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.

This week, Features contributor Safiya Ratliff speaks with Tara Shedor of Chicago-based rock 'n' rollers Everyday Specials. They discuss the creation of their new EP Doggy Bag and the various dog references contained within, their college-era battle of the bands musical roots, and writing songs about the socialist values of now-defunct car manufacturer Saturn.

"Politics are infused in everything. I feel like it comes through and we want our songs to, you know, actually remark about the world in addition to being fun. And we're out here having fun, but we're having fun in blazing fires around us, right?" - Tara Shedor of Everyday Specials

Photo Credit: Tom Moffitt

Produced by Brian Szpak.

For a transcript of this interview, visit the blog.

Jason Narducy is a Chicago musician. When he isn't touring with Bob Mould, Superchunk, or Sunny Day Real Estate, he writes and sings in Split Single. Jason has performed with Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), The Pretenders, Liz Phair, Eddie Vedder, Michael Shannon, R.E.M. and many more.

Jason and his first band, Verböten, were featured in the Foo Fighter's HBO series Sonic Highways and in Dave Grohl's NYT best seller, Storyteller. Playwright Brett Neveu wrote a musical about Verböten (featuring music by Jason) that opened in Chicago in January 2020.

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.

Eileen Tull (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary theatremaker, poet, educator, and one-woman show person based in Chicago. Her work has been seen throughout the country in United Solo Festival, Minnesota Fringe, Dallas Solo Festival, San Francisco Fringe, Cincy Fringe, and Tampa’s New Seeds Festival. In Chicago, she has worked with The Factory Theatre, Stage Left Theatre, Theatre Wit, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, among others.

Eileen recently founded Fat Theatre Project, a creative collective committed to telling stories by/about/for/with fat artists. Coming up in 2025, she'll be directing "Funny, Like An Abortion," with FTP, co-produced by Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Theatre Directing from Randolph College. www.eileentull.com

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.

This week, Features contributor Michal Gliszewski speaks with Jeff Kelley, Heather Perry, and Karissa Talanian of Chicago-based post-punk group Plum. They discuss moving out of their "Chicago band hustle" phase of musicianship, the process behind writing their debut album Can't Hold Onto It, and a special string of live performances, including a train tour through Japan and opening for Jack White at a secret show at Reggie's.

"Doing so many shows in such a short time span in such an unfamiliar context, I think we got a lot tighter. We got a lot more confident in our ability to play. If we can play these songs jet lagged on the tiniest stage we've ever been on, we can play them anywhere, any context." - Jeff Kelley of Plum

Produced by Liz Mason.

Photo Credit: Shannon Marks

For a transcript of this interview, visit the blog.

Jennifer L. Husbands was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. Her two lifelong passions are music and education, though once she moved to Chicago, she made room in her heart for hometown boys Wilco, her now-husband CHIRP DJ Mike Bennett, and their amazing tween Skylar. Jenn has been a frequent guest DJ on WLUW 88.7's “The Mixtape Show” with Lou Berkman and appeared on a recent episode of “The Songseekers” podcast, where she discussed her love for Wilco and how she tells her life's story through music. She is also producing a documentary film about Chicago folk-soul artist Terry Callier.

Professionally, Jenn has held senior roles in philanthropy, at several education nonprofits, a charter management organization and a large school district. She recently launched a consulting practice, Steward Education Advisors. She currently serves on the advisory boards of the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Public Education Foundation.

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.