EPISODE · Sep 2, 2025 · 1H 4M
Francois Smit 🎸 From South Africa to Empress | Hogpod Chicago Music Scene Podcast
from H.O.G. POD: Chicagoland Hyper Local Music Scene · host HogPod Chicagoland's Hyper Local Music Chat
This week on the Hogpod Chicago Music Scene Podcast, we welcome Francois Smit — guitarist for Empress and a rising force in Chicago’s rock scene.Hosts Mike “Bongo” Orfanos, Mike Dermont, Pete Jansons, and Chris “Rhodesy” Rhodes talk with Francois about:🎶 His journey from South Africa to Chicago’s music scene🎸 Life in Empress with Tamara Woodruff, Alex James, Bill, and Sean🎤 Carnival life stories, first U.S. impressions, and food discoveries🏟️ Chicago live music vs. South Africa’s scene🎧 Enjoying the show? Support Hogpod on Patreon and help us keep the Chicago music stories alive! / hogpod Are you a band, club owner, or booker and want to be on the show? Reach out to Beth Miller for booking:[email protected] | 708-287-36920:001:10 Shout out to Prior guest Rob Stepen • HOGPOD Chicago Local Music Scene Podcast ... 2:50 Mike Dermonth Drum Circle5:58 Bongo Mike Explanation of Drum Circle10:21 Francois Smit joins the show11;28 Coterie Yacht Rock Sept 28 The Vixen13:13 Friction Reunion Oct 25 Broken Oar14:25 Mosquitos at Wheeling Town Center 9/11/25 / 2367935456955088 16:00 Francois Introduction17:45 Tamara Woodruff Empress Show Clip • Tamara Woodruff (Blue Bayou) – Linda Ronst... 18:05 Empress Band20:25 Francois first visit to America23:36 Francois was a carnie?27:34 Is it safe for Francois to go back to South Africa28:13 Whats the music scen liek in South Africa?29:55 How Does a South African get into Rock Music33:48 Food Experiences39:05 Chicago Scene Vs South African Party Scene43:02 Pete Dankelson jamming with the Struts47:51 Pete Dankelson show clip • Thanksgiving with Peter Dankelson: Music, ... 51:00 Doug Shoenbeck show clip52:10 Empress shows / 1843421552951368 Sep 6 DOcks Wauconda54:01 Coterie Event Sep 28 Vixen Yacht Rock54:56 Mosquitos at Wheeling Town Center 9/11/25 / 2367935456955088 55:42 Chris Rhodes playing Ozzy Celebration Charity event Oct 19 Vixen57:32 Bongo Mikes rapid fire question1:02:48 Do chicks dig the accent?#Hogpod #ChicagoMusic #MikeOrfanos #MikeDermont #PeteJansons #ChrisRhodesyRhodes #BethMiller #FrancoisSmit #EmpressBand #SouthAfrica #RockMusic #ChicagoBands
What this episode covers
This week on the Hogpod Chicago Music Scene Podcast, we welcome Francois Smit — guitarist for Empress and a rising force in Chicago’s rock scene.Hosts Mike “Bongo” Orfanos, Mike Dermont, Pete Jansons, and Chris “Rhodesy” Rhodes talk with Francois about:🎶 His journey from South Africa to Chicago’s music scene🎸 Life in Empress with Tamara Woodruff, Alex James, Bill, and Sean🎤 Carnival life stories, first U.S. impressions, and food discoveries🏟️ Chicago live music vs. South Africa’s scene🎧 Enjoying the show? Support Hogpod on Patreon and help us keep the Chicago music stories alive! / hogpod Are you a band, club owner, or booker and want to be on the show? Reach out to Beth Miller for booking:[email protected] | 708-287-36920:001:10 Shout out to Prior guest Rob Stepen • HOGPOD Chicago Local Music Scene Podcast ... 2:50 Mike Dermonth Drum Circle5:58 Bongo Mike Explanation of Drum Circle10:21 Francois Smit joins the show11;28 Coterie Yacht Rock Sept 28 The Vixen13:13 Friction Reunion Oct 25 Broken Oar14:25 Mosquitos at Wheeling Town Center 9/11/25 / 2367935456955088 16:00 Francois Introduction17:45 Tamara Woodruff Empress Show Clip • Tamara Woodruff (Blue Bayou) – Linda Ronst... 18:05 Empress Band20:25 Francois first visit to America23:36 Francois was a carnie?27:34 Is it safe for Francois to go back to South Africa28:13 Whats the music scen liek in South Africa?29:55 How Does a South African get into Rock Music33:48 Food Experiences39:05 Chicago Scene Vs South African Party Scene43:02 Pete Dankelson jamming with the Struts47:51 Pete Dankelson show clip • Thanksgiving with Peter Dankelson: Music, ... 51:00 Doug Shoenbeck show clip52:10 Empress shows / 1843421552951368 Sep 6 DOcks Wauconda54:01 Coterie Event Sep 28 Vixen Yacht Rock54:56 Mosquitos at Wheeling Town Center 9/11/25 / 2367935456955088 55:42 Chris Rhodes playing Ozzy Celebration Charity event Oct 19 Vixen57:32 Bongo Mikes rapid fire question1:02:48 Do chicks dig the accent?#Hogpod #ChicagoMusic #MikeOrfanos #MikeDermont #PeteJansons #ChrisRhodesyRhodes #BethMiller #FrancoisSmit #EmpressBand #SouthAfrica #RockMusic #ChicagoBands
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Francois Smit 🎸 From South Africa to Empress | Hogpod Chicago Music Scene Podcast
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