Outside the Loop RADIO

Outside the Loop RADIO:
Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine

>>> LAUNCHED >>> 09-28-06 >>>
>>> WLUW LAUNCH DATE >>> 03-16-07 >>>

Listen to the show on the airwaves!
WLUW 88.7-FM, Chicago’s Sound Alliance
Thursday mornings from 10-11a !!

Mike Stephen is a local radio guy who’s excited to offer a weekly audio magazine featuring fun segments and interviews with local newsmakers, artists, musicians, and others who are doing some cool stuff around the Chicago area. The show covers topics that don’t always get the proper attention in the media, all with a strong and independent Chicago slant.

“Radio shows that are broadcasted live over the airwaves and podcasted later are often the subject of debate amongst critics: Is it fair to group these products of the old guard in with shows made by two dudes talking into a macbook? When the show in question is as compelling and informative as Outside The Loop Radio, any hand-wringing over classification seems irrelevant. Airing every Thursday on Loyola University’s WLUW and released for download soon after, Outside The Loop is an NPR-like show billed as “Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine.” The show’s high production values and focus on local issues, specifically those which don’t receive their due recognition from mainstream media outlets, make for an enjoyable and edifying listen every time.”

-Matt Byrne, A.V. Club Chicago: 10/19/11

“While there are many fine podcasts produced in Chicago, none manage to balance diversity of content with local focus as well as weekly audio magazine Outside the Loop (OTL) Radio. Since 2006, host Mike Stephen has been investigating local culture and politics through insightful and professionally conducted interviews. If you’ve ever complained that there’s not enough going on in Chicago, listening to OTL will change your tune. Visit them directly or catch the show every Thursday morning at 10am on WLUW 88.7 FM.”

-New City Magazine’s Best of Chicago 2010

“Ah, summer. Time to sit back, crack open an ice-cold Schlitz and crank the (vintage) stereo to OTL. Cohosts Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann toss listeners weekly tips as they cover a range of topics, from promoting local bands to discussing Chicago’s biking culture, taxicab tales and the city’s murky politics. It’s enough information to quickly increase street smarts and plenty of obscure music knowledge to up your indie cred — as if Schlitz weren’t enough.”

-Time Out Chicago (Jul 3-9, 2008)

“Chicago has a meaty amount of good music podcasts, but as far as Chicentric talk shows are concerned, we mostly have to choose between stoner ramblings and political soapboxing. … So when … Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann … launched this new weekly show about the city’s nuggets, we were pretty excited. And so far, they’ve done one helluva job. …”

-Time Out Chicago (Nov 2-8, 2006)

MIKE STEPHEN… (host and executive producer)   …was raised in Elmwood Park, just on the outskirts of Chicago proper. He graduated from Loyola University, where he hosted the very popular Stephen In the Evenin’ show on WLUW-FM (88.7). After kicking around at various internships in Chicago radio, he landed at a 50,000 watt heritage powerhouse station where he produced a variety of shows over the course of six years.  He now works full-time at a multimedia production studio in the Chicago area. Mike enjoys the color blue, doing athletic type stuff, blowing on harmonicas, collecting Star Wars memorabilia, and drinking in bars.

ANDY HERMANN… (former executive producer)   …grew up in what was once a rural part of suburban Columbus, OH. He then spent four years in Athens and graduated from Ohio University (not Ohio State), where at WOUB-AM/FM he was music director for their college rawk show. He ended up in Chicago and bored with his job, so he took an internship at the aforementioned ginormous radio station — and never left. Andy also enjoys the color blue, wandering around town, watching Three’s Company DVDs, listening to Greg Dulli songs, and prefers drinking at home alone. Andy left the show in March of 2009 to pursue a career in pottery.  We love him and wish him well.