Chicago rap collective Pivot Gang and nonprofit John Walt Foundation are prepping for their favorite event of the year: John Walt Day, a concert benefiting the foundation in honor of deceased Pivot Gang member John Walt. The foundation supports young Chicago artists and musicians dedicated to spreading positivity through their art.  Taking place Nov. 28 at Metro, this year's concert coincides with group member Saba's homecoming on his Big Picture Tour. Pivot Gang's MFnMelo and Frsh Waters stopped by the Vocalo studio to discuss what it means to give back to the Chicago community and what fans can expect (maybe some special guests and new music?!).

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Wednesday, Nov. 19. It was hosted, edited and produced by Nudia Hernandez, with production support from Morgan Ciocca and Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

Conor Smith, Shane Appell, Mason Watts and Zach Newbould are Midnight Til Morning — a new group on the boyband scene after connecting on Netflix’s “Building the Band.” The four met each other blindly on the show, and have been staying busy ever since with the release of their new album “Afterglow.” The band just wrapped up their North American tour and are getting ready for their upcoming UK and EU tour starting in 2026.

Midnight Til Morning stopped at Chicago’s Thalia Hall on Oct. 27, but before they took the stage, the group sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss their experiences before and after “Building the Band” and their favorite memories from tour.

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Monday, Oct. 27. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist JEFF K%NZ aims to build community through conversation and artistic expression, whether as a rapper or the founder of monthly event series Think & Paint. His September album “PIGMENTS” is a collaboration with Chicago producer Theisy, and features fellow local artists Mvte, Kid Breeze and Joel Q.  The two sat down with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to discuss how they met, their favorite tracks and what listeners can expect in 2026.

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Oct. 23. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

Chicago-rooted, LA-based vocalist Sophia Galaté didn’t plan to release her debut album while on tour. Things just worked out that way. But fans new and old have been singing along at every stop while she’s been opening for English artist James Vickery — even before her new project, “For My Own Entertainment,” was released on Oct. 24. Though she’s been singing since childhood, Galaté started her career on the business side of the music industry before pivoting to pursue becoming an artist herself.

She sat down with Vocalo digital producer Morgan Ciocca just after the album’s release to discuss its initial reception and how she decided to release her own music.

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Wednesday, Oct. 29. It was hosted, edited and produced by Morgan Ciocca. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

Indiana-rooted funk band The Main Squeeze never imagined they'd end up in a ballet. Joffrey Ballet choreographer Chanel DaSilva had other plans.

Her new work “Wabash & You” — opening Nov. 6 at Harris Theater — is a love story set in downtown Chicago, based on her own experiences. The production invites The Main Squeeze onstage to perform live alongside Joffrey Ballet dancers in this love letter to Chicago (and to hopeless romantics).

After touring the US and Europe in support of their sixth studio album, lead singer of The Main Squeeze Corey Frye called in to Vocalo to break down how the band got involved with DaSilva and the Joffrey. "Wabash & You" is part of  "Matters of the Heart," the Joffrey Ballet's five-show residency at Harris Theater in Millennium Park. The two-act program also features Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Frida Kahlo-inspired work “Broken Wings.” It runs through Sunday, Nov. 9.

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Tuesday, Nov. 4. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

Chicago artist Wyatt Waddell is next up on our playlists. The 28-year-old singer and multi-instrumentalist blends influences of rock, funk, soul, R&B and psychedelic pop to curate his singular sound, showcased on his 2025 singles “I Saw The Light” and “Should’ve Stayed Home.” Waddell is preparing to wrap up a three-show residency at Dorian’s in Wicker Park this weekend, and will take the stage again on Nov. 18 at Beat Kitchen alongside fellow local artists Denzell Lavell and Jawson Dell.

He stopped by the Vocalo studio to break down the singles and more with host Nudia Hernandez.

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Wednesday, Oct. 15. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

Led by guitarist and producer Blake Rhein, Patchwork Inc. is a rotating collective of Chicago artists born out of a desire to bring the spirit of session songwriting to the city. The project’s new five-song EP, “Chicago Patchwork,” is out tomorrow, featuring 70s-inspired instrumentals and soulful vocalists Rhea the Second and Michael Damani. Earlier this week, the three sat down with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to break down the project and its release party tonight.

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Tuesday, Oct. 14. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

Chicago Grammy-winning trumpeter Nico Segal & The Social Experiment — a Chicago supergroup including Chance the Rapper, Peter CottonTale, Nate Fox and Greg Landfair Jr. — broke boundaries and redefined the Chicago sound with their 2015 debut album "Surf," which blurred the lines between hip-hop, jazz and soul (featuring smash-hit "Sunday Candy"). The group reunited over the weekend for a 10th anniversary show at Metro Chicago with some special guests.

Segal sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to highlight the Chicago community that helped make this album, a few stories from specific tracks on “Surf” and the secret to maintaining a 10-year friendship-slash-working relationship. Dig deeper into the story at Vocalo.org.

This interview was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with Vocalo on Instagram @vocalo and on TikTok @vocalo.radio.

As a Scorpio herself, singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin knew exactly what to name her latest album even before it was finished. The project was born as McFerrin's engagement — and relationship of eight years — came to an end, and served as an integral part of her grieving process. Her sophomore album, "SCORPIO" is a soul-filled journey into self-discovery and healing from heartbreak.

McFerrin kicks off her tour in support of the album on Sept. 30, stopping at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall on Oct. 23. Before hitting the road, she virtually met with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to discuss opening up on the album, co-producing track “I Don’t” with WILLOW, funding the project through her wedding savings and collaborating with Tyler, the Creator. McFerrin also teased that her Chicago show will be the only one on the tour with background vocalists …

This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Monday, Sept. 23. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.

From director Justin Tipping and Jordan Peele's Monkey Paw Productions, new film "HIM" asks: "What is the price of success?" After enduring a career-threatening injury, pro-football prospect Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) gets invited to train with his childhood idol Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). While training in White’s private facilities, Cade is introduced to the darker side of pro-football.  Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says Cade’s naiveness paired with White’s ruthlessness allows the audience to sense something explosive is waiting to happen.

“HIM” is also the acting debut for Tierra Whack and  Guapdad 4000 — both of whom are featured on the film's soundtrack alongside Gucci Mane, Denzel Curry, Sampa the Great, MAVI, Jean Dawson and more.

"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube, Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.