OTL: Episode #452- A visit to Rebecca Zemans Jewelry Studio, Previewing the Chicago Scots’ Highland Games, and the Secret History of Chicago’s 90s rockers Green

Mike Stephen talks with:   Rebecca Zemans, owner/designer at Rebecca Zemans: Sculptural Designs in Jewelry studio, in Ravenswood;   Gus Noble, president of Chicago Scots, about the 29th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games in Itasca; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about alt-poppy almost-buzz band Green for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   This week’s local music is provided by Antony + the Tramps.   Outside the Loop host Mike Stephen III and his son Mike Stephen IV are suited up in their Blackhawks gear ready for Game 5!   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #451- Exploring analog photography in Wicker Park, Fighting airport noise pollution, A pet pig lives in Portage Park

Mike Stephen talks with:   Lomography Embassy Store & Emulsion Gallery Chicago owner Piper Robbins;   Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Coalition co-founder Jac Charlier about the ongoing fight against O’Hare noise pollution; and   Linus… the pet pig of Jennifer & Matt Folino in Portage Park!   This week’s local music is provided by Low Spark.   Linus the Pig and OTL host Mike Stephen get real.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.  

OTL: Episode #449- A conversation with the future of Chicago

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “future of Chicago” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen visits Chicago Vocational Career Academy in South Chicago and talks to three high school students about their views on life in Chicago and the city’s future.   Pierre Walton, Monique Covington, Shakayla Walker– Students at Chicago Vocational Career Academy This week we take the show on the road and visit Dave Stieber’s history classroom so we can talk about the future of Chicago with…the future of Chicago!   (L to R) Dave Stieber, Pierre Walton, Mike Stephen, Shakayla Walker, Monique Covington at the Chicago Vocational Career Academy.     OTL #449 local music provided by Deeper…

OTL: Episode #448- Hit Like a Girl drum contest, Chicago is taco heaven, The Secret History of Chicago Music: The Hounds

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “taco heaven” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen gets the story of one awesome local female drummer, discusses how Chicago is the best taco city in America, and learns about a 70s band from the south side: The Hounds.   Kaylee Preston– Local drummer and finalist in the Hit Like a Girl Contest We visit Kaylee in her practice space to get the story of how she was a finalist in a unique international drum contest.   Kaylee Preston on the drums.  Photo by Alen Kahn.   Jason Mathews– Writer, Playboy.com Recently Jason penned the article, The Windy City’s Top Taco Joints.  We catch up with Jason at a local taqueria to get his take on tacos in Chicago.    Jason Mathews after a taco dinner.   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles Chicago rockers, The Hounds, in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on their musical contribution to the region.       OTL #448 local music provided by Rabble Rabble…