Suzy Chase Returns with The Groove Radio Unplugged – 9 Songs, 9 Stories of Music and Memory
Two decades after revolutionizing early podcast culture, Suzy Chase, one of New York City’s most beloved DJs and a genuine podcasting trailblazer, is making a powerful comeback. Her new series, “The Groove Radio Unplugged: 9 Songs • 9 Stories,” launches on 5 October 2025, marking the 20th anniversary of her iconic show The Groove Radio — a podcast that defined the digital soundscape of the early 2000s.
This time, Chase strips things back — taking listeners on a personal, nostalgic journey that reconnects music, memory, and meaning.
Before Spotify playlists, before algorithm-driven radio, before podcast charts — there was Suzy Chase.
Back in 2005, she was among the first independent creators to use podcasting as an art form. The Groove Radio became a cult favorite among listeners who craved authentic conversations about soul, funk, jazz, and the underground New York club scene.
What made it groundbreaking:
🎧 Authenticity: Real stories from real people — musicians, DJs, and fans.
🎶 Genre-Blending: From rare groove to classic funk, Chase’s selections were timeless.
🗽 NYC Spirit: Each episode captured the pulse of a city alive with music.
Two decades later, that same spirit returns — only now, it’s more intimate, reflective, and emotionally raw.
Introducing The Groove Radio Unplugged: 9 Songs • 9 Stories
The new podcast series reimagines the classic show through a personal storytelling format. Each episode centers around one defining track — a song that shaped Chase’s life, career, or creative identity.
“This is about going back to where it all began — remembering why we fell in love with music in the first place,” — Suzy Chase
🎵 What to Expect
Each of the nine episodes follows a similar structure:
One Song: A piece of music that left a lasting imprint.
One Story: A moment that changed everything — childhood memories, heartbreak, artistic turning points.
One Connection: How that song continues to resonate today.
Listeners are invited to experience music not just as entertainment, but as a mirror of life — how one melody can define an era, a relationship, or an emotion.
A Journey Through Sound and Sentiment
“The Groove Radio Unplugged” isn’t a playlist — it’s a memoir in motion. Through her warm narration, Chase blends elements of audio documentary, cultural commentary, and personal reflection, weaving together tales that will resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves in a song.
🎙️ Episode Highlights (Sneak Peek)
While the full episode list remains under wraps until launch, expect a mix of:
Iconic 70s soul tracks that fueled Chase’s love for vinyl.
Early hip-hop and disco influences from her days spinning at Lower East Side clubs.
Jazz-infused memories of late-night radio sessions that inspired the original Groove Radio.
Heartfelt stories of love, loss, and self-discovery — all through the rhythm of sound.
Each story is about human connection through music — a universal theme that transcends genres and generations.
Why This Podcast Matters in 2025
The podcast world is louder than ever — millions of shows compete for attention. But The Groove Radio Unplugged stands out because it returns to the essence of what podcasting once was: intimate, personal storytelling.
In a digital age obsessed with clicks and metrics, Suzy Chase’s approach feels revolutionary again:
No gimmicks.
No algorithms.
Just heart, sound, and story.
Her podcast celebrates music as memory, a reminder that behind every beat, there’s a human being who lived it.
From Vinyl to Voice: Suzy Chase’s Evolution
Suzy Chase’s story mirrors the evolution of podcasting itself.
🏙️ From the NYC Club Scene to the Global Podcast Stage
Before podcasts, Chase was a fixture in New York’s underground DJ circuit. Known for her eclectic taste — from 1970s funk to Latin boogaloo — she became a curator of moods, blending rhythm and storytelling long before podcasting existed.
When The Groove Radio debuted in 2005, it captured the DIY energy of early internet culture. Long before “content creators” became a buzzword, Chase was already recording, editing, and distributing shows from her tiny Manhattan apartment.
Her listeners weren’t just fans — they were a community. And now, twenty years later, they’re coming home.
The Emotional Power of Music and Memory
At its core, The Groove Radio Unplugged is a study in emotional time travel. Each episode shows how a single song can transport us back — to a childhood bedroom, a first heartbreak, or the dance floor where everything changed.
Psychologists call it the “reminiscence bump” — the way music imprints itself onto memory during key stages of life. Chase turns that science into sound, proving that stories told through music are the stories that stay with us forever.
Behind the Mic: The Making of the Series
The podcast’s stripped-back approach mirrors its emotional honesty. Chase records each episode in her home studio, surrounded by vintage vinyl, photographs, and the same turntables that spun the first Groove Radio mix two decades ago.
🎧 Production Notes:
Format: Narrative storytelling with curated tracks (fully licensed).
She has also collaborated with independent sound designer Alex Rivera, who blends ambient textures and archival clips to give each episode a cinematic feel.
Where and How to Listen
The Groove Radio Unplugged officially launches on Sunday, 5 October 2025, with the first two episodes dropping simultaneously.
Listeners can tune in via:
Apple Podcasts
TuneIn
TheGrooveRadio.com
New episodes will release weekly, leading up to a special anniversary finale celebrating two decades of Suzy Chase’s podcasting journey.
A Love Letter to Music — and to Listeners
At a time when content often feels disposable, The Groove Radio Unplugged reminds us why storytelling matters. It’s a series that invites listeners to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the songs that shaped who we are.
Suzy Chase doesn’t just talk about music — she makes us feel it again.
Fan Reactions and Early Buzz
Ahead of its launch, music and podcasting communities are already buzzing:
“Suzy Chase returning is like vinyl coming back — timeless, textured, and true.” – Podcast Weekly Review
“Her storytelling feels like sitting in a late-night diner talking about life, love, and the songs that saved us.” – The Audio Journal
This organic excitement underscores her influence — Chase isn’t just returning to podcasting; she’s reclaiming it.
The Future of Groove Radio
Chase hints that The Groove Radio Unplugged might be just the beginning. Future projects could explore live storytelling events, collaborations with musicians, and special anniversary re-releases of early Groove Radio archives.
As podcasting enters its next era, Suzy Chase continues to prove that authenticity never goes out of style.
Conclusion: When Sound Becomes Story
“The Groove Radio Unplugged” isn’t just a comeback — it’s a celebration of storytelling through sound. It bridges generations of music lovers, from those who remember the early iPod days to new listeners discovering the intimacy of long-form audio for the first time.
In a world that moves too fast, Suzy Chase reminds us to press play, listen, and remember where it all began — with one song, one story, and one moment that changed everything.
