Car Con Carne

JC Brooks is a frontperson’s frontperson: An undeniable force of soul, charisma and swagger who helped elevate soul and classic R&B sounds to audiences across Chicago over the past 15 years.   I’m a fan of JC’s, and songs from both Uptown Sound albums and the most recent album, “The Neon Jungle,” continue to find their way onto my playlists.   After a period of relative quiet, JC Brooks emerged with a pair of higher-profile live shows in Chicago this year, including the NASCAR event. Seemed like a good time to catch up with him and find out what he’s working on.   We met in Uptown (naturally), and had big, greasy slices from Gigio’s. My shorts are ruined, but it was worth it.   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit alexrossart.com to see his work and get your hands on an original piece.   __   Car Con Carne is also sponsored by NINETY DAYS IN THE '90s (www.90daysinthe90s.com), by Andy Frye. Take the “Grey Line” back in time to 90s Chicago and relive all the music, moments and pop culture! Get

Cultivate is the first-ever three-day cannabis music festival, and it’s coming up soon, from August 25-August 27.   The event will be at the Nursery, a cutting-edge venue by the Green Line stop at 1800 W Lake Street.  This first-time event comes with a ridiculously affordable $99/3-day pass price tag, and artists include GZA, Graveyard (only U.S. performance), Crumb, The Pharcyde, Mac Sabbath, Julian Marley, Afroman and former podcast guests like Fishbone, Lucky Boys Confusion and Otnes.   Festival founder Louie Mendicino joins me to talk about building Chicago’s first-ever cannabis festival, from creating the venue through the artist booking.   Get tickets: https://www.tixr.com/groups/cultivate/events/cultivate-2023-71920 Food for this episode came from Cigars & Stripes in Berwyn (6715 Ogden Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402). Louie says they have the best wings in the area, and he's not wrong. The Tijuana Dog was also something special! Great place to eat, drink and hang!   ##   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex

Marites Velasquez (bass, vocals) and Nick Barnett (guitar) of Ovef Ow, an eclectic and cool Chicago band, jump in the car for this episode.   Ovef Ow will release their first full-length album, “Vs. the Worm,” and will play a free release show at the Empty Bottle on Monday, August 28, to celebrate.   We talk about the new album, the band’s sound, records and food.   This episode was recorded while eating tacos and drinking horchata from El Original Chavas Tacos on Grand Avenue.   ##   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit alexrossart.com to see his work and get your hands on an original piece.   __   Car Con Carne is also sponsored by NINETY DAYS IN THE '90s (www.90daysinthe90s.com), by Andy Frye. Take the “Grey Line” back in time to 90s Chicago and relive all the music, moments and pop culture! Get your copy from Amazon, or wherever awesome books are sold.   __ Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Easy Automation (easy-automation.net).   Are

I love Nathan Graham. The singer/songwriter returns to Car Con Carne for his 6th appearance, as he prepares to release his debut album, “Saint of Second Chances.”   We talk a lot about the album’s first single, which Nathan performed live in the car (a performance that will give you chills).   Catch up with Nathan in this interview, then support him in October when the album comes out (which he’ll celebrate with a show at Fitzgerald’s on 10/19)!   For this episode, we went for soul food at 6978 in Oak Park.   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit alexrossart.com to see his work and get your hands on an original piece.   Car Con Carne is also sponsored by NINETY DAYS IN THE '90s (www.90daysinthe90s.com), by Andy Frye. Take the “Grey Line” back in time to 90s Chicago and relive all the music, moments and pop culture! Get your copy from Amazon, or wherever awesome books are sold.  

Award-winning creative duo DJ Corchin and Dan Dougherty are currently crowdfunding “Shut Up and Feel: An Adult Picture Book on Emotions,” a book that’s “relatable, hilarious, and has a lot of swears. A bold, picture book approach to the messy human experience.”   This was a super fun interview, and you should totally help them reach their Kickstarter goal. There are tons of cool rewards to claim, many at a reasonable price. Just search “SHUT UP” on Kickstarter.   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit alexrossart.com to see his work and get your hands on an original piece.   Car Con Carne is also sponsored by NINETY DAYS IN THE '90s (www.90daysinthe90s.com), by Andy Frye. Take the “Grey Line” back in time to 90s Chicago and relive all the music, moments and pop culture! Get your copy from Amazon, or wherever awesome books are sold.. ##  

Today’s Snack is “Hey That’s Funny” by Caroline Lucius, from her new release, “Running Without Me.” Hear more of Caroline’s music:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3B7iZjEbSlWp1FycoYYpeE?si=KKaVhSvHT1-wWZG4K0EnFA Bandcamp: https://carolinelucius.bandcamp.com/album/running-without-me This Snack is sponsored by NINETY DAYS IN THE '90s (www.90daysinthe90s.com), by Andy Frye. Take the “Grey Line” back in time to 90s Chicago and relive all the music, moments and pop culture! Get your copy from Amazon, or wherever awesome books are sold.

Too Much Joy returns to the Chicago area for the first time since the late 90s! The band plays Blue Island Beer Company on September 16 for a can’t-miss show that also includes a performance from Jon Langford and Sally Timms of the Mekons!   We talk about the band’s evolution from college rock band to major label artist in the 90s. We cover everything: their KRS-One collaboration (“Good Kill”), “Making Fun of Bums,” R.E.M., the band’s cover of the dreaded Terry Jacks song (“Seasons in the Sun”) and the unthinkable things Ace Frehley’s handlers take care of.   This band is smart, funny and full of pop smarts. Their Blue Island Beer Company show is essentially a once-in-a-generation opportunity!   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit alexrossart.com to see his work and get your hands on an original piece.   Car Con Carne is also sponsored by NINETY DAYS IN THE '90s (www.90daysinthe90s.com), by Andy Frye. Take the “Grey Line” back in time to 90s Chicago and relive all the music, moments and pop cul

Today’s Snack is “Letters” by Girl Named Nino (named best singer/songwriter in the Chicago Reader’s Best of 2022 issue)   Nino’s description of the song is perfect: “A Cinematic Gothic Americana tail with a lush, wall of sound arrangement about connection and mysticism.”   Discover more music from Girl Named Nino, and join her social media community:   Connect on Socials @girlnamednino Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/girlnamednino   Streaming/Download Bandcamp : https://girlnamednino.bandcamp.com/track/step-into-the-light Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0T2re1BmSyA7eiQnvaojFL Apple Music : https://music.apple.com/us/artist/girl-named-nino/1221084098 Amazon Music, Deezer etc  

Today's snack is a new one from Chicago band the Feeders. "Congratulations, By the Way" is a hint of what's to come from what will be their second full-length.    Support the band: www.thefeeders.bandcamp.com (Bandcamp) https://eccentricpop.bigcartel.com/product/lp-the-feeders-kerchoo

Achings is an East coast-based indie band who just put out their first full length album …All These Shapes, All These Days. The songs are meant to capture “the various types and tones of connections past and present, and their indelible impact on our sense of self and place in the world.”   Joining me for this episode are Rebecca Joy (vocals, keyboards) and Justin Myer (guitar, drums).   We talk about the kismet that brought them together, the incredibly cool still-frame-composition video for “Abdication,” and why Justin and I should be friends.   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art (alexrossart.com)!  

On the heels of the debut Miirrors album, “Motion and Picture,” the band joined me for hot dogs to talk about their songs, their origins and what’s next for the band. See Miirrors at GMan on Friday 7/28/23!   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art (alexrossart.com)!  

Days before the Evictions release their long-awaited self-titled vinyl album, Johnny Wator and Chris Polish join me for hot dogs and conversation about the album.   We also talk about the band’s history, ZZ Top, shocking things we’ve seen in Chicago, and Chris's excellent beard. See the Evictions Friday July 28 @ Liar’s Club for their album release show! Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit the website and check out Alex’s gorgeous work at alexrossart.com!  

Chicago favorites the Blue Meanies return for a rare reunion show at Concord Music Hall Saturday 7/22/23!   The band’s getting back together for a set of their early stuff… the songs that hooked us all on the band in the first place. Plan on a night of Pave the World and Kiss Your Ass Goodbye awesomeness.   Billy and I talk about the band’s original run and all the related albums, why things came to a stop, and whether or not they ever really “fit in.”   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit alexrossart.com to see absolute masterwork paintings and creations from one of the comics’ world’s true living legends.  

Today’s Snack is "All My Life" by Rent Party… your favorite feminist garage folk band.  It comes from the band's just-released second album, "Corto."  Support the band all over the world wide web: Bandcamp- https://rentparty.bandcamp.com/ Website- https://www.rentpartychicago.com/ Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/rentpartychi/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/rentpartychicago  

With the Naked Raygun tribute album, “Godspeed,” coming out on 7/28, I thought I’d ask a few friends/"Godspeed" contributors to answer the question, “Why Naked Raygun?” The ad hoc panel includes Steev from Death and Memphis, Pete Mittler from the Methadones and Bollweevils and returning favorite Dr. Daryl Wilson of Bollweevils. Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art (alexrossart.com). San Diego Comic Con is fast approaching. If you’re going, make sure to visit Alex Ross Art while you’re there (Booth 2415)! Alex Ross is one of the all-time greatest artists to ever render your favorite comic book heroes and villains. Car Con Carne is thrilled to work with Alex Ross Art. SDCC runs from Thu, Jul 20, 2023 – Sun, Jul 23, 2023  

Delmark is the oldest independent jazz and blues label in the world, and it’s celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. I sat down at Delmark’s studio location to chat with President/CEO Julia A. Miller. We chatted about the long history of the label, and focused on the new compilation, “70th Anniversary Blues Anthology,” an absolutely essential walk-through Delmark (and blues) history.   Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art (alexrossart.com). San Diego Comic Con is fast approaching. If you’re going, make sure to visit Alex Ross Art while you’re there (Booth 2415)! Alex Ross is one of the all-time greatest artists to ever render your favorite comic book heroes and villains. Car Con Carne is thrilled to work with Alex Ross Art.   SDCC runs from Thu, Jul 20, 2023 – Sun, Jul 23, 2023  

The 11th Annual Homegrown Fest takes place July 29 at Basecamp (5750 LakeSide Drive, Lisle). Joining me to talk about this year’s event are:   Aaron Williams (Founder and promoter, Homegrown) Josh Izzo (Downers Groove) Steve Peterson (North of Eight)   As we talked about this year’s event, I also learned about the sketchy humble roots from where Homegrown started. Let’s just say I’m glad the event is now at Basecamp and not an abandoned motel.   Thanks to Aaron for putting together Homegrown (and again hanging on Car Con Carne). Thanks also to Basecamp for the delicious food (all of which will be available on 7/29)!   For info/tickets/etc: Homegrownartsandfestival.com   Car Con Carne is proud to be sponsored by Alex Ross Art (alexrossart.com). San Diego Comic Con is fast approaching. If you’re going, make sure to visit Alex Ross Art while you’re there (Booth 2415)! Alex Ross is one of the all-time greatest artists to ever render your favorite comic book heroes and villains. Car Con Carne is thrilled to work w

6kitty is a 3-piece, female fronted, band from Chicago. "My World" comes from their first album, Tux, available for streaming everywhere. See the band at LiveWire on 7/22!

Conciencia Total is a Spanish-speaking punk band dedicated to being an “added voice on the issues of Immigration, Racism, Poverty, Education and Gender Inequality.”   After watching their charged set at Punk Rock Tacos, I invited the full band into the car to talk about their mission and music. Spoiler: They didn’t all fit in my cramped Mazda 3! Car Con Carne is proud to be sponsored by Alex Ross Art (alexrossart.com). San Diego Comic Con is fast approaching. If you’re going, make sure to visit Alex Ross Art while you’re there (Booth 2415)! Alex Ross is one of the all-time greatest artists to ever render your favorite comic book heroes and villains. Car Con Carne is thrilled to work with Alex Ross Art.   SDCC runs from Thu, Jul 20, 2023 – Sun, Jul 23, 2023   __   Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Easy Automation (easy-automation.net). A truly smart home, bar/restaurant/intelligent office, etc. is never a one-size-fits-all proposition.  Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call at 630.730.3728  

Showoff is officially back, and they kicked things off locally with a secret, unannounced appearance at Punk Rock Tacos on July 8, 2023. In a case of lucky coincidence, I was at the show to record interviews with a few other bands, and took the opportunity to pull Showoff into my car for a chat.   We talked about new music plans and why returning to Showoff made sense. We also talk about bird poop, radio and other stuff, too.   See Showoff: Friday, July 14 at Burlington Bar       Car Con Carne is proud to be sponsored by Alex Ross Art (alexrossart.com). San Diego Comic Con is fast approaching. If you’re going, make sure to visit Alex Ross Art while you’re there (Booth 2415)! Alex Ross is one of the all-time greatest artists to ever render your favorite comic book heroes and villains. Car Con Carne is thrilled to work with Alex Ross Art.   SDCC runs from Thu, Jul 20, 2023 – Sun, Jul 23, 2023   __   Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Easy Automation (easy-automation.net