Advertise on Car Con Carne – It’s cheap and fun!
Thank you for your interest in Car Con Carne! The sign-up form is at the bottom of the page (or just click here). But first, some background and an explanation… Car Con Carne is 100% independently-run, and has been since…
Kelsey Montanez pivots from solo star to new band, CHANNELS (Episode 1146)
Chicago singer-songwriter Kelsey Montanez makes her first appearance on the podcast, to introduce her new alt-rock project: CHANNELS. Bandmates Hannah and Jesse joined in for a chat outside an Evanston Starbucks. Discussed in this episode: Kelsey talks through her evolution…
Cops, TikTok, and community: Inside Tanner Dane’s grassroots Chicago takeover (Episode 1145)
Tanner Dane hops in the car while parked in Wicker Park to talk about turning a canceled summer tour into one of the most exciting grassroots live music movements in Chicago. After his initial plans fell through, Tanner took matters…
I Ya Toyah talks creativity, mental health, and music (Episode 1144)
Sitting in the car outside a Mount Prospect Dunkin’, James catches up with solo electronic/industrial artist I Ya Toyah to discuss music, tour survival, and staying grounded in an image-obsessed world. Key Episode Highlights Tour Discipline & Balance: I…
Are we living through another 90s comics crash? Market thoughts w/ Patrick Brower of Challengers Comics (Episode 1143)
Is the modern comic book market spiraling back into the speculator madness of the 1990s? Patrick Brower, co-owner of Chicago’s award-winning Challengers Comics + Conversation in Bucktown, joins James in the car to break down today’s comics retail landscape. Together,…
2026 Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony set for 9/27 (Episode 1142)
In this episode, Car Con Carne heads to Joliet for a special live conversation from inside the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 (9 W. Cass St.). Founder Ron Romero joins me to preview the 2026 Illinois Rock…
The rapid and deserved rise of Dogs With Hats (Episode 1141)
For this episode, I caught up with Dogs With Hats founder/frontman Sam Shrier outside Beat Kitchen to talk about the band’s rapid rise, creative evolution, and upcoming plans. Sam details how Dogs with Hats grew from a solo bedroom recording…
Breakups and breakthrough songwriting moments – Savanna Ruth (Episode 1140)
I sat down with singer-songwriter Savanna Ruth outside Dunkin’ Donuts over iced caffeinated beverages to talk about her forthcoming album, The Baseball Diaries. After years performing as Burr Oak, Savanna decided to wipe the slate clean and step into a…
The shapes of ‘Wrath’ – Zak and Alex of Bleached Cross (Episode 1139)
Chicago post-punk outfit Bleached Cross (Zak and Alex) joins James VanOsdol to break down their latest album, Wrath. Episode Highlights Radio Nostalgia & Cassette Tapes: Zak brings in his childhood box of handwritten cassette radio rips from late-’90s Q101 broadcasts,…
Somebody put a Ramone in my podcast: Richie Ramone (Episode 1138)
Former Ramones drummer Richie Ramone joins the show at Beaumont’s (2020 N. Halsted) in Chicago to talk about his Ramones days, live shows, solo albums, acting pursuits, and what keeps his creative sparks lit for him. Thanks to Beaumont’s for…
