit: Gabacho

Gabacho Interview

This week, Features Co-Director Jessi D speaks with Chicago-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emily Jane Powers. They discuss her new outlook on collaboration versus truly DIY-ing it over the span of her 20-year music career, praciticing the guitar and its focus on her new album Isometry, and a professional name adjustment she took on as a teenager. In a triumphant return to live music, Emily will be hosting an album release show at Schubas on Thursday, August 5, 2021. Produced by Jessi D. Photo Credit: Rachel Winslow

Emily Jane Powers Interview

Emily and Brendan of Chicago&#39;s Late Nite Laundry talk about how their new single "Free Time," their visual style, inspirations and aesthetic, and how they do it all themselves "in house." Interview by Features Co-Director Mick R.  Produced by Mick R. Photo courtesy of Late Nite Laundry.

Late Nite Laundry Interview

This week, Features contributor and DJ Mike Nikolich speaks with Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer in celebration of the label&#39;s 50th anniversary. They discuss his early career and founding of Alligator Records in the 70s, his work with the Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor, his views on contemporary blues artists, a harrowing near-death experience on a train in Scandinavia, and, of course, his deep love of the blues. You can find Alligator Records&#39; celebratory and houserockin&#39; 50th anniversary collection on their website. Produced by Mike Nikolich. Photo Credit: Chris Monaghan

Bruce Iglauer Interview

Mike Lust of Tight Phantomz discusses why he chose "Danceteria" as the first single off his new album Demented Wings, the studio quarantine time that led to his first solo effort in a lengthy music career, and the challenge of turning recording session inspirations into a live show. Interview by contributor DJ Ninja.  You can buy Mike Lust&#39;s Demented Wings from Forge Again Records.   Production by DJ Ninja  Photo Credit: Ryan Bardsley

Mike Lust Interview

CHIRPradio.org is a listener-supported music and arts focused community radio station in Chicago staffed by more than 150 volunteers. In addition to our live programming we produce a series of shows and interviews and provide them through our various podcasts.

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CHIRP Radio Podcasts

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