Champaign Is Also A Band

Episode 78 - Alyssa Allen - ”Old Enough”

Sven chats with Alyssa about her song "Old Enough," after recording it in the studio.  Hear what makes a great music scene, her favorite CU venues, and a perfect local musician lineup.
SONG: Old Enough
ALBUM: Single
BANDS: Solo
Favorite Treat: Coffee Milk Tea with boba, from Bearology Baby Dills (Mt. Olive)
Cover photo by: Mayil  (https://www.instagram.com/hell_tek_productions/)
 

Episode 77 - Mina & Elliott of Long Birds - ”Driving to Rapid City”

Sven chats with Elliott and Mina of Long Birds about their song "Driving to Rapid City," finding the Easter egg in the music video, running the Birdhouse DIY house venue in Champaign, and maybe a few non-musical favorite things.
 
SONG: Driving to Rapid City
ALBUM: I Had A Dream I Was Skateboarding
BANDS: Elliott: Ghoul Jr.
Favorite Treat: Sprite/Orange Soda
Photo Credit:  Adrian Medriano

Episode 76 - Aaron Short of The Bashful Youngens - ”Tennessee”

Sven chats with Aaron Short of The Bashful Youngens about his song "Tennessee," meeting Carrie, the CU music Scene, and his favorite non-musical things.
SONG: Tennessee
ALBUM: Inflorescent 
BANDS: The Bashful Youngens
Favorite Treat: Bell’s Light Hearted Ale and Double Tree Hotel Chocolate Chip Cookie [Recipe]
Photo Credit:  Anna Longworth Photography

Episode 75 - Black Mage - Lexx Luthor vs. Black Mage

Find the November 27 Rap Battle and other battles here: http://bit.lyiBattleTV-BlackMageSven chats with Black Mage about rap battles, strategies, inspiration, roots of the name Black Mage, and his favorite non-musical things.
SONG: Lexx Luthor vs. Black Mage (November 27, 2021)
BANDS/Groups: Rogue Tendency
Favorite Treats: Squirt, Cranberry Juice, Butterscotch, and Hamburgers
 

Episode 74 - Jake Fava of Booth Blues - ”Father‘s Day”

Sven talks with Jake Fava of Booth Blues about his song "Father's Day," his favorite CU venue, making open mics happen over zoom, and his favorite non-"Musical" thing.  OPEN JAM happening every other Tuesday at the Canopy Club: https://www.facebook.com/events/250617263661984
SONG: Father’s Day
ALBUM: Something New (LP)
BANDS: Booth Blues, Anika Emily (EP39), The E Wing Brass Band
Favorite Treat: Snickerdoodles and Ginger Ale
 
 

Episode 73 - The Letter L Beats - ”Joey Beat”

Sven meets up with The Letter L Beats to chat about his beat "Joey," creating the "Illini Anthem," teaching folks how to make beats, and his favorite non-musical thing.  
SONG: Joey beat
BANDS: Jarrel Young (EP57), Yuneer Gainz, Greg Whiskey, Lil Doug
Favorite Treat: Hummus and Chips
Photo Credit:  Boots Howard
 
 

Episode 72 - Sunny Ture - ”Vacation”

Sven meets up with Sunny Ture in his Temple Studio to talk about his song "Vacation" off of the album "Hotline," the therapy that comes from creating, how the Push(soul) Collective began, and his favorite non-musical thing(s). 
SONG: Vacation
ALBUM: Hotline (Sunny Ture & Solomon Grunge) Released 4/15/21
BANDS: Push(soul) Hip Hop Collective, Colabs with Kelvah, Kivon Redd
Favorite Treat: Grippos, Bannana, Strawberry, Greek yogurt Smoothie
Photo Credit:  photo by Kivon Redd of Push(soul)

Bonus Episode 16: CU Jazz Fest

Sven sits down on the steps of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts to chat with Jennelle Orcherton, Artistic Director of the CU Jazz Festival.  (October 14th-17th, 2021) They talk about how the CU Jazz Fest, looking towards the future, and ideas about what makes a good musical community.  
Schedule: (https://cujazzfest.wixsite.com/cujazzfest)
Thur Oct 14- Opening Night Party @ 111 N. Broadway Ave, Urbana - 7:00 pm
Fri Oct 15  - Jeff Helgensen + Friends  @ Rose Bowl Tavern - 5:00 pm
                  - Andrey Goncalves Group | The Claudettes @ Rose Bowl Tavern - 7:30 pm (Ticket Link)
Sat Oct 16 - Blue Funk All Stars @ Rose Bowl Tavern - 1:00 pm
                 - HAT Trio @ Rose Bowl Tavern - 4:00PM
                 - Simply This Quintet @ First Presbyterian Church - 5:00 PM
                 - Jazz + Lit | Whitney Ashe @ The Literary Book Bar - 7:00 PM
Sun Oct 17 - Jazz Brunch w/ Matther Miller Duo @ Seven Saints - 11:30 PM (Ticket Link)
                   - Eric Devey Group @ Champaign Public Library - 1:00 PM
                   - U of I Concert Jazz Band @ Rose Bowl Tavern - 2:00 PM
                   - Iron Post Jazz Orchestra @ Rose Bowl Tavern - 6:00 PM

Episode 71 - Vincent Aguilar - Emma Lee

Sven chats with Vincent Aguilar over some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Diet Coke about his song "Emma Lee," running a DIY venue, why you need a corgi, and of course tattoos!
SONG: Emma Lee
ALBUM: Emma Lee b/w Later
BANDS: Urban Sprawl, The RISK, The Night Brigade, Vincent Aguilar (acoustic singer-songwriter/“folk-punk” project), Sweater Weather [IL], Horrible Things, Pressure Eyes, In Prose, Forced Isolation, Need, The Please and Thank Yous, The Valenteens, Earth Girls, Sword Swallower, Lagoon, Daisy Glaze, Dream Probe, No Masc, Power of Dusk
Favorite Treat: Diet Coke and Reese's Cups
See New Life Tattoos IG: https://www.instagram.com/newlifetattoos/
See Vincent's Tattoos: https://www.instagram.com/imperfectmedium/

Bonus Episode 15: The Rose Bowl Tavern

Sven chats with Charlie Harris, Co-Owner of the Rose Bowl Tavern on his porch on a warm August afternoon in Urbana.