Deanna Belos joins us to talk about her great Chicago punk band Sincere Engineer. Deanna is the songwriter, singer and guitarist in the band and began putting out records in 2017 with the album Rhombithian. Along with bandmates Kyle Geib (guitar), Nick Arvanitis (bass) and Adam Beck (drums), Sincere Engineer released Bless My Psyche in 2021 and their incredible new album, Cheap Grills is due out 9-22-23. We talk about her love of The Lawrence Arms and Alkaline Trio, the upcoming Lollapalooza slot, the Sandburg Eagles and the best things about Chicago.

Time stamps:

2:20: We are here with Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer

5:20: When do you start getting into music?

6:40: What bands turned you on to punk?

9: How did you find Alkaline Trio and The Lawrence Arms?

10:20: How do you find your community and fellow punks?

11:40: What's your best Lawrence Arms Brendan Kelly story?

16:45: What song do you feel like you wrote that you felt like you were getting it and were proud of what you'd made?

19:45: Forming a band seems relatively seamless, has it felt that way?

20:45 : Did you feel a sense of protection about your songs, or was it hard to let go and let people interpret them differently than how you'd envisioned them?

22:20: Has any of the collaboration changed now that the band has been together for awhile?

26: Are you pushing your vision or do you have trust in the band to get to where you ultimately want to be?

27:30: What is your writing process like?

30: When people connect with your personal songs, what is that feeling like?

31:45: Are you pretty discerning about what you agree to do?

34:30: What does Chicago mean to you?

36: What excites you the most about Cheap Grills?

39:50: Has there been a moment that's been surreal that you think I'm doing this thing!?

42:15: Deep dish or thin crust pizza fan?

43:20: How do you choose your album art?

44:10: Favorite venue to play at, and favorite place to see a show at?

46: What to you makes Chicago a unique music scene?

48: Any other Chicago bands that people should check out?

50:14: What is your favorite cheap drink?

52:20: Are you a Chicago lifer?

53:15: What else are we excited about over the next couple of months?