This week's CHIRP Radio Artist Interview is with Chicago alternative country artist Thompson Springs. Features Dept contributor Eddie Sayago talks with the band's guitarist, vocalist and founder Matt Smith about the origins of the band, their new singles, and recording at Matt's home during quarantine. 

You can purchase Tompson Springs's music via their Bandcamp page. 

Produced by Jono Lyle.

Photo courtesy of Thompson Springs. 

This week, Features contributer Marjorie Alford speaks with Andrés Roldan of Chicago hip hop collective Greenlights Music. They discuss their long-term roots in the Chicago music and political scene, the genesis of the collective, and how Greenlights represents multuiple generations of rappers.

Produced by Danielle Sines.

Photo Credit: Thanos Alatsidis

This week Features Co-Director Mick R. has a wonderful conversation with rare soul revival band Thee Sacred Souls. They've just signed to Daptone's Penrose Records Imprint and were more than happy to talk about how the band came together and their message of racial justice. 

You can find Thee Sacred Souls' music on Penrose Records here. 

Produced by Brian Szpak. 

Photo Credit: Gus Olivares. 

This week, CHIRP DJ Mike Nikolich speaks with Chicago-based folk artist, p. a. pritchett. They discuss the recording and creation process that spanned the last decade for his most recent album, Victory at Sea!, collaborating with other artists for this long-term project, and utilizing a 1970s recording of pritchett's partner's grandfather as inspiration.

Produced by Mike Nikolich.

Photo credit: Lisa Ann Lux

This week we have Features Co-Director Mick R. in conversation with two chillin' villains, Bryanna and Peyton of the Chicago hardcore band Buggin. They talk about the origins of the band's name and their recording plans for 2021, as well as their influences, motivations, and style, and whether or not they could see themselves opening for Harm's Way. 

Buggin's flexi single Brainfreeze is out via Flatspot Records. 

Production by Mick R. 

Photo Credit: Bryanna Bennett

This week, Features & Production Director Jessi D speaks with Traci Trouble, Lucy Dekay, and Izzy Price of Chicago-based rollicking rock group AWEFUL. They talk about being in a million bands in true Chicago music scene fashion, navigating a house fire in the middle of recording, releasing singles to continue to stay connected during quarantine while raising money to benefit NIVA and other charities, and having a blast making music videos DIY-style for the first time.

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Patrick Houdek

This week's CHIRP Radio Artist Interview is between local hip hop artist The Third and Features Department Contributor Marjorie Alford. They talked about The Third's start at Harold Washington Library’s YouMedia Lab, the origins of his rap name, and the thoughtful inspirations behind many of his songs. 

The Third's first EP Director's Cut is available now through his website. 

Produced by: Jim Mulvaney.

Photo courtesy of The Third.

This week, CHIRP DJ and Features contributer Mike Nikolich speaks with Robert Dean, the former lead guitarist with Japan, a British new romantic band from the late 1970s and early 1980s. After leaving Japan and playing for Vivabeat, Gary Numan, Sinéad O’Connor, and The Slow Club, Dean retired from the music scene, moved to Costa Rica, and reinvented himself as a world-renowned bird illustrator. He ended his self-imposed music retirement in 2019 when he formed his current project with Isaac Moraga, Light of Day.

Produced by Mike Nikolich.

Photo Credit: Robert Dean

This week Features Co-Director Mick R. spoke with guitarist and "clean" vocalist Jesse Cash of the Birmingham, Alabama-based metalcore band ERRA about his band's self-titled record. They dug into the band's visual rebrand, their signing with UNFD, the themes of the new record, and why they waited until their fifth LP to release a self-titled record. They cover it all! 

ERRA's self-titled record will be out on UNFD on March 19, 2021. 

Produced by Jenn "DJ Ninja" Rourke. 

Photo credit: Aaron Marsh.

This week Features Department Contributor Marjorie Alford spoke with George Arthur Calendar, a phenomenal producer and songwriter currently located in Logan Square on Chicago's West Side. They spoke about his creative processes, approach to collaborations, how to introduce people to his unique RnB sound, his love for cooking, and even traded hospitality tips and stories. 

George Arthur Calendar's next full-length LP Paradoxes will drop April 14 on the Mexico City-based Stereochip Records. 

Check out George Arthur Calendar latest single and collab with Claude titled, "Lente Oscuro a​.​k​.​a Calypso" here. 

Produced by Brian Spzak.

Photo credit: Tom Krohn