Champaign Is Also A Band

Sven chats with Mousepad (Josh, He/Him) and WhipTRip6 (Dave, He/Him) about the creation of Half House Studios and it's goals going into the future.  HHS Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Halfhousestudios  

Sven sits down with Max Szymczak (He/Him) and Erik Paulius (He/Him) of Stańczyk to talk about their song " Aeroplane ," great DIY venues, and their favorite non-musical thing(s).   SONG: Aeroplane ALBUM: Single BANDS: Blues Lawyer Junior, Stańczyk Favorite treat: Pita Chips and Hummus, Mtn Dew, Genmaicha Tea Photo: Jess Miyata

In this 100th Episode of the pod sven chats with Rick Valentin (He/Him) of Poster Children about his song "* He's My Star " off of the 1995 album " Junior Citizen ," writing songs with Poster Children , his relationship to creativity, and trying to meet David Hasselhoff at a mall. *Song truncated due to usage rights-- To listen to the full song listen on Spotify CLICK HERE SONG: He's My Star ALBUM...

Sven sits down to chat with Tessa Turner (She/Her) about her song "Narcissist," unusual venues, and her favorite non-musical things. SONG: Narcissist ALBUM: Unreleased Favorite Treats: Tea and Dark Chocolate Photo Credit: DJ BJ Clark  

Sven chats with Rebekah Songer (She/Her) about her song " Swamp Thing " from her album " automythology ", the future she'd like to see in the CU music scene, and of course her favorite non-musical thing. (updated links: 3/15/2023) SONG: Swamp Thing ALBUM: automythology Favorite treat: Gin & Tonic Photo credit: Selfie  

Sven chats with Malady Jane (She/Her) about the formation of the band Thotcrime . How they created their first album " øny​ø​urc​ø​mputer " with other members of the band who were located in another state and another country, got a record contract with Prosthetic Records , and then released " D1G1T4L_DR1FT ."  

Sven chats with Jason Finkelman (He/Him) of Kuroshio about the piece " bereavement " off of their self-titled album, improvising by meditating on a concept, building community with the Improvisers Exchange, and his favorite non-musical thing. SONG: bereavement ALBUM: Kuroshio BANDS/GROUPS: Kuroshio, Improvisers Exchange, Bourema “Ibrahim” Ouedraogo and Jason Finkelman, Sea of Stars, Music for Danc...

Sven zooms with Genaro Jr (He/Him) about his song " American Gothic " from his album " Pentimento ," the DIY music scene, and his favorite non-musical thing. SONG: American Gothic ALBUM: Pentimento BANDS/GROUPS: UIUC Hip Hop Collective, Hidden Renaissance Collective   Favorite treat : Raspberry Lemonade

Sven chats with Doug (He/Him) and Ian (He/Him) of The Weird Meat Boyz about their venue in development: "The Space," creating unique food, booking shows at the Brass Rail, and the opportunity to support "The Space" on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/weirdmeatboyzhot/the-weird-meat-boyz-present-the-space (Ends 11/25/2022) Favorite treat: Old Style

Sven takes a trip back to 1993 to talk with Rob Arrol (He/Him) about the song "9 Outta 10," playing in the early 90s, and his favorite non-musical thing.  SONG: 9 outta 10 ALBUM: Lasso Your Heart (EP) BANDS: Rob: dick justice, Ticks, Mary Me, June and the Exit Wounds, Belva Plane, and Shotgun Wedding Treats: Coke and Cherry Twizzlers

Sven chats with Francis (They/Him) and Thomasin (She/Her) of The Joy Machine to talk about their song " Herd Immunity ." BANDS: Francis- The Failures, Mid Nite Leg Thomasin- Haki-N’M, Feed the Monarch Favorite treats : Francis- true north seltzer (black cherry) Thomasin - Vanilla Coke/ extreme sour patch kids  

Sven chats with Emily (she/they) (EP67) , Camryn (they/them), and Abbey (she/her) of Emily the Band about their recent release " the heartbreak album "  Digital copy: https://emilytheband.bandcamp.com/album/the-heartbreak-album You can also pre-order a cassette from Failed Poem Records all cassette proceeds donated to: https://www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org/   Album photo by: Caspian Voss  

Sven chats with Joy Yang (She/Her) after she records an improvised piece in the studio titled "Moon Dream."  SONG: Moon Dream ALBUM: Unreleased BANDS:  Joy Yang Trio, Joy of Regatory, The Briar Sclenkar Trio, No Las, Leads the Noise Ensemble Almost"A" Quintet Favorite treats : Fine Chocolate/Matcha Tea Latte Photo Credit: Andy Zalot

Sven zooms with Colin Larson (He/Him) of Otherglow to talk about his song " Winter Wind " from the EP " Spacey Sounds ," reminiscing about the CU Scene, and his favorite non-musical things.   SONG: Winter Wind ALBUM: Spacey Sounds EP BANDS: Johnnyork , Withershins , Otherglow Photo: Eric Frahm  

Sven chats with Mic (She/Her) of the MNG Collective and her radio program on WEFT 90.1:  Mic's Bag on Saturday Nights at 6-8PM. Check out their Bandcamp page at: https://mngcomp.bandcamp.com/    

Sven sits down to chat with past CU musician Tricia Scully (She/Her) to talk about her song " Fidgety, " how an unplugged electric guitar helps her write songs, things she remembers from the CU scene, and her favorite *non-musical thing.  *If you're female identifying or non-binary and would be interested in playing hockey in a league check out the Women's Central Hockey League SONG: Fidgety ALBUM...

Sven sits down with Larry Gates II (He/Him) to talk about his song " Take It From Me ," what the CU music scene needs, and his favorite non-musical thing. SONG: Take It From Me ALBUM: Single BANDS: Worm/Starlight & Yuk. The Goody Patch, Satiiva, Lorenzo Goetz , The Jezebelly, Curb Service . DJ LEGTWO Favorite treat:  Sparkling water and a pear  

Sven meets up with Ayla McDonald (She/Her) at KCPA just before she heads off to the UK. We talk about co-founding the Folk Jam Circle, exploring the roots of folk music, and her favorite non-musical thing.  Cover Photo by: Basia Latawiec

Sven sits down with Cade Whitt (he/him) to talk about his song: "Uncertainly Certain (Take Caution)" off of his album "People In Places," the need for more all ages music venues, and his favorite non-musical thing(s). SONG: "Uncertainly Certain (Take Caution)" ALBUM: (Debut) "People In Places," BANDS: Octave Favorite Thing: Dr. Pepper!    

Over some rib tips (with mix sauce) and lemon shakeups Sven chats with Harsh (He/Him) about his song "The Truth," collaboration, community, and some CU venues from long since past... SONG: The Truth ALBUM: Single BANDS: UC Hiphop  Broke Rappers coalition  Chalice Dubs  DJ Belly (EP63) Favorite Thing: Lil’ Progy’s Mix Sauce Photographer: Rachel Storm

Sven chats with Kyle Fleming (He/Him) of Fleming Music Therapy to talk about his music therapy practice, what music therapy is used for, why music therapy works, and maybe why he might just say "abracadabra!" from time to time... Favorite Treat: Frozen Swiss Miss Rolls Website: https://flemingmusictherapy.org/    

Sven sits down to chat with Briar (They/She) to chat about their song " electrophorus ," what makes a great music community, some things we could do better, and their favorite non-musical thing. SONG: electrophorus by the briar schlenker trio BANDS:  the briar schlenker trio, ZOEY.xBRIAR, The Goodwin Avenue Trio, New Music Mosaic, Improviser's Exchange Ensemble Favorite Thing: Virgil's root beer a...

Sven chats with Sarah Durbin (She/Her/Hers) about her song "Live Wire," learning from Ryan Groff (EP35), and her favorite non-musical thing. SONG: Live Wire ALBUM: Single BANDS: Jo's Corner, lyric theatre UIUC Favorite Thing: DIET COKE and Oreos Photographer: Ben Heppner

Sven chats with Eli (She/Her) of Mermaid Heaven about her song " nightbloom ," what makes a good music scene, and her favorite non-musical thing. "You" Video: https://youtu.be/olhQMf1oLzA (NPR Tiny Desk Concert entry) SONG: nightbloom ALBUM: Single   BANDS: Dalipop (~2014) Sleeping okami (~2016) Mermaid Heaven (~2018 to present) Favorite Treat: Jameson on the rocks and an amazing, simple cheesecak...

Sven sits down with Sean Kutzko (He/Him) to talk about his efforts with documenting, preserving, and promoting the Champaign-Urbana, Illinois jazz scene with ChambanaJazz. Memories of Nature's Table, and falling in love with jazz. https://www.chambanajazz.com/ http://naturestable.net/ If you have live recordings of jazz performances in CU please reach out to Sean Kutzko at: Sean@chambanajazz.com  ...