Vocalo Radio

By Vocalo RadioMusic Music Commentary Music Interviews

Vocalo Radio episodes

October 16, 2025 Patchwork Inc. shares the spirit of session songwriting with Chicago on new EP
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.
12 min
October 14, 2025 Nico Segal & The Social Experiment celebrate the 10th anniversary of groundbreaking “Surf”
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.
22 min
September 24, 2025 Madison McFerrin takes her album to Chicago this Scorpio season
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.
22 min
September 19, 2025 The Reel Critic: Family, football and faith in “HIM”
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.
4 min
September 04, 2025 Rich Robbins' "IN GOOD TASTE" was made in good company
Chicago artist Rich Robbins newest album “IN GOOD TASTE” is out today, Sep.
4. Robbins sat down with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to discuss his song “Balance,”
which highlights the people around him, as no one can do it alone. He dives into the
inspiration for the album, including features from Clairice, theMIND, femdot. and
Renzell.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the
Afternoons on Tuesday, Aug. 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.
15 min
August 28, 2025 DJ Hiroko Yamamura talks ARC Music Fest and the joy of B2B sets
Chicago DJ and self-declared “Meme Queen“ Hiroko Yamamura will hit the
stage with a B2B performance with HAAi at ARC Music Festival on Friday, Aug. 29. In
preparation for ARC weekend, she explained how minimum planning is ideal — her set
will depend on the vibes, the people and the weather of that day. As music has been
an integral part of her life, she shared her thoughts on pre-produced sets, how she
defines genres and her honest advice to young DJs.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the
Afternoons on Tuesday, August 19. 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. Dig deeper into
the story at wbez.org/vocalo.
13 min
August 21, 2025 The Reel Critic breaks down Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest" into "8 C's"
Spike Lee’s newest joint "Highest 2 Lowest" finds music mogul David King
(Denzel Washington) in the middle of a life-or-death ransom plot and a moral dilemma
– questioning whether a contract makes the industry more about the money than the
music. The film also stars Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, Jeffery Wright, Dean Winters
and Ice Spice.
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder breaks down the film into eight C’s: crime,
conflict, culture, comedy, cameos, concerts, characters and contracts.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube,
Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
4 min
August 18, 2025 Chicago's Mike DFG reveals his alter ego
When Chicago artist Mike DFG put on his mask for the first time, he knew it
was time to start digging deeper into his artistic identity. The 21-year-old rapper
has only been pursuing music professionally for around two years, but earlier this
month made his Lollapalooza performance debut on the John Walt Foundation’s
Chicago’s Got Next Stage. He’s also the founder of his own local imprint (Bigger
Than the City, or BTTC) and a part of a local music collective (Social Introverts).
Mike sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss his experience at the
festival and some of his upcoming performances.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the
Afternoons on Tuesday, Aug. 12. 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.
19 min
July 15, 2025 The Fly Honey Show — a combo of dance, burlesque and great party — declares a grand finale
The Fly Honey Show, a well-known Chicago arts variety show, hosts its last
run this month at Thalia Hall, with a local focus. Across 15 seasons, the Fly Honeys
built a following with a mix of burlesque, dance concert and party, along the way
earning a reputation as hosting a joyful celebration of all bodies and identities.
They’re staging a grand finale this month that pays homage to Chicago’s creative
community with six unique performances on a custom stage at Thalia Hall. Along with
20 dancers and a nine-piece band, the show will feature special Chicago guests
including Shawnee Dez, DJ CQQCHiFRUIT, Roy Kinsey, Chillona, Mariachi Sirenas, DJ
Bonita Appleblunt and the Good Girls DJs.
Director Erin Kilmurray stopped by to discuss the shows with Vocalo’s Nudia
Hernandez. Dig deeper into the story at wbez.org/vocalo, and find performance
details at theflyhoneyshow.com.
14 min
June 06, 2025 The Reel Critic shares thoughts on ‘John Wick: Ballerina’
Ana de Armas stars in this action-packed continuation of the ‘John Wick’
franchise. We find her as Eve Macarro, an assassin trained in the traditions of the
Ruska Roma, as she seeks revenge against her father’s killers. And don’t worry —
Keanu Reeves still makes an appearance as the titular suited-up action star. Reggie
“The Reel Critic” Ponder says ‘Ballerina’ is “the action film that action fans are
looking for.” Be warned: The violence and gore may be gratuitous for some
viewers.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube,
Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
4 min

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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…