Vocalo Radio

By Vocalo RadioMusic Music Commentary Music Interviews

Vocalo Radio episodes

March 19 Chicago-rooted singer Sophia Galaté embarks on her debut headlining tour
California-based, Chicago-rooted artist Sophia Galaté dropped her debut
album last year. This spring, she’s headed out on her debut headlining tour. The
artist called in to Vocalo to discuss some standout tracks, how it feels to sell out
shows and why she went from the business side of the music industry to become an
artist herself.
This interview was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited by Morgan
Ciocca. Keep up with us on Vocalo.org, @Vocalo on Instagram and @Vocalo.radio on
TikTok.
14 min
January 28 DRAMA: Live at the Salt Shed!
Chicago electronic duo DRAMA are spreading love across the country on their
“Platonic Romance” tour. The duo released their third full-length album of the same
name on Jan. 9.
Though they started conceptualizing the album two years ago, vocalist Via Rosa feels
she and producer Na’el Shehade have been working on this project their entire
lives.
Rosa and Shehade brought their tour home to the Salt Shed on Jan. 24. Before they
took the stage, Via Rosa and Na’el Shehade sat down with Vocalo host Nudia
Hernandez.
This conversation was hosted by Nudia Hernandez and edited by Morgan Ciocca. Dig
deeper into the story at Vocalo.org! Follow us on Instagram @vocalo and on TikTok
@vocalo.radio
31 min
January 12 Julian Davis Reid on "Vocation" and finding softness through the piano
When he first sat down behind a set of keys, Julian Davis Reid quickly
learned the piano was his voice. The Chicago-based pianist and theologian first
found himself in a music class at age 2. He released his fourth album, “Vocation,”
in 2025, with plans to bring his tour home to Constellation on Jan. 14.
Reid sat down with host Nudia Hernandez to discuss the album and how he found his
voice through music. Hear songs from the album performed live in Chicago Public
Media’s Studio 10 on Vocalo.org.
This segment was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. Keep up with Vocalo on
Instagram @vocalo and on TikTok @vocalo.radio.
18 min
November 25, 2025 Sleeping at Last on holiday orchestral arrangements & “Turning Page”
Sleeping at Last is the solo project of Illinois multi-instrumentalist Ryan
O’Neal — and he’s about to take the stage with the Chicago Philharmonic this holiday
season. He’s had music featured in shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Vampire
Diaries” and “Private Practice,” but O’Neal’s catapult to success came when his song
“Turning Page” landed a coveted spot in the 2011 “Twilight” film “Breaking Dawn –
Part 1.”
On Saturday, Nov. 29, O’Neal will join the Chicago Philharmonic at the Auditorium
Theatre for “Home for the Holidays.” The performance includes orchestral
arrangements of O’Neal’s holiday covers and original songs. He sat down with
Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss how he got in touch with the orchestra and give
some insight into his creative process.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the
Afternoons on Tuesday, Nov. 18. It was hosted, edited and produced by Nudia
Hernandez, with production support from Morgan Ciocca and Talia Lopresti. Dig deeper
into the story at Vocalo.org, and keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and
@vocalo.radio on TikTok.
31 min
November 21, 2025 Frsh Waters and MFnMelo of Pivot Gang talk John Walt Day and giving back to Chicago
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.
18 min
November 13, 2025 Midnight Til Morning talk international tours and “Building the Band”
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.
18 min
November 11, 2025 Chicago duo JEFF K%NZ and Theisy throw some paint on "PIGMENTS"
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.
13 min
November 10, 2025 Sophia Galaté claims the spotlight with "For My Own Entertainment"
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.
22 min
November 05, 2025 The Joffrey Ballet brings funk band The Main Squeeze onstage for “Wabash & You”
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.
12 min
October 17, 2025 Chicago’s Wyatt Waddell has seen the light
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.
13 min

About Vocalo Radio

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Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM is Chicago’s only NPR Music affiliate and only Urban Alternative station — the first of its kind in the country. We strive to highlight and uplift artists and changemakers…