City So Real with Kevin Coval

This conversation is about artistic bloodlines, and the social forces that fuel creators in Chicago. Elise Seigenthaler & Sébastien Johnson are partners in life and curation. Both have separate practices. Elise opened a gallery this year in West Town, and Sébastien has seen the World Cup reignite his work as a painter. Both are French-American, and could choose any place on the planet to practice...

Jean Cate comes to the shores of Lake Michigan by way of Cali. It appears Chicago has a firm grip on her heart, and in this conversation Jean tells Kevin how and why that happened. You’ll also hear about her varied approach to painting as an abstract naturalist, and why place-making fuels her life as a human being. You can see her work and the varied works of dozens at The Center of Order and Expe...

The artistic corners of Chicago have the same ethos as the city’s roots in manufacturing. Ian Fugett is inspired by the work ethic of artisans of all kinds in DIY and beyond. That fire pushed Ian to create the pub , a print-only newspaper the fuels friction. In this conversation, Kevin and Ian talk about Chicago as a cultural mecca with working-class artists and how to nurture that life in real sp...

In many ways, the work of John Caleb Pendleton is about the beauty of grief. As he honors the short life of flowers, he reminds us how precious time is. During this convo, Kevin talks with John about his Alabama roots and his complicated relationship with Chicago. Through his floral studio Planks & Pistils , John is an artist and community creator dedicated to telling black stories in the most uni...

The DIY spirit is often made perfect in the city of Chicago. Few others embody that vibe like Cassius Tae . In this chat, you’ll hear how Cassius crafted a life as a writer, designer, and rapper. Plus, Cassius shares how he kicks up his compassion as a mentor to creators with an event called The Writers Room. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

This is a conversation about being called home to the family business. Bobby Whittingham is a 4th generation entrepreneur in one of Chicago's most storied industries. In this chat, Kevin tracks the story of Bobby's great grandfather, who started a meat packing legend with a 100 bucks in 1947. How is it that Whittingham Meats has survived nearly eight decades? Bobby drops some truths about the grit...

Why are some of us drawn to spaces where people are doing hard things? Holley Brandchaft-White has chosen that life, and has something to say about it. In this convo, Kevin talks with Holley about her journey from being a social worker in trauma units to using an MBA in pursuit of mental health innovation. Holley is the co-founder of SHFT Behavioral Health , Chicago’s first emotional wellness urge...

This conversation may be the master class on defining what Chicago has fused into hip hop culture. As Shadow Master says, “We have flavors that don’t exist anywhere else.” In this chat, Kevin talks with the creator and curator of 606 , the longest running open mic freestyle session in the world. You’ll catch how music flowed from every hallway of Shadow Master’s family house on the West Side. It t...

How does one land not so purposefully in this town? Alex Kotlowitz has a story or two to share about that. In this conversation, Kevin talks with Alex about the many ways Chicago invaded his soul as a writer — then a resident. His journalism is steeped in empathy. It’s one of the reasons he is able to tell the most difficult stories . Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/...

The mind of Titus Wonsey is always conceptualizing. Titus observes and creates. In this convo, Kevin and Titus walk through his current installation at Artruss to map his jorney toward artistic expression. You'll hear the details of his sweat equity to tell stories through every media imaginable -- like giant bales of ramen noodles and punctuation marks made of soap. Get full access to Kevin's Sub...

Here's another Chicagoan who shoots straight. "Most people are afraid to get old," says Kevin's cousin Jackie. In her 94 years, Jackie has lived a large life surrounded by the complications of a very loving family. This is a chat with a family matriarch who shares how first gens survive in this town. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

The number of firsts Maxine Walters can claim will floor you. Maxine jokes that her achievements are accidental. But as you hear Kevin unpack her story, you'll pick up why this Jamaican artist, curator, dancehall DJ, and film producer is a force of nature. Maxine's work is featured in an exhibition called " Dancing the Revolution " at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Check our Maxine's book Serious...

One of Chicago’s greatest organizers is also one of our dopest artists. Teel One ’s Made You Look crew may be the most prolific graffiti writers on the planet. This is a convo about the audacity of hip hop culture and Teel’s legendary refusals to accept “no” as a directive. Battle4TheCity returns to Chicago Saturday August 22nd, 2026. City So Real is recorded at VSG Contemporary in West Town. Get...

Chicago fosters a rare space for the infinitely curious. No one understands that quite like Clayton Hauck . Clayton's passion for photography represents his deep belief that everyone has a story . In this chat, Kevin unpacks Clayton's path to doing the work he loves most. Check out Clayton's 'zines like "Pointing At Stuff" at Realm Books . Or drop by his See You Soon space at the Kimball Arts Cent...

To see, and feel, and respond to a space is the work of an empath. DJ Ca$hEra has a sonic sixth sense for reading the room. Chicago, and now the planet, flock to hear her mixes in lounges, clubs, and events for major global brands. During this conversation, Cash and Kevin talk about her life as a high school nerd, her craving for quiet, and her drive for queer advocacy. Get full access to Kevin's...

The flyest cultural space in Chicago now has to be the culinary scene. Junho Lee's Haru Haru is very much at the center of this movement. It is fed by immigrant kids, and the kids of immigrants. During this chat, Kevin talks with Chef Lee about his memories of food and how expanding flavor profiles are creating a bridge to conversations about what citizenship means. Get full access to Kevin's Subs...

You may know Alex Fructher as DJ RTC or the leader of a blog called Ruby Hornet -- to this day, his passion for music is rooted in lifting up the creators. In this chat, Kevin and Alex go deep on the blog era in Chicago and its significance in hip hop. Plus, you'll hear his origin story as founder of Closed Sessions . Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

In a city known for its segregation, organizers are the oxygen that connect communities. Niso Ulmasova and Talyssa Delgado have created a young emergent organization called Meet Your Neighbor . In this chat, Kevin explores how Niso & Talyssa came together to create spaces where all people feel cared for and seen. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

For Jesse De La Peña , music is an infinite journey. Back in the day, those trips lured Kevin and his fake ID to The Blue Groove Lounge , where Jesse ran the turntables. During this convo, Jesse shares how he helped lay the foundation for Chicago’s vibrant Hip Hop scene. Plus, you’ll hear what his south side roots taught him about getting your story told and why he’s still spinning all over the ci...

Ten conversations with Regan Burke can't cover the depth and breadth of her life and work as an activist and friend. During this chat, Kevin unravels Regan's journey from hippie communal living to guiding Bill Clinton's path to the Presidency. Plus, you'll hear about her adventures as an organizer in Chicago's infamous 10th Ward. Regan's 2020 book In That Number is on its way to becoming a streami...

Idris Goodwin is a playwright, poet, essayist, a creative organizer, and cultural architect. As Kevin would say, he's the Hip Hop generation's August Wilson. In this episode, we join a live audience at VSG Contemporary for a conversation about Idris' journey to discover his super power. Plus, you'll hear readings from his latest book King of the Neuroverse . Get full access to Kevin's Substack at...

Alyssa Low seems to have found the recipe for creating visual art without compromise. In many ways, the isolation of the pandemic was the key ingredient. Kevin and Alyssa talk about why your dreams can be suffocating and how her designs and murals have found their way to some very renowned brands. Plus, you'll hear why her competitive nature as a soccer player feeds her artistic skills. City So Re...

Who are the people in your neighborhood? Tom Bullistron is the kind of guy who knows. Gathering the names and faces on his block matters to him. That's probably why Tom's stories are so rich. And complicated. His mom arrived in Chicago as an indentured servant from Ireland. Tom's tried to leave the city, but something keeps calling him back. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substa...

How do you land in Chicago by way of Benin and France? The answer to that only scratches the surface of Larry Tchogninou 's artistic odyssey. Larry's an architect, a poet, an industrial designer, a "space" maker, and more. This is a conversation about why you would author multi-discipline creative engines for some of the world's biggest brands from our city by the lake. You can check out the desig...

It is fair to say sneaker culture was born in Chicago, because of the GOAT. Following the early '90s Bulls, we watched what Mike had on foot -- and we wanted it. In this episode, Kevin chops it up with Dre the Shoe god -- sneaker restorer, designer, and historian. Growing up on Chicago's east side, Dre's passion for shoes kept him out of the trouble and stirred his entrepreneurial vision. Follow @...