Posted in Avondale bars dive bars Episodes

North side favorite Reed’s Local celebrates 10th year (Episode 940)

Reed’s Local (3017 W. Belmont) hits its 10th anniversary mark on April 10. To celebrate, owners Melissa and Joel jumped in the car to talk about its relationship to the Avondale neighborhood, how the bar was launched, whether “dive bar”…

Posted in Avondale darkwave Episodes Goth synth pop

I:Scintilla singer Brittany Bindrim goes solo with ‘Vellela Velella’ (Episode 930)

Darkpop, darkwave, electropop artist Brittany Bindrim joins me to talk about her first-ever solo album, “Velella Velella” (out March 8). As we eat tacos from La Traspasada in Avondale, we also talk about: *Brittany’s non-music hobbies *Why the members of…

Posted in Avondale Episodes

‘I Don’t Wanna Go Fest’ curated by Speed Babes (Episode 914)

Speed Babes are celebrating their ninth anniversary as a band by curating the upcoming “I Don’t Wanna Go Fest” at Reed’s Local (1/4/24-1/7/24). The four nights are stacked, including sets from: Daarling / Heet Deth / Watermelon / Precocious Neophyte…

Posted in Avondale Candy Corn Carne Episodes Halloween horror Small business

Horror House scares up business in Avondale (Episode 891)

The Horror House (2911 W. Belmont) has been open for just over a year, and has quickly established itself as an essential part of Chicago’s pop culture landscape. As Halloween approaches, I sat down with Horror House co-owner Vinny Malave…

Posted in Avondale emo Episodes

The Academy Is returns for Wrigley Field, UK shows (Episode 826)

Adam T. Siska of the Academy Is… is my guest this week! He joined me for a chat over dumplings from the Joong Boo Wang Mandoo stand outside Joog Boo Market on the northwest side. It’s one of Chicago’s best-kept…

Posted in Avondale Episodes horror

Horror storefront ‘The Horror House’ readies for Avondale launch (Episode 711)

Horror crawls its way into the Avondale neighborhood this Spring with the arrival of the HORROR HOUSE. It’s a new horror storefront that speaks to me in every possible way, and you can help make its launch even better. The…