Posted in Episodes

‘There’s nothing to fear’ – Chicago band The Footlight District brings the rock, warpaint (Episode 755)

I’m an only child, so I don’t know what it’s like to have a connection with a sibling. That means when I see The Footlight District, a group of siblings completely in musical lockstep, it practically short circuits my brain….

Posted in Episodes festivals Suburbs

Homegrown Festival hits milestone 10th anniversary (Episode 754)

10 years is a long time. When it comes to music festivals, it’s a really big deal. The 10th Annual Homegrown Festival is happening on July 30th at BaseCamp in Lisle (5750 Lakeside Drive). 20 bands and 12 acoustic artists…

Posted in burger joints Elmwood Park Episodes photography

Iconic rock club Metro immortalized in Gene Ambo’s photographs – recorded at Circle Tavern (Episode 753)

If you like music, Chicago culture and kickass tavern food, this is your episode. Photographer Gene Ambo joins me to talk about his massive new coffee table book, “HEAVY METRO: ACCESS ALL ERAS.” The book covers 40 years of live…

Posted in blog What can $10 buy

BLOG – What can $10 buy at a record store? (Half Price Books – Niles, IL)

I’m conducting an experiment: Is it possible to walk into a record store with $10 and walk out happy? I explained the concept here. When it comes to record shopping, Half Price Books is always a roll of the dice….

Posted in blog Evanston vinyl What can $10 buy

BLOG – What can $10 buy at a record store? (Vintage Vinyl – Evanston, IL)

I’m conducting an experiment: Is it possible to walk into a record store with $10 and walk out happy? I explained the concept here. After leaving Squeezebox in Evanston, I headed north for a mile and a half to visit…

Posted in blog Evanston vinyl What can $10 buy

BLOG – What can $10 buy at a record store? (Squeezebox – Evanston, IL)

Record collecting isn’t a cheap habit to feed. I’m well aware that I’ve spent a fair amount of money on vinyl over the past few years. That ongoing expense got me thinking: is it possible to walk into a record…

Posted in Episodes hot sauce Joliet

IL Hot Sauce Expo 2022 set to melt the Forge on 7/23 and 7/24 (Episode 752)

Presenting… the 3rd Annual IL Hot Sauce Expo. This is going to be a seriously fun event… I mean, “bobbing for reaper peppers,” craft beer, lucha wrestling and free hot sauce tastings? Count me in. The IL Hot Sauce Expo…

Posted in Episodes poetry

“We could ‘Jungle Pussy’ 24/7” – Poet C. Russell Price (Episode 751)

“Some people haven’t read a poem since high school,” says poet C. Russell Price in this episode. They’re probably right, but the new book “Oh, You Thought This Was a Date? Apocalypse Poems” should bring people back for all the…

Posted in 1980s 80s Des Plaines Episodes

Ultravox, Band Aid, Live Aid, Visage: Music legend Midge Ure (Episode 750)

Midge Ure’s career is a life of music that’s played out in front of us: Live Aid. Band Aid. Ultravox. Visage. Rich Kids. Solo. Before he took the stage of the Des Plaines Theater, the songwriting legend joined me for…

Posted in Entrepreneurs Episodes poutine startups

Mark Rose (Spitalfield, Downwrite) eats poutine at Beard & Belly (Episode 749)

This episode is fantastic, featuring two guests that span music, technology and food. Mark Rose made a name for himself in Spitalfield, before launching a successful solo career. We talk about his music, but focus on his Downwrite platform, which…