Category: Episodes
‘Street festivals are the heart and soul of Chicago’ – Taste of Randolph (Episode 965)
Street Festivals define Chicago culture in the summer. Moments before doors opened on 2024’s Taste of Randolph, Julie Darling (West Loop Community Organization President) and Kelli Packer (West Loop Community Organization Spokesperson) jumped in the car to talk about the…
Neptune’s Core at Roti (Episode 964)
The two sets of sisters comprising Neptune’s Core are on a creative roll. Since I last spoke with them, they’ve nailed down their live show and their music continues to take chances and go to interesting places. I can only…
Fig Dish is back (PREMIERE)
Summary 90s Chicago alt rock band Fig Dish returns with first new music in over 27 years. New album, Feels Like the Very First Two Times, releases on 9/6/24 on Forge Again. Preorders available now. Live show: GMan 9/6, tickets on…
Americana artist Karen Shook joins me for tacos (Episode 962)
This episode finds me outside El Vado in McHenry (929 Front St.) for a chat over tacos with Americana singer-songwriter Karen Shook. As I mentioned early in the interview, her sound is more “Nashville” than “McHenry” (though what, really, is…
Godzilla, Chinatown and XXX: Cinephile Stephanie Sack (Episode 961)
Hail GODZILLA! Cinephile Stephanie Sack returns to preview cool screenings at local independent theaters. Discussed in this episode: -“Go Go Godzilla,” a Godzila marathon at the venerable Music Box Theatre -Chinatown – 50th anniversary screening at the Pickwick (Park Ridge)…
MS Sucks – honest talk about Multiple Sclerosis (Episode 960)
The third MS fundraiser is happening on June 29 at Bottom Lounge. Returning guest/longtime friend Stubhy Pandav (Lucky Boys Confusion, Super Happy Fun Club, Shock Stars, etc.) joins me to talk about the event, as well as living with MS….
Ravinia – 2024 season preview (Episode 959)
Ravinia’s Senior Artistic Producer, Erik Soderstrom, joins me for a conversation about the 2024 summer season line-up. See you at Elvis Costello/Daryl Hall, Violent Femmes and more! Tickets for the The 2024 Ravinia Festival Summer Schedule are on sale. Don’t…
Monster Dogs Morning Monster Cafe with Steve Silver (Episode 958)
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I agree, especially if hot dogs are involved. Steve Silver, Chicago’s legendary lover, fighter, doorman, and raconteur, joined me at the Morning Monster Cafe (Monster Dogs food truck)…
Weekend Run Club moves forward after line-up changes (Episode 957)
The second Weekend Run Club album, “Liminal Space Race,” finds the band hitting its stride and frontman Mitchell Kinn cementing his metaphorical and lyrical voice. Mitchell and Xack (bass) join me for pizza slices from Lobo in Logan Square, and…
A visit to Mirella’s Tavern in Wicker Park (Episode 956)
This episode finds me at Mirella’s Tavern (2056 W. Division), where I chatted with chef/owner “Angry” Chef Jose and restaurant social media director Callie Ezell. I ate Chef’s MASSIVE, award-winning, burger: Double five ounces patties, gem lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, caramelized…
