There are currently 1118 performances in our database. Go ahead and search through the famous, not-so-famous, and yet-to-be-famous artists that have passed through the Airplay studios. You can also browse a complete list of old performances HERE. And if you missed it the first time, you can request any set to be replayed over the air!

Performances 1-100 (of 1118)
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Jason Seed Elixir Ensemble Saturday, May 03, 2008 Composer Jason Seed on guitar and vocals alongside members of the Chicago and Milwaukee Symphonies and jazz musicians in a rock(ish) kind of thing. Their last album, Where the Corners Meet, was awarded Jam album of the year by the Independent Music Awards and their upcoming album, Three, will be released in June. An incarnation of their large, ever-rotating lineup will perform with former Airplay guest The Gentlemen of NUCO at MCR on the campus of Northwestern University on Saturday, May 3.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Ari Hest Saturday, April 26, 2008

New York based singer-songwriter Ari Hest recently defied all conventional reasoning about the preferred path taken by artists-in-the-spotlight by breaking ties with his former major label Columbia and independently venturing onto the web to bring his music directly to the people. In his online subscription-based music series called '52', Ari Hest will be releasing 1 song each week this year. Right now, he's at 16.... Not unlike the music-loving patrons of the days of old, you can support Ari in his now-independent quest by simply visiting him on the internets.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128k)

The Frame Quartet Saturday, April 19, 2008

Live performance plus special in-depth discussion from this quartet of Chicago luminaries. With Ken Vandermark on sax and clarinet, Fred-Lonberg Holm on cello, Nate McBride on bass, and Tim Daisy rounding out the quartet on percussion, this collabo is sure to produce its fair share of "ooohs" and "aaahs" from listeners of the jazz and improv.

In addition to the live performance (which is what you've come to expect from the Airplay Show we hope) you'll also hear Ken and the band discuss in detail the compositional and performance techniques employed throughout the two pieces. They walked us through each composition, "playing segments of music, then showing how they function when incorporated into the fabric of a complete performance," to quote Ken himself. A very unique session indeed.

Engineers: Mike Corsa and Lucas Segall

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MP3 (128K)
Nick Shillace & Eric Carbonara Friday, April 18, 2008

Nick is from Detroit and Eric is from Eastern PA and they both play solo acoustic guitar, but their styles are very unique to each musician. Both of these guys have been on Airplay in the past, but this is the first time they came in together. We've known Nick for his deceptively complex American Primitive finger-style guitar playing. Eric sometimes stretches the boundaries to incorporate latin and raga-style guitar playing too (and for some projects, he stretches the boundaries to the extremes...) This set has both musicians face-to-face, playing solo back and forth, duking it out. If this were a Western, we'd all be running for cover. These guys are both really cool and we owe them a lot for continuing to share their music with us over the years.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
bastardgeist Thursday, April 17, 2008 Before he performed on-air, we were dumbfounded by how Bastardgeist produced his strange, polyrhythmic experiments. We know now, they're due in no small part to a traditional kalimba and his own, unique ethereal voice. This set also features Sam from one of Airplay's favorite bands, Volcano! playing percussion. The result is futuristic and tribal at the same time, a lost project by Moondog perhaps, or the way the Dirty Projectors would sound if they powered down and rid themselves of all the non-essentials. It's was a short set, but odd and engaging, and one of our recent favs.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
The Saturday Nights Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Chicago indie rock band who just released their sophomore record, Goodnight Magic Fingers after 2 years in the works. Album reviewer Brad Robb says, "Goodnight Magic Fingers is as cerebral as it is sonically dense. If Nabokov swapped literature for modern indie rock, his name would be the Saturday Nights."

Engineer: Lucas Segall

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MP3 (128K)
Jason Steele Ensemble Saturday, March 29, 2008 Their second appearance on the Airplay Show. Jazz guitarist and composer Jason Steele impressed us with his intricate, well-conceived debut album last year called "Some Wonderful Moment", with its interwoven and returning themes and thoughtful juxtaposition of moods, styles, and instrument combinations. Steele was joined in this set by frequent Airplay performer Matthew Golombisky on bass along with Charles Rumback (drums) and Charles Gorzynski (sax) who recently appeared on Airplay as the duo Colorlist.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Nathan Xander Friday, March 28, 2008 Like his recent mini-album, Swiftly, Surely, this set is suffused with bright harmonica bursts and shadowy, difficult lyrics. It serves as both a reverent nod to Xander’s influences and a window into his own individualism. This is a delicate balance; many a young songwriter apes his predecessors at the cost of ingenuity, and perhaps even more plunge into the waters with little knowledge of the debt they owe to their forebears. Xander walks the line ably, dancing (slowly) with the past but moving (surely) toward the future. [excerpt from C. T. Heaney's review of Swiftly, Sureley. Read the whole thing here.]

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Squid Fist Saturday, March 22, 2008 Experimental Minneapolis trio that we compared to an improvised explosive device when they debuted on Airplay back in June of ’07. There’s no doubt that noise-improv group Squid Fist remains one of the most unpredictable and uncompromisingly aggressive bands we’ve heard in a long time.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Pillars & Tongues Friday, March 21, 2008 Chicago trio featuring members of the now disbanded ensemble Static Films whose multi-layered and spontaneously composed chamber music results in a haunting minimalism that reminds us of fellow Chicagoans like Tiny Hairs and Town and Country. Pillars and Tongue’s hushed, elongated pieces are absent of traditional beginnings and endings allowing the listener to focus on the beautiful ambiance and textured ebb and flow of each passage.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Paul Giallorenzo / Brian Labycz / Marc Riordan Sunday, March 16, 2008 Electro-acoustic trio from Chicago with Labycz on electronics, Riordan on drums, and Giallorenzo on synthesizer and electronics. At times, the sound of Riordan’s percussion became the source for Labycz’s reprocessed, remixed digital output. The result was a dynamic and often dense improvisation that completely deconstructed what little boundaries there were between the acoustic and electronic instrumentation. Each of these musicians plays regularly in Chicago.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Rock Falls Saturday, March 15, 2008 Subdued folk songs from singer-songwriter Annie Reese backed up by Dan Schneider and Gary Pyskacek (of Pedal Steel Transmission and Hummingbiird, two former Airplay guests.) Reese’s soulful, melancholic vocals compliment beautifully their minimal finger-picking accompaniment in the American primitive vein using ukulele, baritone guitar, and banjo.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
The Moshier-Lebrun Collective Saturday, March 08, 2008 Chicago-based quartet with Josh Moshier (p), Mike Lebrun (ts), Robert Meier (b), and Hans Moscicke (d) conceived in early 2007 that plays a blend of straight ahead and adventurous jazz. Their first recording, Mr. H Junior, showcases new compositions by Josh Moshier and Mike Lebrun and you can get it on CD Baby.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Rempis Percussion Quartet Monday, March 03, 2008 After last year's highly praised Rip Tear Crunch, Dave Rempis and his dual-percussionist quartet had set the bar extremely high, churning out an emotionally charged level of intensity that caught the ear of critics and fans alike. One year later, Hunter-Gathers, part of 482 Music's Document Chicago series, has proven that the Rempis Percussion Quartet is one of the most "now" groups in the scene today; they have recaptured the energy from their debut release and built upon it in a masterful 2 disc set of live music. Somewhere between the biting fury of Peter Brotzmann and the complexly swinging style of Fred Anderson, Dave Rempis has established a unique and versatile voice, that, when backed with an unprecedented set of chops, has produced some of the most satisfying playing in the genre today. Frank Rosaly and Tim Daisy are a tour-de-force, bringing soul-gripping rhythm and power and an intangible sense of cohesion. Hunter-Gatherers is one of free jazz's most shining accomplishment this year, from a band for whom the sky is the limit. - Mike Szajewski, WNUR Jazz

Engineers: Sam Wadsworth & Adam Clark

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MP3 (128K)
Tomorrow Music Orchestra Saturday, March 01, 2008 Full creative big band from Chicago returns for their 4th performance on the Airplay Show. When Airplay regular Matthew Golombisky first brought in the group about 2 years ago there were about 9 or 10 members. Since then, they've fluctuated in size (up to 20+ pieces) and fortunately our performance space grew to accommodate them. The Tomorrow Music Orchestra plays a kind of jazz rarely heard in these times when small combos are much more practical for an average venue. Their compositions are written by different members of the ensemble and range in style from heavy groove-based funk tunes to sweeping orchestral pieces. This performance featured a drummerless lineup with Golombisky playing bass and conducting.

Engineers: David Sumberg & Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Colorlist Friday, February 29, 2008 Chicago duo that synthesizes ambient, manipulated sounds with avant jazz. Colorlist features two former Airplay guests, Charles' Rumback and Gorzcynski whose duo performance on Airplay in the beginning of last year feels like it could have been the nascent beginnings of this group's relaxed, sublime sound. They've got a new album out called "Lists" on Belgian electro-acoustic label Off! Records.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
High End Trio Monday, February 25, 2008 Upbeat and funky Chicago non-trio (there were like 5 people in there...) that gives you a little bit of everything, from bebop to hip-hop, reggae and rock. Tight horn lines and high-energy solos give the High End Trio space to break out like a freewheeling jamband and bring it all back with James Brown precision.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Ken Vandermark Saturday, February 23, 2008 Interview with this internationally known and respected multi-reedist and Chicago music luminary, recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship "genius grant" in 1999, the focus of a recent documentary film, presenter/organizer of area concerts, and leader of innumerable ensembles including The Vandermark 5, Powerhouse Sound, and The Territory Band, to name just a few. Ken Vandermark is at the forefront of jazz and improvised music. This interview took place during WNUR's annual Phoneathon fundraiser, so that's why we keep asking for money. The chat was very interesting though, and Ken expounded on a number of topics including his recent and upcoming projects and the challenges facing improvised music today.

Interviewers: Mike Corsa, Adam Clark, Michael Szajewski

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MP3 (128K)
Undertow Wednesday, February 20, 2008 Anything-goes Chicago trio featuring Michael Baker (bs, pno), Josh Beatty (ts, as, ss), and Henry Mayer (prc) that stretches the boundaries of jazz into skronky, atonal free improv, but also heavy groove-based jams. This performance was recorded live on the WNUR Jazz Show.

Engineer: Sam Wadsworth

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MP3 (128K)
Shooting Spires Sunday, February 17, 2008 Side-project of Parts & Labor's bassist/vocalist BJ Warshaw from Brooklyn that's got him working his magic on loopy, oscillating electronics, while his band catapults each and every song into a burst of pure sonic energy. Soaring choruses juxtaposed with short, crunchy noise explosions make Shooting Spires' live show a special treat. Check out their new self-titled disc on P&L's Cardboard Records.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
A Tundra Friday, February 15, 2008 Chicago band returns to Airplay after about two years. A little prog, a little math--rock to keep you honest plus short bursts of glorious mayhem. We like their new album a lot, "Man or Woman, Laughing or Crying" (Staticstation) with its unique primal quirkiness.

Engineer: Ann Jaworski

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MP3 (128K)
Kinetic Stereokids Thursday, February 14, 2008 Up and coming band and from Flint, MI that now also calls Chicago home. They create dark, hypnotic indie-pop with hiphop beats and ambient soundscapes. This live set is more rockin' than some of the studio tracks from their Basement Kids album, but we attribute that to the afterhours (it happened in the wee hours Thursday morning...)

Engineers: Trevor Ewen & Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
San Agustin Saturday, February 02, 2008 Incredible, improvising, instrumental rock trio originally from Atlanta made their Chicago debut after more than 10 years in existence. First stop, WNUR. This is a great set.

Engineer: Lucas Segall

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MP3 (128K)
Ra Ra Riot Friday, February 01, 2008 On the rise 6-piece chamber/indie-rock band from Syracuse, NY who played on-air right before playing a SOLD OUT show Schubas. And if they hadn't come here, they'd still have a functional kick drum pedal...

Engineer: Christian Gero

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MP3 (128K)
Guy King Band Sunday, January 27, 2008 Former Willie Kent and the Gents guitarist who arrived with his accomplished blues quartet. This set is a masterfully diverse collection of blues tunes from upbeat, funky numbers, to the deepest, darkest blues grooves. Thanks to WNUR's Blues Show for setting this one up.

Engineer: Mike Corsa
Interviewer: Mike Baum

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MP3 (128K)
Glenn Bach Saturday, January 26, 2008 Laptop artist who relocated from Southern California to Milwaukee and now teaches sound art at UWM.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Glenn Bach & John Kannenberg Saturday, January 26, 2008 Ambient electronic composers from Chicago and Milwaukee respectively. Kannenberg, who runs Stasisfield.com, came in for a solo set a couple months prior, but this time came back with friends.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
JoAnne Pow!ers w/ Jaimie Branch & Marc Riordan Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Fierce and fiery free improv trio of JoAnne Pow!ers (sax) from Madison, WI with Jaimie Branch (trumpet) and Marc Riordan (drums) from Chicago.

Engineer: Sam Wadsworth

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MP3 (128K)
Organ Wolf Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Chicago rock band that plays organ-drenched jams that'll make you remember summertime. Their latest disc is called "I Didn't Come Here and I'm Not Leaving (So You Can Just Kiss My Ass That's What You Are)"

Engineers: Christian Gero and Ann Jaworski

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MP3 (128K)
Little Women Saturday, January 19, 2008 Brooklyn based jazz quartet that sounds like an unholy skronkfest. Scare your parents and put this on.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
The Cathy Santonies Saturday, January 19, 2008 Cocky, loud, girl-rock band from Chicago. Our studio was freezing that day, but they were troopers. Great set.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
All The Creatures Of The Sea Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Rocktronica duo from Chicago that plays quirky, danceable beats and groove.

Engineers: Mike Corsa & Ann Jaworski

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MP3 (128K)
Christy & Emily Friday, January 11, 2008 Wurlitzer-guitar duo from Brooklyn featuring Emily Manzo and Christine Edwards who play quirky, original indie-pop songs.

Engineer: Sam Wadsworth

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MP3 (128K)
Bailiff Friday, January 11, 2008 Three-piece Chicago band that pounded out a handful of seriously heavy blues-rock numbers.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Tim Daisy & Frank Rosaly Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Drums/percussion duo from Chicago who stretch the boundaries of improvised music. We believe the floor of our studio became one more instrument in their seemingly unlimited percussive arsenal. Tim and Frank play constantly here in Chicago in innumerable improvising ensembles. They make up half of the incredible Rempis Percussion Quartet.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
backGammon Saturday, December 15, 2007 Electro-acoustic improvising ensemble from chicago that'll make your left temporal lobe stage a coup d'état against the rest of you. It'll finally realize, you've been suppressing it for far too long.

Engineers: Mike Corsa & Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Darts & Arrows Saturday, December 15, 2007 Genre-busting chicago quintet that takes folk/pop instrumentals and turns them into improvised explorations

Engineers: Trevor Ewen & Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Helen Money Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Founding member of chicago rock band Verbow who makes hypnotic, distorted rock music by sending a solo cello through fx and a guitar amp.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Haptic Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Laptop/electronics trio from Chicago (featuring Adam Sonderberg, Steven Hess, and Joseph Mills) brought with them special guest Salvatore Dellaria for an epic rumbling sonic exploration.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
D Numbers Saturday, December 08, 2007 Santa Fe band uses sampling and looping of their instruments "on the fly" to create multilayered, electrifying instrumental soundscapes in real time.

Engineer: Lucas Segall

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MP3 (128K)
Mind Vs. Target Saturday, December 08, 2007 Jazz trio from Asheville, NC featuring Shane Perlowin on Guitar, Joseph Burkett on bass, and Michael Libramento on drums.

Engineer: Jenny An & Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Ernesto Diaz-Infante Sunday, December 02, 2007 San Francisco luminary who broke out a trance-inducing, minimalist performance on solo acoustic guitar. He also co-founded Pax Recordings.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
The Gentlemen of NUCO Saturday, December 01, 2007 Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra members perform Radiohead's "OK Computer" on strings and concert percussion.

Engineers: Mike Corsa & Adam Clark

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MP3 (128K)
Zing! Saturday, December 01, 2007 Distinctive "improv-meets-rock-meets-jazz" sound produced with all members experimenting with their natural acoustic sounds and the employment of pedals and electronics of various kinds.

Engineeer: Matt Mahon

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MP3 (128K)
Silences Sumire Saturday, December 01, 2007 IDM/electronica artist from Chicago that braved the Chicago Winter to play a performance on our studio floor.

Engineer: Matt Mahon

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MP3 (128K)
The Thing Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Free-jazz juggernaut featuring muscians from Norway/Sweden: Mats Gustafsson (reeds), Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (bass), & Paal Nilssen-Love (drums).

Engineer: Matt Mahon

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MP3 (128K)
John Kannenberg Tuesday, November 27, 2007 Minimalist electronic guru from Chicago. He serves as the designer, creator, and curator of netlabel stasisfield.com

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
The Life & Times Saturday, November 17, 2007 On two prior occasions these Kansas City rockers have graced our studios and we were very pleased to have them back. Featuring members of Shiner, Ring, and Cicada, their lush, driving alternative rock is engaging and fearless.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Mississippi Gabe Carter Saturday, November 17, 2007 Excellent solo performance from this local bluesman. Gravely voice and raw-to-the-bone guitar licks. It's safe to say this was our first guest booked based on YouTube videos alone.

Engineers: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Jimmy Bennington Friday, November 16, 2007 Second Airplay appearance for this area drummer. He was joined by Ben Boye on piano and Dan Thatcher on bass for this adventurous improvised set.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Mannequin Men Wednesday, November 14, 2007 All their gear just got stolen so everything they played with was backup/borrowed--the squeaky kick drum pedal was particularly quaint--but the whole thing fit very well with their set of upbeat, unpredictable and clever garage rock nuggets. In a time when lots of bands are being too serious and adding cellos or whatever, ManMen just want to rock out and kick ass. We approve 100%.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
The Safes Saturday, November 10, 2007 Chicago garage/power-pop trio comprised of brothers Frankie, Michael, and Patrick O'Malley. Soaked in the attitude of UK punk yet tempered by the charm of this downhome Midwest, The Safes' setlist was brimming with raw, bare-bones rock--songs that were upbeat, in your face, and uncomplicated, the way rock outta be.

Engineer: Matt Mahon & Sam Wadsworth

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MP3 (128K)
Sars Flannery Thursday, November 08, 2007 Evanstonian on the rise played solo on guitar and vocals. This set features a handful of originals plus a nice cover of Nico/Jackson Browne's "These Days".

Engineer: Sam Wadsworth & Matt Mahon

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MP3 (128K)
Broken Things Saturday, November 03, 2007 Chicago quartet led by guitarist Bill MacKay combines elements of jazz and rock music with downright hummable melodies to make songs that sound familiar even though you're hearing them for the very first time. MacKay's compositions are much more nuanced than your typical jamband.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Hope Littwin Saturday, October 27, 2007 Duo performance and interview with singer-songwriter and guitarist Hope Littwin who brought her friend Jenny to play string bass. Hope was on WNUR's Folk Show back in '05.

Engineers: Sam Wadsworth & Matt Mahon
Interviewer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
White Hot Knife Friday, October 26, 2007 Chicago rock quintet grinded out a hard-hitting set of polished, loud rock.

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
The Metapuffs Thursday, October 25, 2007 Garage/pop-punk band from Chicago that swaps lead singing responsibilities between male/female vocals. Melody-driven songs that still have a bite to them.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Mars Williams & Clifton Hyde Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Chicago's legendary reedsman Mars Williams teamed up for the first time with Brooklyn guitarist Clifton Hyde for an intense set of improvised music. The brutality of this performance made us wimper like little girls. This set kicked off the 2nd Annual chicago Calling Festival on Eric Rick's jazz show.

Engineer: Jack Novak

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MP3 (128K)
2nd Annual Chicago Calling Festival (first night) Wednesday, October 24, 2007 The performance WNUR presented as part of the 2nd Annual Chicago Calling Festival was a large, improvising ensemble with a dancer and special guests reading poetry. Performers included: Asimina Chremos, Ed Roberson, Mars Williams, Clifton Hyde, Jerome Bryerton, Jon Godston, Paul Hartsaw, Joel Wanek, Bill MacKay, Jayve Montgomery, Dan Godston, and more!

Engineer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Costa Music Monday, October 22, 2007 Very cool set from the brainchild of Joseph Costa who was a co-creator of another awesome Chicago band from the the early 00s, L'Altra. This set is lingering, mellow, and sublime.

Engineers: Mike Corsa & Jack Novak

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MP3 (128K)
Rudresh Mahanthappa Saturday, October 20, 2007 Interview with this Brooklyn jazz musician and saxophone phenom. Rudresh taught us a thing or two about number theory and cryptology and how he's basically smarter than any musician you've ever met.

Interviewer: Mike Corsa

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MP3 (128K)
Sea Wolf Saturday, October 20, 2007 Los Angeles rock band's leading member Alex Church brings rich, absorbing lyrics, subdued singing, and an old jangly guitar to his band's uncommon assortment of acoustic folk instrumentation, multi-layered, and blended thoughtfully.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
John Statz Friday, October 19, 2007 Acoustic solo set from Madison, WI songsmithy John Statz who was a sport and let us put him in our rink-a-dink interview studio to play and sing.

Engineer: Dillon Styke

David Singer Thursday, October 18, 2007 Chicago singer-songwriter David Singer brought his band in for a nice set of laid-back rock music.

Engineer: Matt Mahon

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MP3 (128K)
Thollem McDonas Friday, October 05, 2007 San Fran bay area luminary Thollem McDonas turned our old electric keyboard into a pile of rubble. Alright, we need a piano. Nice set, though.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Yea Big + Kid Static Tuesday, October 02, 2007 We asked them to "bring it" and . . . they brought it. In-your-face performance from Chicago hip-hop duo. F the CC.

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MP3 (128K)
Perry Robinson & Jimmy Bennington Friday, September 28, 2007 A demonstration of the purity of improvised music; two artists, uninterrupted and unrestrained, communicating on a level and in a manner that only the power of music can compel. Rare radio performance from legendary free jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson with backup on drums by Chicago drummer Jimmy Bennington.

Engineers: Trevor Ewen & Matt Mahon

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MP3 (128K)
Allos Musica Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Clarinetist James Falzone leads this eclectic trio which fuses Maqam and Arabic musical forms with jazz and improvised music. On percussion was former Vandermark 5 drummer Tim Mulvenna and rounding out the trio was Ronnie Malley on oud.

Engineer: Trevor Ewen

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MP3 (128K)
Tomorrow Music Orchestra Saturday, August 25, 2007 A unique Airplay event: a performance from the Tomorrow Music Orchestra led by bassist Matthew Golombisky. Our new digs made it possible for all 20+ musicians to comfortably fit in (and stretch out a little?) Great creative big band.

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MP3 (128K)
Scott Fields Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Patient, full of space and constantly developing. Great solo set from this improviser (loosely) based in Chicago. Thanks to the Jazz Show for making this one happen.

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MP3 (128K)
Leaves Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Fearless modern jazz with a foundation in deceptively intricate compositions. The performance featured special (and former Airplay Show) guest Jason Steele

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MP3 (128K)
Consortium Saturday, August 18, 2007 Chicago folk-rock band with a laid-back, intimate sound and story-like lyrics that pull you in

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MP3 (128K)
The Conformists Friday, August 17, 2007 Killer performance from this Illinois noise-rock band with mathy freak-outs that make you just wanna do something dangerous. Like climb a building or, you know, eat fire.

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MP3 (128K)
Soft Circle Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Brooklyn based one man band, Soft Circle, aka Hisham Akira Bharoocha, is a former member of Black Dice and Lightning Bolt. The percussion/electronics combination in this set leaves you helplessly entranced and enchanted.

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MP3 (128K)
High Places Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Chilled out avant-folk jams sometimes taking on a broken groove that sounds like jangly, multi-layered blip hop. Really great set. Thanks to Hisham for setting this up.

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MP3 (128K)
Bruxism Monday, August 13, 2007 An ethereal, electro-acoustic improvised set conjured by Carl Testa and Anne Rhodes. New Haven, CT musician Testa played bass, bass clarinet, and electronics and Anne Rhodes was on voice.

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MP3 (128K)
Baby Teeth Saturday, July 28, 2007 Abraham Levitan of chicago's Baby Teeth came by for a solo set. Soulful, harmonized vocalizations breaking out in supercatchy rock songs.

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MP3 (128K)
Zelienople w/ Grouper Saturday, July 28, 2007 Dense drones, minimal layered soundscapes, and hypnotic sheets of sound. This was a special first-time collabo between Chicago's Zelienople and Portland's Grouper.

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MP3 (128K)
Ashtray Boy Saturday, July 14, 2007 Ashtray Boy (from Australia and Chicago) have played on Airplay 7 times in 13 years--perhaps the only Airplay Show band to have played in three different WNUR studio locations. Ashtray Boy's sparse and reflective rock songs are very unique. Randall Lee is like some powerful Aussie mystic, his deep, haunting voice hypnotizing you immediately. This set seemed to remind everyone of the good ol' days.

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MP3 (128K)
Blink Monday, July 09, 2007 Blink is Jeff Greene (bass), Quin Kirchner (drums), Dave Miller (guitar), and Greg Ward (alto sax). Their pieces are composed as well as improvised and definitely take some cues from modern composition, rock, and even electronic music.

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MP3 (128K)
Squid Fist Saturday, June 30, 2007 The law of this Minneapolis noise-factory states that: All else equal, (Your_Radio) + (Squidfist_Performance) = (Sonic_IED).

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MP3 (128K)
The Armor Class Saturday, June 30, 2007 Members of this ambient-electronic group of Chicago are IDM warriors of the meta-dance school so show'em some respect. 'Sides, they've got a Dexterity of like 17, so don't mess with them.

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MP3 (128K)
Jim Elkington Thursday, June 28, 2007 Chicago guitarist-singer for the band The Zincs stopped by for a nice (and rare) solo/acoustic set.

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MP3 (128K)
Mike Tamburo Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Basically one of the hardest-working musician to cross our path. He makes epic droney/loopy/guitar-and-dulcimer pieces.

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MP3 (128K)
Jason Steele Ensemble Saturday, June 23, 2007 Satisfying an often lacking position in creative jazz music; their performance is totally accessible, but still manages to surprise you at every turn. Chicago based group.

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A Light Sleeper Saturday, June 23, 2007 This Chicago duo strips out all the nonsense and filler when they create their minimal rock jams, and like a 45 on 33, they play it out all slow-like. Second Airplay performance.

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MP3 (128K)
The Engines Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Four heavyweights of jazz and improvised music, each an irreplaceable asset to the Chicago jazz/improv community. It's no wonder that this collaboration results in a cosmic collision of ideas.

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MP3 (128K)
The Late Severa Wires Monday, June 18, 2007 Santa Fe group put together by the good folks down at High Mayhem pummeled our airwaves mercilessly for almost an hour.

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MP3 (128K)
Thollem McDonas Tuesday, June 12, 2007 San Fran bay area pianist steers his genre-mixing between mere casual dabbling and gratuitous hodge-podgery. The result is decidedly tough to pigeon-hole.

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MP3 (128K)
Black Bear Combo Friday, June 08, 2007 4-piece marching band that is sooo punk-rock. Funky, wild at times and deceptively complex. Plus, they play a mean supercharged Tango.

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MP3 (128K)
Awesome Color Saturday, June 02, 2007 Explosive, full-on rock music from this trio out of Brooklyn. Second appearance on Airplay.

Engineer: Matt Mahon

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Slink Moss Saturday, June 02, 2007 Filmmaker/ cartoonist/ singer-songwriter-drummer plays genuine pop Americana.

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Dark Fog Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Chicago psych-rock prophets escorted us to other planes of consciousness.
The New Ghosts Tuesday, May 15, 2007 Chicago band makes shimmering rock songs with an epic, orchestral quality.

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To Live and Shave in L.A. Thursday, May 10, 2007 Woah. TLASILA continues to amaze us by being some of the coolest, most cutting edge performers we've seen. Unusual, unstoppable, and totally indescribable. Last year's album, “Noon and Eternity” made top record of the year at WNUR.
The Wiitala Brothers Wednesday, May 02, 2007 Duo from Chicago played live instruments accompanied by pre-recorded ones for a nice set of folk-rock indiepop. And unlike most band names, this one actually describes the band. (They're brothers, get it?)

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Berry Tuesday, May 01, 2007 Greenville, IL indie-rock band plays a nice long set to support their new Empathy EP.

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Ettrick Monday, April 30, 2007 Ettrick is made up of two drummer/saxophonists which makes for a very cool improv dynamic. It was exciting having these guys back in after their album "Infinite Horned Abomination" made WNUR's #4 of '06. Intense, abrasive sax-skronk. On the abrasive scale going from Kenny G to Kaoru Abe they rank a solid Brotzmann (it's a weighted scale...)

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Retardos de la Mour Saturday, April 28, 2007 Raw-to-the-bone gay-slanted punk rock n roll band from Chicago graced our brand new performance studio for its first live set.

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Eric Carbonara Saturday, April 07, 2007 Eric came in with Mike Tamburo and to play live on Airplay but our new studio wasn't finished yet so they had to play in the interview booth. It was cool though; they were troopers. And the set turned out well. Eric played beautiful solo acoustic guitar--classical, world-influenced, and raga-style too. Nice.

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MP3 (128K)
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