Episódios
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Very excited to welcome Elizabeth Moen to the show! Originally from Iowa, she now calls Chicago home. Her self-titled first album was released in 2016 and her latest, Live at Lincoln Hall came out earlier this year. She's working on a new one with Spencer Tweedy producing. We talk about that, as well as her story about meeting Eddie Vedder, her current tour with Jeff Tweedy and her love for Bruce Springsteen's music. She also has a new single out in advance of her big show at the Empty Bottle on 11/16. As always, we talk about her thoughts on Chicago!
Tickets for the Empty Bottle show on 11/16 --
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/elizabeth-moen-family-junket-empty-bottle-tickets/13606304
Time stamps:
2: Elizabeth is in Woodstock
6:18: What was the first song that you felt like you mastered?
9:22: Was your amazing voice evident early on?
15: Please share your story about meeting Eddie Vedder!
18:30: Tell us about the first open mic in Iowa City. Is there a scene in IC?
20: Was Chicago always on your radar in terms of where you wanted to move?
23: Spencer Tweedy is producing Elizabeth's next album
28:21: How close is the band to who appeared on your live album?
30:45: How do you balance going out alone versus having the band together?
34: Are you more collaborative in the music process or do you drive what is created?
38: Do you want to do it all, or do you think you'd be more successful if you stuck to one type of music?
41:17: Are you playing any of the new songs on tour, how has tour been going so far?
43: Do you feel like you are learning anything watching Jeff Tweedy perform every night?
48: What is it about Bruce that you like, and what's your favorite Springsteen album?
55:21: Thin crust or deep dish?
58: What is your favorite show to see a show at, and what is your favorite venue to play in Chicago?
67:45: What makes Chicago such a unique music city?
72:20: What is your go to cheap drink?
78:18: What else do you want to plug on your way out?
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Ian Robinson has been performing as Black Guy Fawkes for almost ten years now. He joins us on the podcast to talk about his musical journey, meeting Frank Turner, his challenges as a black artist and the battle to maintain positive mental health. Ian is working on a new album and also has a great podcast called "Fawkes & Friends". He'll be playing the Color Club in Chicago in October.
Time stamps:
2: What was your introduction to music, when did you decide music was going to be your thing?
6:41: What is the scene like on Cumberland?
8:44: How do you overcome a scene where you don't necessarily feel like you belong in?
11:37: How difficult is it to get together and plan a tour?
14: Do you take your new friends in stride, or is it like what the fuck is going on?
17:15: How do you handle the highest of highs and then the lowest of lows?
20: How have your musical influences inspired you as a songwriter and performer?
22:40: Being a black musician in a music scene that's not thought of as a traditionally black genre, does that present challenges to you, do you feel extra pressure being black in that scene?
28:44: How surreal was it meeting Frank Turner? How cool did you play it?
33:45: Are we working on any new music?
37: Tell us about Fawkes & Friends
42: What can someone expect at one of your shows?
44: PNOTS and Black Guy Fawkes at Color Club in Chicago on 10/4!
45:50: Deep dish or thin crust?
47: Where did you play when you've played in Chicago?
47:30: What do you think makes Chicago a unique music scene?
49:35: What's your go to cheap drink?
51:45: What else would you like to plug on the way on out of here?
55: What's your favorite Bob album?
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It's our 50th episode! Time for a celebration!
We are very pleased to have Abby Monroe and Josh Dihle on the show for our 50th. Abby and Josh are the owners of Color Club, a Chicago venue that hosts an eclectic array of events. In 2020, they purchased the building on Elston Avenue that previously was home to the Chicago Latvian Association. Their intention was to create "a gathering space for Chicago's creative community." We talk about how they have done just that - hosting all sorts of events - poetry, dance, art, music and more. And, of course, we talk about how they came to open "The Sugar Hole" - the world's only puppet powered ice cream walk-up window. And they also tell us what they love about Chicago.
We like the space so much that we our hosting our 50th episode celebration party at Color Club in September. Email us if you need an invite!
Time Stamps:
2:07: How and when did we decide we wanted to take on this experiment?
5: How haunted is Color Club?
6:15: What are some of the learnings you have found in working together over the past couple of years?
7:30: How did people react to your ideas for the space?
9: What is the process like for renting space at Color Club?
12:30: What is a typical day in the life like for you?
14: Walk us through buying the space right as Covid was starting.
17:31: Have there been any moments where you've felt like you were in over your head?
20: What are some of the oddest ideas people have presented to you?
25: How did you come up with the name Color Club?
29: What does the future of Color Club look like several years down the line?
30: How do you find the balance between being a couple and being coworkers?
32:45: Do the two of you consider yourself music fans?
34: Do you have a dream event to host at Color Club?
36: What about Chicago makes it such a good art scene?
38: Deep dish or thin crust pizza?
40: Favorite venues to see art at in the city?
42:30: What do the next six months look like for Color Club?
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John Mohr and Mike Greenlees have been playing music together for a long time. They first got together in Dekalb, Illinois at Northern Illinois University in 1983 with the band Blatant Dissent. In 1988, they transitioned to the post-hardcore band Tar, based in Chicago. And now, in 2024, they've released a fantastic new album with their latest quartet, Deep Tunnel Project, with Jeff Dean and Tim Midyett. We talked with John and Mike about how this all happened - and shared our mutual love of Chicago!
Time stamps:
3: How did you meet?
8: how would you describe the career of Blatant Dissent?
9:10: was there a conversation where you decided to keep making music full time?
12: how did you end up on Touch & Go?
17:30 how did the decision to end Tar come about?
18:30: how did you start working with Steve Albini?
25:22: how did it go from Tar to Deep Tunnel Project?
31: at what point do you bring in other people to play with you?
33: why was it important to you to have Chicago musicians?
42: was it the intention to always put out an album?
44: is there a song on the album that you feel is the most representative of the band?
47:45: favorite song to play from the album?
50: how did you end up on Comedy Minus One?
51:30: what’s the response been like to the record?
55: what are the next steps for Deep Tunnel Project?
62:40: deep dish or thin crust pizza?
64: favorite venue to play at?
67:40 what makes Chicago such a unique music scene?
72:38: go to cheap drink?
74:40: anything to plug on the way out?
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We are excited to have Dean Zelinsky on the show. While still in his teens, Dean founded his first guitar company, Dean Guitars, starting it from scratch. He talks to us about how a couple of trips to the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan inspired his dream. After setting up his first factory in Evanston, Illinois, Dean went on to build iconic guitars for musicians like Dimebag Darrel, Billy Gibbons, Michael Schenker, Leslie West and Brad Paisley. Dean later moved on and currently builds guitars as Dean Zelinsky Private Label Guitars. He shares with us some of the innovations he's incorporated into his latest designs. We also talk about a few crazy stories and some of his favorite things about Chicago. Dean also has his own podcast, The Dean Zelinsky Show and you can hear even more stories about his guitar journey at https://www.deanzelinskyguitars.com/pages/podcast.
Time Stamps:
2:15: when did you first show an interest in guitars?
4:36: When did you first start to tinker with how guitars worked?
7:40: Did you really think you could figure out how to repair a guitar?
10:30: What in you made you a doer?
12:30: What was the reason behind the Gibson Guitars tour?
17: How did you start the company?
21: How much back and forth to make the guitar perfect?
25:13: How do you start to build the company/approach guitar stores to sell your guitars?
32:35: What is your mindset as things are taking off?
35: What changed everything for Dean Guitars?
42: Is this the time that you decide you wanted to sell the company?
45:16: When did you get rock stars playing your guitars/how did you sell guitars backstage?
54:37: How did the fur guitars come to be?
60: What's still driving you to make guitars?
70: Favorite venue to show your guitars, favorite venue to see a show?
71:30: thin crust or deep dish fan?
73:35: What makes Chicago unique?
76:30: What's your go to cheap drink?
79:25: Anything you'd like to plug on the way out?
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Taylor Hales is the studio manager and recording & mixing engineer at the world-famous Electrical Audio recording studio. He also fills a bunch of other roles at the studio. We talked with Taylor about how he got his start in music and his internship at Electrical Audio. He filled us in on the inner workings at the studio. And he shared many stories about his employer, co-worker and friend, Steve Albini. This was a very emotional episode and we are so grateful to Taylor for sharing this with us.
Time stamps:
3:45: How did you first meet Steve and start working at Electrical Audio?
8:45: How often does an intern actually get hired here?
9:45: What was your life like leading up to working at Electrical Audio?
11:55: At what point did you decide that you wanted to make your passion your career?
15:18: Was your start at Electrical Audio what you expected?
17:16: Did you pick people's brains while you were interning?
18:26: What was day one like here as an intern?
20:07: What does a studio manager do at Electrical Audio?
25:07: Was your intention with the internship to get to stay forever?
28:34: Have you thought about what it was about you that led to you getting a job there?
29:45: It seems like your experience with Steve was different than how people viewed him
32:18: Have you learned anything about Steve that has surprised you since he passed?
34:45: How did Steve's disdain for money translate into how you helped him run a studio?
36:09: What are some of your favorite albums Steve produced?
40:21: What are some of the things you've taken away from Steve with how you record a band?
43:11: Did Steve actually think producing was an important job?
46:45: What are some magic moments you've had at Electrical Audio?
48:45: How do you honor Steve moving forward?
52:38: From a recording engineer perspective, what are some of the things that Steve made a lasting impression on?
55: What is it about Steve and Chicago that fit so well together?
57: When you think about Chicago music, what do you think about?
58: Have you become an audio snob from working at Electrical Audio, and do you have a favorite Chicago venue?
61:43: Deep dish or thin crust fan?
62:35: What happens with Shellac moving forward?
63:36: What is your go to cheap drink?
64:35: Anything you think people should know about Steve that we haven't talked about?
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Brandon Lewis of Punkerton Records joins us for the latest After Hours episode. Brandon's record label is out of Ohio and supports a number of awesome punk rock bands. It's a labor of love for him and he works hard to provide full support to his bands - from recording, to artwork, to tour bookings and more. Four Punkerton Records bands will be playing the upcoming fForest Fest in Morris, IL on June 1st - Bad Year, The Boy Detective, KNIVES and Middle-Out. Come on out and check out some great punk music - 12 bands for only $10.
Time stamps:
2:15: How did you get started in music?
15:50: It seems like things happened in reverse for you
19: It's good to hype up all the other bands on the label
22:10: How did you develop a relationship with Stacey and Eric from fforest fest?
27:34: Tell us about the bands. that are plying fforest fest
37:48: The whole fforest fest team is unbelievable
42:50: Looking forward to seeing you out there
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Stacey Dee is a singer and guitar player in the California punk band Bad Cop / Bad Cop. She's also known affectionately as Stacy Fucking Dee because, well, she's a badass! She's been playing in punk bands for a while now and Bad Cop / Bad Cop is one of the best. They've already put out 3 great LP's - Not Sorry, Warriors and The Ride - and they've got a new one in the works. Stacey shared some great stories here, including some of her struggles, and how she's in a great spot now. Fuck yeah!!!
Time Stamps:
2:18: Bad Cop/Bad Cop - How did the band come together?
7:10: What is your creative process like?
9: What are some of your earliest musical influences?
13:11: Did you ever get to tell The Go-Go's your story?
17: Has playing music exclusively with women been a deliberate choice?
18:23: As women in music, what are some of the challenges you've faced?
26:50: Fat Mike, what's it been like working with him?
29:33: There is a new album on the way!?
34: What has it been like going into the studio with someone new?
36: How do all these festival dates come together?
41: Anything you'd like to share about Frank Turner?
42: What are some Bad Cop/Bad Cop songs that really encapsulate the band?
45: When you think of Chicago and Chicago music, what do you think of?
45:45: Are there things you always want to do when you come to Chicago?
50:17: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?
52:10: Do you have a favorite venue in Chicago?
54: Who are some of your favorite Chicago bands?
59: What is your go to cheap drink?
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Jon Snodgrass has a unique way of looking at life. He joins us on this episode and we talk about his philosophy about music, money, baseball and so much more. Jon has a lot of friends and sometimes has them play on his records - like Frank Turner. And Jon has a new record out, barge at will with Bill Stevenson (Descendents) on drums & bass. We also talk about all the things that Jon loves about Chicago.
Time stamps:
1:50: How are you doing today Jon?
2:30: What about Chicago makes it your favorite American city?
5:00: How long ago did you play Chicago for the first time?
7:54: Is it safe to say you plan your tours around ballparks?
15:14: When did you decide that you wanted to be a musician?
26:44: You are a DIY guy, how do you frame success?
39:16: How did you get connected with Frank Turner?
51:12: In 2030 should we be looking for Buddies 3: Old Buddies?
60:31: What excites you about playing Fforest Fest?
66: What is your favorite place to play a show at in Chicago?
68: Favorite Chicago pizza?
73:10: What is your go to cheap drink?
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Growing up in Mattoon, IL, Rick Sims (guitar, vocals) spent his early years drinking beer, smoking dope and practicing in the chicken shed in Sullivan, IL with his brother Brad (drums). Joined by Doug Evans (bass), they put together some crazy-ass music and the Didjits were born! From 1986 thru 1993, they put out five great records, including Hey Judester. We talk with Rick about how those records came to be made and we also get into some stories about the intensely crazy live Didjits shows. And we are all stoked about the new Didjits Record Store Day release of Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits coming out 4/20/2024. Of course, we also talk about all things Chicago - and ... is Rick going to play live again???
Time stamps:
2:00: Starting a punk band in Mattoon, IL (really a Sullivan, IL)
3:15: Did you ever eat at the original Burger King in Mattoon?
5:10: What were some of your original influences?
7:45: Dave Landis did all the Didjits record jackets and shared a lot of cool punk rock with the band.
10:15: Touch & Go didn't like the first record Fizzjob.
10:45: What did you like about the 50's crazy performers like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis.
14:00: How did you end up getting hooked up with Iain Burgess who produced your first 3 records?
16:00: How did you get the great sound on Hey Judester?
17:00: How did you connect with Touch & Go?
19:40: Hornet Piñata recording experience?
22:15: Did your success catch you off guard?
24:45: Did Doug & Brad encourage the Rick Sims wild-man persona?
27:35: Did your crowd-baiting ever get you in trouble?
29:15: Did you get crap from your lyrical content and could you write those same songs today?
34:00: How did you decide to switch over to Steve Albini for the last two records?
37:05: How did you come to live in Chicago?
38:40: How did The Offspring end up putting "Killjoy Powerhead" on their mega-album Smash in 1994?
41:05: The Didjits breakup is a messy one.
43:35: Record Store Day -- Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits. How did this happen?
47:25: Is it surreal that people are still interested in something that you did 35 or 40 years ago?
50:15: Rick's post-Didjits career.
54:35: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?
55:24: Favorite Chicago venues to play and to see shows?
58:50: What do you show off in Chicago when friends come to town?
61:30: What makes Chicago unique?
64:00: What's your favorite "go to" cheap drink?
65:00: Are you a Chicago lifer?
66:55: Will you play Didjits music live again?
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Sean O'Keefe joins us for episode number 42. Growing up in Wilmette, IL, Sean dropped out of Columbia College in Chicago to record his friends' bands. We talk about how he came to produce Take This To Your Grave for his friends, Fall Out Boy. We discuss what's involve in producing, engineering and mixing a record. Sean has also worked with a ton of other bands, including Hawthorne Heights, Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound and Beach Bunny and co-produced "Hey There Delilah" for Plain White T's. He's currently working on the new record for Beach Bunny. Can't wait to hear that one!
Time stamps:
2: What do producers, engineers, and mixers do?
11:33: When you work with a band do you come to them with your thoughts or are you in service of the band?
23: How do you get on Fall Out Boy's radar? How did you come together to make Take This To Your Grave?
33: While recording Take This To Your Grave did you realize how special it was?
38:11: If I want to hire you, what is that process like?
42:45: How did Beach Bunny get on your radar? How did you start working together?
47:45: Has the ease of producing/releasing music impacted your production method/style?
54: What advice would you give a newer band coming into the studio/what kind of common mistakes do you see?
59:48: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?
61:40: Favorite venue to see shows at in Chicago?
63: What do you think makes Chicago and Chicago music special/unique?
67:37: What is your go to cheap drink?
68: Are you a Chicago lifer?
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Jason Narducy has carved out quite a career for himself in music. His first band, Verboten (which he began as a pre-teen), was influential in getting Dave Grohl in started music. Subsequently he formed the acoustic duo Jason & Alison, Verbow, Rockets Over Sweden and his current project, Split Single. He's also played with or toured with the likes of Bob Mould, Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate, Robert Pollard, Eddie Vedder, Liz Phair, The Pretenders and more. He's got some big 2024 plans, including a tour booked with Michael Shannon where they perform R.E.M.'s Murmur album.
Time stamps:
2: We are here with Chicago music lifer Jason Narducy
3:30: How did you like growing up in Evanston?
4:32: What are some of your earliest Chicago music memories?
6:15: When did you decide you wanted to learn music?
8: How old were you when you formed your first band?
11: Are you surprised you are still talking about Verboten?
15:30: Were you aware of how unique the music scene was in Chicago in the 90s?
17:22: How did you happen in to what you are doing?
23: May I ask you for a top Bob Pollard story?
30:50: How do you decide your next project?
33:45: What musician has been the most influential for you?
37: Are you constantly evolving with what you are doing with Split Single?
40:40: Have you been surprised by the response to your Michael Shannon Murmur collaboration?
47:44: How did you end up getting into the Sunny Day Real Estate orbit?
53:30: Deep dish or thin crust pizza fan?
54:45: Favorite venue to see a show at, and favorite venue to play?
60:50: What is your go to cheap drink?
61:45: Are you a Chicago lifer?
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Welcome to 2024 and our 40th episode everyone! We're so happy to be talking with Ken Draznik and James Wald from one of our favorite bands of all-time, The Vertebrats from Champaign, IL. We talk about how these guys got together with Matt Brandabur and Roy Axford and helped create a vibrant DIY music scene in Champaign-Urbana. We also talk about how their short 3-year career created a legion of fans that have continued to love them and influenced a generation of C-U bands. In recent times, Kenny and Jimmy have recorded music as The Surly Bells and are looking for an avenue to release their new music.
Time stamps:
2:25: How did you get into music?
7:45: When do the two of you meet?
9:40: Jimmy did you see this as an opportunity to get in the band?
14: Did playing Mabel's as frequently as you did help increase your musical output?
18: Was it always your goal to play original music?
22:35: Were there other Champaign bands that you were fans of?
25: Why did we stop after 3 years?
30: What brings you back together to make music together again?
33:40: If you'd gotten a record deal, would that have extended the life of the band?
38: Why isn't your music on streaming?
44: What are your aspirations for The Surly Bells?
54: Thick or thin crust pizza fans?
56: Do you have a favorite Chicago venue?
61: When you think of a Chicago band, what bands come to mind?
63: What is your go to cheap drink?
64: Anything you'd like to plug on your way out the door?
65: Thoughts on Jeff Evans
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Did you ever wish you had your own music festival? Well, our friends Stacey & Erik Olson are living the dream! In 2022 they put together the first fForest Fest in Morris, Illinois with a few of their favorite punk/folk/Celtic bands. We talked with them about what it takes to run a festival, what makes fForest Fest different and what plans they have as they grow this thing. And they are announcing their 2024 lineup here - see you in Morris on June 1st, 2024!
Time stamps:
1:44: What in you made you think you could pull off a festival?
2:25: What is your background?
4: What's the biggest hurdle to doing your own festival?
7: How far out do you start planning the festival?
9:18: Year three, what are we doing differently?
11:15: Let's talk about the name of fforest fest
12:30: How do you start putting this together?
14:51: Are there any festivals you look to for inspiration?
16:25: What are things you had to overcome with the city to hold the festival?
18:41: What's the furthest people have traveled to attend the festival?
22:30: Who's playing fforest festival 2024?
30:50: Can we say how much this costs?
32:45: What is your go to cheap drink?
34:40: Any band you'd like to try and get on the lineup? name of fforest fest
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Bruce Finkelman decided on a late night drive down Western Avenue to open his iconic Chicago music club, The Empty Bottle. So he took the $942 he had in savings and made the plunge. Thirty years later, he's transformed that into the hospitality collective, 16 on Center, which includes a host of music venues and restaurants. Thalia Hall, SPACE, The Salt Shed, Longman & Eagle, Dusek's, Revival Food Hall and much more. We talked with Bruce about his love of music and how this all came about. And, of course, we talked about Chicago.
Time Stamps:
2: Walk us through the idea of opening The Empty Bottle
5:37: How do you start to build momentum at The Empty Bottle?
10: How did you find the next location for The Empty Bottle?
12: When did you feel like The Empty Bottle became a thing?
14:45: Why do you think people revere The Empty Bottle so much?
19:40: When did you decide The Bottle isn't challenging enough for me, I need to add some more things to my plate?
22:16: Have you ever chosen a space that ended up not working?
25: I like that on your website you list other places in the neighborhood of your venue
26:10: How did you originally get connected with Craig?
31:54: How does what Salt Shed looks like now differ from what your initial vision of it was?
34:05: How do you decide when it's time for the next project?
36: Now that you've done a lot of projects, does it get easier working with the city of Chicago?
37: Does the city of Chicago appreciate the independent music club owners?
39: How is Chicago staying as independent as it is when it comes to venues?
42:26: Merch cuts - How do you handle that?
45:45: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?
47:45: Favorite venue to see a show at in Chicago?
48:15: What makes the Chicago music scene unique?
50:19: What is your go to cheap drink?
53: Anything you want to plug on your way on out of here?
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In our latest episode of No Wristbands! After Hours, we got a chance to talk with two of our favorite people over at CHIRP radio - Jenn Sodini and Shawn Campbell. Jenn is the host of the fantastic CHIRP in-person storytelling and music event, The First Time. We chatted with Shawn and Jenn about what's involved in putting together that quarterly show. The next live performance is Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30 pm at Martyrs'. You can get more info about the show here: https://firsttime.chirpradio.org/.
Time stamps:
2: How do you arrive at the theme for each show?
3:30: How do you find your six participants?
6: How much work goes in behind the scenes to pull off a production of this size?
10:30: Let me explain the whole premise of the show
13:50: Jenn, how did you become the host of The First Time?
16: How do you thread the needle through all the different stories during The First Time?
19: Any stories that have gone off the rails?
21:50: Do you ever have people who have gone rogue and told a completely different story?
24:45: How does The First Time fit into the bigger picture of CHIRP's mission?
29:22: What can people expect from the next The First Time show?
31:26: Are you a thick or thin crust pizza fan?
32:38: Anything you'd like to plug on our way out the door?
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Milwaukee emo band Barely Civil joins us for No Wristbands! episode 36. Connor Erickson (vocals, guitar), Isaac Marquardt (drums) and Alex Larsen (lead guitar) share their thoughts on their great new single "Coasting Mostly", making new music, surviving the pandemic, the Milwaukee music scene and, of course, a few Chicago questions. Enjoy!!
Time stamps:
2:40: What have you guys been up to?
5: Is Coasting Mostly a good indicator of a new direction? Is there a new album on the way?
7: Are you thinking of themes as you are writing, or that's just what comes out?
10: Does the music propel you into a theme or the lyrics could exist outside of the music you've created?
11:45: The timing you needed to know at the time of each release has been bizarrely different. How have you navigated that? Do you feel like you have a great game plan now?
14: What has the response been like for Coasting Mostly? Has any of it surprised you?
17: Was there ever any thought of delaying I'll Figure This Out because of the pandemic?
20: Which member of the band is the taste maker?
26:33: Is it safe to say you are American Football fans?
28:16: If I'll Figure This Out is a fall album, what season is the new album?
29:45: Was the response on I'll Figure This Out surprising?
31:18: What was it like when you could start playing shows again after Covid?
33:12: What's the stance on not playing North Newhall live?
38: Tell us about the Milwaukee music scene?
43: What has surprised you about fan reactions to your songs?
46:07: Are you thick or thin crust pizza fans?
47:20: Favorite venue to play at in Chicago?
48: What do you think of when you think of the Chicago music scene?
51: Any other Chicago bands you'd like to shout out?
53: What have you been listening to lately?
56: Favorite cheap drink?
59: Anything you'd like to shout out/are looking forward to over next couple of months?
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Kenn Goodman joins us to talk about the long history of Pravda Records. 2024 will be the 40th anniversary of Pravda and Kenn explains how it got this far. We also talk about his musical history and, of course, we chat about all things Chicago.
Time stamps:
2: When did you start playing music?
6:11: You were sneaking into shows as a fake Rolling Stone reporter.
10:35: I can do this (make a record label), why not?
11:28: Young bravado, or you'd do it all over again?
14: When did Pravda become a label that released records for people outside of your band?
18:40: Any good Billy Corgan stories?
22:15: How do you strike the balance of running the label and playing in bands?
25:21: How did you navigate the changing music industry?
29:11: With the 90's ethos of not wanting to sell out, was it hard to convince bands to put their music into tv shows and commercials?
32: Did you have anybody who was influential in helping you navigate the label waters?
35:30: What is your process like for deciding what to put out?
40: Have there been releases that you loved that didn't pan out the way you wanted?
41: What is a day in the life like for you in running the label?
48: If someone puts out a good single, does it really make a difference?
49:15: Anything special planned for your 40th anniversary?
51:25: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?
53: Favorite venue to play shows and favorite venue to see a show at in Chicago?
55:21: What makes Chicago a unique music scene?
59:20: What is your go to cheap drink?
60:23: Are you a Chicago lifer?
61:05: When you have friends come to town, where are you taking them? (edited)
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We are so damned excited to have Frank Turner join us for this one. We talk about his upcoming visit to Chicago to play Riot Fest, his opening gig for Bruce Springsteen, his thoughts on songwriters Jeff Tweedy, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, his Lost Evenings festival in Anaheim, CA, his favorite Chicago music venue, his relentless touring and much more.
Time stamps:
2:05: Two rules.
2:50: What's it like to open for Bruce Springsteen?
4:10: Choosing the set list for the show.
6:30: How do you judge the crowd response?
8:30: Frank's thoughts on opening bands.
12:20: Why did it take so long to get around to playing Chicago?
14:50: Playing Riot Fest in September. Memories of playing shows in Chicago?
17:40: Butch Walker & Scott Hutchison at the G-Man Tavern.
19:10: Songwriting books and Jeff Tweedy.
21:55: Bob Dylan's early songwriting magic and Frank's respect for Dylan and Leonard Cohen.
24:00: Working on 15 songs for new album.
24:55: What's your songwriting process?
28:30: You're known for relentless touring, but as you get older, what does the future look like?
31:45: Dream locations for future tours?
32:35: Lost Evenings in Anaheim. Sold out is good right?
34:45: Is Chicago a future site for LE?
35:25: Logistics of putting on Lost Evenings?
38:40: Writing Punches after Lost Evenings.
39:30: Is the Boston accent real?
40:40: Is hanging out with fans important to Frank Turner?
47:00: Is it Poncho or Pancho? Discussing the English language.
49:00: Deep dish or thin crust pizza?
49:25: Favorite Chicago venue to play?
49:45: What makes Chicago a unique music scene?
50:40: Favorite cheap drink?
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Deanna Belos joins us to talk about her great Chicago punk band Sincere Engineer. Deanna is the songwriter, singer and guitarist in the band and began putting out records in 2017 with the album Rhombithian. Along with bandmates Kyle Geib (guitar), Nick Arvanitis (bass) and Adam Beck (drums), Sincere Engineer released Bless My Psyche in 2021 and their incredible new album, Cheap Grills is due out 9-22-23. We talk about her love of The Lawrence Arms and Alkaline Trio, the upcoming Lollapalooza slot, the Sandburg Eagles and the best things about Chicago.
Time stamps:
2:20: We are here with Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer
5:20: When do you start getting into music?
6:40: What bands turned you on to punk?
9: How did you find Alkaline Trio and The Lawrence Arms?
10:20: How do you find your community and fellow punks?
11:40: What's your best Lawrence Arms Brendan Kelly story?
16:45: What song do you feel like you wrote that you felt like you were getting it and were proud of what you'd made?
19:45: Forming a band seems relatively seamless, has it felt that way?
20:45 : Did you feel a sense of protection about your songs, or was it hard to let go and let people interpret them differently than how you'd envisioned them?
22:20: Has any of the collaboration changed now that the band has been together for awhile?
26: Are you pushing your vision or do you have trust in the band to get to where you ultimately want to be?
27:30: What is your writing process like?
30: When people connect with your personal songs, what is that feeling like?
31:45: Are you pretty discerning about what you agree to do?
34:30: What does Chicago mean to you?
36: What excites you the most about Cheap Grills?
39:50: Has there been a moment that's been surreal that you think I'm doing this thing!?
42:15: Deep dish or thin crust pizza fan?
43:20: How do you choose your album art?
44:10: Favorite venue to play at, and favorite place to see a show at?
46: What to you makes Chicago a unique music scene?
48: Any other Chicago bands that people should check out?
50:14: What is your favorite cheap drink?
52:20: Are you a Chicago lifer?
53:15: What else are we excited about over the next couple of months?
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