Deep Dark Tunnel: Recent Episodes
Sage Gillespie
Of the underground and emerging local scenes. You’re invited to the Tunnel to hang out with our artists as we listen to and discuss their latest tracks. We are the only college radio station to play Yabujin. Find us on WCRX 88.1 FM Chicago weekly on Thursdays from 7-9 PM!
Ayooooooooo New Yooooooorrrkkkk! Today we're one on one with the goat and one half of The Only Podcast That Matters™, Lawrence Schlossman of Throwing Fits. We get to talking about their recent migration to Substack, writing newsletters in a post-blog-era America, critiquing movies on "the Box", and making money moves in Europe. Shoutout to the Throwgang!
OOH OOH! We got a quick one from the archives just in time for Lollapalooza - I got to chat with Ian from Militarie Gun about their set at Coachella, one-man band demos, hitting Europe in style, and new music on the way. Much love!!!
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: May 17th, 2024 😎
When goats collide... we're back and we're talking to designer and online personality Ryan Dwinnells. We talk about his brand, Eastern Western, modern Americana icon John Hamm, Boston cultural exports, and the art of the YouTuber cadence.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We recorded this April 23, prior to further developments in the Drake v. Kendrick beef 🥩
benten
Hello beautiful world. In our first in person episode in like forever, we’re chatting with Chicago singer/songwriter, benten. We talk about our morning diets, double fisting donuts, hitting the road with Mickey Darling, surrounding yourself with good folk, and mid Quentin Tarantino movies.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram Ben Ironside (@benironside) • Instagram photos and videos
Karsten Runquist
Shoutout all my film bros - we’re in the lab with filmmaker and commentator, Karsten Runquist. We talk about his longevity on YouTube, his favorite theaters in Chicago, his residency on Beloved Radio, and we shoutout everybody in existence.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram karsten runquist (@karstenrunquist) • Instagram photos and videos
Jack Wagner
Two episodes, one day, you KNOW I’m on that editing grind. Today we’re talking with podcaster and filmmaker, Jack Wagner. Jack hosts a podcast called “Otherworld” in which real people tell real stories of the paranormal or unexplainable. It’s super spooky vibes you gotta listen to it with the lights on. We talk about how to spot a fake haunted house, hardcore, AMC seniority, and Deezer. Jack also studied film at Columbia College Chicago so we’re BASICALLY boys now.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram Otherworld (@otherworldpod) • Instagram photos and videos
Coco Bryce
Sorry for the delay… was too busy blasting jungle chunes. We’re peeping game and locking in with producer and DJ, Coco Bryce. We spend the whole episode soaking up knowledge and talking about Skweee, Snoopy, dubplates, and of course, how massive jungle is. Alex is here too and asks some questions I guess.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
Chanel Beads
Went too hard and had to take a week off but we’re BACK with New York-based musician Chanel Beads. We chat about his upcoming debut album, signing to Jagjaguwar, collabing as a dictator, and Colorado v. Montana beef.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram chanel (@chanel_beads) • Instagram photos and videos
Podcast About List
Linked with the GOATs and now we’re a comedy podcast. This week we chatted with Cameron, Caleb, and Patrick from Podcast About List. We talk about their upcoming sketch tour, “World’s Biggest Army”, our favorite kind of hats, sham film jobs, and Marc Normand’s whereabouts. Make sure to catch them at Schubas on April 2nd!
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
grace bloom
In the stu with the GOAT! We’re talking with Chicago singer-songwriter, grace bloom. Along with promoting their new single, “cautious optimism”, along with Chicago artist, Adelaide, we talk about the best food spots near Chi-town venues, and DIY dos and don'ts. TAP IN!!!
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram grace bloom (@graceblooom) • Instagram photos and videos
Niontay
Yooooooooooo - we’re back talking to rapper and producer Niontay. We wish him a happy belated birthday and talk about being anti-cake, his upcoming nationwide tour with MIKE, 454, and El Cousteau, his EPs releases of 2023, shooting music videos on boats, and celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop by cooking up in the stu.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram Niontay (@sexafterchurch) • Instagram photos and videos
gum.mp3
Two weeks in a row let’s see if we can keep this up! In this episode, we chat with artist, DJ, and Eldia member gum.mp3 (that’s 3/3). We chat about his upcoming album, Black Life, Red Planet, his upcoming show at Schuba’s, the ethics of your vinyl, and what it’s like to have your song play in Switzerland.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram Gumskiiii (@gum.mp3) • Instagram photos and videos
JEWELSSEA
TWENTY TWENTY FOUR SEES TUNNEL GALORE! On the first episode of the new year, we chat with Philadelphia artist and DJ, JEWELSSEA. We talk about the release of her debut album, culminations vs. combinations (Drake voice), Philly’s impact, and the CVS Snoopy plushie.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram 𝐉𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐒𝕊𝐄𝐀 (@jewelssea) • Instagram photos and videos
Ted Kamal
Seasons greetings! We sit down with New York-based artist and DJ Ted Kamal to chat about his latest project Rhythm Heaven, touring with Pink Siifu, the commercialization of lo-fi beats, and his upcoming work.
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
Wow! Time really does fly. Welcome back to the season three premiere of Deep Dark Tunnel! Welcoming us back we sit down with NYC drill pioneer POLO PERKS <3 <3 <3. We talk about being on tour with glaive and Oso Oso, his favorite Connecticut hotspots, the story behind the samples, and his Harold’s order. You can catch him at the Metro on August 18th (the day this comes out).
GRIDLIFE Festival is returning for its tenth year at GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan. Gridlife Midwest is a three day festival featuring, racing, music, camping and more. Join Deep Dark Tunnel admin Molly Tramell and Chris Stewart as they have a conversation about what this year at Gridlife will entail.
Episode 7: Hotline TNT
One of our favorite shows so far, this episode Sage chats with Hotline TNT fresh off their Chicago performance at Beat Kitchen. We talk about touring during the winter, keeping a foot in hardcore, and Nu Metal. We LOVE Nu Metal!!!
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram Hotline TNT (@hotlinetnt) • Instagram photos and videos
Episode 6: William Crooks
Confirmed episode numero six! Molly and Sage crawl down the depths of the tunnel to talk with clip god William Crooks about being secure in your own music, his love for botany, computer malfunctions, and many more!
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
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View this profile on Instagram william crooks (@willycrooks) • Instagram photos and videos
Episode 5: Michael Rasmussen
Crawl down the tunnel with Sage and guest Michael in episode 5 of Deep Dark Tunnel! Michael is the frontman of Chicago-based hardcore band Instill as well as drummer for hardcore band Buggin also based in Chicago. We chat about the genre’s cultural shift, Chicago’s scene, funny band lineups, and the inception of his band Instill. Be sure to check out Michael and Buggin on February 17th at Lincoln Hall opening up for RXK Nephew along with Dj Taye!
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
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Episode 4: Mole / Alex
Whoop whoop whoop! This is a very special episode of DDT where Sage chats with dear friend Mole AKA Mole Hole FKA Bimmer Boy AKA Alex. We chat about dub sirens, spinbacks, the max amount you can b2b, and other dumb stuff. Fun show!
Fall down the Tunnel… Listen below!
View this profile on Instagram Alex (@m_oole) • Instagram photos and videos
In episode three, follow Sage down the tunnel to chat with producer, DJ, and online personality Downhill2k01. We talk about everything from their presence on TikTok, personal evolution in their music, getting featured on NTS, and the ethics of Googling yourself.
Woah… we’re back for season 2! For our season premiere, we sit down with Connecticut emo band Anxious to talk about their debut album Little Green House, tour life on the road, performing post-pandemic, and our affinity for Family Guy. You can catch them this fall opening for a nationwide tour with Oso Oso, and find their album Little Green House wherever you stream music!
Welcome to episode 27 of the deepest, darkest, dankest tunnel in the underground… join us with leader of the new NYC garage movement, Swami Sound as we walk through their creative process and musical journey !!!
Woah… episode 26. This week we chat with Chicago/New York rapper and producer Chase Alex along with DJ and engineer DAGZ. We talk about manifesting your goals, how Chase met his long list of coveted collaborators and sticking out in the scene. Stay tuned next week for our interview with NYC Garage godfather Swami Sound and don’t get lost on the way out!
In episode 25 of Deep Dark Tunnel we talk to Atlanta Producer and DJ Popstar Benny*. We chat about kicking it in Houston, why heartbreak makes for bad songwriting, his label Popstar FM, and creating soundscapes for Rod Wave.
Join us in the Tunnel for an exclusive Tunnel mix from Alejandro Marenco, a Chicago based DJ and artist. In the Tunnel, we expand on different types of rhythms themes and sound design found in their music.
Whoa… is this the real Molly Tramell?? Or is this an imposter… On this episode, “Molly Tramell” guilds NO HARM through the Tunnel, follow us as we discuss inspiration as well as creative vacuums, the creative process and other NO HARM things…
Fall down the Tunnel with Sage and Dazegxd… this weeks discussion revolves around Dazegxd’s work flow, collabs, their compilation album Daze’s Game 3, and future planz! Find out what Daze’s fav party song is… fall into the Tunnel….
The most cursed episode in the Tunnel yet…this is Deep Dark Tunnel episode 21!! We’re back in the Tunnel with Prxybb, an artist/producer/father figure who makes fire electronic music. Prxybb is inspired by using super cool coding hacks to pirate audio and their friends and community whom all make a lil cameo in the Tunnel… don't get lost down below….
Welcome back to the deepest and darkest of tunnels…we are joined with professional tunnel hunter Sage Gillespie as Charley is lured into the depths of our subterranean caverns… Join us for a discussion with two modern digital audio enjoyers and niche radio junkies about Charley and their music!!!
Is it just me, or are these roman numerals getting cooler… This week we are joined by SOHMI, a minimalist Techno artist combining attributes from pop and r&b who is also a touring DJ! Follow us through the Tunnel as we discuss the themes of storytelling as a DJ, as well as SOHMI’s classical background and passion for community!
This week we speak will Kees Austin in Episode XVIII of Deep Dark Tunnel! Kees is a producer focusing in UK Garage, Breakbeat, House, and other cool sub genres in the electronic field. We talk about what it means to be an independent artist, making work under different names, and how cool British post-punk is.
This week we are joined in the Tunnel by Myd! the French artist/producer/DJ and member of the acclaimed French dance music label Ed Banger Records… and also has a song with Mac Demarco heheh. Myd delivers an interesting perspective on French and American club culture, collaboration, and the music industry. What did Myd eat for dinner you may ask? Find out in Episode XVII in the Tunnel.
Anotha exciting episode in the Deep Dark Tunnel… this week we introduce our new co-host Sage!! We invited Jason (AKA Medicus AKA tvlk beats) to the depths of the Tunnel to discuss the future of the music industry in regards to decentralized streaming platforms, crypto currency and current trends.
Brrrrr!!! It’s cold down here…Congratulations, you have stumbled upon Episode XV of Deep Dark Tunnel Diaries! I’m Molly Tramell, and I’m here to guide you through our subterranean caverns. I have invited Oberry and Pict0chat to have a discussion centered around the influences that drive their artistry in creating Hyperpop, and also how the aesthetic themes of nostalgia play into their realms.
Welcome back to the tunnel! I am Molly Tramell and I hold no physical existence! This week, DJ Sevenheavens7777777 fell down the Tunnel to discuss innovative methods of performance such as virtual stages, hybrid shows and broadcasts. Also encompassed is the ever persisting theme of escapism which is prevalent within the work of emerging artists in the underground scene.
Exploring beneath the depth of the tunnels, Molly Tramell invites Chicago based artist Oh What Color to the catacombs. While exploring Oh What Color’s newest EP “Sound Collage”, The discussion deepens as themes of sound collaging and making significance out of mundane moments are unravelled.
Deep Dark Tunnel wishes you a Happy New Year! This week we bring in the New Year by remembering our past. We’re giving tribute to Sage/ Sumothemechanic, Danny & Odder, and Yung Leo for making art we love.
Echoing through the Tunnels are sounds of the ruins from modern civilization. This week, we invited cyberpunk-inspired artist the Quazi Dead to discuss their track “ROLLINGTHUNDER” off of their newest project “DEATHSTAR”. The Quazi dead elaborates on the existing lore beneath the single, as well as the technical aspects behind its creation.
Below the city lies a labyrinth of ancient tunnels… this week, we feature Chicago-based artist Yung Leo and his newest single “Waste My Time w/ U”. Descending into the hyperpop umbrella yet again, we discuss more microgenres such as Ethereal Trap and Plugg. Yung Leo describes his ideal aesthetic and captures the beauty behind the multi-media-based realm they’ve created.
Your Personal Tunnel Guild Molly Tramell invites Heily B to the Tunnel to talk about Heily B’s career journey, internships, and current occupations as a producer and DJ. Navigating through today’s climate as a mix engineer, Heily B gives insight and advice on how to further your network and skills.
Sometimes the light at the end of the Tunnel is actually a train.... This week we premiered SATVRNXX’s song “Cry” and discussed the story behind the track, as well as her journey in New York over the summer of 2021. We also dive into more micro-genres in the underground community such as witch house and dark wave.
Where are we…? Lurking down in the Tunnel are collaborators Danny and Odder, as we discuss the dynamic of how their songs such are produced and characterized. This week’s featured song “Match Made in Heaven” is off of their new album “What We’re All Going Through”. Along with their audio, comes visual themes and concepts which are elaborated on further.
The discussion of micro-genres which exist in the underground world surrounding Soundcloud are explored deeper; as further understandings of “Hyperpop” and the neighboring communities such as “Scenecore” are developed. This week, “ur my drug i luv u” by Pixel Hood (Ft. ronin, Hoshie Star) is played.
This week in the tunnel we have a conversation with Grant Sharp about their newest single “Gwen’s Song” as well as the emergence of new genres in pop music, community, aesthetics and Gwen Stafani.
Join us in the tunnel for our halloween special, featuring the producer Sage who also goes by Sumothemechanic. This week we play three songs off of Sage’s new mixtape “the photo is unknown” and discuss its themes such as the integration of AI in aesthetics, the genre hyperpop, and sampling techniques.
Whoa… It’s dark down here! We’re back in the tunnels with dark electronic pop artist Azurae, as we discuss the inspiration behind their newest single “Electric Bones”, which was featured on the most recent compilation album from the network Ascend To the 7th Layer.
Ambient electronic artist Juno2002 crawls down the sewer valve to join us in our first installment of Deep Dark Tunnel “Diaries”. Join us in our discussion as we listen and to a track from Juno’s collective 3vibeskeeters’s new mixtape “Transmissions from 3vibeskeeters”.