Rich Conversations: 013. Mike Hickey

Show notes from episode 013 of Rich Conversations with Mike Hickey. Answers are cut down to fit into writing format.

How long have you lived in Chicago?

If I had to add it all up, 21 or 22 years. For the first part of my life, I was in Logan Square. Then Edgebrook. Then I moved to New York for college, and now I’ve been back in Logan Square.

What’s your neighborhood like?

I want to talk about Edgebrook. It’s a neighborhood on the far northwest side of Chicago. It’s surrounded by suburbs. The first thing you notice are the trees and how big they are. There’s a forest preserve that spills over to Edgebrook. The people there are mostly Irish and Italian—super Catholic neighborhood. That kind of homogeny gives Edgebrook a small town Leave it to Beaver feel.

If you have an open Saturday, how would you choose to spend it?

If the weather’s nice, I like to really start my days in the summer working in my vegetable garden. This is the first year I’ve done it in our front yard. Man, it’s just like so fun—watching it grow and creating something. Go for a walk on the 606. Hit up my friends and go to a concert at the Hideout or somewhere.

When you think of Chicago, what colors do you imagine first?

Let me give you two. The first is black. The color of the Sears Tower and the John Hancock. I love those buildings so much. I think they perfectly frame the skyline. The other buildings blend into the sky sometimes, but the Sears and Hancock stand out from nature. It’s like two tears in the sky. There’s nothing like it.

The second is brown. Again, in buildings. Brick buildings from the turn of the century. This color of brick that I really love—any graystone will have it on the side. The type of brick and mortar. Growing up I saw that pattern all the time, and it’s very comforting.

What’s your proudest moment as a Chicagoan?

It definitely has to be the first women’s march in 2017. I’ve been to a lot of rallies but that first march had such a different feel. It was incredibly positive and fun, which is different than others. It was after Trump won—his inauguration. It was good to turn out together.

If someone were to visit you from out of town, what restaurant would you take them to?

Superdawg. It’s a hot dog stand in Edgebrook. It’s this absolute time capsule from the 1950’s. A Drive-in hot dog stand. It’s an extremely American business model. The aesthetics of the place look like it’s straight out of the ‘50s. I’m a vegetarian but would still take people there. Maybe the best hot dogs I’ve ever had. I have not eaten my last Superdawg.

What’s your hidden gem in the city?

It’s I’m not a big restaurant/bar guy. One event that I think deserves more attention is a monthly funk and soul party called Windy City Soul Club. They used to be at Empty Bottle but now I think they’re at Sleeping Village. It’s DJ’s spending old vinyl. It’s a great atmosphere. I love to dance but the idea of going to River North is off-putting. Windy City Soul Club is just this chill—come as you are—party.  It’s really great. Also, they do New Year’s Eve at Logan Square Auditorium.

What sound do you most affiliate with Chicago?

When I’m driving in my car I listen to The Drive, which is the Chicago’s Classic Rock station. They have this promotional segment called “The Drive’s Daily Driver.” That person gets to pick like 10 songs that are played throughout the course of the day. But the best part is these little introductory segments where the driver introduces themselves and talks about their interests and what they do. Every single time my heart just swells. They’re so Chicago it hurts. It’s my favorite piece of Chicago culture by far.

What music influenced you the most during your time in the city?

That’s tough. It changes so often. Lately, what I’m drawn to most is sincerity in songwriting. Julia Jacklin is an Australian singer-songwriter. I think Crushing is the best break-up album of all-time. The second is an artist named Adrianne Lenker. She’s in Big Thief. The story she tells are very vulnerable and very insightful. They’re straightforward. She’s really cementing herself as one of the all-times. I just saw them at the Metro on Friday.

What’s a common scene you see in your daily interaction with the city?

The one that I can think of is—I live kind of close to Humboldt Park—and there’s this group called the “Humboldt Park Jeep Club.” I love the things that unite people. The Jeeps are chromed out and have big Jurassic Park lights on them.

If you were given secret information that Chicago were to be destroyed in one week, what’s one quality you would keep to rebuild the city?

I think I would have to choose Chicago’s propensity to Think Big and adapt. It’s been defined by big ideas. Transformative ideas.

What’s one thing would you do to improve your neighborhood or the city as a whole?

Affordable housing. People shouldn’t have to move out of their neighborhood if they don’t want to. Through stability, it’s how culture and community happen. Also, I just think gentrified neighborhoods are not interesting.

When people learn you’re from Chicago, how do they respond and what’s your reaction?

That depends on where I am. If it’s within the United States, it’s how cold it is and violence. But once you get outside the states, that’s when you really find out how Chicago culture has affected the world.

When you feel overwhelmed or need a mental escape but can’t leave the city, where do you go to clear your mind?

I like to walk the boulevards. Just walk those—look at the houses. It’s an underrated aspect of the city. You can get really far in the city from that. It’s this nice green ring around the city.

What’s something you’re curious about recently?

What’s it going to take for the working class of this country to push back. Against a government that does not represent our interests. Against corporations who abuse us and destroy the environment. Against a billionaire class that hoards wealth and hides money in off-shore bank accounts. At every junction, we’re getting squeezed. What will it take?

Within the past five years, what personal realization has improved your outlook on life the most?

I think that it is the ability to accept people. It’s important to realize that people grow at their own rate. And that adults can handle themselves. People are capable of working it out for themselves.

What’s something you’re excited or dream about in the future?

One dream is to play a tour of songs I’ve written. I’d really love to just finish some and play them. I think if I make it to the end of my life and I haven’t done it, I would regret it. Within the past few months, I’ve had a parental itch. Maybe down that path. A parkway community garden. Bring fresh food to people. Fresh produce and the street is taken care of. It’s a win-win for the city.  Campaign Finance Reform is the issue of our time. If I can find a way to put some time volunteering that would be really nice.