Never mind the existential dread, here’s Alexis Plaen (Episode 1073)
Alexis Plaen releases her sharp, conceptual, and beautifully constructed pop debut, “Enjoy the Void,” on 10/10/25. In advance of that, she joined me for a conversation in Avondale that covered: *The pervasive album themes of existential dread and finding oneself…
Broken Robots meet challenge of ‘The Great American Struggle’ (Episode 1072)
I’m out of the car for this one, joining Broken Robots (Kat, Tony, Elix, Anthony, Ari) in the band’s Logan Square home studio for a long overdue conversation. The chat lands days before the release (9/12) of what is arguably…
Cinematic, avant garde, band Friend of a Friend eats tacos (Episode 1071)
Friend of a Friend is the brilliant and inventive musical group powered by Claire Molek and Jason Savsani. Their third album, “Desire!,” came out earlier this year, and it’s moody, atmospheric, at-times unnerving, and gorgeous. I love it. They joined…
‘If NPR’s Tiny Desk grew up, got day-drunk, and moved to the South Side’ – Wonderlick (Episode 1070)
I’m joined for this episode by two guys who spent decades turning a smart, biting sense of humor into underground, DIY favorites as part of Too Much Joy, and later… Wonderlick. We talked during the pandemic about Too Much Joy…
Live at Legit Dogs + Ice (Episode 1069)
This episode had a long, strange journey. Recorded at Legit Dogs + Ice in South Elgin less than 48 hours before the restaurant closed for good, this episode features guests Lollygagger, Coyote Man, flowersatherfeet, Chris Baker from Ink 180 and…
Busy Beaver celebrates 30 years (Episode 1068)
Busy Beaver Buttons & Merch is an independent business that’s built a lot of big ideas around a small thing…buttons. They’ve made a stunning 63 million buttons to date. Busy Beaver’s celebrating its 30th anniversary with a party at Color…
Chicago food icon Steve Dolinsky previews Pizza City Fest reset (Episode 1067)
Steve Dolinsky is synonymous with food in Chicago. He’s won 13 James Beard Awards and I swear his face can be seen on the walls of every restaurant in the city, from dives to fine dining establishments. He’s been part…
Comedian Kristen Toomey heads to Apple TV with new special (Episode 1066)
This interview was a long time in the making – four years, to be exact – and that gets explained early in the show. In short, I sent an SOS to the world, and comedian Kristen Toomey received it. We…
‘Americana with teeth’: Dave Suh and the Dirty Wings (Episode 1065)
After many years of profile roles in some excellent Chicago bands, Dave Suh is putting himself out there with his new project, Dave Suh & the Dirty Wings. The digital release of their album, “Set to Begin,” is set for…
Time Thieves steal my power-pop heart (Episode 1064)
Jonathan, Tim, and Mustafa of Time Thieves are my guests for a new episode recorded on the NW side of Chicago. We talk about the band’s power-pop leanings, emergence from much noisier bands, both 2025 EP releases (“If You Survive”…
