Taste of Randolph preview with Spitalfield at Hide+Seek (Episode 1055)
Release Date: 06/10/2025
Flake Michigan performs in a parking lot (Episode 1059)
Car Con Carne
Flake Michigan is a self-described, five-person, “Midwest Indie Saxy band from Chicago.” I’m joined by Sergio, Laura, and Dave just days before “Flaketoberfest” at Chop Shop (July 10), where they’ll celebrate the one-year anniversary of their “Ottawa” album. We talk about how Flake Michigan started, their hyperlocal approach to songs, their collaboration with Car Con Carne favorite Soothsayer Hot Sauce, and their hard-to-pin-down-sound. The interview is capped with an absolutely stunning in-car performance of their song, “Aurora” (as heard on “Ottawa”)....
info_outline
Face to Face at Motoblot (Episode 1058)
Car Con Carne
Trever Keith of Face to Face joins me for an interview recorded inside Loud Pizza Records, located inside Salt Shed in Chicago. The interview happened during Motoblot weekend at Salt Shed, a day before Face to Face’s headlining set on the final night. We covered a lot of the band’s storied history, some ties to Chicago music icons, comic books, and Iron Maiden. In short: All the good stuff. Trever’s a super cool guy! Support Face to Face: https://facetofacemusic.com/ Visit Loud Pizza: 1357 N. Elston Avenue (inside the Salt District of Salt Shed) ## Looking to...
info_outline
Live at Legit Dogs - Glory Days, Heligoats, Chad the Bird, badcandy, Eric Oren (Episode 1057)
Car Con Carne
Wrapping up a spectacular three-month run of live events at Legit Dogs + Ice, my guests for this special recording include Glory Days, Chris Otepka (Heligoats, Troubled Hubble), Chad the Bird, Alex Subak (badcandy) and comedian Eric Oren. Thanks to everyone at Legit Dogs for making these events and episodes happen - I had a lot of fun working on them and bringing them to life! **NOTE - LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE VIDEO VERSIONS OF THIS EPISODE. Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: Looking to transform your home, office, or business into...
info_outline
Gird your loins: The new Daisychain album rips (Episode 1056)
Car Con Carne
Nickole Regala, Sophia Williams, and Frankie Sripada of the bluesy, psychedelic, raw and authentic, band Daisychain join me for a chat just days before their album release show (6/20) at Sleeping Village and a week in advance of the release of the new album, “All in a Name.” This one was recorded outside local treasure Reed’s Local in Avondale, and we talked about: -The just-concluded tour, and the problematic hotel bathroom they had to negotiate around. -Their reverence for 70s sounds - don’t confuse it for a rubber stamp appreciation for all of that decade’s bullshit. -Frankie’s...
info_outline
Taste of Randolph preview with Spitalfield at Hide+Seek (Episode 1055)
Car Con Carne
returns this weekend (June 13-15) for its 28th year! The event happens at ground zero for food in Chicago: Randolph Street, between Peoria and Racine. To preview this year’s event, I sat down with Julie Darling (West Loop Community Organization President) at Hide+Seek (838 W. Randolph), a standout Randolph St. restaurant that offers a “creative American shared plates menu (incorporating) touches from Spain, France, and Italy.” Also joining in the conversation are Mark Rose, frontman for Spitalfield, the band headlining the Q101 PIQNIQ Stage (West Stage) on Saturday night....
info_outline
Wrestling music, Night Spice and Flowers for Dorian: go-to drummer Marc Esses (Episode 1054)
Car Con Carne
This episode sees the return of drummer, Mark Esses, who's behind the kit for many bands including Downstait, Night Spice and Flowers for Dorian. We met at El Vado, a Mexican restaurant in McHenry, and we chatted about: Balancing Multiple Projects: Besides being the drummer in a bunch of bands, Mark Esses also keeps busy as a D.J. We talk about how he manages his time and creative energy across all these endeavors. Pro Wrestling Music: Mark shares the story of how he was recruited into Downstait after the singer saw him perform and they bonded over a shared love of pro...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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”...
info_outlineTaste of Randolph returns this weekend (June 13-15) for its 28th year! The event happens at ground zero for food in Chicago: Randolph Street, between Peoria and Racine.
To preview this year’s event, I sat down with Julie Darling (West Loop Community Organization President) at Hide+Seek (838 W. Randolph), a standout Randolph St. restaurant that offers a “creative American shared plates menu (incorporating) touches from Spain, France, and Italy.”
Also joining in the conversation are Mark Rose, frontman for Spitalfield, the band headlining the Q101 PIQNIQ Stage (West Stage) on Saturday night. We talk about the band’s new music (Play+Record) - the first new songs we’ve heard from them in a very, very long time. I say it in the interview, but it’s worth repeating in this space: “I Can’t Stop” may be the most hooky song Mark’s ever written.
As a bonus, we’re also joined by Sean Mulroney. Not only is he the owner of Double Door (new location opening in 2026), he’s also in One for The Ditch, who are playing the PIQNIQ stage on Saturday afternoon!
We had amazing food and a fantastic conversation. See you this weekend on Randolph St. - wear sensible shoes and sunscreen.
##
Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly connected space? Easy Automation is a local business, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, that delivers custom automation solutions tailored to your lifestyle.
Whether you’re upgrading your home entertainment, streamlining your office tech, or enhancing the atmosphere in your restaurant or sports bar, they’ve got you covered .
Their expert team designs and installs personalized systems—from smart lighting and climate control to audio/video distribution and robust Wi-Fi networks—all managed through an intuitive app on your favorite device .
Easy Automation makes technology work for you—effortlessly, reliably, and always with your satisfaction guaranteed.
Visit easy-automation.net or call Dan at 630-730-3728 and take control of your environment today!
##
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 scene.
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.
And also follow 90daysinthe90s on Instagram for tons of Chicago scene & alternative music related content
##
TAG PUBLICITY is a Music & Event Publicity company that is freshly distinctive. TAG PUBLICITY is a full service entertainment PR, talent development, branding, digital marketing, social media management, project management, distribution, content creation, booking and public relations company currently headed by Evan J. Thomas - You can reach out to Evan anytime for any of your PR needs to [email protected]
Follow TAG Publicity on Facebook, IG and TikTok!