This week, Features contributor Safiya Ratliff speaks with Tara Shedor of Chicago-based rock 'n' rollers Everyday Specials. They discuss the creation of their new EP Doggy Bag and the various dog references contained within, their college-era battle of the bands musical roots, and writing songs about the socialist values of now-defunct car manufacturer Saturn.

"Politics are infused in everything. I feel like it comes through and we want our songs to, you know, actually remark about the world in addition to being fun. And we're out here having fun, but we're having fun in blazing fires around us, right?" - Tara Shedor of Everyday Specials

Photo Credit: Tom Moffitt

Produced by Brian Szpak.

Jason Narducy is a Chicago musician. When he isn't touring with Bob Mould, Superchunk, or Sunny Day Real Estate, he writes and sings in Split Single. Jason has performed with Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), The Pretenders, Liz Phair, Eddie Vedder, Michael Shannon, R.E.M. and many more.

Jason and his first band, Verböten, were featured in the Foo Fighter's HBO series Sonic Highways and in Dave Grohl's NYT best seller, Storyteller. Playwright Brett Neveu wrote a musical about Verböten (featuring music by Jason) that opened in Chicago in January 2020.

The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three.

The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Eileen Tull (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary theatremaker, poet, educator, and one-woman show person based in Chicago. Her work has been seen throughout the country in United Solo Festival, Minnesota Fringe, Dallas Solo Festival, San Francisco Fringe, Cincy Fringe, and Tampa’s New Seeds Festival. In Chicago, she has worked with The Factory Theatre, Stage Left Theatre, Theatre Wit, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, among others.

Eileen recently founded Fat Theatre Project, a creative collective committed to telling stories by/about/for/with fat artists. Coming up in 2025, she'll be directing "Funny, Like An Abortion," with FTP, co-produced by Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Theatre Directing from Randolph College. www.eileentull.com

The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three.

The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.