You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.

Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.

Featured Segments:

On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, we welcomed Chicago based cosmic country band, Tobacco City. Music Director and Host, Abby Noroozi chatted with Chris Coleslaw and Lexi Goddard about their new stunner of an album, Horses. They also chatted about influences, touring, Jason Molina, and the best part about being a band from Chicago. This was such a fun session that was followed by a big storm and downpour that cleared up just before their show at Orbit Room. Don’t sleep on Tobacco City!

In celebration of this weekend’s Lotus Festival, we’re going back 30 years to revisit selections from WFHB’s 1995 Lotus Live sessions. First, we’ll hear music director Jim Manion talk with Shahryar Saba of Ensemble Saba. Next, Diane Jarvi plays a Finnish folk song in the studios with programmer John Westhues. Finally, Ndhiko and Nomusa Xaba give us poetry and flute. All of these sessions were recorded on cassette and are stored in the WFHB archives.

In August, Indiana University placed sanctions on Professor Benjamin Robinson for allegedly violating Indiana’s recently passed intellectual diversity law. This came after Robinson received a complaint filed in November accusing him of using class time to criticize the university’s free speech policies and Israel, according to Indiana Public Media. WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider interviewed Robinson on September 15th live in the studio in light of our Fall Fund Drive. We turn now to an excerpt of that conversation on WFHB Rewind.

Up next, we have Show Rats from WFHB’s Youth Radio. In this episode of ShowRats, host Ollie interviews Chicago-based musician Ben Astrachan. Ben shares his journey from the East Coast to Chicago, his passion for music and the arts, and his experiences balancing a career in behavioral health with his musical ambitions. The conversation covers Ben’s songwriting process, musical influences ranging from Jesus Christ Superstar to Pink Floyd, and his upcoming album “Signs.” Ben offers advice to Ollie and other aspiring musicians to consume as much music and poetry as possible, develop a consistent writing practice, and attend shows to build community and support other musicians.

WFHB Afternoon Music Mix DJ Cindy Beaulé speaks with Tamara Lowenthal, artistic director of the Lotus Education & Arts Foundation, about the upcoming Lotus Festival which starts tomorrow and continues through the weekend. That interview from yesterday’s Afternoon Music Mix is coming up next on WFHB Rewind.

Credits:

Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.