CHIRP Radio Podcasts CHIRP Radio

This week, Features contributor Michal Gliszewski speaks with Frank and River Rabbitte of Chicago-based "clandestine for no reason" alt-rock group wht.rbbt.obj. They discuss their failed attempt to keep their relationship separate from their musicianship, how their marriage continuously shakes up their musical abilities, and reading The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.


"Whatever medium your art is - if you're not doing what's fully authentically you, it's incredibly heartbreaking." River Rabbitte


Produced by Marjorie Alford.

Photo Credit: Robert Neumann

This week Features contributor Alyssa Edes talks with Danielle Sines of Chicago-based bubblegrunge group Impulsive Hearts. They talk about friendship breakups, feeling ALL of your feelings, societal collapse, and the new album Fit 4 the Apocalypse. 


"It's sort of this mental preparation for the end of the world in my mind... Either I'm gonna get fit or I'm gonna stay in bed all day."  - Danielle Sines, on the new album Fit 4 the Apocalypse.



Fit 4 The Apocalypse is out now. Catch Impulsive Hearts at Andersonville Midsommar Fest Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 7p.m. on The Swedish Stage. And you can hear Danielle - AKA D Rock - on CHIRP Radio with The Apocalipstick Beatz - Tuesdays 12-3pm.

Produced by: Alyssa Edes
Photo Credit: Jovan Landry

This week, Features co-director Jessi D speaks with Carrie Shemanski and Crispin Torres of Chicago-based surf rock band Wolfman. They discuss how they met through performing in various cover bands across Chicago, taking a risk and shredding with new friends, recording their debut five-song EP The Wolfman Agenda at Electrical Audio, and the upcoming Shemanskifest, a celebration of Carrie's birthday in which she tries to perform in as many bands as possible.


"So here we are with my band - I couldn't believe it. I was like, people who know how to play instruments also want to play my songs? What a dream!" - Carrie Shemanski


Wolfman will be debuting their new EP at Shemanskifest on Friday, March 29, 2024 at the Burlington Bar.

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Fotio

This week, Features contributor Liz Mason speaks with Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist singer, songwriter, and producer Melissa Harris of Born Days, a conceptual darkwave synth-pop project. They discuss Harris's pandemic-era roadtrip across the country to Arizona to find a quiet place to finish recording her album, spending hours experimenting with synths as a form of meditation, and working through generational trauma in music on her new album, My Little Dark. 


"When I was writing the album, I was seeing it as kind of like a sci-fi coming of age story. I imagined it if it was a book, it would be for teens." - Melissa Harris on the creation of her new album, My Little Dark.


Produced by Liz Mason.

Photo Credit: Erica Contreras

This week, Features co-director Jessi D speaks with Joseph Farago of the Chicago-based pop project, Joey Nebulous. They discuss his signature falsetto, the move from heavy piano-based singer-songwriter composition to celebratory and silly pop music, the creation of his pandemic album Joey Spumoni Creamy Dreamy Party All The Time​​​​​​​, and his queer songwriting influnces. 


"I wanted to go headfirst into the goofiness." - Joseph Farago of Joey Nebulous on the songwriting process for his latest album.


Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Ash Dye

James Swanberg is able to do something that so many cannot. He can write songs that are memorable, songs that stick with you and follow you home, songs that you find yourself singing in the shower the next day, songs that are bonafide hits.

The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three.

The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers, Andy Vasoyan, and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.