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

Josh Friedberg is an author who is excited to be reading for his first First Time event. His writing has appeared in two books, including the 25th anniversary of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, and he has done storytelling with You're Being Ridiculous and a TEDx talk on creativity and autism. You can read his Substack blog, Spectrum Sounds, at joshfrmusic.substack.com. He is also a proud DJ at CHIRP Radio, hosting the nerd-tastic eclectic show Music Historian's Corner on Wednesdays at 9am-12pm.

The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.

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

Keisa Reynolds is a writer, storyteller, and educator. Originally from Richmond, California, they hold a MA in Women’s Studies and Gender Studies from Loyola and a BA in Cultural Studies from Columbia College Chicago. Between 2016-2018, they co-produced Whine Club at Uncharted Books with Nohemi Rosales and CONNECTIONS at Jimmy Beans Coffee with Jenny Chukwu. Keisa's time and energy is split between running a non-profit organization, parenting a toddler, and somehow finishing their first essay collection on navigating mental health and sexuality. 

The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.

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.

Alicia Nesbary Moore is Chief Veggie Officer of Herban Produce. A  native of Richton Park, Illinois, Nesbary Moore is an urban farmer in  Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood. Trained as a molecular  biologist, Nesbary Moore oversees the cultivation of crops for her  business. It was her vision to help bring new life and economic  opportunity to her community, that has historically been a food desert.  

Nesbary Moore, a graduate of the University of Illinois, holds a Master’s  degree in molecular biology, with a specialty in genetics and plant  science, from Chicago State University. She also teaches science and  urban agriculture at the City Colleges of Chicago.  

She is married to her husband JeVon and mommy to her 1 year old  daughter Sevyn.

The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Julie Mueller and Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.

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

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.

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

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