Harper Presents
The Local Music Mixtape! For WHCM’s 25th year broadcasting. We’re celebrating like it’s 1999-with a cassette tape in hand!
Featuring Bands from speed babes, Ok Cool, to Naked Brunch. WHCM has collected over 20 artists from the Chicago land, some even Harper Alumni, who are featured on this mixtape. Additionally, WHCM has Exclusive tracks from select bands that you can currently only find here.
This mixtape will be available for purchase online. Sold at $25, all proceeds go directly into supporting WHCM, so we can continue broadcasting these amazing artists. Contributions help fund travel to Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference(IBSC) in New York and other professional development opportunities that will support the next generation of broadcasters.
Some of these artists may seem familiar to you if you’re a long time listener of Harper Radio. The Local Music Show has brought on many of these artists as features on their show that plays. Always playing bands from Chicago land, you’ll always hear something that’s right in your backyard. Find the Local Music show on all social media platforms @whcmlocal.
Donate here! https://tinyurl.com/HarperMixtape
Art by: Anna Claire White https://www.instagram.com/annaclairewhite/
Featured Artists
Andrew Robert Palmer
Palmer creates a mix of Rock & Folk music mixed in with a little bit of Jazz. He brings that classic feeling of rock with his acoustic guiter mixed with a multitude of accomping intruments.
Featured track – Cat Stevens
Support them here! https://andrewrobertpalmer1.bandcamp.com/
Babe Report
An Indie/Alternative band thats 2024 album was described that it, “boasts a woozy concoction of 90s-drenched guitars and melodic groove.” (Exploding Sound Records) Each Album is a wild ride and something you can vibe to at any time.
Featured track – Self Stick/Headwounds (Live) [WHCM Mixtape Exclusive]
Support them here! https://babereportchicago.bandcamp.com/
Beastii
Self-described as “occult rockers from another galaxy elaborating on the sacred sciences of punk & rock ‘n’ roll.” This band started as an electric darkwave project that grew to be something much more.
Featured track – Evil Eye
Support them here! https://beastii.bandcamp.com/
CalicoLoco
A “jangle-pop six-piece” band that brings a variety of singles since 2020, who droped their first full length album in 2024 called “I Love Myself.” Each song is deeply inspiring and talks to different communities and their stuggles.
Featured track – Gender Dysphoria
Support them here! https://calicoloco.bandcamp.com/
Damager
Bringing that garage rock to the modern times, Damager is a band that feels like Japandroids, which is intentional. Damager’s front man, Dan Stewart, has been a long time fan of their music, specifically taking insperationn from Japanndroids 2012 album, “Celebration Rock.”
Featured track – Old Style (Live at Ohmstead)
Support them here! https://damager.bandcamp.com/
Heet Deth
This duo brings songs to rage and dance to in the form of weird punk-rock. An existential band where you can party to the Apocolypse. With high energy songs and lyrics to scream to.
Featured track – Hierophant
Support them here! https://heetdeth.bandcamp.com/
Impulsive Hearts
Danielle Sines leads the band. She sings, shouts, plays guitar and synth, and records noises on tape recorders. She likes melodies that remind her of summertime leading them to create their album “Sorry in the Summer”.
Featured track – Blocked U Back (The Local Music Show Live From the RecRoom)
Support them here! https://impulsivehearts.bandcamp.com/music
Jake County
A small artist that brings alternitive rock to an all time peak. With vocals to match, County feels like a classic 90s rock band. Also, he’s a Harper Alumnus!
Featured track – World War Wii
Support them here! https://seasonalmenswear.bandcamp.com/
Jenni Stark
An indie rock frontwoman and classically-trained flutist who writes angry music about heart break and the world. Beautiful heart wrenching songs that feel like they should be in an indie film. Stark recorded a song just for the WHCM Mixtape.
Featured track – Walk Me Home [WHCM Mixtape Exclusive]
Support them here! https://jennistark.bandcamp.com/
Joe McGuire
The best kind of mix between indie and rock that makes you feel like taking a drive on a cool day in Chicago. McGuire offically releases their new song on the WHCM Mixtape as an Exclusive track.
Featured track – Aimless School (unreleased) [WHCM Mixtape Exclusive]
Support them here! https://joemcguire.bandcamp.com/
Madame Reaper
Described as art pop, synth pop, and euro pop; this beautiful vocalist brings out of this world and into the next galaxy with their use of synths. Lyrics about falling from a place of power to lovers so in love they do drastic things for each other.
Featured track – Dauphine
Support them here! https://madamereapermusic.com/
Megan Hozick
An Artist who’s music gives off theatre vibes but adds alt-rock into the mix. She does all that while talking about trying to catch a lover and a funny song about her cat that says what every cat owner wants to say.
Featured track – Orange Juice (Acoustic)
Support them here! https://meganhozick.com/
Miniskirt
Taking heavy inspiration from 60’s girl groups, garage rock, power pop, and punk. This group can get you up and out of your seat in a second. They’re releasing their newest song as an Exclusive on the WHCM Mixtape.
Featured track – Liar’s Club (Unreleased) [WHCM Mixtape Exclusive]
Support them here! https://miniskirtchi.bandcamp.com/track/speed-queen
Naked Brunch
Featured and recorded on WHCM multiple times, Naked Brunch comes back with their newest EP “At the Humanoi Motel”. They take heavy inspo from many bands to bring all their sounds into a loud, fast-paced performance you will never forget.
Featured track – Supersonic
Support them here! https://nakedbrunchbox.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-humanoid-motel
NightFreak
80’s rock comes alive through their “Throat shredding” vocals. With amazing guitar solos and an intense beat, these rockers will blow you away with each hit of the drums.
Featured track – NightFreak
Support them here! https://nightfreakchicago.bandcamp.com/music
Ok Cool
An Indie-rock band that states they are “two tiny tiny rats with a dream of one day becoming human” in their Spotify and Bandcamp Bios. Stunning vocals and a beautiful guitar mix together becomes the perfect band to jam to with your friends. Additionally, Ok Cool has been featured on WHCM and contiues to be a prominent voice.
Featured track – Waawooweewaa
Support them here! https://okcool.bandcamp.com/music
Pinksqueeze
An outwardly queer femme indie rock group that makes you wanna dance on your bed as you pillow fight a friend. Empowering and bringing fun energies with bright colors, this group can take your day from a 0 to a 10 in seconds. Commonly featured on WHCM, “Couch to 5K” has been playing on repeat in our heads.
Featured track – She Sees
Support them here! https://www.pinksqueeze.com/
Plum
New Wave/No Wave, Krautrock, and Indie Sleaze all come together to create Plum. A band that brings tunes to dance and groove to with their wild guitar riffs and melodic basslines. They bring you the songs, “Anxiety”, “Can’t Hold On To It”, and “Powerline”.
Featured track – Disco Discontentment
Support them here! https://plumbandchicago.bandcamp.com/album/cant-hold-on-to-it-3
Speed Babes
A punk rock band who doesn’t care to mess something’s up. Speed Babes has been featured on WHCM mutiple times and contiues to show their awesome talent day in and day out.
Featured track – Dance Until It’s Over (Unreleased Full Band Version) [WHCM Mixtape Exclusive]
Support them here! https://thespeedbabes.bandcamp.com/
The Dead Bolts
Starting out with little to no practice and shoved into the corner of a packed pub to play for hours, to now thousands listening to their awe inspiring music. This group brings us Alt-rock in all the best ways from love songs to dealing with the world around us.
Featured track – Promised Land
Support them here! https://thedeadboltsmusic.com/home
Totally Cashed
A humorous rock band that meshes an 80’s vibe with fun performances and lyricism. They put out an album in 2023 called, “The World’s First Country Band” where they mixed their normal tunes with that good country feel, showing off their wide range of talent.
Featured track – 1000 Pesos (Unreleased) [WHCM Mixtape Exclusive]
Support them here! https://totallycashed.bandcamp.com/music
Truth or Consequences New Mexico
Mixing the clashing musical styles of folk and hardcore punk it’s TCNM. A group of Northwestern University graduates committed to making a band together has hit the Chicago music scene with a splash. Playing venues like Wicker Park, Beat Kitchen, and soon to be The Ramova Loft in Chicago, they’ve become a fast favorite of the local punk and folk scene. Inspired by artists like Bruce Springsteen and Carrie Brownstein, they leave an impression you can’t forget.
Featured track – Honey, We’re in Hell!
Support them here! https://tcnm.bandcamp.com/
Watermelon
A three-peice out of Chicago that brings RAMONES vibes to the extreme. With fun lyrics and an 80’s feel, you’ll be clapping along to their newest album, “No Laughing, No Crying”.
Featured track – Midwest Girls
Support them here! https://watermelonpunk.bandcamp.com/
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