Records & Real Estate Podcast

Ever wondered how an unexpected live tryout in Boston could change the course of a music career? Join us as Johnny Iguana, the dynamic keyboardist from The Claudettes, recounts his serendipitous journey from playing in teenage blues bands to landing a gig with the legendary Junior Wells in 1994. Johnny shares his humorous stage name origin, the vibrant punk and blues blend in his music, and offers...

What if your home once echoed with the chords of a musical legend? Join us as we welcome Jay Stanek, a high school history teacher from Evanston Township, who discovered that his house was a creative haven for the legendary songwriter John Prine. Jay shares captivating stories about how his home was a frequent stop for Prine and the previous owner, Dan Hogan, where they would not only play guitars...

When the worlds of real estate and heavy metal collide, you know you're in for an electrifying experience. That's precisely what happened when we sat down with Jenafur Schlangen, a music photography maven and journalist who just stepped into the realm of homeownership. Jennifer's tales from the pit, photographing metal legends and her journey navigating the choppy waters of buying a...

Moses Hall, a maestro in the realms of both music and real estate, graces our latest episode with his extraordinary tale of transition. The man known as Mo fuses a unique sartorial flair with astute branding acumen to navigate Chicago's property scene with finesse. Our conversation spans from his leadership within the Young Professionals Network to his passionate involvement in the revitaliza...

Join the conversation as Josh Jones, a mortgage maestro with a penchant for vinyl, spins tales from his collection and the loan industry. The nostalgia of a well-loved Sam Cooke record meets the stark realities of navigating mortgage complexities. We connect through melodies and memories, celebrating the art of preserving historical pieces that define our personal journeys, all while unraveling th...

Imagine stepping into a world where every detail in the space around you is a result of thoughtful storytelling and functionality. That's the essence of our latest conversation with acclaimed architect Tom Lee. In this rich tapestry of personal experiences and professional insights, Tom takes us on a journey through his non-linear design philosophy—where a party mishap from the past becomes a...

Ever wondered how the thump of a bass drum echoes in the halls of real estate? Our latest episode brings together the unlikely duo of music and mortgages with Chicago's own Larry Steinway and Sam Sharp. With their roots deeply planted in the rhythms of music and the hustle of the housing market, these two friends strike a chord as they share how they've managed to orchestrate a symphony...

Have you ever experienced that magical moment when music bridges the gap between generations? Our latest chat with Sharri Scott dives into the heart of Chicago's Rock and Roll Playhouse, where families are grooving together to live music tailored for kids but with a vibe that keeps the adults tapping their feet. Peter Shapiro's brainchild, crafted alongside early education expert Amy Str...

Ever wondered how the grit of Chicago's music scene mingles with the bricks and mortar of its real estate? Let me introduce you to Mary Beth Brennan from The Baby Magic, who's not only rocking the stage with her solo project Baggy Time but also mastering the quirks of condo management in Humboldt Park. She's our guest this week, and oh boy, does she have stories to tell—from harmoni...

Remember those battles for first chair in the school band that seemed like life and death? Our latest episode takes that competitive spirit to new heights as we sit down with Chicago's own Mark Guarino, tracing our shared roots from clarinet rivals to carving unique paths through the world of music and journalism. We share a laugh over past musical skirmishes and revel in the rich tapestry of...

Gather 'round as we reminisce over matzah ball soup and the bonds that tie us to the thrumming heart of Chicago's music and real estate scene. We're joined by Adam Thurston, the maestro behind the iconic venues Schuba’s and Lincoln Hall, to discuss the delicate symbiosis of nurturing live music within the Windy City's bricks and mortar. With a spotlight on Audiotree, Adam share...

Ever met a music journalist with an encyclopedic knowledge of music, and a knack for capturing the vibrancy of the Chicago music scene? Join us as we explore the captivating worlds of music and real estate with our esteemed guest, Jeff Elbel. As an accomplished writer and photographer for the Chicago Sun Times and Illinois Entertainer, Jeff offers a unique perspective on the industry. In our enlig...

Prepare yourself for a musical extravaganza, as we embark on a journey filled with melodies, anecdotes, and passion with our special guest, Mauricio Reyes. Known for his time as a DJ at Chirp Radio Chicago, Mauricio's love for music is as contagious as it gets. From his early family influences and his Colombian roots to his dream of creating a band, Mauricio's stories are sure to captiva...

Let's take a trip down memory lane, as Karen and Andrew reconnect with Andy Farag, the incredible percussionist from Umphrey’s McGee. Remember those legendary Thursday night parties from our college days at Indiana University? Well, they're back, along with fascinating anecdotes about Andy's musical journey, from his first drum set at 16 to his current iconic career. And let's...

Come along on a captivating journey through the annals of the iconic Pink Building, the Edgewater Beach Apartments Corporation, as we sit down with John Plamondon, its treasurer, and a finance professor at DePaul. This episode unveils the charm, history, and recent renovations of this architectural marvel, once a grand hotel complex, and now a flourishing co-op community. Whether you're a rea...

In this episode of Records and Real Estate Karen and Andrew interview the incomparable Tommy Choi Co-Founder of the Weinberg Choi Team and one of the owners of Keller Williams ONE. Tommy is a huge Pearl Jam fan, a lifelong Chicagoan, and is a source of inspiration for many young Realtors and entrepreneurs. Tommy tells an impeccable story. He also is a man of integrity. One story he tells is how he...

Our conversation with bass/guitar/bass 6 player for The Claudettes is a musically focused episode that dives deep into the Chicago music scene and specifically the scene in and around Lakeview. Zachariah James Verdoorn talks about the punk scene where he grew up in South Dakota. How seeing Prince and moving to Minnesota changed his life and may have even saved his life. And about his relationship...

On this episode of Records and Real Estate Karen and Andrew sit down with Libby York who discusses her career as a Jazz Singer, being a restaurateur and an historic home owner. Come join us for the next hour as we slowly have epiphanies about music and real estate and family history! We promise not to sucker punch you! Bullet Notes: Libby York is a jazz singer and a restaurateur and a 40 year resi...

We’re speaking with the wonderfully well-connected and knowledgeable Mike LeMaistre of Jam Productions. Jam is a 50-year-old company that was born out of promoting small concerts in Chicago, and it’s still a big part of what Jam does today. Having been a talent buyer, Mike’s worked at Jam for 26 years, which plays into his viability as a mortgage recipient when he bought his current home in Morton...

We’re speaking with Ron and John, the owners of Orbit Records. They started their online record store before online stores were even a thing! What started as a hobby has evolved into a unique endeavor that stayed afloat (and thrived) during the pandemic. Ron and John mention how they met and their close family ties. Ron shares his love for jazz, blues, and playing the piano. John tells us why 78 v...

It’s not often that you go to the bathroom and come back to a different persona! Well, that’s just what happened to David Fisher at a gig one night. He left the stage "David" and came back to it as D.Fish! And is still D.Fish to this day 20 years later. Topics in this episode range from selling to toddlers to the coaching process for new salespersons to gender politics to downtempo heroe...

Grant McKee was looking for something to do with his money and decided to light it on fire. That’s a paraphrase for what he actually says, but here we are nine years later and he and his wife, Jennifer McKee, are still at it and open. They are part of the reason that Avondale is so cool! 16th coolest neighborhood in the world! Where does the name come from? Well, Grant does not really know, but th...

When you have been around the Chicago music scene as a musician and bartender as much as Barry Brown, you tend to gain some stories throughout the years. Well, a few of those are on display in this episode of Records and Real Estate. With a focus on Jambands, Lincoln Park, and charitable giving, this chat, which took place on a porch on a 60 degree late October day, is bound to have something to w...

From humble beginnings as a folding table under a tree at Lollapalooza, electronica has hit the mainstream. Our guest today, Marc Cervantes (real estate attorney extraordinaire), has seen the genre explode like a laser and confetti fueled drop at a sold out United Center show. Top DJ’s today make $60M a year and would not be if it weren’t for the efforts of Frankie Knuckles and the Detroit creator...

Karen and Andrew sit down with the one and only, Brian Biancardi. Topics of conversations include go to albums after a long hard day. Country music, yay or nay. Rooting for the villain. And many others! We talk about origin stories of all the friendships. We of course have our regular segments, which includes a “why” question for Brian. We are honored to have him as our guest. Listen in... Bullet...