LATTER: Equal Parts Art Project and Band (Episode 1111)
Car Con Carne
Episode Overview In this episode of Car Con Carne, host James VanOsdol welcomes Meredith and Jon from the Chicago-based band Latter. Described as "equal parts art project and band," Latter delivers a sound that is jarring, experimental, and unapologetically intense. James talks with the duo about their integration into the local heavy music scene, and the raw, emotional alchemy that defines their creative process. What You’ll Hear in This Episode The "Latter" Origin Story: How a "just for funsies" Instagram post and a mutual friend brought together a New Jersey transplant...
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The history of Chicago dining told in new ‘oral history’ book (Episode 1110)
Car Con Carne
Mike Gebert is one of my all-time favorite food writers - he’s a James Beard award-winner who just published a deep reaching oral history of Chicago’s culinary scene called “The Chicago Way: An Oral History of Chicago Dining.” Mike talked to the big names, big personalities and big story tellers who contributed to decades of incredible American cuisine. He returns to the podcast for the first time in over six (!) years to talk about his excellent new book, and all the restaurants, chefs, and eyewitnesses mentioned within. __ Car Con Carne is sponsored by Exploding...
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The Effigies + the Evictions (Episode 1109)
Car Con Carne
In advance of their show at Cobra Lounge on Sunday, 2/21, I’m joined by members of the Effigies and the Evictions at Cobra! Paul, Steve, and Andy from the Effigies and Johnny from the Evictions jumped in the car to preview the show and talk about the long history of Chicago music and punk. We also were treated to new items from Cobra’s pizza menu, thanks to Chef Jason: Dragged Through the Garden - poppy seed crust, sliced hot dogs, onion, sport peppers, dill pickles, green relish, mustard and celery salt Louie’s Pizza - Pepperoni, giardiniera, and calabrian...
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Do the Dale (Episode 1108)
Car Con Carne
Are you doin’ the Dale? You should plan on doin’ the Dale. My guests are Shawn Podgurski (DMen/Sybris) and Dave Hornyak (Livewire Lounge), organizers of Doin’ the Dale, an Avondale-centric music and arts festival happening 2/26-3/1. We met outside Avondale Tap and talked about the event, which will include (but isn’t limited to) the following: Thursday 2/26 - Dmen Tap - Art Show Friday 2/27 & Saturday 2/28 - Livewire Lounge 2 days of music Sunday 3/1 - Dmen Tap - Craft Fair This is an exclusively Avondale event - everyone is from the...
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Pulling back the curtain on podcasting: A chat with Jaime Black (Episode 1107)
Car Con Carne
Jaime Black (Dynasty Podcasts) has been podcasting for 20+ years, and has a wealth of experience and success behind that history. While not his first time on the podcast, this marks his first time joining me in the car - very exciting stuff. We talk about the art and business of podcasting. It’s a bit “inside baseball,” but I think it’s a conversation that will click with anyone who’s ever taken a DIY approach or who’s worked to build a brand. Jaime’s one of the good ones - I’m thrilled I got to reconnect with him! Car Con Carne is sponsored by Exploding House...
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La Rosa Noir: ‘Existence is resistance … I am doing this for younger me’ (Episode 1106)
Car Con Carne
Yeshi and Zach of La Rosa Noir jump into the car, conveniently parked outside their Pilsen practice space, for a chat about the band’s history, their Riot Fest performance, and new music/happenings for 2026. See La Rosa Noir at the Athenaeum on February 21! Car Con Carne is sponsored by Exploding House Printing. Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. They’re local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here’s why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever - their focus is on...
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Time Thieves meet me at “VEGAN TACO HELL” inside Dante’s (Episode 1105)
Car Con Carne
Jonathan of Time Thieves returns to the podcast in advance of the band’s LP release show at Empty Bottle on February 26 (also featuring Josh Caterer Trio, Al Scorch, and Earl Gary). We met at Dante’s (1936 W. Chicago), which played host to a Palermo’s Unreal Foods pop-up: VEGAN TACO HELL. Returning guest Mustafa is one of the principals at Palermo’s, and he shared the amazing Crunchwrap and Taco Hell Grande with us - I swear it tasted authentic, and was entirely plant-based. Jonathan and I talk about the suitable-for-framing-and-playing new album, old record players,...
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Double Identity twins embrace pop, physical media, and metaphor (Episode 1104)
Car Con Carne
Arden and Courtney of Double Identity jump in the car in the dead of winter to talk about the band’s growth, songwriting, live show, and the need for CDs. Car Con Carne is sponsored by Exploding House Printing. Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. They’re local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here’s why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever - their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between. They’ve worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty...
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The Brokedowns can be wolf (Episode 1103)
Car Con Carne
“You're born, you'rе cursed, and every deck is stacked.” Who are the Brokedowns? “A tradesman, two remote workers, and a pizza chef named Mustafa forged their sound in the industrial glow of Chicagoland, channeling blue-collar grit through a lens of existential comedy and transforming Midwest frustration into something loud enough to sound like hope.” The Brokedowns piled into the car to chat about their excellent new album, “Let’s Tip the Landlord.” It’s not every day you can get all four guys in the same place, so I was excited to be joined by: Kris...
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Comics aftermarket - flipping, speculating, and celebrating w/ Jon Belonio and Dave Zortea (Episode 1102)
Car Con Carne
info_outlineEpisode Overview
In this episode of Car Con Carne, host James VanOsdol welcomes Meredith and Jon from the Chicago-based band Latter. Described as "equal parts art project and band," Latter delivers a sound that is jarring, experimental, and unapologetically intense. James talks with the duo about their integration into the local heavy music scene, and the raw, emotional alchemy that defines their creative process.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
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The "Latter" Origin Story: How a "just for funsies" Instagram post and a mutual friend brought together a New Jersey transplant and the drummer from Beach Bunny to form this formidable duo.
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Songwriting as Catharsis: Meredith explains why her lyrics are fueled by raw emotion, channeling whatever she is "pissed off about"—from the state of the world to personal struggles—into the music.
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World-Building Through Visuals: A look at the band's cinematic approach, from rmusic videos to curated Pinterest mood boards for future releases.
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Left-Handed Synergy: A fun look at the "similar genes" and creative connection Meredith and Jon share as two left-handed musicians.
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What’s Next: Details on their Audiotree session dropping March 4th and their upcoming May tour supporting Faetooth
Featured Music & Mentions
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Album: My Body is My Sickness (2024)
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EP: What Lives Inside Me (2025)
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Key Tracks: "Bloodlines," "Expiration Date," “Callous,” and "I Don’t Owe You.”
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Local Ties: Shoutouts to The Empty Bottle, SubT, and their engineer Pete, the "King of Tones".
About the Guests
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Meredith: Vocals/Guitar. A sound artist and musician originally from New Jersey and Philadelphia who uses Latter as a vehicle to "exorcise demons".
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Jon: Drums/Bass. Known also for his work in Beach Bunny, Jon explores his love for heavy, propulsive music and experimental tones with Latter.
Sponsor Spotlight
This episode is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. Based in Hermosa, they specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom merch for bands and brands. Visit explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote.