The Rock in Chicago Show

Erik chats with Riki and Karl from Uncouth about how they have been holding up over the pandemic, their new material, the tribulations of dealing in an age of the focus on video-oriented social media experiences and what it really means to truly be a music fan with eclectic and divergent tastes.

In this episode Erik chats with Robert Mayfield of the progressive rock group Spooky Boo on their latest release, dealing with the effects of COVID, the importance of rap and metal in music education, and the finer points of jazz and classical guitar. They also geek poetic on The Mars Volta.

Featured tracks by Spooky Boo:

Familiar

Waiting Room

The Incident

A discussion around the various intersections of mental health and music with singer/songwriter and mental health advocate Bryan Joseph Kuhn

Tracks:

Working On Myself - Bryan Joseph Kuhn

Right The Ship - Bryan Joseph Kuhn

Marionette - Bryan Joseph Kuhn

Moodswings - Beneath the Stares

In this episode, Erik chats with multi-instrumentalist Joe Rauen, who also is an instrument maker with a penchant for visual art.

They talk through Joe’s passion and process for creating unique instruments along with his transformative experiences at Berklee College of Music in Boston and his current journey studying Indian music with Saraswathi Ranganathan. A few selections from his upcoming album featuring some of his instruments are featured during the episode.

In this episode, Erik chats with Alexi Front, founder of Scorched Tundra, a heavy music festival that takes place annually here in Chicago and Gothenburg Sweden since 2011.

Alexi has a long history in the music industry, working as a music journalist, in PR, and most notably founding the independent label Pivotal Rockordings Record Label in 2004. The label specializes in sharing and syndication of a variety of death metal music from Sweden.

Alexi is also a fellow podcaster and produces Heavy Hops, a weekly interview format podcast focusing on innovators, creators and insiders in the music and beverage industry related to heavy music and beer. Alexi is also a life-long resident of Chicago.

We discuss a number of different things related to the art and craft of podcasting, the undertakings and values for curating an international music festival along with different ways of looking at experiencing new music post-pandemic in different contexts.

The music featured in this episode is "Clearing the Sand" by Huntsmen and "Twist Ending" by Annihilus

Photo: Therese Rasmusson

Erik chats with bassist, composer, and visual artist Evan Lacksmer about his artistic sensibilities, creative processes as a musician, Evan's background, history in the Chicago music scene, and how he developed his unique style of playing. During the episode Evan previews three brand new tracks from his latest project.

Erik chats with Mark and Ryan from Black Sites about their newest release "Untrue". Much of the conversation focuses on the work and processes behind writing, recording, and producing the album during the pandemic along with future plans for the band.

Erik chats with Matt from Matt Derda and the High Watts about their new releases, getting back into playing after the pandemic, using social media challenges and rewards with building a fan base. Erik and Matt also compare notes on the craft of storytelling and art of improvisation as a performer. The latest single "Moonshine" is also featured in the episode.

In this episode Erik chats with photographer Katia Jackson, a Chicago-based photographer who helps document our local scene. Katia also spent the better part of the pandemic in 2020 taking her lens to the street documenting the civil unrest. We also talk about Katia's experiences at the recent Riotfest, working with other photographers in the area and reflections on a rapidly changing post-pandemic world.

Music by Tamari T & Thee Elektra Company, The Kreutzer Sonata, and Rosaries.

Preview of select tracks from Nora Marks release "Opt Out". Erik chats with Michael, Matt, and Robbie about the band's creative process, evolution and upcoming plans.