After 14 years in Chicago, Jim Burchill is happy to call Chicago his home. He spent many years doing tech/video work for sketch groups and storefront theatres, then became the long-running musical guest/host for the Monday Night Improv at Mullen's show. If you hadn't heard him on CHIRP Radio from 12 am – 3 am on The Real Saturday Night, there's a good chance he has taken you to the airport during his day job as a Lyft driver. He'll be happy to tell you about his best and worst passengers in exchange for your listening to his new podcast The Essentials, which covers the classic music that people missed while getting entranced by the popular singles. It can be found at itstheessentials.blogspot.com.

The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.

The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.

Lindsey Charles is a Chicago actor/singer/performer/artist, known mostly for fronting the girlpop grindcore power trio The Cell Phones.

The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.

The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.

Abby Muldoon is from the sleepy beach town of Melbourne, FL and is never going back! After earning her psychology degree at Florida State University in 2012, she moved to Chicago, IL where she earned her master's degree in women and gender studies making her a Professional Feminist Buzzkill. Abby has performed improv, sketch, and stand-up all around Chicago including Second City, Stage 773, and the Playground Theater. Her sketch group, Needless Productions, can be found performing at Second City and various festivals year round. During the day, she is a behavioral health researcher focusing on LGBTQ/queer young people, HIV prevention, and sexual health. In her free time, Abby and her husband enjoy writing songs about their pit-bull who is a very good boy.

The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.

The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.

Jasmine Davila has appeared in venues both small and medium sized, reading in live lit shows such as Essay Fiesta, The Skewer, and 20x2. She currently co-produces and co-hosts lady live lit show Miss Spoken, which can be found at The Gallery Cabaret on the last Wednesday of the month. The next show is Wednesday, October 30, and the the theme is Ghost Stories. If you want to know more about Jasmine, she tweets and instas as @jasmined.

The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.

The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.

Dylan Carey is a comedian, actor and musician from Chicago. A graduate from Chicago’s Second City Training Center, Annoyance Theater, and iO Theater, he has been performing comedy and music for over 15 years. Dylan improvises at iO weekly, and produces fire beats for many local rappers and comedians. Credits include TruTV, Zanies Comedy Club, SoFar Sounds, and the Green Mill.

The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.

The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.

Features interveiwer Bradley Morgan sat down with twin brothers Jared and Jonathan Mattson of the experimental jazz duo Mattson 2. They spend some time digging into a very special project called "The Vaults of Eternity: Japan," which is a reimagined mix-tape of sorts. Other topics up for discussion include adding vocals to their music and breaking down the 4th wall with the audience. Tune in now to hear to whole conversation!

produced by Amanda Roscoe Mayo

Assistant Director Ari Mejia chats at the Chirp studios with Andrew, Zach, and Jeff of Chicago band The Hecks.  They revisit their last interview with Chirp from 2015, talk about why their incredible album My Star took 3 years to make, and the way memory influences their sound.  

Produced by Ari Mejia

Photo credit: Ashleigh Dye

CHIRP Features interviewer Marjorie Alford sits down with the Paranoyds during their last stop in Chicago. They talk channeling political frustrations through music, inspirational women, and connecting with audience memebers during the show and more!

 

Produced by Robert Patterson

photo credit Gina Canavan

Interviewer Mick Reed chats with Molly, singer and creator of Uma Bloo. Tune in to get acquainted with her influences, sound, and how burlesque helped her find her music self.

Produced by Robert Patterson

Photo credit: Monika Oliver

STEVE REIDELL is a typography enthusiast and a Chicago musician: he is one-half of DJ/production duo The Hood Internet, and one-half of the band Air Credits alongside fellow Chicagoan ShowYouSuck. He formerly worked as the in-house art director at Metro and Smart Bar.

The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.

The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.

Photo credit: Graham Gardner