10+ years of riffs, melodies and swagger: Model Stranger (Episode 488)
The three guys in Model Stranger have stuck together for 10 years and are on the verge of releasing their new album, “Phases.” Big riffs, melodies, inventive songwriting and rock and roll swagger make for a lethal combination. They’re spending…
Political music, social consciousness and life during lockdown: Adam Gogola (Blind Adam and the Federal League)-Episode 487
I’m a fan of Blind Adam’s world-wise, emphatic vocals and everyman lyrics; they’re both front and center throughout Blind Adam and the Federal League’s music. Country punk? Americana? Punk and western? I dunno. It’s just solid American songwriting, coming from…
The joys of music on cassette and vinyl: Dan Jarvis & Andy Weber (Episode 486)
Let’s hear it for physical music (vinyl! cassettes!). I’m joined today by cassette titan Dan Jarvis (Midwest Action) and vinyl-creating entrepreneur Andy Weber (Smashed Plastic) to talk about the joys of having and holding the music you enjoy..
Public domain songs updated for the 21st century: PlaybackPlayfwd (Episode 485)
If you wanna look forward in music, sometimes it’s important to look back. PlaybackPlayfwd is a newly-released comp from students and alumni of Columbia College that presents updated public domain classics for the 21st century. All proceeds go to MusiCares,…
‘Trashy suburban rock duo’ readies ‘Bloody Disco’: SKYD (Episode 484)
Chicago area duo SKYD (Derek & Skyler) are releasing a new single on Halloween called “Bloody Disco.” We get into that, writing and creating during the pandemic, video games, narcotic vibes and more on this week’s episode! Sponsored by C&H…
Smoking Popes frontman Josh Caterer prepares to record live album from The Hideout (Episode 483)
Miss live music? Me too. Josh Caterer (The Smoking Popes) is livestreaming the recording of a live album from the Hideout tomorrow (Wednesday) night. Rounding out his formed-during-the-pandemic band are Chicago music A-listers John San Juan and John Perrin. Get your…
‘There’s nothing more emotionally honest’ than horror: Author Peter Counter (Episode 482)
“The best horror stories don’t take us into the truly unknown. Instead, they show us the limits of sensory experience, making us aware of the border between humanity and naught so we can better appreciate our toil, anguish, and frailty.”…
T1 fest: Punk rock fest goes virtual to fight T1 diabetes (Episode 481)
T1 Fest returns this year to raise awareness in the fight against Type 1 Diabetes, and this year’s event is all online! I’ll be hosting the livestream event Saturday night at 5pm, featuring Lettermans, Hayley and the Crushers, Dan Vapid,…
The pandemic, broken down day-by-day: Author/Editor Jon Sternfeld (Episode 480)
COVID-19 has defined the way we think and exist in 2020. As history continues to unfold, the first several months of the pandemic have already been committed to print. “UNPREPARED: America in the Time of Coronavirus” is a new, oral-history-style,…
From ‘Permanent Waves’ to ‘Presto’: Rush in the 1980s with author Martin Popoff (Episode 479)
Drawn like moths, we drift into the city The timeless old attraction Cruising for the action Lit up like a firefly Just to feel the living night Author Martin Popoff is a longtime chronicler of RUSH, and has just…
