The Pulsars return! (Episode 1080)
Car Con Carne
“This is a very nice day, yeah. Hugs and kisses all the way to Wisconsin” Not to bury the lead: synthy, new wavey, indie rock favorites, the Pulsars are back and moving forward. Full disclosure: I love this band and have waited decades to hear what band leader Dave Trumfio had to say on this podcast episode. The Pulsars will be releasing more music. They’ll be touring. They’re continuing all the good things they started in the 20th century. Dave is a music genius, whether he’s in front of the Pulsars or behind the console producing other artists like Wilco,...
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Troubled Hubble at Bay View Bash (Episode 1079)
Car Con Carne
Troubled Hubble is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its wonderful “Making Beds in a Burning House” album, and the band joined me in the car before their (long-rain delayed) set at Bay View Bash in Milwaukee! Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly connected space? Easy Automation 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...
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Devon Kay at Bay View Bash (Episode 1078)
Car Con Carne
I’m joined for this episode by “one of Chicago, Illinois' biggest crybabies,” Devon Kay. Devon’s a favorite of mine, and it was fun to connect before the band’s (weather abbreviated) set at the Bay View Bash in Milwaukee. We talked about the band’s Harvey Danger cover, their status as “world’s greatest band,” the latest on their next (ska-free) album, and our plans to record a podcast in the band’s van. Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly connected space?...
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The pinball episode! (Episode 1077)
Car Con Carne
Warning: This episode will make you want to play more pinball. This episode was recorded outside the perfectly-curated pinball cafe, Pin Grounds (31 W. Irving Park Rd., Roselle, IL). Thanks to Art for his hospitality, and for opening up on an off night to host this podcast and its guests. Thanks also to Dan Lewis of Easy Automation for hosting this episode in his truck and making ribs for everyone (they were amazing!). This episode is all about pinball, and includes the following guests: Andy Bagwell - One of the top-ranked pinball players in the U.S. Mike Felumlee...
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Live at Legit Dogs + Ice (Episode 1069)
Car Con Carne
This episode had a long, strange journey. Recorded at Legit Dogs + Ice in South Elgin less than 48 hours before the restaurant closed for good, this episode features guests Lollygagger, Coyote Man, flowersatherfeet, Chris Baker from Ink 180 and Brennan Weaver/Phil Lisiecki of Wild Dogs Comedy. The recording started an hour later than scheduled, due to house audio problems I still don’t understand. Adding to the weird, “closing forever,” vibes was having to watch people leave the room because they didn’t want to wait any longer for the show to begin. And yet… the...
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Iconic guitarist Kid Congo Powers (Cramps, Nick Cave, Gun Club) talks storied career (Episode 1076)
Car Con Carne
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Venus Club goes to ‘dark places’ on dreamy new EP (Episode 1075)
Car Con Carne
I’m joined by Emilie and Josh from Venus Club — they’re a dark wave Chicago band that I absolutely adore. The new EP, Extended, is dreamy, haunting, and well positioned for your autumnal listening pleasure. We met in a south side parking lot, as people do, and chatted about their sound, their drunken origin story (subject to debate?), Ace of Base’s oeuvre, and they joys of physical media. Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly connected space? Easy Automation delivers custom...
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Gina Barcal is ‘Midwest ‘til the End’ (Episode 1074)
Car Con Carne
“I could barely stop from grinnin’, and I’m sorry, Jesus, but tonight I’m sinnin’” Gina Barcal has moved away from her punk and indie roots (Venom Lords, Pillowmints, etc.) to create a solo EP of authentic, no-kidding, Americana songs. “Midwest ‘til the End” comes out on November 7, followed by a show at Fitzgeralds Sidebar on November 8. Well before that, Gina jumped in the car to talk about how her career has led her to these sounds and this moment, her muse (a “Midwest boy with calloused hands), how her parents are remembered on the EP, and whether the song...
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Never mind the existential dread, here’s Alexis Plaen (Episode 1073)
Car Con Carne
Alexis Plaen releases her sharp, conceptual, and beautifully constructed pop debut, “Enjoy the Void,” on 10/10/25. In advance of that, she joined me for a conversation in Avondale that covered: *The pervasive album themes of existential dread and finding oneself *The devastating (and perhaps suspect) house fire that changed everything for her *The variety of styles and approaches to her music *The trouble with TikTok *The hauntingly accurate and memorable lyric, “Too bad a funeral’s cheaper than a hospital” If you haven’t yet heard Alexis’s music or watched her...
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Broken Robots meet challenge of ‘The Great American Struggle’ (Episode 1072)
Car Con Carne
I’m out of the car for this one, joining Broken Robots (Kat, Tony, Elix, Anthony, Ari) in the band’s Logan Square home studio for a long overdue conversation. The chat lands days before the release (9/12) of what is arguably their finest moment, “The Great American Struggle.” We talk at length about the meaning and construction of the songs and how they all fit together. It was important to frame the album’s completion around how the band has dealt with dramatic blows over the past few years, the most dramatic and impactful being Tony’s cancer diagnosis and his inspirational fight...
info_outlineWarning: This episode will make you want to play more pinball.
This episode was recorded outside the perfectly-curated pinball cafe, Pin Grounds (31 W. Irving Park Rd., Roselle, IL). Thanks to Art for his hospitality, and for opening up on an off night to host this podcast and its guests.
Thanks also to Dan Lewis of Easy Automation for hosting this episode in his truck and making ribs for everyone (they were amazing!).
This episode is all about pinball, and includes the following guests:
Andy Bagwell - One of the top-ranked pinball players in the U.S.
Mike Felumlee - Smoking Popes drummer, pinball enthusiast
Frances Mai-Ling - Pinball enthusiast, runs juniors division
We talk about the pinball community, tournaments, tips for amateurs like me (“flip less!”), favorite games, and Chicago as “ground zero” for pinball.
Pinball culture is real, and I’m totally on board with it. Hope you enjoy this episode!
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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation:
Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly connected space? Easy Automation 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!
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Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Exploding House Printing.
Exploding House can help with all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merch needs.
They’re a truly local Chicago business, right in the Hermosa neighborhood. And their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between.
They’ve worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty Bottle, the Music Box, Dante’s Pizzeria, the Brokedowns, and so many others (check out explodinghouseprinting.com to see the list).
Jonathan at Exploding House has been doing screen printing for decades. He knows what he’s doing - besides his technical expertise, he delivers production efficiency and cost awareness to offer boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices.
Check out their work on Instagram at (at)explodinghouse, or go to their website or email [email protected] to get a quote!