This week, Features director Marjorie Alford speaks with Chicago based rock'n'roller of the apocalypse Laila Eskin of Heet Deth. They discuss Heet Deth’s birth in a hot practice space one fateful September afternoon in 2019 where Laila tuned her guitar to “almost a fart” and never looked back, the story behind Heet Deth’s unique look as they leaned into “the new bad future”, the writing of Heet Deth’s sophomore album Bad Reading, and what’s next for the band as the hunt for a new drummer unfolds.

“I doomscroll because I'm looking for answers. Or relief. Or connection. But the thing that kind of heels doomscrolling is being actually connected to the people outside. Or just being outside. Or just throwing my phone.” - Laila Eskin of Heet Deth

Bad Reading is out now on all music platforms.

Produced by Marjorie Alford.

Photo Credit: Heet Deth

This week, Features contributor Dillon Woodward speaks with pop violinist Lapis Stone AKA LapiOnTheBeat. They discuss the origins of the name LapiOnTheBeat, Lapi's genre-blending and genre-creating style, the new single You Got Me, life as a street performer, and Lapi's goals as an artist.

"This is something that is a fixture in culture. Street musicians - artists in general - we do provide something. Whether it's a service or a product, it is valuable." - LapiOnTheBeat

LapiOnTheBeat's mixtape The Populator will be released June 29th exclusively for download and streaming only on Bandcamp.

Photo Credit: Anton D.

Produced by Marjorie Alford.

Andy Friedman is a CHIRP DJ whose show airs Monday afternoons from 3-6 PM, and is a longtime broadcaster and marketer. Andy's roots are in radio. He worked as a news reporter and anchor for stations on the west coast in the 90s. Andy covered earthquakes, fires, riots, and court cases including the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

Since moving to Chicago in 1999, Andy has worked for CBS Radio, iHeartMedia, and the Tribune among others. Today, Andy lives in North Center with his wife Jen and, when not volunteering for CHIRP, spends time on random marketing projects.

The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three.

The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.