From Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM in Chicago, hear the voices of the Chicagoland community on ‘This Is What Chicago Sounds Like’ — or ‘Chi Sounds Like,’ for short. Since 2016, we have been profiling people who give their all to Chicago and enrich us socially and culturally by virtue of their artistry, social justice work and community-building. Take a listen. Read their words. Become inspired. ‘This Is What Chicago Sounds Like,’ or ‘Chi Sounds Like,’ is a product of Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM in Chicago, a subsidiary of Chicago Public Media and an affiliate of NPR Music. Dig deeper into our stories and conversations at Vocalo.org.
Latest episodes
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9 min
For Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Is The Greatest City In The World
As a lifelong Chicagoan, Brandon Johnson wishes more people could see the city through the eyes of the mayor. Growing up in a faith-centered family on the “West West” Side of Chica…
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17 min
Jesse De La Peña Is What Chicago Sounds Like
Chicago DJ and all-around music man Jesse De La Peña hosts Vocalo’s 5 O’Clock Mix and Friday Night DJ Series, and plays a key part in shaping the station’s sound. Growing up all ar…
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10 min
Bekoe Is What Chicago Sounds Like
Bekoe has been Vocalo’s morning host for the last four and a half years. From his teenage years of making beats for aspiring high school rappers to his commitment to local music di…
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7 min
Kenn Cook Jr. Shares His West Side Story
Chicago photographer Kenn Cook Jr. highlights the beauty of his West Side home with new project #MyWestSideStory. Already a community advocate, working with organizations benefitin…
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9 min
For Monica Trinidad, Art Is Integral To Revolution
Monica Trinidad is a queer Latin visual artist, communicator, and cultural strategist from the South Side of Chicago, committed to amplifying marginalized voices through combining…
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6 min
Woolly Mammoth Is Home To The Weird And Wonderful
Adam Rust is the co-owner of Andersonville oddities shop Woolly Mammoth. Located at 1513 W. Foster Ave. since 2010, Woolly Mammoth has showcased the macabre and mystifying rarities…
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4 min
Taste of Lebanon: Andersonville Lunch Staple Since ‘96
Taste of Lebanon fits the description of many generationally-loved Chicago staples: Good prices, better food, small menu and nothing fancy. Manned by Ali Faraj, Taste of Lebanon is…
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9 min
Manual Cinema Shines A New Light On Puppetry
Multi-media performance collective Manual Cinema brings audiences into their world of puppetry, intricate soundscapes and immersive visuals. Founded in 2010 by Ben Kauffman, Julia…
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9 min
For Poet Helene Achanzar, Chicago Is A City Of Artists
Helene Achanzar grew up throwing herself into any and every hobby — but she’s always been a writer. She found a natural voice for poetry at a young age; it was something she could…
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9 min
Erin Rembert Finds Tangible Alchemy In Chicago
Erin Rembert is a pole dancer and “tooth fairy” (or tooth gem artist) inspired by her firm roots in Chicago and tangible alchemy. Honoring her ancestors is a throughline in all of…
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9 min
For Glamhag, Art Is A Love Letter
Glamhag is a multimedia artist, performer, director, production designer and fabricator who channels playfulness into every facet of their work. Whether it’s performance art on a m…
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7 min
For Sarita Hernández, Printmaking And Community Activism Are Interconnected
Multimedia artist, printmaker, zine maker and pie baker Sarita Hernández found their home through artmaking. Moving to Chicago in 2015 from southeast Los Angeles County, Hernández…
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9 min
Multimedia Artist Efren Adkins Finds Their Fire In Chicago
Efren Adkins values the exploration of personal identity, community connection and the transformative power of art as they navigate the meaning and purpose in life. As a biracial a…
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7 min
Ashley Johnson Blends Creativity And Community
Ashley Johnson is a Chicago community activist, DJ, fashion designer and more. Johnson fell into her three prominent passions organically; she grew up always aware of community sup…
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8 min
For Lauren Hersch, Community Should Be A Nest
Lauren Hersch is a mental health advocate and co-founder of Rayo Counseling and Community Co-Op. Through Rayo, Hersch emphasizes the importance of building a therapeutic relationsh…
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8 min
Erin Alexander Expresses Chicago In Her Own Way
Chicago-native DJ, writer, and storyteller Erin Alexander embraces the diverse stories and beats echoing through the neighborhoods of Chicago. Alexander describes herself as a stor…
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11 min
For Latham Zearfoss, Change Is A Chance For Discovery
Chicago-based visual artist Latham Zearfoss creates works navigating the spaces “between personal desire and collective identity.” As an artist and community organizer with a passi…
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8 min
Tera Murray Finds Human Connection Through Culinary Arts
Tera Murray is a chef instructor for Silver Fork at the Center on Halsted, a free seven-week culinary readiness program. Murray’s work with Silver Fork and other similar programs s…
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9 min
Anthony Joel Quezada: From Community Organizer to Cook County Commissioner
Anthony Joel Quezada is the Cook County Commissioner of the Eighth District and grassroots organizer with a vision for a more compassionate future. Serving neighborhoods including…
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10 min
Gina Lira Spreads Self-Love Through Nail Art
Gina Lira, also known as Gigi Jiggles, is a nail tech and artist who works to create a safe space for all her clients. As she turned to her nails as a canvas for self-expression, t…