Vocalo Radio

About Vocalo Radio

Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM is Chicago’s only NPR Music affiliate and only Urban Alternative station — the first of its kind in the country. We strive to highlight and uplift artists and changemakers breaking through the noise, both in and out of Chicago. Our goal is to make listeners say and feel: THIS is what Chicago sounds like. Dig deeper into our stories and conversations at Vocalo.org. Vocalo is a subsidiary of Chicago Public Media, and is the sister station to WBEZ Chicago.

Publisher

Vocalo Radio

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 May 2017

Latest episode

19 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

776 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Mar 2026

   Chicago-rooted singer Sophia Galaté embarks on her debut headlining tour

   California-based, Chicago-rooted artist Sophia Galaté dropped her debut album last year. This spring, she’s headed out on her debut headlining tour. The artist called in to Vocalo to discuss some standout tracks, how it feels to sell out shows and why she went from the business side of the music industry to become an artist herself. This interview was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited by Morgan Ciocca. Keep up with us on Vocalo.org, @Vocalo on Instagram and @Vocalo.radio on TikTok.

2. 

   28 Jan 2026

   DRAMA: Live at the Salt Shed!

   Chicago electronic duo DRAMA are spreading love across the country on their “Platonic Romance” tour. The duo released their third full-length album of the same name on Jan. 9. Though they started conceptualizing the album two years ago, vocalist Via Rosa feels she and producer Na’el Shehade have been working on this project their entire lives. Rosa and Shehade brought their tour home to the Salt Shed on Jan. 24. Before they took the stage, Via Rosa and Na’el Shehade sat down with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez. This conversation was hosted by Nudia Hernandez and edited by Morgan Ciocca. Dig deeper into the story at Vocalo.org! Follow us on Instagram @vocalo and on TikTok @vocalo.radio

3. 

   12 Jan 2026

   Julian Davis Reid on "Vocation" and finding softness through the piano

   When he first sat down behind a set of keys, Julian Davis Reid quickly learned the piano was his voice. The Chicago-based pianist and theologian first found himself in a music class at age 2. He released his fourth album, “Vocation,” in 2025, with plans to bring his tour home to Constellation on Jan. 14. Reid sat down with host Nudia Hernandez to discuss the album and how he found his voice through music. Hear songs from the album performed live in Chicago Public Media’s Studio 10 on Vocalo.org. This segment was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. Keep up with Vocalo on Instagram @vocalo and on TikTok @vocalo.radio.

Who has been a guest on Vocalo Radio

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Erin Kilmurray
• Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder
• Yukimi
• Isioma
• Cam Stacey

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

347,577

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 84 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

99

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

85

Contact Vocalo Radio

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.