‘What will become of us’ – The approachable goth of the Well Tempered (Episode 534)
Meet The Well Tempered. RIYL Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, New Order. The synthy, moody gloom of the Well Tempered feels appropriate for January, to say nothing of a January spinning out of 2020. The project of musician Robert Bock…
Craft brewing with a community focus: Sketchbook Brewing (Episode 533)
I talked tonight with Cesar Marron and Shawn Decker, the managing partners of Sketchbook Brewing Company, about their company history. We went back to the beginning, when they were serving 2 oz. pours in an Evanston alley, and covered everything…
‘Don’t do really dumb things’ – Dad’s Great Advice for Teens with Marc Fienberg (Episode 532)
Have kids? They could probably use some advice. Author, filmmaker and old JVO schoolmate Marc Fienberg is on tonight to talk about his helpful, insightful and entertaining recent book release, “Dad’s Great Advice for Teens.”
TheLINE makes music-making a family affair (Episode 530)
The best thing about TheLINE’s sound is it’s *their* sound. You can find hints of stuff you love in everything they do, but the end result is uniquely theirs. After a considerable time away, TheLINE reemerged in the late 10s,…
Get your adorable ‘Bobo the dog’ calendar and support The Atlas Moth (Episode 529)
Do you like dogs? How about dogs in people’s clothes? Do you also like supporting members of Chicago’s music community? I have just the thing for you: “Bobo, 12 months a year,” a handsome calendar featuring Bobo the dog, owned…
Blown-off and solo for the last show of 2020 (Episode 528)
There’s nothing worse than a last-minute blow-off from a guest. I was just waiting for the guest to pop up on Zoom, and… nothing. I called. I texted. Nothing. So here I am. Hi. Just me. If that’s not the…
Chicago comedian Calvin Evans headlines Zanies for NYE (Episode 527)
Zanies is ringing in the new year with a live streaming event of Chicago comedians, hosted by the very-funny Calvin Evans. Calvin’s my guest tonight, as we try to burn 2020 from our minds.
Let’s drink Soju and bring on the new year! Miki’s Park in River North (Episode 526)
Miki’s Park opened in River North in March, 2020… mere days before it would be forced to close for a couple weeks. Miki’s Park’s story isn’t unique or special, but it is emblematic of what a challenging year it’s been…
Another walk through the pop-art studio of painter George Zak (Episode 525)
Just before Thanksgiving, we checked in on the progress of local artist George Zak. Since then, he remarkably has even more pieces to show and discuss… right before Christmas. At this rate, I should probably go ahead and book him…
From ‘The Last Dance’ specials to ‘Pizza and Parm’: The year in dining innovations from Cornerstone Restaurant Group (Episode 524)
What keeps Cornerstone Restaurant Group COO Danny McGowan hopeful for the service industry? What types of innovation and creativity kept restaurants moving forward this year? What can independent restaurant owners do and think about, heading into 2021? Danny’s one of…
