Champaign Is Also A Band

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One songwriter and one song. Podcast about stories & songs of Champaign-Urbana music. In each episode Sven sits down with a person from the C-U music scene to hear the story & the background of a favorite song they've written

Blue Box Studio


    • May 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 42m AVG DURATION
    • 236 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Champaign Is Also A Band

    EP147 - Robert Hirschfeld of Common Loon - "Automatic Skin"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 64:28


    Sven chats with Robert Hirschfeld (He/Him) of Common Loon about his song "Automatic Skin," the CU music scene past and present, and his favorite non-musical thing.

    EP146 - Sierra Sikora - "Jade"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 43:27


    Sven meets up with Sierra Sikora (She/Her) at KCPA to talk about her song "Jade" off of the EP "Confessions" the CU music scene, and her favorite non-musical things.

    EP145 - Andrew Simek the Piano Man - "Pocket Song"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 76:49


    Sven chats with Andrew Simek (He/They) about his song "Pocket Song," the local CU Music Scene, being the Piano Man, and their favorite non-musical things! Info on the Piano Man : https://canopyclub.com/piano-man/

    EP144 - Patrick & Noah of Castle Finn - Velvet Fangs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 54:02


    Sven chats with Patrick (He/HIm) and Noah (He/Him) of Castle Finn to talk about their song "Velvet Fangs" off of the "On The Vine (EP)."

    EP143 - James Mauck of Forebeat - Currents

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 53:51


    Sven chats with James Mauck (He/Him) of Forebeat about his piece "Currents" off of the album "Stages of Growth," old and new CU venues, house shows, and his favorite non-musical thing.

    Bonus Episode 35: Juli Sherry of Pretzle Records

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 44:58


    Sven chats with Juli Sherry (She/Her) of Pretzle Records about working with Doug Hodge (BEP23) to create the record label, supporting the local music scene, and plans for the future. Pretzle Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pretzlerecords/ Pretzle Records Website: https://www.pretzlerecords.com/

    EP142 - Tim Reynolds of Horrible Things - A Million Times

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 37:18


    Sven zooms with Tim Reynolds (He/Him) of Horrible Things about his song "A Million Times," off of the album "Everybody Else" the CU music scene 10+ years ago, and his favorite non-musical thing.  

    EP141 - Ricko.6ix3O - THOUGHT I WAS DONE (feat. JLøve)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 44:52


    Sven chats with Ricko.6ix3O (He/HIm) about his song "THOUGHT I WAS DONE (feat. JLøve)" off of the "Thought I Was Done - Single", the CU music scene, and his favorite non-musical things.

    Bonus Episode 34: "Duality" - Michael Thies of Metaphysics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 36:30


    Sven chats with Michael Thies (He/Him) (EP122) of Metaphysics to talk about his newest album "Duality"  Duality on Bandcamp: https://the-metaphysics.bandcamp.com/album/duality Stream on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4lb7YoaBjLtlowQaloqY7X?si=x9hcTjaXRzK0zw_x0wjJHw

    EP140 - JLøve - Gløw 'n Grøw

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 35:42


    Sven chats with JLøve (She/Her) about her song "Gløw 'n Grøw" off of her recently released EP: "Dønt Førget," her favorite CU Venue, getting back into performing live, and her favorite non-musical things.

    EP139 - Bryan Bachman of Louavull - " '57 "

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 50:04


    Sven chats with Bryan Bachman (He/Him) of Louavull to talk about his song " '57" off of the album "It's Over, Now What?" memories of the CU Music scene, and great things about his favorite non-musical thing.  Links to Bryan's current project: Shop Class    

    EP138 - John Mcnally of TwoLeggedZoo - "Rest 1"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 52:06


    Sven chats with John Mcnally (He/Him) of TwoLeggedZoo at The Labary about his song "Rest 1" written for the Rest Lab installation.  We'll also talk about finding a community of musicians here in CU, his favorite non-musical thing, and why you should kill your lawn and plant native plants. https://twoleggedzoo.carrd.co/

    PodSwap 2024: Z & Keith Watched A Movie: The Black Hole

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 79:27


    Introducing a podswap... Sven was a guest on "Z and Keith Watched A Movie" and here it is!  We talked about a formative movie from my childhood: "The Black Hole" You may remember Keith from EP130 talk about "Mobius Rip" which so happens to be the musical theme from "Z and Keith Watched A Movie."  *imagine sven inserted clever line about things going full circle here* Follow these links for funsies: https://x.com/zandkpod instagram.com/zandkpod https://www.youtube.com/@zandkpod Be sure to become a patron and support them: patreon.com/zandkpod Episode 5.38 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JNsneNLfAXFN7i7xvsLTQ?si=9b03213bb58e47fa

    EP137 - Joe Carr of Decapitation In The Food Court - SCANDINAVIAN WAHHABISM

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 46:44


    Sven chats with Joe Carr (He/Him) of Decapitation In The Food Court to talk about his song "SCANDINAVIAN WAHHABISM" off of the recently released album "WHAT IF WE HAD NO MONEY AND JUST SHARED EVERYTHING?", excessive capitalization, DIY spaces, and his favorite non-musical thing(s).  

    EP136 - Supraman - Blow It Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 47:52


    Sven chats with Surpraman (He/Him) about his song "Blow It Again" off of the upcoming album "The Troublemaker" dropping November 16th, just a few regrets, the CU scene, and his favorite non-musical things.  Cover design by: @_itsbittersweet

    EP135 - Myles Evangelista of Mars Hojilla - Pinocchio

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 59:33


    Sven sits down with Myles (He/They) from the band Mars Hojilla to talk about his song "Pinocchio," the music scene, and his favorite non-musical thing. Cover Photo by: Cam Marsengill (@purefriend_art on Instagram)

    EP134 - Rhoq of A Small Meaningless Rebellion - Wait For It

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 68:45


    Sven chats with Rhoq (She/Her) about her song "Wait For It" off of A Small Meaningless Rebellion's upcoming EP. Cover Photo: Juli Sherry (@moochieboochie on Instagram)

    EP133 - WhipTRip6 - Oil and Water

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 50:49


    Sven chats with David aka WhipTRip6 (He/HIm) from Half House Studios about his song "Oil and Water," the CU music scene, and his favorite non-musical thing(s) Jake Futch (@_fj.fj_ on instagram)

    EP132 - Jeff Julian of Vaudevileins - "Erase the Truth"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 51:49


    Sven zooms with Jeff Julian (He/Him) of Vaudevileins off the album "Lights Out" about his song "Erase the Truth"

    Bonus Episode 33: "Four Letter World EP" - Larry Gates of Curb Service

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 43:48


    Sven chats with Larry Gates (He/Him) from Curb Service about his new EP "Four Letter World" - OUT NOW! Link to early version of Brooklyn (Little Red Recovery Room - 2007 Version)  

    EP131 - Brittany Bindrim - "Hearsay"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 43:55


    Sven Zooms with Brittany Bindrim (She/Her) about her song "Hearsay" off of the album "Velella Velella." Photo Credit: Emily Gualdoni

    EP130 - Keith McKenney of Professor Ping "Mobius Rip"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 51:17


    Sven chats with Keith McKenney (He/They) of Professor Ping about his piece "Mobius Rip (theme from 'Z & Keith Watched a Movie')" off of the album "Anticiquated." Link to VCV Rack  

    EP129: Pete "Afro D" Shungu of Afro D & the Global Soundwaves - Superpouvoir

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 61:44


    Sven chats with Pete "Afro D" Shungu (He/HIm) of Afro D & the Global Soundwaves about his song "Superpouvoir"

    EP128: Jared Prince of Retro Via - "Image"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 45:33


    Sven chats with Jared Prince (He/Him) of Retro Via about his song "Image" off the upcoming album "Mind Mirror"

    EP127: Scott Kimble & Don King of Terminus Victor - "This Isn't Real"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 61:08


    Sven chats with Scott (He/HIm) and Don (He/Him) of Terminus Victor about their song "This Isn't Real" from the album "Everending"

    Bonus Episode 32: "Full Custody" album - Jarrel Young and Caleb Mbuvi

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 36:19


    Sven chats with Jarrel Young (he/him) from EP57 and Caleb Mbuvi (he/him) about the upcoming album "Full Custody" - drops May 14th Presave the album: Full Custody

    EP126: Andrew Waner of A Waning Reign - "Initiation"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 56:45


    Sven chats with Andrew Waner (He/Him) about his title track from his album "Initiation," looking for a CU metal scene, and his favorite non-musical things.

    EP125: $imba P - "Failure Is Not an Option (Feat. Mother Nature)"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 61:04


    Sven chats with $imba P (he/Him) at Guido's in downtown Champaign about his song "Failure Is Not an Option (Feat. Mother Nature)" off of his album "As Above So Below." Photo Credit: @injaekim_ on Instagram

    EP124: Johnny Lusardi of Unseen Forces - "Eyes In The Back Of Your Head"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 51:29


    Sven chat with Johnny Lusardi (He/Him) about his song "Eyes In The Back Of Your Head" by Unseen Forces off the EP "Promo #2," working with C4a to create a space for all ages shows, and his favorite non-musical thing.  Mosh videos mentioned in the Episode: Japanese Hardcore Mosh Style 2 Slam Dance Instructional Guide Bad Brains - Big Take Over (Live 1982)

    Beyond the Scene: Poundgame Addison - "More Nights"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 25:45


    Sven chats with out of town artist Poundgame Addison (He/HIm) about his song "More Nights" just before performing at The SPACE (BEP23) on his 20 Hours tour that takes him through CU.

    EP123: Sam and Zach of The Meantime - "Bored Opposite (Opposite Bored)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 49:42


    Sven chats with Sam (he/him) and Zach (he/him) of The Meantime about their instrumental "Bored Opposite (Opposite Bored)," the local music scene, and their favorite non-musical things. 

    Bonus Episode 31: Champaign Cypher Series with Robert Kjev

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 48:08


    Sven chats with Robert Kjev (he/him) of Robert K Multimedia about the Champaign Cypher Series, favorite venues, moments, and his favorite non-musical thing. Find Champaign Cypher here: https://www.instagram.com/champaigncypher/

    EP122 - Michael Thies of Metaphysics - "Six to Midnight"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 53:01


    Sven chats with Michael Thies of Metaphysics about his song "Six to Midnight" Link to: (White Man) in Hammersmith Palais by The Clash: https://open.spotify.com/track/45xBWOa6oEAk1WlVyr5QAB?si=d6904039679947a0

    EP121 - Ava, Lou, & Owen of Romantica -"Tales from Neptune"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 68:24


    Sven chats with Ava (She/Her) Lou (She/Her) and Owen (He/Him) of Romantica about their song "Tales from Neptune" from their self titled EP Romantica, favorite house venues, what makes a good music scene, and their favorite non-musical things!  Cover Photo by: Jack Hsiao-Wecksler

    Bonus Episode 30: Sharks in the Swimming Pool EP - Aly of Taurus Hate Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 36:36


    Sven chats with Aly (She/Her) from Taurus Hate Club from EP78 about her new EP "Sharks in the Swimming Pool"    

    EP120 - ARTIST JOSA - ”Meds”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 36:20


    Sven chats with ARTIST JOSA about his song "Meds," the CU music scene, and his favorite non-musical thing(s). ARTIST JOSA on Spotify Cover Photo taken by: https://www.instagram.com/justalittlefudge/

    EP119 - D.Rew - ”Be A Man”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 53:35


    Sven chats with D. Rew (he/him) about his song "Be a Man," the CU music scene, and his favorite non-musical thing(s).

    EP118 - Mousepad - ”Fine For Now”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 53:19


    Sven chats with Mousepad (He/Him) about his song "Fine for Now" off of the album "Right Person, Wrong Time," favorite CU venues, what collaboration could mean to the music community, and his favorite non-musical things. Cover photo by Jake Futch

    EP117 - Dorcus Withers - ”Mama's Song”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 41:48


    CW: Mentions Abuse, R*pe, and Violence Sven chats at a local DQ with Dorcus Withers (He/HIm) about his song "Mama's Song," forming a community, and his upcoming podcast "Peace Away From Home." Dorcus is interested in any collaborations you are interested in for music and podcasting.  If you would like to reach out to him, his email is dorcus224 (AT) gmail.com, feel free to also reach out through me if you'd like me to help with the introduction.

    EP116 - ZENtheRapper - ”According To Legend (feat. Mousepad)”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 67:38


    Sven chats with ZENtheRapper (He/Him) about his song "According To Legend (feat. Mousepad)," the importance of a good open mic, what makes a good music scene, and his favorite non-musical thing. Photo by Tyleah Whitlow

    EP115 - Jamere XO - ”Envious”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 34:37


    Sven chats with Jamere XO (He/HIm) about his song "Envious," his favorite CU venues, and his favorite non-musical things.

    Bonus Episode 29: Wright Street EP - Manifest West

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 37:46


    In this bonus episode Sven chats with Cade Whitt (He/Him), Coggan Banerian (He/Him), Nick Riley (He/Him), and Roan O'Brien (He/HIm) of Manifest West about their new EP "Wright St." - Available now on all the streaming services https://linktr.ee/manifestwest

    EP114 - Matt & Claire - Meadowhawk - ”There and Back Again”

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 44:32


    Sven chats with Matt and Claire of Meadowhawk about their piece "There and Back Again" off of their album "Keep It Up," writing music for Contra Dance, and their favorite non-musical things. Urbana Country Dancers Recipe for Balsamic Pie

    Bonus Episode 28:Losing the Luster - Austin Parker of Mid Nite Leg

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 42:09


    In this bonus episode Sven chats with Austin Parker (He/Him) of Mid Nite Leg about their new album "Losing the Luster" - Available now on all the streaming services and on Bandcamp at: https://midniteleg.bandcamp.com/album/losing-the-luster

    EP113 Shannon - Swords - ”Hell and High Water”

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 49:00


    Sven meets up with Shannon Swords (He/Him) at HarshPro's (EP88) studio space "The Labrary" to talk about his song "Hell and High Water" off of the album "Depth," working with collaborators, and what's next in the future. DEPTH is now out on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2jygEPyD0QNgdJUcrJ2o2w?si=graIdHjQQbePKNjFRSK3og       

    Bonus Episode 27: Lost In Translation - Mike from EP37

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 60:01


    In this bonus episode Sven chats with Mike Carpenter (He/Him) (EP37) of Decadents about their new album "Lost in Translation" - Available now on all the streaming services and on Bandcamp at: https://decadents.bandcamp.com/album/lost-in-translation

    EP112 Chris & Robbie - Rude Echoes - ”Breathless”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 51:54


    Sven chats with Robbie (He/HIm) and Chris (They/Them) about their song "Breathless" off of the album "Unfriendly Reminder"   SONG: Breathless ALBUM:  Unfriendly Reminder BAND: Rude Echoes Favorite treat: Mandarin Jarritos/Hi-Chews Photo credit: Marciel Shepard

    EP111 Clayton Burke Deering - The Clayton Burke Band - ”Wild Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 56:35


    Sven sits down with Clayton Burke Deering (He/HIm) to chat about his song "Wild Thing," collaborating with Kenna Mae (EP13), playing pedal steel in his solo project Neon Gravel, what makes a good music scene, and his favorite non-musical things. SONG: Wild Thing ALBUM: No Immediate Plans BANDS: The Fights, The Rebekah Songer Band, Tractor Kings, Cole Bridges & the Overpass, Emily Anne Band, The Landovers, Neon Gravel, and The Clayton Burke Band Cover Photo: JP Goguen

    EP110 Red & Grey - Red's Head - ”Glitch”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 58:25


    Sven chats with Red (They/Them) and Grey (They/She) of Red's Head about their song "Glitch," creating a DIY venue, and their favorite non-musical things.  

    EP109 Liz & Carrie - Poisoned Rationality - ”Cheers to This”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 47:15


    Sven chats with Carrie (She/Her) & Liz (She/Her) about their song "Cheers to This," the CU music scene, and their favorite non-musical things. SONG: Cheers to This ALBUM:  Merryann's at Midnight BANDS: Carrie: none Liz: First Gig, Girls Rock, Poisoned Rationality Favorite treat: Carrie: unsweetened iced tea, caramel corn Liz: sprite or hot tea  Photo credit: Carrie

    EP108 - Clint & Chris of MOONSYDE - ”IKKE!”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 69:20


    Sven chats with Clint (He/Him) and Chris (He/Him) of MOONSYDE about their song "IKKE!," the race they feel like finishing, playing house shows, and their favorite non-musical things. SONG: IKKE! ALBUM: Single  BANDS: Clint:  Illini Contraband (cover band), performed locally on campus(Joe's, Canopy Club, Wesley Church),  Noontime Performer at the Illini Union  Bandside UIUC (met other band members) HIDEOUT formerly called Hip-Hop Collective (met Chris) MOONSYDE (current band) Chris:  Kuri Ken (solo artist) HIDEOUT (aka Hip-Hop Collective, served as President for ~3 years) MOONSYDE (current band) Favorite treat: Clint: Black Sugar Bubble Tea/Choco Boy (chocolate biscuit) Chris: Beach Plum La Croix / A phattttt Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Photo: Josh Blustein

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