Creating a multimedia concert experience around Georges-Jean Méliès’ films: Jean-François Alcolea (Episode 1034)
Release Date: 04/01/2025
Danimal Farm takes artistic residence in ‘Perseverance Hotel’ (Episode 1053)
Car Con Carne
Danimal Farm is a solo project created by singer/guitarist Danny Doom, formerly of Milk at Midnight. The album, “Perseverance Hotel,” is a comfortable, sometimes dark, collection of shimmering indie rock and indie pop songs that have stuck with me since the album’s February release. Danny Doom joins me to talk about the project, along with band members Stephanie and Clay. We talk about Doom’s decision to do a solo project after the end of Milk at Midnight, why the original plan to deliver love songs fell apart, and … why the Who’s “Quadrophenia” album still holds up....
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Malört made impossibly worse by Noon Whistle Brewing (Episode 1052)
Car Con Carne
Almost exactly one year ago, I visited Noon Whistle’s Lombard Brewpub (800 E. Roosevelt) to understand why they were serving cicada-infused Malort. Sure enough, they got me again. Garlic Butterlört has arrived. In the brewery’s promotional copy, it’s described as “bringing big ‘better ingredients, questionable decisions’ energy. Rich, buttery goodness meets roasted garlic and herbs, with that unmistakable bitter kick that says, ‘maybe I do want another slice or just literally anything to get this taste out of my mouth.’ “It’s smooth. It’s garlicky. It’s bold....
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Comedian Kevin Kellam welcomes you to ‘Kevin and Hell’ (Episode 1051)
Car Con Carne
I’m joined by comedian/radio host/wrestling journalist/former radio colleague Kevin Kellam, who’s recording a comedy album on stage at Lincoln Hall on August 9. We met outside the Brewed in Logan Square for a Sunday morning conversation that covered everything from the comedy album taping to Q101 philosophy. There’s also a detailed discussion on the time I walked through human excrement, if that happens to be your thing. I had a lot of fun recording with Kevin; be sure to catch him at Lincoln Hall! Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly...
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Live from Legit Dogs (Episode 1050)
Car Con Carne
The second live Car Con Carne event at Legit Dogs + Ice (322 S. Randall Road, South Elgin) happened on 5/15/25. Appearing at the event, and on this episode: Karen Shook, Carson from Obscurity Brewing, Aaron Williams, comedian Chris Bongat, Derision Cult and unannounced guest Sincere Engineer. In addition to being interviewed, Karen Shook, Aaron Williams and Derision Cult each performed two songs. For the music performances, please watch the full-length video (or specific song clips) on YouTube. Here’s what they played: <strong>Karen Shook</strong> “Let the Rain”...
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Bellhead follows up on earlier promises with ‘Threats’ (Episode 1049)
Car Con Carne
Bellhead (Karen Righeimer and Ivan Russia) is a favorite of mine. The post-punk duo continues to take massive evolutionary steps forward with each new release; the new EP, “Threats,” is their finest moment yet. Rather than meet in my car, I invited Bellhead over to do an interview in my backyard (they’re like family at this point). My fire pit was a bit … suffocating … as we chatted, but we still managed to have a great chat. To make sure the conversation flowed, Karen brought samples of her homemade mead for us to enjoy as we sat out in the 50-degree Midwestern spring...
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Instrumental duo El Bisonte visits Chicago from Louisville (Episode 1048)
Car Con Carne
El Bisonte is a spectacular bass and drum instrumental duo (Henry Ignacio - bass and sounds; Blake Lowery - drums) from Louisville, Kentucky. I caught up with them last weekend before they headlined “Goatstock” in Norridge, and we talked about: *Their take on Chicago *Louisville’s most famous haunted attraction *How Henry gets “upskirted” at live shows *What storytelling in song means for an instrumental band *Why they sat on “Buried Beneath the Rubble” for so long ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space...
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UR Mom was in my car last night (Episode 1047)
Car Con Carne
I’m hanging with UR Mom for this episode. Me and UR Mom have a lot to get into, including the just-announced Summerfest date! Maura Wolf (vocals, rhythm guitar), Tommy Hinds (guitar) and Alex O’Malley (drums) joined me to talk about the band’s beginnings and the speedy word-of-mouth that’s encircling the band. More impressive, they conducted the interview without the invaluable assist of bassist Andrew Vucsko-Cameron! ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience...
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Introducing Afrofuturistics (Episode 1046)
Car Con Carne
Afrofuturistics is “A Chicago Collective of Horns, Bass, Hip Hop Beats” They’re jazz. They’re hip hop. They’re somewhere in between and everywhere around those edges. I met Eric Oldman and Keith Wakefield from the band outside Goat Village (4701 N. Cumberland) to chat as their band is taking off. ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home,...
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Greek food, Glenview culture, metal AF: Stavros from Atlas Moth returns (Episode 1045)
Car Con Carne
Stavros from the Atlas Moth is back for his 4th appearance on Car Con Carne - it’s been over four years, so we were overdue for a chat. The first thing you may notice in this episode is how easy the conversation is between the two of us. Besides Stavros being a natural and funny conversationalist, we have a lot in common: music, comics, horror, vinyl collecting. Lots of common ground there. We talk about why the Atlas Moth has been dead silent for the past five years, and Stavros reveals the plans for an upcoming covers EP. You won’t believe the artists they’re covering!...
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With Patience trio’s terrific ‘Triptych’ tantalizes (Episode 1044)
Car Con Carne
Post-hardcore trio With Patience release their debut album, “Triptych,” on Friday, 5/9. In advance of that, guitarist/vocalist Chris Wade and bassist/vocalist Lance Curran join me on the lakefront in Rogers Park to talk about the band and album. ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules. Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give...
info_outlinePianist, composer, improviser and scenographer, Jean-François Alcolea met me on the roof of Reggie’s when he was in Chicago for his “Right in the Eye” multimedia event.
I can’t do the “Right in the Eye” event justice with a description, but for general understanding, he and his fellow musicians provide scores and background for the films of Georges Méliès. It’s fascinating, immersive stuff - if you have the chance to see him in another city on this tour, I highly recommend this show.
Jean-François and I talk about the birth of cinema, staging this sort of event and where creativity comes from. If you’re watching the video version, you can watch the weather go from bad to worse in mere minutes. I wrapped up the conversation shortly before the skies totally opened up on Chicago.
Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net
Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.
Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728
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On Thursday, April 3, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at the soon-to-reopen Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin - 322 S. Randall Road. Yeah, I know it’s a school night, but I’ll be featuring live performances and interviews with East Moon, Ricky Liontones Revue, Joseph Christopher and Chris Pienta! It starts at 8:30 pm. Doors at 7:30 - we start recording the podcast at 8:30. Hope to see you there.
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Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story. It's the ultimate novel about the '90s and Chicago's music sce ne, written by Andy Frye.
Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.