The Underbelly Hours

Mirabelle Skipworth is in town! The formerly local singer-songwriter brings her latest alt-folk songs from her new home in Pittsburgh for a special appearance on The Underbelly Hours.

This episode, Dan chats with Mirabelle about her new EP, “The Morning's Malaise”, as well as her growth as a songwriter since moving to Pittsburgh. They also discuss some comparisons between the Chicago scene and Pittsburgh's, and Mirabelle offers some valuable insight for up-and-coming artists that want to facilitate a healthy local music scene in their area. Existential tangets to be expected.

Stream her new EP, “The Morning's Malaise”, out everywhere on March 17th.

Are YOU down with the get down? One of Kane County’s most beloved bands swung by the Underbelly Hours studios last week to share some good news! The Invisible Cartoons spilled the beans on a NEW album, commercial-level toilets, Space Cat characters, and how they’ve managed to stay together over the last 10 years.

Laugh your way through this special Underbelly Hours podcast drop, and join the band in person for their FREE 2 hour show on Saturday February 4th.

Featured Music Shoutouts this episode: “Perfect Sky” by Pino Farina Band, and “The Surge and the Swell” by The Surge and the Swell.

It’s the annual Homegrown update! Only this time, the stakes are higher than ever.

Just weeks before Homegrown Arts and Music Festival celebrates a decade of rock n’ rolling, Adela and Dan sit down with founder Aaron Williams to reminisce. Many thanks to Aaron and all who’ve kept this festival flame alive for the past 10 years.

Plus, catch an extra special YouTube version of this episode through the Homegrown Arts and Music Festival channel. You’ll see Adela, Dan, and even Brian Shamie embark on a noble quest…to support local music.

What exactly is that strange, ufo-shaped musical instrument we call a handpan?

Join the Underbelly Hours crew as we dive into a deep discussion about handpans with the one and only Ted Munyer of The Handpan Project. Topics include the handpan’s history, strange percussion techniques, AI composing music, and Ted’s composition process. It’s a wild ride about one of the world’s newest (and coolest) instruments!

Music shoutouts of the week:

“Graveyard Thinker” by 8-bit crEEps

“Consistency” by Cheryl Rodey

DISCLAIMER: Occasionally, sparks fly. Between the guests and between the mics. We tried to clean it up as best we could, but be warned that audio issues still occur throughout this episode.

What happens when the figureheads of Chicago Sound Check (Brian) and AUX (Andy King) meet in the recording basement of The Underbelly Hours? A cacophony of jokes, brutal opinions, and goofy commentary about the absolute state of music everywhere.

Discover what the affable Brian Shamie and level-headed Andy King have in store this summer. Learn more about Chicago music. Strap in. It’s a fun ride.

The Underbelly Hours is BACK after spring break…and a little break for seasonal flu…with information about an incredible SYNC LICENSING conference open to independent artists!

Adela sits down with Celia (of What Up Pitches) and Marco Castro (a Chicago-land artist signed to What Up Pitches) to discuss the mysterious world of sync licensing and the WUP it UP conference that will help independent musicians land their songs in ads.

P.S. to musicians: Use our special promo code CHICAGO50 for 50% off your conference tickets on April 29th. But hurry! This event has Saturday already sold out. Be quick to grab those Friday tickets and start taking your musical career to a new level!

Brian McGrath’s Irish roots run deep. So does his love for Walgreens, wanderlust, and desire to connect on a meaningful level with his fans. We sit down with Brian McGrath to discover a little bit about his songs, his views, and his life.

Plus, come see Brian play LIVE alongside Ian Leith at the Underbelly Hours monthly live showcase at 6pm on Saturday, March 19th.

Help! Adela just realized that she doesn’t know the first thing about ska! Luckily David Lyons, bassist of Chicago ska band “Bumsy and the Moochers”,  is here to help. David and Dan school Adela on ska, then later, we spill the beans on Bumsy, the newest generation of ska, and the surprising correlation between ska and rugby…

New music shoutout:

“Eulogy” by Demi Clara

Nikki Morgan is charming and genuine. Her whole personality radiates warmth - from her smile to her rich, distinct singing voice. She’s not always in Chicago these days, but whenever she is, we love to welcome her back for a chat on the podcast.

For Nikki’s third visit, she brings with her the gift of new, self-produced tunes (her first attempt), an awesome experience with the Black Opry, why she’s drawn to country music, and some funny stories about the first albums she ever bought.

Music shoutouts this episode:

Colleen Wild

Barry and the Fountains

You may not know their music, but if you live in the Chicago burbs, you’ve certainly at least heard their name. Primal Moon has mastered the art of getting people’s attention: whether it’s through memes, sidewalk chalk art, or waving signs on the side of the road. How are grassroots marketing strategies working for this straight-ahead rock band? And how did they start jamming in the first place?

We sit down with Joe and Luke of Primal Moon to find out. Other topics include 21st century frontfolk, fun facts about willow trees, and the art of having fun with jams.