Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine
Mike Stephen discusses the new study about Chicago’s garbage with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Brett Chase, explores a critique of CPD union leadership with Chicago Justice Project executive director Tracy Siska, and digs into the OTL archives to rediscover the Museum of Classic Chicago Television with founder Rick Klein. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin discuss calling alderpeople and extoll the virtues of pedicabs.
Mike Stephen talks with: DNAinfo Chicago City Hall reporter Heather Cherone about the Chicago bag tax and how it could cost the city millions; Batavia native Kevin Jakubowski about his new coming-of-age show Play by Play on the go90 platform; and Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about prolific session drummer Morris Jennings for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we discuss the fate of landline telephones in Illinois (as covered in OTL #555), tell the tale of Mike visiting his local park district pool, and peruse a WGN Radio producers’ manual circa 2001. This week’s local music is provided by Panda Riot. OTL host Mike Stephen studies up on his WGN Radio producers manual from 2001. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.
Mike Stephen talks with: Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce president Brian Nadig about the Vacancy Fraud Investigative Unit Act and how some Chicago landlords are exploiting a tax reduction for vacant buildings; It’s Filmed There website creator Chas Demster about researching and meticulously documenting television and movie filming locations around Chicago; and Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about early local hardcore band Savage Beliefs for this week’s “The Fall of Punk” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we share the feel-good story of Toons Bar & Grill recovering its beloved smoker Black Pearl! This week’s local music is provided by i.e. kokoro. OTL host Mike Stephen MCs New Year’s Eve from behind the bar at Toons Bar & Grill after chowing on some meat from the legendary Black Pearl smoker. [photo circa 2010-2011] To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.
Mike Stephen talks with: Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield about the Divvy bike sharing system investing in Chicago’s west and south sides via their Divvy for Everyone outreach effort; Batavia-born multimedia writer Kevin Jakubowski about creating the live-action Legendary Dudas television show for Nickelodeon; and Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about free jazz pioneer saxman Joe Daley for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we update OTL #503 with the news that the Chicago City Council ruled to protect our urban coyotes. This week’s local music is provided music provided by The Socialists. OTL host Mike Stephen warms up for OTL #510 in a seventh floor radio studio in the Tribune Tower. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.