Ronnie's Chicago Story

Ronnie Kuller

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Chicagoan at a Glance

Favorite Chicago restaurant: Lula Cafe, always and forever
Favorite Chicago landmark: The Bloomingdale Trail, obviously!
Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Old Irving, where we just moved
Favorite Chicago sports team: The Joffrey Ballet
Favorite Chicago deep dish pizza joint: I've never been a fan of the deep-dish - I love Spacca Napoli
Chicago-style hot dogs: I'm currently pregnant and hot dogs are on the forbidden foods list, so, for the present moment, no.

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Why did you go into music - and specifically your field?

Started hearing music in my head, but instead of seeking treatment I decided to try writing it down.

"Sit Down Waltz" appears on Mucca Pazza's album L.Y.A.. Buy a copy on CD/LP/MP3 at one of the following retailers: Amazon http://bit.ly/buymuccalyaamazon iTunes http://bit.ly/buymuccalyaitunes Bandcamp http://bit.ly/buymuccalyabandcamp Mucca Pazza is an interdisciplinary instrumental music and performance ensemble based in Chicago, where it has grown into a treasured cultural institution.

"If your If your heart is not a total fake, inside it sits a yellow snake saying, all you do is a mistake." From Unquenched: Music From Baudelaire In A Box Episode 9. Available at: theateroobleck.bandcamp.com As heard on NPR's "Morning Edition"! "The Drag" was composed by Ronnie Kuller, setting Mickle Maher's translation of "L'avertisseur," by Charles Baudelaire. Videography by Cat Jarboe. Additional editing and snake wrangling by Patrick Murray. Snake images used with kind permission of Joseph Farah. See more of his beautiful reptile and amphibian photos at: http://www.reptilesofcolorado.com

What's something quirky about how you do your craft that others don't?

Lots of cursing at Finale? Oh wait. Everyone who uses Finale does that.

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What communities in Chicago do you identify with that have meaning to you and why?

I've lived all over this city for two decades: Hyde Park, Ravenswood, Ukrainian Village, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and now Old Irving. I don't drive, so I get everywhere by walking or public transit. I love retreading my footsteps along favorite walking routes; I even enjoy the camaraderie of being on a CTA bus full of people who are all going somewhere. 

What's a funny story about your time living or working in Chicago?

This one time I played accordion in a marching band for fourteen years.

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Don't miss Ronnie in:

Chicago Stories: Book Two

Tickets on sale now!

And check out our other artists' stories!