Sessions from Studio A: Recent Episodes
Northern Public Radio
Sessions from Studio A is a local program dedicated to showcasing regional and touring musicians, featuring performances recorded in WNIJ's own Studio A in DeKalb and hosted by Spencer Tritt. Have a band you'd like to hear on Sessions from Studio A? Send us your suggestions: sessions@niu.edu
Singer-songwriter Eli Parker, from Rockford, joins us to play songs from his new EP Until the Last.
Singer-songwriter Mathew Ray Fichter joins us to play live in Studio A and talk about his music.
We talk with Chicago-based artist Ann Frances and hear songs recorded live in WNIJ's Studio A.
Musician, composer, and producer Artie Do Good stops by Studio A with his full band to play songs from his latest record SOCIALIST DANCE PARTY.
Singer-songwriter Chad Link stops by Studio A to play live and talk about his music and background.
A few weeks back, we invited WNIJ members to join us for the debut of our WNIJ Soundstage concert series. Hear the concert with Taboo Blah Blah and Silhouette recorded live at The Music Box in Rockford.
Just D.C and his band The Frontline join us to play songs from the new record Love Is Enough, Vol. 1.
Daisychain joins us in Studio A to perform live and talk with us about their new, upcoming album All in a Name.
Country artist Ryan Craig stops by Studio A to perform live and talk about his journey into songwriting.
Singer-songwriter Jenny Dee joins us for live performances and an interview in Studio A.
Singer-songwriter Andrew Marczak brings his love of folk and country music to the forefront with his new project, Orillia.
DeKalb math rock/punk band Coach joins us in Studio A to play live and talk about adding vocals and bass to their sound.
Tanner Dane stopped by WNIJ this week for our Studio A Cafe concert series. He's getting ready for the release of his new EP Cut Me Loose.
Them Coulee Boys are getting set to release their 6th studio album No Fun In The Chrysalis. The band stopped by Studio A to tell us about the record and play a few songs live.
Marty "Big Dog" Mercer stops by Studio A to play some new songs and we'll listen to his latest record Live at The Roxy.
The Weekend Run Club returns to Studio A with new music. Hear them perform songs from their latest album Liminal Space Race.
Hannah Sandoz creates expansive ambient atmospheres in Studio A using only their guitar and voice.
DeKalb metal band Mind Excavation joins us to play songs from their new record The Fisher King.
The God Awful Small Affairs join us for live recordings in Studio A and to talk with us about their music.
Celebrate the holiday season with us as Classical Blast returns to Studio A for a special episode.
Traveling troubadour and singer-songwriter Marques Morel returns to Studio A to play songs from his latest record Tales and Tellings.
Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Michael Charles joins us for live performances and an interview in Studio A.
Ope! This week we are joined by progressive rock band O.P.E. for live recordings and a talk with band members.
Rockford's Son of Janus joins us for live performances and will tell us the meaning behind some of their songs.
Gilded Cages join us to play songs from their new record Real and Human and talk with us about the album.
Nick Scarpinato joins us for a solo acoustic performance and we'll hear tracks from his full-band album, With Regards... from Far Away.
Join us as nicholas plays songs from his genre-defying debut album Heat Island Effect live in Studio A.
Smooth Rogers joins us to play songs from their new album Roger That! live in WNIJ's Studio A.
Rap artist and educator Mr. Pope joins us for uplifting music and conversation on this week's show.
Music and conversation with William Elliott Whitmore recorded live at Rockford's Anderson Japanese Gardens.
California bluegrass virtuosos perform songs from their new album City of Glass live at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford.
Micky Torpedo is back with Birdsongs Vol. 2: Sounds of the Bell Bowl Prairie, and we'll hear a special performance recorded live at Severson Dells Nature Center.
Join us for a special edition of Sessions from Studio A this week featuring students from Rockford's Rock and Roll Institute.
Kaleta & Super Yamba Band stop by Rockford's Anderson Japanese Gardens during their tour through the Midwest.
We catch up with guitarist Stefan Hillesheim and hear new songs performed live in Studio A.
Based just outside of Washington DC, singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd stopped by WNIJ's Studio A on her recent tour.
Aaron Williams returns to Studio A to perform live and talk with us about founding Homegrown Arts and Music Festival.
Join us for a performance from Isabel, Dreaming that blurs the lines between a live band and musical theater.
Multi-instrumentalist and producer Micky Torpedo is back in Studio A with his latest project, Birdsongs.
Kelly Steward stops by Studio A with her band, The Restless Kind, to play live and talk with us about opening a new music venue in Rockford.
Madame Reaper & The Gentlemen's Club brought the energy for their live set in Studio A.
We caught a solo set from Soren Staff of the band Them Coulee Boys recorded live at Pig Minds Brewing Co. in Machesney Park.
Anthony Padilla returns to Studio A along with Patrick Moynihan to play from his new record Wrestling With A Ghost live at Studio A Cafe.
Different cultures collide and blend seamlessly this week with a performance from Chicago Immigrant Orchestra.
Rockford Reader's Theatre performs She Speaks: Celebrating African-American Women Poets, Playwrights, and Pioneers.
Singer and multi-instrumentalist Jontan performs songs from his debut album The Orange Book.
Maiden King performs music from their new, debut record Who Else Were We Supposed to Become?
Singer-songwriter Gibby Toombs joins us in Studio A for original music and the stories behind the songs.
Jacques Saint-Cyr and Valerie Blair of Los Compadres del Tango perform live at a recent Studio A Cafe concert.
We caught a great live set from folk duo Goldpine recorded at The Treasury in Delavan, WI.
Chicago-based artist Liska blends pop, rock, and electronic music with her new EP It Girl.
Banda NIU joins us from across campus to perform in Studio A and talk with us about the group.
C3zr is a Chicago-based producer and keyboardist who blends flavors of electronica, RnB, and jazz.
Singer-songwriter Emily Hurd returns to Studio A to play in front of our Studio A Cafe audience.
We celebrate Public Radio Music Day by listening back to some of our favorite live recordings from the past year.
Spells and Curses from NYC stops by Studio A for a solo, acoustic set during their recent Midwest tour.
The Blueshift Big Band returns to Studio A to play a mix of originals, standards, and their unique arrangements of classic video game soundtracks.
TAE & The Neighborly join us for live performances and will tell us some of the stories behind their songs.
Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings join us for some real Chicago blues on this week's show.
We leave the studio for one last time this summer to catch Ordinary Elephant performing live at Severson Dells Nature Center.
We'll hear everything from Coltrane to Flying Lotus and Thundercat in this eclectic live performance from the Pat Leary Trio.
Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee Paul Filipowicz joins us to play songs from his latest record, Pier 43.
We conclude our summer series at Anderson Japanese Gardens with a great set from Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer, and also now of 10,000 Maniacs.
Join us for the music of singer-songwriter Joe Pug recorded live at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford.
Derek Luttrell & The Texas Chain Store Managers return to Rockford and our show with a great live performance at Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Spocket brought some great energy to the studio this week with their 80's windbreakers, shades, and the solo wheel.
We head to Rockford's Severson Dell's Nature Center for a concert from Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Arielle Silver.
Singer-songwriter Demi Clara from Plainfield joins us for live performances and conversation.
We pack up our gear and head to Anderson Japanese Gardens for a mind-blowing set from the Koch-Marshall Trio.
Slow things down this week with a chilled-out, ethereal performance from Bird x Butterfly.
Rami Atassi's Cosmic Dance Band brings their unique, psychedelic-infused jazz to the studio this week.
The Most Distant Object performs songs from their debut, self-titled record on this week's show.
Guitarist Bobby Broom and his quartet join us in Studio A to play songs from their new album Keyed Up.
Mana Kintorso returns to Studio A for a great live set including some new, unreleased songs.
Musician and educator Karim Nagi travels the world teaching about the values of Arabic music and culture.
Folk artist Joe Jencks performs live and talks with us about his Irish heritage on St. Patrick's Day edition of the show.
Rockford's Blind Panik joins us for live performances and conversation on this week's show.
Originally from Germany, Stefan Hillesheim's love of the blues recently brought him to Chicago.
IRIS is a new jazz quintet formed by students and alumni from Northern Illinois University's School of Music.
We kick off another year of Sessions from Studio A with a live performance from Red Scarves.
We close 2022 with a bang! Join us for unique Christmas songs with a twist performed live by Classical Blast.
Kenny & the Night Owls from Waterford, WI join us this week to play music from their debut album American Legion Days.
Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee Marty "Big Dog" Mercer joins us on this week's show
Mirabilia brings a visual experience to their live performance in Studio A and plays songs from their new record.
Celebrate Public Radio Music Day with a dive through the Sessions from Studio A archive.
Burr Oak joins us to play music from their debut record Late Bloomer and some new, unreleased songs.
We packed up our gear and left Studio A for a fantastic performance from The Claudettes at Mary's Place in Rockford.
We packed up our gear and left Studio A for a fantastic performance from The Claudettes at Mary's Place in Rockford.
Join us for fantastic songwriting and harmonies from Echo and Ransom on this week's show.
Join us for fantastic songwriting and harmonies from Echo and Ransom on this week's show.
Marques Morel returns to Studio A to play songs from his upcoming record Wind and Rain.
We're joined by rock band St. Marlboro this week for a high-energy live set in Studio A.
The Belle Weather create huge soundscapes with just three instruments on this week's show.
Indie rock band Así Así joins us this week to play songs from their new, upcoming album Mal De Otros.
Honey Cellar returns to our show with a new album, new lineup, and another great performance at Rockford's Prairie Street Brewing Co.
Cole DeGenova brings his neo-soul sound to Studio A with a great live performance this week.
BAJA brings their eclectic sound and their full horn section to Studio A on this week's show.
Chris Haise Band joins us this week to play songs off their brand new record Future, Future, Who Am I?
Sycamore's Jen Miller Music Collective brings their music to Studio A this week with a great live set and interview.
J.S. Mahlon stops by Studio A to tell us about his new album All Across Town and performs a stripped-down acoustic set.
Dirty Fishnet Stockings take us on a journey from the 1950's to the rockabilly revival of the 80's on this week's show.
The duo Coach blends math rock with their love of punk music for a great live set in Studio A.
Homefield is the brand new album from Thompson Springs out this week. We'll hear songs from that record performed live and talk with band members on this week's show.
Join us for a performance from The Morgan Turner Quartet as we conclude our series at the Fargo Venue in DeKalb.
We leave Studio A this week to check out the new Fargo Venue in DeKalb. Join us for a live performance from the trio Fern Teal.
Singer-songwriter Andrew Ryan joins us from St. Louis to perform live in Studio A and talk about his upcoming album A Tiny Death.
Guitarist Edgar de la Torre recently graduated from NIU's School of Music and this week he joins us for a great live performance and interview in Studio A.
Ben Mulwana is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Uganda and currently based in Wisconsin. Join us for his live performance and interview on this week's show.
Andrew Scott Denlinger brings his American Rock to WNIJ's Studio A with a great live performance
Joining us this week for their second time in Studio A is Fuzzlove. Their new, sophomore album Countless Wasted Days is out now streaming everywhere and available for purchase on Bandcamp. We'll hear songs from that record and some new tunes that the band recorded live in Studio A. The band will also tell us a little about the making of Countless Wasted Days. Spoiler alert: there were goat toenails involved.
We are joined by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Clark Kelly on this week's show. We'll hear his live set recorded in Studio A and talk with Kelly about his music, his time spent in Nashville, and about Heaven's Jukebox, a project where he composes personalized songs for weddings, birthdays, and other special events.
Amanee Avery, also known as Saxchick, is a jazz and R&B saxophonist from Rockford and she brings her smooth sounds to Studio A this week. She recently released her EP School's Out which you can find out now streaming everywhere. We'll hear those songs performed live and also talk with Amanee Avery about that EP, her background, and more on this week's show!
Blues royalty joins us in Studio A this week! Our special guest is The Cash Box Kings, who brought a mix of classic Chicago and delta blues with their live performance. The band's latest record Hails to the Kings! is out now streaming everywhere and you can find that record available on vinyl at Cashboxkings.com. We'll talk with bandleaders Joe Nosek and Oscar Wilson about their music, their backgrounds and more this hour.
Indie/Americana band The Midnight Purchase joins us on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A. Nominated for the "New Artist of the Year" award in Milwaukee in early 2020, the band was riding high but then had their world shifted by the pandemic. After finding inspiration while attending the Black Lives Matter protests, songwriter Orlando Peña assembled a new lineup and began writing some of the new songs we'll hear on this week's show. We'll also talk with members of The Midnight Purchase about their music, inspirations, and more.
Indie/Alternative band Mirabilia is our guest on this week's show! You wouldn't believe it from their set, but this is the band's first ever performance outside of the practice space. Mirabilia formed right at the start of the current pandemic, but has used the time to tighten their sound and record an EP. You can find that debut EP streaming everywhere now and keep an eye out for a new single "Kind Lion" coming from the band this weekend.
Join us this week for a mix of jazz standards and original compositions from the Addison Jordan Trio. These three musicians met while attending the Jazz Studies program at Northern Illinois University's School of Music. Our production intern Jared Ortega takes over as guest host for this week's show! Join him for an interview with members Addison Jordan, Chano Cruz, and Tyler Steege.
Singer-songwriter Marques Morel joins us for this week's show. Inspired by sounds from country, blues, and folk, as well as the spirit of the American west, his latest album is titled Trail of the Ghost. Hear songs from that album performed live and a talk with Marques Morel along with bassist Ben Johnson and mandolin player Tracy Fleck.
Joel Baer is a drummer and bandleader of the Blueshift Big Band based in Chicago, where they play music in the tradition of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Join us as the Joel Baer Trio brings the sound and energy of a full big band into Studio A with this performance. We'll also talk with members Matt Ulery, Carl Kennedy, and Joel Baer about their backgrounds and some of their many side-projects.
Mathew Ray Fichter brings his beautifully honest songwriting to Studio A this week. Join us for a live performance recorded in Studio A, with music from Fichter's solo record "Hell Camino" which is out now on Mostly Annoyed Records and also Bandcamp. We'll also talk with the singer-songwriter about his background and his songwriting, plus Dan Edmunds will tell us more about his label, Mostly Annoyed.
Join us for a live performance from singer-songwriter Olivia Ports on this week's show! This young performer from Aurora has a big story to tell. Her new EP Hospital Prom is out now everywhere and was inspired by Olivia's own experiences fighting a primary immunodeficiancy. Listen for a live set from Olivia Ports and guitarist Chris Leonard, recorded in Studio A. We'll also talk with Olivia about her music and the stories behind some of her songs.
Initially inspired by the first wave of post-punk, The Funeral March of the Marionettes has continued to evolve their sound and release new music thoughout the band's existence. Their latest EP Solace was released in the spring of 2020 and is available on their Bandcamp page.
We have a special, unique edition of Sessions from Studio A this week, with Rockford's Los Compadres del Tango. The duo is made up of pianist Erik Olson and Jacques Saint-Cyr playing flute. This is a new genre for us in Studio A, and it was a joy to learn more about the culture and history of tango. We hope you'll learn something new as well!
Our guest this week is singer-songwriter Joe Nanzer. He's released a string of singles over the past two years that you can find on Spotify, Apple Music, and all your usual streaming platforms. Hear him perform those songs live in Studio A this hour. We'll also talk with Joe Nanzer about his background, his influences, and about the stories behind some of his songs. That's all on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A.
Emily Hurd does it all. She's a musician, a mother, chef, and restaurant owner of The Norwegian in Rockford. Despite the chaos of owning a restaurant in 2020, Emily still found time last year to record and release her latest record "Nightshades". We'll hear songs from that album performed live in Studio A on this week's show, and we'll talk with Emily about her music, The Norwegian, and more.
"Paralysis by Analysis" is the new album out now from DeKalb artist Mark Walters, also known as Kram. Join us for this week's show featuring music from that album and more, performed live in WNIJ's Studio A. We'll also talk with Mark Walters about his background, inspirations, and about writing and producing Paralysis by Analysis.
Glory Days is a high-energy pop punk and alternative band from the Chicago suburb of Wauconda. Their debut record "The Roads We've Traveled" was released in 2016, shortly after the band's formation, and they've released a string of singles in the past few years.
We are joined this week by the incredibly talented duo the bellow & the whale for their second appearance on our show! Join us for a talk with Julia Lee Norris and Bianca Goyette about their new pair of EPs, including The Noise Still Lingers and their brand new EP coming out tomorrow.
Join us for original music by Krystee Wylder on this week's show. Krystee is a central Illinois native who has spent time living in Rockford and Chicago. Her sound is a unique mix of singer-songwriter folk and pop. Hear her live performance in Studio A and check out some behind the scenes videos below. We'll also talk with Krystee about her background, her music, and about how she almost lost the ability to sing forever... that's all on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A!
Derek Luttrell returns to Sessions from Studio A on this week's episode. We've heard Derek on the show before with his bands Name the Moon and more recently Sickhorse, but this time he's back with a new solo album, The Wolf Who Cried Boy. Join us as we listen through The Wolf Who Cried Boy and talk with Derek Luttrell about putting the album together.
Jazz returns to Sessions from Studio A this week with The Reggie Thomas Quartet, featuring acclaimed pianist and current head of Jazz Studios at Northern Illinois University, Reggie Thomas, along with guitarist Bobby Broom, drummer George Fludas, and bassist Dennis Carroll. The quartet gives us a passionate performance in Studio A, and we'll also hear a conversation with band members about their jazz backgrounds and their thoughts on the social justice protests of the past year.
Join us for original music from DeKalb singer-songwriter Cora Vasseur. Cora is a newer songwriter who has had a unique path to music. She started songwriting while in Second City's Comedy Writing program, and first began to sing while at her current job working with children with autism, when she discovered her voice helped calm the students.
Join us as we celebrate the holidays with The Jimmys on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A. The Wisconsin blues band joined us for a live performance in Studio A with music from their latest record, Gotta Have It, as well as some Christmas tunes.
Chicago art-punk band Ganser joins us on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A. Hear a performance recorded in Studio A with music from the band's new album, Just Look At That Sky. We'll also talk with Ganser about putting that album together, playing at last year's Riot Fest, and about their experiences during the pandemic.
Join us for a special edition of Sessions from Studio A with Ralph Wesley Carr and Old Town Tribune. We caught up with this trio of bluegrass virtuosos for a live set at the former House Cafe in DeKalb, now known as the Northern Illinois Center for Arts and Music.
Chicago multi-instrumentalist and music teacher Renee Nanzer is our special guest this week. We'll hear a performance from her recorded live here in Studio A, and we'll also talk with Renee about her experience working with Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Renee is part of the school's outreach program, where she visits underserved neighborhoods in the city and brings her love of music to the youth living there.
Blues artist Cathy Grier joins us on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A. Grier's musical adventure has taken her many places, from sneaking backstage to meet John Lee Hooker and Bonnie Raitt at age 17, to winning MTV's Basement Tapes competition, to co-writing a #1 dance hit in France. Thoughout her journey, Grier has never forgotten her blues and groove roots, and this year she makes a big statement with the new album "I'm All Burn".
Rockford duo Glitter makes a big statement with their debut album "The Men We Could Have Been". After years of playing in rock and punk bands, guitarist/vocalist Ben Johnson and drummer Jordan Acosta were sick of the over-the-top egos and macho attitudes, so they wanted to go in a completely different direction.
Singer-songwriter Anna May was scheduled to stop by Studio A on her way through Illinois back in April. 2020 had different plans for us, but we liked her new album so much we knew we needed to get her on the show anyways, so she joins us on the phone from her hometown of Waterford, Connecticut. Listen to her new album, "I'm Still Thinking of You" and join us for a conversation with Anna May in this hour of Sessions from Studio A.
The Flips are a five-piece rock band from Chicago with a big, big sound. I asked them to describe their music and they answered with one word: "loud". Hear their live performance at WNIJ on this edition of Sessions from Studio A and join us for a conversation with the band about their backgrounds, life since COVID, and more.
Singer-songwriter Eric Peter Schwartz joined us in Studio A with his trusty road sidekick, Tourbot. Eric's music is incredibly dynamic, he plays everything from quirky songs about Dungeons & Dragons to deep ballads about a marriage ending. He even released two ambient albums this year, along with a triology of albums called "The Isolation Tapes".
Punk rock duo Sweetie joins us on Sessions from Studio A this week! We'll hear songs from their new album "Bad Thing Sweet Thing" which is out now on Bandcamp and all your usual streaming platforms. Also join us for a conversation with guitarist Birdy and drummer Joe Pennington about their new album, social activism, the DeKalb music scene and more.
Songwriting duo Derek Luttrell and Mossy Vaughn return to Sessions from Studio A this week with their new band and debut album, Sickhorse. They've graced our studio previously with the band Name the Moon - and what originally started as writing for Name the Moon turned into something else entirely as the songs took on a different character. We'll talk with songwriter and guitarist Mossy Vaughn on his front porch in Rockford, and also get on the phone with Zach Staas, head of Corporate Panda Records in Nashville.
Bottom Bracket is a emo rock trio from Springfield, IL who just recently released a new album titled "I Don't Care Enough to Stay". Emo rock is a style that grew from the punk and post-punk scenes of the late 80's and early 90's, but features more complex melodies, experimental song structure, and an emphasis on emotional vocals. Bottom Bracket brings their own unique sound to the genre, with influences from math rock that is evident in guitarist Mario Cannamela's intricate playing and tapping. Listen to Bottom Bracket's live performance in Studio A right here!
Join us for a special edition of Sessions from Studio A where we are celebrating all things ukulele with Wild Blue Ukulele Orchestra! The 8-piece ensemble has members from all across northern Illinois and they show us that the ukulele isn't just a "strum and sing" instrument, but something that can be played as a virtuoso intrument as well.
A recent graduate of Northern Illinois University's School of Music, singer-songwriter Amelia Harlovic is now based in Chicago, where she has kept busy during the pandemic writing and recording new songs. She joined us in Studio A for a performance alongside DeKalb's Chris Kenney on drums. Listen to her full performance and an interview with Amelia Harlovic on this new edition of Sessions from Studio A!
Folk artist Joe Jencks makes his living as a touring musician, sometimes on the road as many as 300 days a year. Like so many others, his world was turned upside down this year, but he uses his music to get through these tough times. Listen for a great conversation with Jencks where we discuss social activism, Pete Seeger, and the power of folk music as a voice for and of the people. We will also hear songs performed live here in WNIJ's Studio A.
Back in March of this year, Dan Maguire joined us with Lucy Brearley and John Kielty to kick off our first ever Studio A Cafe concert. That live concert series had to be cut short, but we are excited to bring Dan Maguire's live performance to you on Sessions from Studio A.
Things are getting heavy on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A featuring alternative metal band Extinguish the Sun, from Dixon, IL. We will hear songs performed live from their debut album, Antihero, and their latest EP Oceans, which was released last October. Check out their full set in Studio A and an interview with the band right here. It's a headbanger edition of Sessions from Studio A this week with Extinguish the Sun!
Like so many events this summer, DeKalb's annual Gurler Folk Music Festival had to be postponed due to COVID-19. But we wanted to find a way to celebrate the festival's 20th anniversary, so we are bringing the festival to you this year. Join us for a celebration of folk and traditional music with performances from Dave Balika and Friends, roots and jazz guitarist Jim Kanas, and folk trio Heath, Nathan, and Jessie.
Join us for two modern guitar virtuosos on this week's episode, Fareed Haque and Goran Ivanovic. The duo released a pair of albums in the 2000's to critical acclaim, but busy schedules and other musical endevours put their playing together on hiatus. That hiatus came to an end this year with the duo's new album IndoBalkan.
In 2017, singer-songwriters Jim and Sam accomplished something few artists could ever imagine doing: they played a concert every single day for a whole year. The journey took them all across the United States and through 14 different countries.
Pioneer Salesmen are a four-piece band from down south of the state in Alton, IL. Their music is high-energy with infectiously catchy hooks and riffs. They have a sound inspired by the classic rock of the 60's mixed with more modern rock bands like Arctic Monkeys.
We left Studio A for this week's episode and headed to Severson Dells Nature Center in Rockford, where we caught a set from Baltimore husband and wife duo, The Honey Dewdrops.
We have a unique episode of Sessions from Studio A this week. Like so many others, the current pandemic has put our normal work on hiatus. Join us for a special "quarantined" edition of the show featuring ambient music from Rockford's Micky Torpedo.
Listen to a special edition of Sessions from Studio A this week, as celebrate the first ever Public Radio Music Day. Sessions has been on the air for 4 years and has had over 100 artists featured on the show. In this episode, we'll take a listen back through the years to a variety of performances recorded for Sessions from Studio A.
Dark Heart News is a high-energy rock and roll trio from Chicago. They have a wide range of influences from rock legends like Led Zeppelin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The White Stripes, to blues masters such as Stevie Ray Vaughan. Hear Dark Heart News' full performance in Studio A right here!
Join us for the music of Crystal Gravy, of DeKalb, IL. They are a love-struck duo who even spent their first date writing their first song. We'll hear their performance in Studio A and talk with Crystal Gravy about their writing process, their relationship, and much more. We will even learn what "Hotel Stew" is.
Join us for the music of Fuzzlove on this week's Sessions from Studio A! This genre-blending band from DeKalb has a huge range of influences from jazz, to funk, to hard rock. They stopped by Studio A and played some new, unreleased songs that the band has planned for their upcoming sophomore album.
The Oxleys are a folk/americana duo from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Hear them perform songs from their self-titled debut album, as well as some new unreleased tunes. The duo has been touring the midwest full time ever since releasing that album. You can find their tour dates and more music from the band at their Facebook page and website: theoxleysband.com.
Anthony Padilla stopped by Studio A to play songs from his debut solo album, There Is No Such Thing As Spare Time. Hear songs from that album and the stories behind in this week's episode.
The Weekend Run Club joined us in Studio A to perform tracks from their new, debut album "Zoo". You can find that album streaming online and available for purchase here. Find out more about The Weekend Run Club by following their Facebook page. Check out some behind the scenes video from our Session with the Weekend Run Club below!
Join us for the music of The Lone Canary this week. This Rockford duo plays their own unique brand of folk/americana music, and we were lucky to catch them live at Prairie Street Brewing Co. this past summer. We also had them revisit Studio A, where they played a few songs from their upcoming album, Leave the Gray, which is out now.
Join us for a very special Sessions from Studio A as we remember the life of Carl Nelson, host and creator of Sessions. Carl worked tirelessly to bring music into everyone's lives. He converted Studio A from an empty concrete room into a beautiful space worthy of bands and artists. He loved every genre from country to jazz, prog to pop, and always featured a wide range of artists on the show. Many have had their first radio airplay because of Carl.
This week on Sessions from Studio A, we feature the music of Brother Ryan. Starting as a solo project for singer-songwriter Robby Ciganek, the band now includes a rotating lineup of musicians that join Robby live. Check out their performance in Studio A as well as an interview with host Carl Nelson, where they discuss the bands roots and the meaning behind their new album, Forest.
In this edition of Sessions from Studio A we feature Aaron Kamm & the One Drops performing live at The House Cafe in DeKalb. The band mixes many genres including reggae, dub, blues, and rock to create a unique sound.
Hear the music of Taylor Rogers on this week's Sessions from Studio A. Taylor Rogers is a singer/songwriter from Chicago who blew us away with her live looping of guitar and vocals to create rich and textured soundscapes.
We are bringing you two sets of music from Miles Nielsen on this week's edition of Sessions from Studio A. Check out his set at Rockford's Prairie Street Brewing Co. with his band, The Rusted Hearts, and then a stripped-down acoustic set recorded right here in WNIJ's Studio A.
WNIJ's Sessions from Studio A has a growing reputation as a showcase for energetic performances, and Funktional Family brought their A game. This band features members of Backwoods Bunny Fight, another band we featured. It includes Anthony Padilla on guitar and vocals, Hal Koenig playing bass guitar, Kenny Kryger with guitar and vocals, Stefanie Kryger contributing acoustic guitar and vocals, Timarie Padilla with vocals, Jim Hurley on the drums, and Eric Olson with hand percussion and vocals. Their combined influences come together to form a sound that is funky, bluesy and jam rock-y. The band incorporates a wide variety of textures, using the cello, violin, bells, udu drums and anything else they can get their hands on.
Chicago folk duo The bellow + the whale joined us in Studio A and performed some of their new original songs.
We packed up our gear and hit the road this week to record a set from Andrew Jacob Holm, who grew up playing blues and country in the Rockford area. Andrew performed at Prairie Street Brewing Co. in Rockford to kick off their Dockside Live series. Catch live music on the dock all Spring and Summer long... you might see us there as well!
Rochelle native Orlando Peña recently made the move up to Madison, Wis., and went from a solo act to performing with a full band, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Catch their performance in Studio A here!
Sessions from Studio A is back on the road this week with a performance from Name the Moon live at Mary's Place in Rockford. The band recently released their latest full length album, Space Force, which won a RAMI award for Album of the Year.
Sessions from Studio A is back on the road this week with Taboo Blah Blah from Rockford. Some of you may remember Taboo Blah Blah as our first ever band we recorded for Sessions back in 2016! The band (and our show) has changed a lot since then, but they don' t show any signs of slowing down.
Chicago band Pelafina joined us in Studio A this week and gave an explosive performance. Hear their full set and interview here on Sessions from Studio A.
The Perrilles Project was formed by jazz musicians who met while attending NIU School of Music. Check out their live set, recorded at The House Cafe in DeKalb, as well as an interview with drummer and bandleader Paul Perrilles.
Raye Zaragoza took time out of her busy tour schedule to perform some songs live with us in WNIJ's Studio A.
Mackenzie O'Brien performs "Live by the Sun" at the Prairie Street Brewing Company in Rockford.
The Sanctified Grumblers perform "Nancy Jane" Dockside Live at the Prairie Street Brewing Co. in Rockford.
Zach Pietrini performs "I Don't Want to Leave" live on the docks at Prairie Street Brewing Co. in Rockford.
Seasonal Men’s Wear made a trip to WNIJ’s Studio A to give an original, rock performance. Throughout the last 12 years the band has rotated through many different band members and genres such as acoustic power violence. Before making any changes, Jake wanted to start a band intended to be "goofy". The band consisted of three guitars, an acoustic guitar, pots and pans and any other furniture they could find around the house. From then on, Jake was determined to find the right band. Throughout the years this set of musicians seems to be the best and longest fit for Seasonal Men’s Wear.
Old Town Tribune stopped by WNIJ's Studio A to perform original, traditional bluegrass. The band includes Wes Carr on mandolin, guitar and vocals, Charlie Ford on bass, Zac Economou playing the guitar and adding backup vocals, and Brad Utterback playing the banjo.
WNIJ’s Sessions from Studio A recently asked The Vince Chiarelli Band to stop by and give us a taste of some traditional Italian-American styled music. This Rockford-based group is connected through their Sicilian ancestry and influences, while also finding themselves exploring and incorporating increasing amounts of Latin elements. The band includes Vince Chiarelli's vocal and guitar stylings, Frank Calvagna filling out melodies on lead guitar, Tony Chiarelli playing bass guitar and occasionally Tim Austin on the drums.
The Bare Hambones stopped by WNIJ’s Studio A to give an energetic hoedown of a performance! This Chicago-area band mixes the sounds of bluegrass, folk, rockabilly, and outlaw-country with the texture of piano and mandolin -- the main instruments. The band includes Tim Larsen on piano and lead vocals, Michael Brown on acoustic guitar, Brad Riverdahl on drums, Tony Kubicek playing bass and Mike Marshall on mandolin. Since their performance in Studio A, The Bare Hambones added a sixth member to the band named Jeff Cali, playing lead guitar.
Warren Franklin & The Founding Fathers performing "Let Me Down Easy in WNIJ's Studio A.
Sessions From Studio A features Taboo Blah Blah, a Rockford-area band that recently won a couple awards from the Rockford Area Music Industry.