Champaign Is Also A Band

Just a few extra convos with Luke that didn't make it into the full episode.  Enjoy! Travis Wayne Hurt Christmas Special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5utk5WXMBI Luke's Short Spot: https://youtu.be/s5utk5WXMBI?t=800   Photo credit: Veronica Mullen : V Mullen Media

Sven sits down with Luke Bergkoetter of Overachiever to talk about his song "Heads UP!." We talk about being kind to others and ourselves, 4 things that Luke would like to do every morning if he could, and his love of the Rose Bowl Tavern , Isaac Arms (EP8) , and Karthik (EP27) SONG: Heads UP! ALBUM: Volume 1: Man-Bat BANDS: Yarn, The Fratticks, Violet Skies, fireflies, “Exhale, Look Down...” Mit'...

Even in the middle of a pandemic, music is still happening and being recorded.  Sven zooms with former guest Melvin Knight from EP7 about his new EP: "Summer Child" - Released 6/10/2021 EP Cover Art Photo by: Jules A. Graham EP Cover Art Design by: Melvin Knight  

It's a return to the Blue Box Studio! Sven and DJ Belly are both vaccinated so the first interview in the studio in over a year is here!  Sven chats with about his unreleased song "Don't Lie" over some croissants and iced coffee from Flying Machine Avionics .  Hear about writing music in a snow storm, surviving during a pandemic, and which video game has the best soundtrack.... SONG: Don’t Lie ALB...

Anka (EP29) from The Dawn Patrol interviews sven about his song "Just Another Day" and asks your submitted questions.    ****Angie Heaton & the Fights 2019 performance at Hogchute HERE!***   REFS: Melody EP16 This is a Stickup! [Band] NFTFOH Thotcrime August Strindburg Henrik Ibsen Andy Samberg Bob Dylan Conor Oberst Bright Eyes [Band] Mark Lanegan We are Family BEP3 Damian Duffy Hates Everything...

Even in the middle of a pandemic, music is still happening and being recorded.  Sven zooms with former guests Sarah and Taylor from EP32 about their new Maps of the Midwest single: "Streetlights."   Released today 6/4/2021! Streetlights [Video] Girl in the War  [Video] Proceeds from sales will go to the National Runaway Safeline  Photo by: Maddie Skelley  

Sven zooms with Taran to talk about his song " ATTENTION ," his favorite CU venue, and his favorite non-musical things. SONG: ATTENTION ALBUM: Single BANDS: Clinically ILL Favorite Treat:  Monster, Pringles REFS The Purge Austin (EP30) Not for the Faint of Heart The Contract [Song] Metalhead Heavy Metal Murder Murder [Video] Horror Rap [Genre] Serial Killer Satanic Panic (SRA) *Content Warning* We...

Sven zooms with Justin Michael Hendrix about his song " Cream ," his organization HITNHOMEBOY , and his favorite non-musical things.   SONG: CREAM ALBUM: Collection of Songs on Soundcloud Favorite Treat: Body Armor Pineapple Coconut SuperDrink/ anything with Nutella Photo Credit:  Photographer is Boots Howard ; Hair is #HairByNaysha; Make Up is Kay Hunter   REFS: Jahlil Beats Meek Mill Jay-Z Wutan...

Sven zooms with Justin Walden of Scarecrow Adams to talk about his song " Old Man In a Red Hat, " reflect on his philosophy of writing music, his early days of playing in local CU venues, and his favorite non-Musical thing.  Stay tuned to the end of the episode for the origins of the name " Scarecrow Adams " SONG: Old Man in a Red Hat ALBUM: Old Man in a Red Hat BANDS: Scarecrow Adams , Lionzz , S...

CW: mental health and dying Even in the middle of a pandemic, music is still happening and being recorded.  Sven zooms with former guest Kenna Mae from EP13 about their new Sweetmelk EP: "Living Room" Check out now and buy yourself a copy and check out the Sweetmelk SWEATSHIRTS! Or as I like to call them SWEETSHIRTS!

Sven zooms with Kyle Lang of Special Death about his song " Remember " off of his self-titled EP: " Special Death " We talk about the reissue on vinyl of Easter 's "Demonstration" EP on Beloved Records , favorite house venues in CU, and Kyle's favorite non-muisical thing(s). SONG: Remember ALBUM: Special Death BANDS: Pontow , Well Read Devils, Nunpuncher, Easter , Adult Books, The Tyrants, Need, S...

Sven zooms with Cara Maurizi of Linea Crux to talk about her song " Twist & Turn " off of the album " Stronghold ." We talk about working in the studio to bring new life to her songs, where the name "Linea Crux came from, and maybe even what her favorite color is... SONG: Twist & Turn ALBUM: Stronghold BANDS: Linea Crux, Backup singer with Slick Lisp , and Modern Drugs Favorite Treat: All baked go...

In this episode Sven zooms with Jarrel Young to talk about his song " Doin To Me ," off the album "I'd Be Mad Too..." the CU music scene, and his two favorite non-musical things. SONG: Doin To Me ALBUM: I’d Be Mad Too… BANDS: Live band: Misfit Music Favorite Treat: Spring Water, Assorted Herbal Tea and chips, preferably plain ruffles. Photo Credit:   Boots Howard   REFS: Doin To Me [Video] H.Kal-E...

SONG TEMPORARILY REMOVED (SAMPLES) Sven zooms with Blair aka lovenloops to talk about her song "Black Girl Levitation (ft. Nikky Finney)" off the album Don't Ever Forget It. We talk about SOLHOT "We Levitate, " the first Black Girl Genius Week in 2014, how it's grown and hopes for the future. SONG: Black Girl Levitation ALBUM: Don’t Ever Forget It BANDS: SOLHOT We Levitate (Saving Our Lives Hear o...

Sven zooms with Sandman Slimm (Formally "Truth aka Trouble" ) about his favorite song the one (prod. by BMTJ) Find out about how Trouble Chasin ’ got started, creating the Beautiful Chaos EP , and how stillness & returning to nature is the key to everything. SONG: the one (prod. by BMTJ) ALBUM: Beautiful Chaos EP BANDS: Trouble Chasin ’, Dizzy Ape , 10 Flow. Favorite Treat: Gin & Tonics & Red Vine...

**Inauguration Day Special!!!* In this episode Sven zooms with Oliver Groff: vocalist, lyricist, and artist behind the band Cactuss.  We talk about his song " The Reason Donald Trump Should Be in the Trash, " we talk about the inspiration behind the song, their creative process, working with producer Ryan Groff (EP35) , and running a world class CU local recording studio. SONG: The Reason Donald T...

In this episode Sven zooms with Mike Skibski, Vice President of Music for the Masses UIUC . We talk about his song "I'll Stay With You," Music for the Masses, and planning for the future. SONG: I’ll Stay With You [Spotify Link] ALBUM: I’ll Stay With You BANDS: Solo Favorite Treat: Blueberry Acai Green Tea and Dark Chocolate Hershey's Kisses Photo Credit: Jackson Skibski Refs Music For the Masses U...

In this episode Sven zooms with Elena and Travis of Soft and Dumb to talk about their song "Tony, Please." Find out if there IS a Tony, being self-conscious about making music, and how to be a band that has only had one live show before COVID-19 locked everything down. SONG: Tony, Please ALBUM: Out of Bed BANDS: Soft and Dumb Favorite Treat: Elena: hot apple cider Travis: cold apple cider REFS Sta...

Every great episode needs a sequel, EP51 is no exception. Consider this bonus material from part 1. We talk about Sven finding joy in hip hop, recording an upcoming album, supporting artists, AMS' family history in CU, all the CU hip hop connections he's made, and finally what makes a good scene! BONUS SONG: "Half (a Life)" from the upcoming album: Strange Days, Stranger Tomorrows Photo by: Yevgen...

Sven zooms with AMS. the Nerd King to talk about Grecian Myth, the "keys" to happiness, why you can't say the word "bear," and a very special teacher from Hyde Park who was a powerful influence on AMS' voice. SONG: Sisyphus ALBUM: The Over/Under EP Lyrics by AMS. Produced by SAMIYAM. Turntablism by DJ RTST. Recorded at Soapbox Music in Chicago, IL. BANDS:  Boombap Savant and FUTURE CULT LEADERS OF...

In this episode Sven zooms with Em Baker of Plike.  Find out what recording in a car, a washing machine, and the opening scene in "The Fifth Element" all have to do with her music and collaboration with Yellow Belly . SONG: Sanity Meter (feat. Yellow Belly) ALBUM: Soteria BANDS: Alison Layne (Alice in Chains cover band), Bishop Buzzkill, Plike , Wire & Wasteland, Acting for Cameras  FAVORITE TREAT...

Even in the middle of a pandemic, music is still happening and being released.  Sven zooms with former guest Kelsey Sharp (EP6) to talk about releasing an EP in the middle of a pandemic and what goes into each of the four songs on her EP. You can find "W.W.L.D." available now!  EP cover art and episode cover by: Big E

Sven zooms with Jemma and Alaina from Familiar Ghosts to talk about their song " Bury Me Alive ." Tune in to find out what Starbucks , Google Docs , and Edgar Allan Poe have in common, where the name Familiar Ghosts comes from, and what paint is better: acrylic or oil.   SONG: Bury Me Alive ALBUM: Daydreams & Nightmares (releases 12/21/20 BANDS: Familiar Ghosts (Formally the Killer Coven ) Favorit...

CW: Mentions misogyny , r*pe, abuse, assault, and people being shitty humans. Sven zooms with Dexter Anodyne , a musician in Springfield, IL.  Hear the question that Sven is glad he asked, Dexter's favorite venue in Springfield, and her favorite non-musical things. SONG: Brink of Summer ALBUM: Weeping Venus BANDS: Greenhouse Opera FAVORITE TREAT: Sushi Photo Credit: Dexter Anodyne REFS: Synthesize...

Sven zooms with Keegan in his home in Bloomington, Indiana to talk about his song "Loose Ends." Tune in to find out about the beginning of Ghoul Jr. , what the CU Music scene could do better, and Keegan's favorite non-musical thing(s). Trust me, this episode sounds much better than sleeping in together... SONG: Loose Ends ALBUM: EP BANDS: Ghoul Jr. /Solo FAVORITE TREAT: Iced Coffee Photo Credit:  ...