Jamie and Deb of Leo Graphics Chicago (4200 W. Diversey) join me for conversation and food from the remarkable Hermosa Restaurant (4356 W. Armitage).

We’re joined by Hermosa Restaurant owner/visionary Ethan Lim. Ethan has built up Hermosa on his own terms, and his warmth and authenticity are present inside the space and in every bite he prepares.

As we talk, we dig into the sandwiches that everyone is talking about: Hermosa’s Cambodian fried chicken sandwiches. Before you even listen or watch, take the time to order ahead and get one of them in your belly this week. This is a “top five” sandwich for Chicago; no exaggeration.

Ethan’s story, history and perspectives are refreshing, and I think you’ll enjoy hearing what he has to say.

As for the Leo Graphics team: Jamie and Deb are a blast to hang out with. We talked about their independent print shop business, which fuels and supports the local music community. They explain the process and economics behind their work in making record jackets (they share highlights from the likes of King Gizzard and Vortis), and the benefits of focusing on smaller-batch orders.

They also shared examples of the work they do on physical records; if you’re watching the video version, you’ll love seeing what they did for artists like Naked Raygun and My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult.

The Leo Graphics chat came to a crescendo when Jamie and Deb show what they brought for “show and tell”: Car Con Carne stickers of all sizes & a cool banner! They do fantastic work, and if you’re looking for print work: signs, album jackets, decals, drum heads, stickers … whatever … give them a shout!

Jamie and Deb are also in 13 Monsters. If you see this in time, check them out at Cary’s Lounge (2251 W Devon Ave) on Saturday, May 11!

Car Con Carne (a Q101 podcast) is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit Alex Ross on YouTube (@TheAlexRossArt) to keep up to date with one of the comics industry’s most important and celebrated creators.

##

The summer season at Ravinia kicks off next month… and there’s no place more comfortable to see outdoor shows.

Load up your picnic basket and head to the show… or take advantage of some of Ravinia’s outstanding food options inside the park.

Violent Femmes are set to do an album play of their debut album with the Chicago Philharmonic. It’s been hard for me to imagine stripped down songs like Gone Daddy Gone and Add It Up done with a classical collaboration. Get tickets and see the full schedule at ravinia.org.

##

I want you to join my team! I’m training for the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb at Soldier Field on May 19. Go to fightforairclimb.org/chicago and click “register as a team member.” From there, search “Car Con Carne” and get yourself signed up!
Join me at Soldier Field. Let’s have some fun, do good and feel good.

##

A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.
Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:00.620 –> 00:00:04.840
This right here is Car Con Carne, a Q&A one podcast.

00:00:05.160 –> 00:00:09.220
I’m James Van Auzel, recording tonight in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago.

00:00:09.600 –> 00:00:14.340
And Car Con Carne is presented by Alex Ross Art, alexrossart.com.

00:00:14.720 –> 00:00:20.880
Alex Ross, the comic book legend, the man whose work blew your mind on things like Kingdom Come and Marvels.

00:00:21.220 –> 00:00:28.000
The guy who continually delivers jaw-dropping, eye-catching covers across the industry.

00:00:28.600 –> 00:00:29.560
He’s the best.

00:00:29.600 –> 00:00:33.860
And his artwork is available for you to own.

00:00:34.140 –> 00:00:37.200
Imagine owning a one-of-a-kind Alex Ross original.

00:00:37.480 –> 00:00:38.960
Go to alexrossart.com.

00:00:39.380 –> 00:00:44.460
Even if you’re just perusing, looking through his stuff is so much fun because he’s the best.

00:00:44.520 –> 00:00:45.440
He is the best.

00:00:45.900 –> 00:00:49.720
And after you’re done visiting alexrossart.com, check him out on YouTube.

00:00:49.740 –> 00:00:52.920
He keeps his YouTube page up to date at the Alex Ross Art.

00:00:53.300 –> 00:01:02.280
And if you happen to be watching, which I feel like more people are doing these days, if you’re watching on Facebook or YouTube, here’s just a little bit more about what Alex Ross is all about.

00:01:28.107 –> 00:01:32.167
So, I’m recording this on a very weird day in Chicago.

00:01:33.027 –> 00:01:34.087
It stormed today.

00:01:34.107 –> 00:01:35.507
There was hail in some parts.

00:01:35.967 –> 00:01:37.727
It came down, and then it didn’t.

00:01:38.067 –> 00:01:40.507
And now it’s like 75 degrees and sunny.

00:01:40.567 –> 00:01:42.587
It’s a perfect spring day.

00:01:43.007 –> 00:01:45.647
Welcome to spring in the Midwest, welcome to spring in Chicago.

00:01:45.987 –> 00:01:51.207
But the point is, these 75 degree temps are a precursor of what’s to come.

00:01:51.587 –> 00:02:03.427
We know the weather’s gonna keep getting better, and just in a couple weeks, we’re gonna be outside at Soldier Field taking on the stairs there as part of the Fight for Air Climb with the American Lung Association.

00:02:03.687 –> 00:02:04.587
I’m building a team.

00:02:04.607 –> 00:02:10.147
Let’s take this on, let’s raise money, let’s help raise awareness, let’s fight lung disease.

00:02:10.167 –> 00:02:13.987
Join my team, go to fightforairclimb.org/chicago.

00:02:14.347 –> 00:02:19.627
Once you’re there, click join as a team, and then search Car Con Carne and join my team.

00:02:19.647 –> 00:02:23.247
And let’s do this Sunday, May 19th at Soldier Field.

00:02:23.887 –> 00:02:24.847
I’ll see you on the stairs.

00:02:26.147 –> 00:02:33.507
So while I’m on the topic of how amazing the weather is, despite torrential downpours earlier, it’s Ravinia season.

00:02:33.527 –> 00:02:35.267
Ravinia season is upon us.

00:02:35.287 –> 00:02:40.187
It kicks off next month, and really, there’s no place more comfortable to see outdoor shows.

00:02:40.807 –> 00:02:49.827
Load up your picnic basket, that’s what you do when you go to Ravinia, or just take advantage of some of Ravinia’s outstanding food service options inside the park.

00:02:50.047 –> 00:02:51.987
Yeah, leave the food at home, rely on Ravinia.

00:02:52.007 –> 00:02:52.847
They’ve got great stuff.

00:02:53.267 –> 00:02:57.207
And the shows that are coming up, you can check out the whole schedule at ravinia.org.

00:02:57.507 –> 00:02:58.607
You can buy tickets there.

00:02:58.887 –> 00:03:03.527
But man, some of these shows, Violent Femmes, I mentioned this one, they’re gonna do an album play.

00:03:03.547 –> 00:03:12.707
I love album plays, but they’re doing an album play of the first Violent Femmes album, the self-titled one, the one that everyone knows, Blister in the Sun, Kiss Off, Add It Up.

00:03:12.867 –> 00:03:16.187
They’re doing an album play of that, but it’s no mere album play.

00:03:16.207 –> 00:03:18.847
They’re doing it with the Chicago Philharmonic.

00:03:19.107 –> 00:03:21.307
That’s a real thing that’s happening at Ravinia.

00:03:21.547 –> 00:03:22.567
That’s one of the shows.

00:03:22.627 –> 00:03:25.707
Again, get your tickets, get details about the entire season.

00:03:25.707 –> 00:03:26.527
So much good stuff.

00:03:26.547 –> 00:03:28.527
Roger Daltry, so much good stuff coming.

00:03:28.687 –> 00:03:29.987
ravinia.org.

00:03:30.847 –> 00:03:32.987
What is a smart home?

00:03:33.807 –> 00:03:35.087
It’s not a rhetorical question.

00:03:35.167 –> 00:03:39.987
I’ll tell ya, a smart home connects virtually all technology in your home.

00:03:40.367 –> 00:03:49.927
With an easy automation installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

00:03:50.527 –> 00:03:59.747
Transform your living space with cutting edge home automation and experience seamless control over audio, video, lighting, climate, security, and more.

00:04:00.167 –> 00:04:02.007
Embrace the future of smart living.

00:04:02.027 –> 00:04:03.627
It’s your home, your rules.

00:04:04.027 –> 00:04:15.347
Get a quote, hassle free, no strings attached, easyautomation.net or call my guy Dan, 630-730-3728, easyautomation.net.

00:04:15.747 –> 00:04:23.247
My guy Dan, a warm, friendly human voice who will tell you everything, 630-730-3728.

00:04:24.287 –> 00:04:28.307
It is impossible for you to ask one question without asking three others inside of it.

00:04:28.347 –> 00:04:30.827
No, and you hate when I ask an either or question.

00:04:30.887 –> 00:04:34.887
And if I ask, you know, did you go to the bathroom or did you go down the street?

00:04:35.587 –> 00:04:37.187
He’ll be like, wait, pardon.

00:04:37.207 –> 00:04:38.887
He’ll be like, yes, no.

00:04:39.287 –> 00:04:40.267
That’s how he answers me.

00:04:42.067 –> 00:04:43.807
I want you and Jason Bateman to have a conversation.

00:04:44.847 –> 00:04:46.267
I feel like I’ve already lost control.

00:04:48.047 –> 00:04:49.787
Welcome to the party, pal.

00:04:50.067 –> 00:04:51.287
I have already lost control.

00:04:51.767 –> 00:04:52.327
Don’t eat yet.

00:04:52.347 –> 00:04:53.987
We haven’t even talked about what we’re eating yet.

00:04:54.007 –> 00:04:54.927
Look at this thing.

00:04:56.127 –> 00:04:57.487
I understand your excitement.

00:04:57.507 –> 00:05:01.787
I share your excitement, but there are rules to this podcast, Jamie.

00:05:01.807 –> 00:05:02.407
There are rules.

00:05:02.527 –> 00:05:03.807
Oh, rules, damn.

00:05:04.347 –> 00:05:05.627
This is Car Con Carne.

00:05:05.647 –> 00:05:08.007
I am on Armitage Avenue, just east of Costner.

00:05:08.427 –> 00:05:10.267
To my right, he is Jamie.

00:05:10.287 –> 00:05:12.867
To my immediate rear, that is Deb.

00:05:13.067 –> 00:05:16.567
The two of them together, they are Music Graphics Chicago.

00:05:16.587 –> 00:05:18.547
They are Leo Graphics Chicago.

00:05:18.567 –> 00:05:19.047
Choose one.

00:05:19.067 –> 00:05:20.967
They both work the same way, kind of.

00:05:21.627 –> 00:05:21.867
Yes.

00:05:22.047 –> 00:05:24.647
We’re going to talk about exactly what they do and why they’re here.

00:05:24.967 –> 00:05:44.127
Now, to my right, if you’re watching this on Facebook and YouTube, if you’re looking to my right and in the back seat, oh my goodness, it’s Ethan Lim, owner of Hermosa Restaurant, 4356 West Armitage, the much celebrated, the much honored, the fantastic restaurant, which is really on Costner, right?

00:05:45.247 –> 00:05:46.527
Yeah, we’ll call it Costner.

00:05:47.587 –> 00:05:54.407
A restaurateur whose life experience informed his approach to creating menus and building his dining vision right here in Chicago.

00:05:54.987 –> 00:05:57.387
I want to talk about Hermosa.

00:05:57.407 –> 00:05:58.787
I want to talk about Leo Graphics.

00:05:58.807 –> 00:05:59.787
We have so much to get to.

00:06:00.267 –> 00:06:05.907
We have hot food from Hermosa and it is disrespectful to not eat the hot food while it’s hot.

00:06:05.927 –> 00:06:07.807
While it’s not, Jamie couldn’t control himself.

00:06:07.827 –> 00:06:09.867
Like he’s just like, fuck it, I’m going in.

00:06:11.007 –> 00:06:12.047
I am on this thing, man.

00:06:12.067 –> 00:06:14.707
Yeah, Deb, you talk about Jason Babin or whatever the fuck.

00:06:15.607 –> 00:06:17.207
I’m gonna eat this sandwich.

00:06:17.867 –> 00:06:21.287
Okay, so again, Hermosa Restaurant, Ethan Lim is here.

00:06:21.607 –> 00:06:22.607
Ethan, what are we eating?

00:06:22.627 –> 00:06:25.447
This is something that helped put you on the map.

00:06:25.987 –> 00:06:31.907
Yeah, so our signature sandwich at the restaurant is the Cambodian Fried Chicken Sandwich.

00:06:32.267 –> 00:06:33.867
Cambodian Fried Chicken Sandwich.

00:06:34.307 –> 00:06:41.907
Yes, it’s marinated in seasoning spices and accompanied by a salad that we normally would have as a kid.

00:06:43.107 –> 00:06:47.487
Normally, the chicken is roasted, but I am a sucker for fried food.

00:06:48.087 –> 00:06:56.207
And we have a fried chicken sandwich that’s marinated in a lemongrass grueling paste that we use quite a bit in just about everything for Cambodian cuisine.

00:06:57.547 –> 00:07:16.867
Papaya salad that is turned into a pickle with all the fresh herbs that we use in Southeast Asian dishes, Thai basil, heavily, cilantro, scallion, Vietnamese coriander, some lime segments, and mayo that we make in-house with roasted garlic kofi.

00:07:17.627 –> 00:07:19.067
Is that what’s in the containers here?

00:07:19.227 –> 00:07:26.487
Yes, to go with your fried chicken sandwich are some more fries with a garlic mayo that is.

00:07:26.547 –> 00:07:26.787
Oh.

00:07:27.047 –> 00:07:27.287
Yes.

00:07:27.307 –> 00:07:27.327
Yes.

00:07:28.267 –> 00:07:28.527
Oh.

00:07:29.767 –> 00:07:29.987
Oh.

00:07:31.667 –> 00:07:31.887
Oh.

00:07:34.527 –> 00:07:35.027
This is like.

00:07:35.047 –> 00:07:35.607
Goodnight everybody.

00:07:36.067 –> 00:07:39.007
This is like getting late after prom, you know?

00:07:39.687 –> 00:07:40.167
I don’t know.

00:07:41.767 –> 00:07:43.087
I didn’t get late after prom.

00:07:43.187 –> 00:07:43.767
I dropped out.

00:07:45.007 –> 00:07:47.007
So Jamie, tell us your story.

00:07:47.047 –> 00:07:50.087
Well, yeah, it looks like I’m batting a thousand losers.

00:07:50.107 –> 00:07:52.127
Great reference, dude.

00:07:52.827 –> 00:07:53.527
But I understand.

00:07:53.547 –> 00:07:54.087
Squares.

00:07:55.087 –> 00:07:55.807
I’m outta here.

00:07:56.447 –> 00:07:57.207
All right, check this out.

00:07:57.387 –> 00:08:00.987
This is, I’m doing something dangerous here by holding the sandwich up to the camera.

00:08:01.787 –> 00:08:02.487
It’s dripping.

00:08:03.147 –> 00:08:04.527
It smells so fresh.

00:08:05.427 –> 00:08:10.587
And without even tasting it yet, there’s texture thoughtfulness here.

00:08:10.767 –> 00:08:11.027
Yes.

00:08:11.727 –> 00:08:13.627
The crunch, I’m just looking at what’s on here.

00:08:13.647 –> 00:08:18.887
I’m sure that besides the taste, there’s a certain attention paid to how this feels as you eat it.

00:08:19.087 –> 00:08:23.947
Yeah, texture is a huge component when it comes to a lot of Asian cuisines.

00:08:24.487 –> 00:08:33.547
There are dishes in China that is strictly focused on texture, lack of flavor, and you have jellyfishes, so to speak.

00:08:34.247 –> 00:08:41.527
So for me, I was taught by a chef at one point to say that we are not wearing dentures yet.

00:08:41.547 –> 00:08:45.447
Do not make all my food to be of the same puree texture.

00:08:45.967 –> 00:08:58.347
So that biting to things, having some crunch, having some flavor, all your palates and little exciting palate points, sweet, spicy, salty, and package it between a button.

00:08:58.407 –> 00:09:01.747
I think that kind of excites some of us.

00:09:01.767 –> 00:09:03.667
Now, before I bite in, I’ve never had this sandwich.

00:09:03.927 –> 00:09:05.387
I’ve heard plenty about it.

00:09:06.147 –> 00:09:08.307
I’m just guessing that this is gonna be spicy.

00:09:08.727 –> 00:09:09.127
Is that?

00:09:10.227 –> 00:09:14.927
I do have additional spice that I brought if it’s not spicy enough.

00:09:15.487 –> 00:09:19.987
The heat does build a little bit, but it’s not gonna blow your palate.

00:09:20.167 –> 00:09:20.347
Good.

00:09:20.367 –> 00:09:32.007
Because there’s so many other flavors in it that I want to open your palate so you kinda sort of taste the sweetness and the herbs and the savoriness in there.

00:09:32.067 –> 00:09:33.167
So Ethan, I’m going in.

00:09:33.667 –> 00:09:38.347
As I go in, talk a little bit about developing this and getting this on the menu.

00:09:38.627 –> 00:09:39.527
Yeah.

00:09:40.487 –> 00:09:43.027
Really started, I guess, with the concept of the restaurant.

00:09:43.907 –> 00:09:44.987
I named it Hermosa.

00:09:45.447 –> 00:09:49.947
That’s the name of the neighborhood that supported our family for the longest time.

00:09:50.647 –> 00:09:51.627
A little backstory.

00:09:51.647 –> 00:09:54.927
Our family, we’ve been here since 1986.

00:09:55.527 –> 00:09:58.707
So it’ll be 39 years coming in 2025.

00:09:58.767 –> 00:09:59.887
Yeah, 38, 39 years.

00:10:01.447 –> 00:10:06.927
Yeah, our family’s been a large part of the community and the communities have supported us for so long.

00:10:07.347 –> 00:10:19.007
We’ve seen generations of, you know, two, three generations come to come and share a meal at, currently, now it’s my sister’s and brother’s restaurant at the front location.

00:10:19.447 –> 00:10:23.667
But my parents have moved their restaurant close by.

00:10:25.467 –> 00:10:32.867
So it’s great to see that generational support and Hermosa is a tribute to the neighborhood in that perspective.

00:10:33.727 –> 00:10:35.327
Start off as a hot dog hamburger spot.

00:10:35.867 –> 00:10:39.167
Growing up, I always enjoyed the Mr.

00:10:39.187 –> 00:10:46.367
Submarines that had the arcade and all my friends from high school would, you know, that’s where we hang out.

00:10:47.487 –> 00:10:54.507
Spent three hours playing Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and having a sub at the same time.

00:10:55.247 –> 00:10:57.907
So Dennis Places for Game was like sort of our go-to spot.

00:10:59.167 –> 00:11:06.087
And the intent was to create a space that the high school kids can collectively gather together.

00:11:06.147 –> 00:11:09.147
There used to be a hot dog stand two blocks away.

00:11:09.647 –> 00:11:13.027
It’s now turned to a dental office, which is actually vacant now too.

00:11:13.827 –> 00:11:15.407
Yeah, it’s cursed.

00:11:15.867 –> 00:11:18.187
It is cursed.

00:11:18.407 –> 00:11:19.567
Wait, I’ve got to interrupt you.

00:11:19.647 –> 00:11:19.887
Yeah.

00:11:20.787 –> 00:11:21.847
The sandwich is so good.

00:11:26.987 –> 00:11:27.927
I’m almost in tears.

00:11:27.947 –> 00:11:28.627
This is so good.

00:11:29.307 –> 00:11:32.267
And to your point, the heat is just perfect.

00:11:32.587 –> 00:11:36.727
And oh my goodness, the herbs and everything, the basil that’s on here.

00:11:36.747 –> 00:11:37.967
It’s just fresh.

00:11:37.987 –> 00:11:39.307
There’s so much going on here.

00:11:40.207 –> 00:11:41.067
Sorry, I interrupted you.

00:11:41.087 –> 00:11:43.727
This is amazing.

00:11:44.027 –> 00:11:45.027
Oh, yeah.

00:11:45.047 –> 00:11:49.547
So the restaurant was originally more for the neighborhood kids.

00:11:50.007 –> 00:11:53.427
They were the most amazing human beings in the world.

00:11:55.407 –> 00:11:56.867
They would come for lunch.

00:11:58.167 –> 00:11:59.627
They paid me to eat.

00:12:00.327 –> 00:12:00.907
I fed them.

00:12:01.347 –> 00:12:06.947
And they cleaned up after themselves to a point that the spot was a lot cleaner when they arrived.

00:12:07.227 –> 00:12:08.807
So I was like, this is your spot.

00:12:09.167 –> 00:12:09.627
Hang out.

00:12:10.767 –> 00:12:15.167
They would have catwalks and just spend the afternoon doing their thing.

00:12:16.827 –> 00:12:19.827
But when the world turned upside down, things sort of changed.

00:12:20.727 –> 00:12:29.927
But during the whole process, it was these inventive sandwiches that I quoted, that I would model after this statement of, can you sandwich it?

00:12:29.947 –> 00:12:42.027
So taking dishes, taking meals, and packaging it in a bun as if you were having some of the best meals with leftovers and what you could do with the leftovers, like Thanksgiving.

00:12:42.207 –> 00:12:43.427
You would make a sandwich afterwards.

00:12:44.427 –> 00:12:47.447
The challenge with a sandwich like this is I want to tear through it.

00:12:47.467 –> 00:12:51.707
I want to just make all gone quickly, but I’m also enjoying every bite.

00:12:51.747 –> 00:12:59.227
I realize as I’m eating this, I don’t really savor the stuff I eat that often, maybe because I’m not eating great stuff, but I really want it.

00:12:59.387 –> 00:13:01.267
There’s so much going on in each mouthful.

00:13:02.347 –> 00:13:03.387
I don’t want this to end.

00:13:03.407 –> 00:13:07.387
So my brain is competing with itself, like must eat this.

00:13:07.407 –> 00:13:08.087
This is yummy.

00:13:08.107 –> 00:13:09.867
Also, oh my God, this is really wonderful.

00:13:09.887 –> 00:13:10.427
Take your time.

00:13:10.907 –> 00:13:12.087
It’s all layers, man.

00:13:12.407 –> 00:13:12.787
Thank you.

00:13:14.027 –> 00:13:16.067
So let’s take a step back a little bit.

00:13:16.387 –> 00:13:22.667
I mean, your history, your family in Cambodia, Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot.

00:13:23.007 –> 00:13:23.287
Yeah.

00:13:24.387 –> 00:13:26.327
I mean, you were born in a refugee camp.

00:13:26.507 –> 00:13:26.787
Yes.

00:13:27.107 –> 00:13:28.187
I don’t remember any of it.

00:13:28.647 –> 00:13:38.847
You know, we, by the time, my older siblings and my parents were born in Cambodia, so they went through the entire war.

00:13:39.847 –> 00:13:46.427
I was already born in a refugee camp, so the conflict, large part, you know, it came to a close.

00:13:48.687 –> 00:13:56.467
And we moved here in 84, so my recollection of anything about the camp was nonexistent.

00:13:57.747 –> 00:14:02.307
Is that why the comic display on your wall is a lot of 80s Marvel stuff?

00:14:02.467 –> 00:14:02.827
Yeah, yeah.

00:14:03.187 –> 00:14:09.147
That’s the genre in terms of artistic direction of Marvel, Saturday morning cartoons that I watched.

00:14:11.767 –> 00:14:13.547
That resonates and that connects with me.

00:14:13.567 –> 00:14:14.987
All right, sorry, go ahead.

00:14:16.307 –> 00:14:30.267
And yeah, but parents were not shy to remind us of conflicts, more so for a sense of humility to recognize that, A, we’re in a good spot now.

00:14:30.287 –> 00:14:36.227
There is a responsibility for us to, you know, just to make sure that other less privileged people are taken care of.

00:14:37.247 –> 00:14:45.447
So not being in the war, not having experienced any of that, but to emotionally connect to it on a personal level through parents.

00:14:47.567 –> 00:14:57.207
It’s, it just reminds, it, I don’t know, gives us a sense of perspective that’s a little different.

00:14:58.447 –> 00:15:00.587
When did you learn to cook like this?

00:15:00.607 –> 00:15:01.307
Oh, mom and dad.

00:15:01.327 –> 00:15:02.947
It was all mom and dad.

00:15:03.007 –> 00:15:05.347
Yeah, well, they really developed the palate.

00:15:05.387 –> 00:15:24.047
They developed like this hardcore realization that cooking is act of love and you have to put time into it and you can’t like, you know, when we’re making, for example, the lemongrass paste that is marinating the chicken sandwich.

00:15:24.467 –> 00:15:26.867
I remember growing up and we would sit.

00:15:28.407 –> 00:15:31.247
I was tasked, you know, that I was like five, six years old.

00:15:31.287 –> 00:15:34.387
I was tasked to make this lemongrass paste with a Morden pestle.

00:15:35.427 –> 00:15:46.087
And you basically just on a repeated motion pounding on herbs until it gets to that texture consistency.

00:15:46.667 –> 00:15:47.487
I thought it would never end.

00:15:47.507 –> 00:15:48.507
I thought my arms would fall off.

00:15:48.627 –> 00:15:49.467
I’m sure.

00:15:49.487 –> 00:15:50.787
My arms are like, keep on going.

00:15:51.307 –> 00:15:51.987
Keep on going.

00:15:52.007 –> 00:15:52.667
It looks done.

00:15:52.867 –> 00:15:53.487
Yeah.

00:15:53.627 –> 00:15:54.627
It’s too chunky still.

00:15:54.647 –> 00:15:55.207
Keep on going.

00:15:56.307 –> 00:15:59.067
So is it wrong that I would eat the lemongrass paste?

00:15:59.607 –> 00:16:00.407
Oh, yeah.

00:16:00.427 –> 00:16:02.007
The lemongrass paste is part of the marinade.

00:16:02.407 –> 00:16:05.447
I’m saying, I would just eat that on its own.

00:16:05.447 –> 00:16:06.267
That would be awesome.

00:16:07.127 –> 00:16:08.487
It would be perfect, man.

00:16:09.947 –> 00:16:10.647
It’s so good.

00:16:10.667 –> 00:16:12.407
It’s so floral, so delicious.

00:16:13.127 –> 00:16:13.627
Oh, yeah.

00:16:13.647 –> 00:16:14.327
It’s great.

00:16:15.027 –> 00:16:15.307
Yes.

00:16:15.887 –> 00:16:21.107
We’re all talking about the perspective of cooking is love and having that sort of optimism.

00:16:21.867 –> 00:16:25.087
How do you maintain that optimism running a restaurant in Chicago?

00:16:25.107 –> 00:16:28.927
I realize you’re successful in Chicago, but at some point, don’t you get a little bit jaded?

00:16:29.587 –> 00:16:31.007
Are you able to keep that?

00:16:32.027 –> 00:16:33.767
To be honest, I do.

00:16:33.827 –> 00:16:34.967
I don’t feel that way.

00:16:35.887 –> 00:16:45.847
We will be celebrating nine years on the 15th, and it still feels like I just opened yesterday.

00:16:46.847 –> 00:16:47.727
It’s still fun for you.

00:16:47.747 –> 00:16:48.587
It’s still exciting for you.

00:16:48.627 –> 00:16:49.047
Oh, yeah.

00:16:49.467 –> 00:16:50.987
Yeah.

00:16:52.147 –> 00:16:57.047
The human interaction, that connection is just such a core part of what we do.

00:16:58.527 –> 00:17:05.227
And it’s gotten to a point where my guests, as diners, we’re just catching up.

00:17:06.127 –> 00:17:06.587
Yeah.

00:17:06.867 –> 00:17:08.007
That’s a way to put it, being in…

00:17:10.127 –> 00:17:13.107
Welcome to TalkVille, the Ultimate Smallville Rewatch Podcast.

00:17:13.127 –> 00:17:16.867
Guest star Sarah Carter as Alicia Baker, although I didn’t really work with her a lot.

00:17:17.107 –> 00:17:20.767
But Tom did, and they had some real big smoochy scenes.

00:17:23.187 –> 00:17:25.507
Could there be any more sex?

00:17:25.807 –> 00:17:28.967
What was a three page makeout scene that just kept going?

00:17:29.047 –> 00:17:32.727
Good Lord, we get it, they have chemistry.

00:17:32.747 –> 00:17:38.267
Jump in now or catch up on any of the past seasons of TalkVille on YouTube or wherever you listen.

00:17:39.707 –> 00:17:41.527
Your play several times, that’s a good way.

00:17:41.627 –> 00:17:44.327
It’s like where we just come in, we hang out, catch up.

00:17:44.347 –> 00:17:53.507
Yeah, that’s the intent and the relationship, we don’t, like I tried to break the ice prior to the guest life.

00:17:54.387 –> 00:17:58.287
For us, we’re mainly focused on private dining, you know?

00:17:58.307 –> 00:18:00.007
And they’re coming in generally blind.

00:18:00.507 –> 00:18:11.887
Aside from my inquiry to their dietary restrictions, are you celebrating anything, allergies, and how many guests are coming to dinner, I’ll provide a recommended list of pairings.

00:18:12.147 –> 00:18:14.867
So what we’re talking about here is the family dinner that you do here.

00:18:15.127 –> 00:18:20.867
Just to let people listening or watching understand, this is a private dining room.

00:18:21.087 –> 00:18:21.307
Yeah.

00:18:21.327 –> 00:18:22.307
A couple nights a week.

00:18:22.307 –> 00:18:23.167
When did that start?

00:18:23.827 –> 00:18:24.287
Pandemic.

00:18:25.487 –> 00:18:26.267
Yeah, post-pandemic.

00:18:26.267 –> 00:18:35.387
As soon as we were allowed to have guests be in our space dining, that was the natural pivot for me.

00:18:35.807 –> 00:18:49.647
I’ve had friends during, prior to pandemic requested, asked if I was entertaining or would I be going back to a dining style format, coming from fine dining.

00:18:49.787 –> 00:18:53.407
I was like, I would like to, but I would like to change the model.

00:18:54.427 –> 00:19:00.447
Where for the majority of us that goes out, it is for a special occasion.

00:19:01.867 –> 00:19:04.187
And you kind of want time to stop.

00:19:05.307 –> 00:19:08.367
And sometimes these celebrations are definitely once in a lifetime celebration.

00:19:08.567 –> 00:19:09.307
That’s the truth.

00:19:09.327 –> 00:19:14.147
I mean, I’m at an age, as I’m sure Deb and Jamie are, like we don’t go out to dinner all the time.

00:19:14.347 –> 00:19:15.307
Life gets in the way.

00:19:15.767 –> 00:19:17.467
So when you do it, it’s meaningful.

00:19:17.487 –> 00:19:18.867
I mean, that’s exactly what you’re talking about.

00:19:18.887 –> 00:19:19.967
You gotta make it count.

00:19:20.147 –> 00:19:25.347
Yeah, we have grandma’s 90th birthday celebration, right?

00:19:26.807 –> 00:19:29.847
Had a wedding that was at my space, that was for three people.

00:19:29.867 –> 00:19:33.987
So it’s like, these are moments that, part of my French, you can’t fuck up.

00:19:35.147 –> 00:19:35.847
Life moments.

00:19:35.927 –> 00:19:38.207
Yeah, like I’ve had friends, yeah.

00:19:38.627 –> 00:19:46.187
I’ve had friends that’s gone to celebrate their 10 year anniversary at a restaurant and they completely just messed it up.

00:19:46.647 –> 00:19:48.047
We’ve all experienced that.

00:19:48.067 –> 00:19:50.707
Yeah, so it’s those disappointing factors.

00:19:50.727 –> 00:19:56.507
A couple hundred dollars later, when you go out, you’re also being selective about how you’re spending a lot of money.

00:19:56.527 –> 00:19:58.107
Yeah, and the formula’s pretty easy.

00:19:59.567 –> 00:20:02.547
Great people, great food, great music.

00:20:04.127 –> 00:20:05.267
Time stops, that’s yours.

00:20:06.187 –> 00:20:07.287
Did it take off instantly?

00:20:07.827 –> 00:20:08.687
It did, it did.

00:20:08.707 –> 00:20:23.547
I was very fortunate where I had, you know, for me, again, going back to the intro part of, when guests, before they even come to dinner, we try to break all the ice.

00:20:24.687 –> 00:20:40.347
So by the time they arrive, they’ve already, you know, they’re coming in blind, but they know that there’s a communication, we talked, and we’ll, there is a, we’re making the onus to make it as comfortable before arrival.

00:20:41.927 –> 00:20:46.027
And then you just come in, we feed you until you say, I’m done.

00:20:46.047 –> 00:20:47.567
Oh my God.

00:20:48.607 –> 00:20:56.227
Yeah, then the portions are extremely generous, and he takes you on such a journey and explains each dish.

00:20:56.247 –> 00:20:58.207
Like, what are the little sausages that your mom makes?

00:20:58.227 –> 00:21:00.107
Oh yeah, Kwa Ko, the first few sausages.

00:21:00.167 –> 00:21:08.287
Oh, and he presents it in such a way, he comes to the table, and everything is on a different piece of china or serving platter.

00:21:08.507 –> 00:21:12.807
It’s very, like, uncurated, curated, and I hate that word, but I’m using it.

00:21:14.447 –> 00:21:24.827
Different dishes for everything, and he presents it and tells the story, whether it was his mom teaching him how to do it or his grandma, or this is something I made up and it’s a riff on something my mom made.

00:21:25.067 –> 00:21:35.507
You get the story, so you feel like you’re there cooking with him and experimenting, and you just feel that much better about eating it, because you got the backstory.

00:21:35.547 –> 00:21:36.967
It’s not just like, here’s your salad.

00:21:37.747 –> 00:21:45.007
Yeah, of that whole journey of how that plate came to be and why you’re eating it.

00:21:45.587 –> 00:21:47.127
That’s great, it’s great.

00:21:48.007 –> 00:21:51.047
There’s the answer to, are you still optimistic?

00:21:51.347 –> 00:21:53.027
You really are doing everything on your own terms.

00:21:53.567 –> 00:22:01.687
It seems like you’ve created your own model, it’s really successful, and you’re able to express yourself in food and with your clientele.

00:22:02.367 –> 00:22:03.867
You figured out, you cracked the code.

00:22:06.527 –> 00:22:08.607
In that regards, but I guess…

00:22:08.827 –> 00:22:09.447
Yeah, you did.

00:22:10.127 –> 00:22:24.327
I came to recognize, let’s remove as much of what discomforts us in this space, and just fill it with the things that are, you know, as it should be.

00:22:24.707 –> 00:22:25.127
Yes.

00:22:25.867 –> 00:22:26.927
Yeah.

00:22:27.027 –> 00:22:38.807
Jamie, when I walked into Hermosa with Jamie and Deb, I mean, Jamie, like no hyperbole, was straight up saying he’s been all over the world, and you said, I mean, like, you’ve eaten everywhere.

00:22:38.967 –> 00:22:39.327
Yeah.

00:22:39.347 –> 00:22:42.647
You’ve eaten your way across the globe, and this is like a top five for you.

00:22:42.867 –> 00:22:49.847
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I was born and raised on basically on Belmont and Sheffield.

00:22:49.867 –> 00:22:51.927
We had a bar there, and then we had a…

00:22:52.027 –> 00:22:53.807
Did you go to Dennis’ Place for Games over there?

00:22:54.587 –> 00:22:55.727
Yes, and I…

00:22:59.787 –> 00:23:23.807
And I actually had carte blanche there, and the reason is, and I can tell all these stories now, is that every gang member that was in the neighborhood, none of them had a bank account, but they all had jobs, like at Torcison’s Glass or something over there, and my dad would cash the checks at the bar on Friday nights.

00:23:24.067 –> 00:23:31.807
So on Friday nights, we generally had $10,000 worth of cash at the bar, and we were the safest people on planet Earth.

00:23:33.447 –> 00:23:34.587
That’s a Chicago story.

00:23:35.027 –> 00:23:36.067
Yeah, totally.

00:23:36.547 –> 00:23:48.767
So when I would walk into Dennis, which was basically ran by the local gang, they would hand me a bag of tokens, and yeah, I would just play Star Wars, like nonstop.

00:23:49.627 –> 00:23:51.607
But so…

00:23:52.347 –> 00:23:55.427
I find that story less heartwarming than the stories we heard from Ethan.

00:23:56.187 –> 00:23:56.987
Yeah, I know, right?

00:23:57.007 –> 00:24:00.407
Yeah, school hard knocks.

00:24:01.707 –> 00:24:05.747
So yeah, we had awesome meals there.

00:24:06.487 –> 00:24:08.947
I’m a first generation American.

00:24:09.707 –> 00:24:11.687
My dad is from Italy, from Lucca.

00:24:12.587 –> 00:24:16.427
And so I’ve been there five times.

00:24:17.287 –> 00:24:23.947
And I’ve been to Monaco and I’ve been to France, and I’ve been to a lot of places, and I’ve had some great meals.

00:24:24.067 –> 00:24:27.607
I’ve had some meals that are storybook meals.

00:24:28.167 –> 00:24:36.607
And I would put the family meal at Ethan’s restaurant in the top five of anywhere that I’ve been on planet friggin Earth.

00:24:36.867 –> 00:24:37.667
Thank you.

00:24:37.847 –> 00:24:38.647
It’s that good.

00:24:39.267 –> 00:24:46.967
What’s interesting is I realize, listening to you Jamie, we’re talking about two very similar but different stories.

00:24:46.987 –> 00:24:51.447
We’re talking about first generation Americans, successful business owners.

00:24:52.647 –> 00:24:56.087
This is kind of what I understand or have understood to be the American dream.

00:24:56.607 –> 00:25:01.767
Like coming here, finding your way and becoming successful on your own terms.

00:25:01.967 –> 00:25:05.427
Yeah.

00:25:05.727 –> 00:25:13.567
For me, it was the restaurant and then it was marble setting.

00:25:14.887 –> 00:25:23.807
When I was, let’s see, I started working with my dad when I was like 14 years old.

00:25:23.907 –> 00:25:29.707
So we had the restaurant, but then there was a time that my dad got bored and went back to his roots.

00:25:30.067 –> 00:25:37.467
On top of having the restaurants, we opened up a marble and tile business because when he was in Italy as a young man, he was a marble setter.

00:25:37.487 –> 00:25:41.947
He got some sort of a bug up his ass and he said, I want to do that again.

00:25:43.047 –> 00:25:46.527
He had some friends and we picked up some jobs.

00:25:46.927 –> 00:26:01.827
We did all the terrazzo stairs in McCormick Place and I worked in there for six months and it was awesome because I can go there at any time and I can walk up those stairs and I have with my kid and I can say, I did this, I built this.

00:26:02.307 –> 00:26:07.347
Millions of people have stepped on this and I will never work that hard ever again.

00:26:07.787 –> 00:26:10.787
But I’m fantastically happy that I did it.

00:26:16.927 –> 00:26:20.167
And yeah, it is that immigrant way.

00:26:21.127 –> 00:26:22.667
They were here for a reason.

00:26:22.827 –> 00:26:23.967
They were here to make a life.

00:26:24.267 –> 00:26:26.447
My dad created his own opportunity.

00:26:26.547 –> 00:26:33.707
Right, you know, came out of a war, just like Ethan’s family did, and there was no other way except up.

00:26:34.367 –> 00:26:35.647
And you had to make it, that’s it.

00:26:35.667 –> 00:26:39.487
And you had to bust your ass and move rocks and that’s it.

00:26:39.747 –> 00:26:43.107
So, Ethan, you strike me just based on the Marvel comic stuff on your wall.

00:26:43.487 –> 00:26:50.687
You strike me as a comic book fan, someone who might go to C2E2, and if you are someone who goes to C2E2, I want you to think about Jamie’s story as you walk through McCormick Place.

00:26:53.107 –> 00:26:55.047
Because you’re walking on my rocks, baby.

00:26:57.527 –> 00:26:58.527
Deb, the bar’s been raised.

00:26:58.547 –> 00:27:03.127
I have nothing, I mean, my family is very interesting, but nothing like these two.

00:27:03.147 –> 00:27:09.347
I will just say I love my parents, I love my sister, I love my family, and they’ve all worked very hard too.

00:27:09.367 –> 00:27:09.907
They’re all awesome.

00:27:09.927 –> 00:27:10.747
But nothing like this.

00:27:11.847 –> 00:27:16.287
I do want to kind of wrap up some thoughts about Hermosa real quick.

00:27:16.747 –> 00:27:18.947
Lunch is Thursday, Friday, Saturday?

00:27:19.127 –> 00:27:21.287
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, for now.

00:27:21.307 –> 00:27:22.727
For now?

00:27:23.547 –> 00:27:29.447
We’re constantly evolving in terms of how we can cater to guests differently.

00:27:29.567 –> 00:27:32.987
So there’s pop-ups and there’s invitation to do things through the summer.

00:27:33.667 –> 00:27:37.167
And yeah, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

00:27:37.447 –> 00:27:38.447
And you can pre-order?

00:27:38.627 –> 00:27:41.867
Yep, pre-order cutoff is 10 o’clock the day before.

00:27:42.347 –> 00:27:42.767
10 a.m.

00:27:42.787 –> 00:27:43.447
the day before.

00:27:43.867 –> 00:27:46.967
And just right through our website, hermosarestaurant.com.

00:27:47.987 –> 00:27:52.227
And folks, if you’re listening or watching, do this.

00:27:53.687 –> 00:27:56.367
I’m going to be singing songs about that.

00:27:56.387 –> 00:27:57.027
I don’t even sing.

00:27:57.047 –> 00:27:58.647
I’m going to sing songs about that sandwich.

00:27:59.607 –> 00:28:01.507
I’m going to call up absolute strangers.

00:28:01.527 –> 00:28:06.467
I’m just going to butt dial my way through North America, letting people know about what I just experienced.

00:28:06.467 –> 00:28:16.087
All right, so Hermosa Restaurant, again, the address is on Armitage 4356, Ethan Lim providing the food.

00:28:16.487 –> 00:28:20.407
We haven’t even really dug into the fries with any great seriousness.

00:28:20.427 –> 00:28:21.087
We need to do that.

00:28:21.107 –> 00:28:25.767
But I also want to talk about Leo Graphics, music graphics in Chicago.

00:28:29.187 –> 00:28:33.987
A lot of what I do on this podcast, Car Con Carne, ties back to music.

00:28:34.007 –> 00:28:36.207
I have a lot of music guests, music adjacent guests.

00:28:36.907 –> 00:28:39.087
You are both in a band, Jamie and Deb.

00:28:39.107 –> 00:28:41.307
You’re in 13 Monsters, former guest in Car Con Carne.

00:28:41.707 –> 00:28:44.127
But also, your business is music adjacent.

00:28:44.167 –> 00:28:44.527
Yes.

00:28:45.527 –> 00:28:49.507
For those who don’t know what you do, which is probably the majority, what do you do?

00:28:50.947 –> 00:28:53.047
Debra, you’re up, baby.

00:28:53.067 –> 00:28:57.627
So we have a business called Leo Graphics Chicago that opened up in 2019.

00:28:58.467 –> 00:29:02.367
We are in the Hermosa neighborhood as well, just down the street from Ethan.

00:29:02.387 –> 00:29:04.867
We’re at 4200 West Diversity.

00:29:04.887 –> 00:29:13.267
We are a large format digital print shop, but we’re more of a boutique style.

00:29:13.407 –> 00:29:16.767
If you want something done right and a one and done, we’ve got it.

00:29:16.787 –> 00:29:22.687
We’re not interested in mass production, except for what I’m about to talk about, but not even that much.

00:29:23.187 –> 00:29:26.927
But no, if you want like tens of thousands of things, we’re the wrong shop for you.

00:29:26.927 –> 00:29:30.487
We print art replicas.

00:29:31.207 –> 00:29:32.347
We do print banners.

00:29:32.367 –> 00:29:35.847
We do a lot of work in the neighborhood, like at the Fields Building.

00:29:37.027 –> 00:29:38.507
Which is Diversity in Pulaski.

00:29:38.507 –> 00:29:38.887
Yes.

00:29:39.707 –> 00:29:47.267
If you go in that lobby, all the wall murals, the big 20-foot by 20-foot wall murals that are in there, we’ve done.

00:29:48.807 –> 00:29:53.647
We’ve done stuff with production companies for Lollapalooza, a lot of pop-up events.

00:29:54.207 –> 00:29:54.967
Raya Fest.

00:29:55.147 –> 00:29:55.667
Yeah.

00:29:55.907 –> 00:30:02.167
We work a lot with the cannabis industry, doing banners and things for some of their events.

00:30:02.647 –> 00:30:07.827
But the real reason the shop opened was to produce album jackets.

00:30:08.127 –> 00:30:11.027
And that took us a while to get our footing, to get the right dye.

00:30:11.047 –> 00:30:12.147
Specifically album jackets.

00:30:12.167 –> 00:30:13.387
Yeah, album jackets.

00:30:14.587 –> 00:30:23.907
Because we’re in a band and we know what people want, and we know there is a void in the music industry for short-run jackets.

00:30:24.707 –> 00:30:32.667
How wrestling really works and how you get the ratings, Eric Bischoff and Conrad Thompson explain on 83 Weeks.

00:30:32.687 –> 00:30:36.447
This is indeed the first WrestleMania without Vince McMahon.

00:30:36.467 –> 00:30:40.947
It is about as horrible as it can get, but does erasing that history make it any better?

00:30:40.967 –> 00:30:44.147
Everybody’s being careful not to celebrate Vince McMahon.

00:30:44.167 –> 00:30:46.827
I think you can acknowledge him without celebrating him.

00:30:46.847 –> 00:30:49.647
I think that’s the double-edged sword that everybody’s sort of carrying for now.

00:30:49.867 –> 00:30:53.027
83 Weeks on YouTube or wherever you listen.

00:30:56.147 –> 00:30:57.447
Interject at any time, Jamie.

00:30:57.767 –> 00:31:11.687
At any point, when most people order their jackets and all of their things for the album release, they are usually ordering through the pressing plant, and there’s a high minimum.

00:31:11.707 –> 00:31:13.107
It’s usually 500 jackets.

00:31:13.587 –> 00:31:20.427
No offense to any of my fellow band people out there, especially local smaller groups around the country and the world.

00:31:21.507 –> 00:31:22.227
500’s a lot.

00:31:22.367 –> 00:31:36.047
No one needs that many, but they’re being almost forced, and I’m saying that in quotes, but almost forced to pay for that when they don’t need it, and it’s going to sit in their closet or, you know, grandma’s attic somewhere collecting dust, or they’re going to be forcing them to give it away.

00:31:36.067 –> 00:31:37.907
You know, here’s your grab bag gift this year.

00:31:37.927 –> 00:31:39.727
Oh, you gave that to me last year, too, Timmy.

00:31:41.427 –> 00:31:43.547
My album from 78, yes!

00:31:45.967 –> 00:31:47.127
Just for my understanding, let’s…

00:31:47.147 –> 00:31:49.607
Hey, I love crocus.

00:31:49.627 –> 00:31:50.507
I know, I do.

00:31:51.407 –> 00:31:53.627
Headhunter’s a great fucking record.

00:31:54.127 –> 00:32:10.327
Yeah, yeah, I mean, so the deal is, you know, that the pressing plants have been married up to some of these large print houses for a very, very long time.

00:32:10.347 –> 00:32:12.327
I’m talking for decades.

00:32:12.667 –> 00:32:18.187
And it’s one of those things where, you know, it’s like, why do you make the chicken in that pot, Grandma?

00:32:18.547 –> 00:32:20.767
I don’t know, because my grandma made the chicken in that pot.

00:32:21.587 –> 00:32:22.127
And that’s it.

00:32:22.287 –> 00:32:24.987
And nobody asks any questions or anything.

00:32:25.027 –> 00:32:38.967
So then we come along as digital printers with a way, with a method where print number one is good, print number 100 is good, print number 200 is good.

00:32:39.267 –> 00:32:42.147
We’re not running a big, huge Heidelberg that’s half the size of this block.

00:32:42.827 –> 00:32:44.707
We don’t have to ink it up with 500 sheets.

00:32:44.927 –> 00:32:48.787
We don’t have to tear it down with another 500 sheets, and we don’t have four people running it.

00:32:49.347 –> 00:32:58.667
We have one person running it, and like I said, it’s good from number one until number 100, and then we can either stop or we can change it on the fly and run the next order.

00:32:59.807 –> 00:33:13.927
And that’s where the business model that we have really, really comes into play, especially for labels, because we can gang up orders and run them all at the same time.

00:33:14.367 –> 00:33:16.867
So let’s say you have 10 albums.

00:33:17.427 –> 00:33:20.027
You want 100 of each album.

00:33:20.967 –> 00:33:25.027
We see that as a run of 1,000, because we’re running on the fly.

00:33:25.067 –> 00:33:26.207
It’s push button for us.

00:33:26.227 –> 00:33:29.047
It’s go, go, and they get that 1,000 price.

00:33:29.447 –> 00:33:33.727
It’s a discounted price, not the 1,000 price.

00:33:33.747 –> 00:33:37.527
So they’re not paying for 10 individual orders of 100 jackets.

00:33:37.547 –> 00:33:39.447
That price would be astronomical.

00:33:39.627 –> 00:33:40.427
Right.

00:33:40.927 –> 00:33:47.267
Which at the average place, for the average band or the average label, it would be 500 minimum times 10.

00:33:47.467 –> 00:33:48.907
You’d be paying for 5,000.

00:33:49.407 –> 00:33:52.547
And the other 4,000 would go in a dumpster.

00:33:52.947 –> 00:33:54.087
And we’ve seen that happen.

00:33:54.107 –> 00:33:54.387
Sure.

00:33:54.607 –> 00:33:56.847
At place after place after place.

00:33:56.867 –> 00:34:02.467
It’s like, you know, there’s landfills that are being filled because of that.

00:34:02.967 –> 00:34:06.607
The problem with this, like I said, the chicken’s made in the same pot.

00:34:07.287 –> 00:34:08.527
You’ve got to break that mold.

00:34:08.947 –> 00:34:11.347
And getting through to people, it’s been…

00:34:11.367 –> 00:34:13.267
Do you make chicken in a pot, Ethan?

00:34:14.007 –> 00:34:15.787
I do make chicken in a pot.

00:34:15.807 –> 00:34:17.067
You see?

00:34:17.607 –> 00:34:19.087
It’s been about a year and a half.

00:34:19.867 –> 00:34:21.547
It’s getting good now.

00:34:23.147 –> 00:34:28.327
We’re doing work for labels and for pressing plants from the East Coast to the West Coast now.

00:34:28.707 –> 00:34:34.327
Yeah, it was so exciting the day that we first sent something out of state, because everything was local at that point.

00:34:34.347 –> 00:34:35.327
And then we got an order.

00:34:35.347 –> 00:34:36.727
I think it might have been Ohio.

00:34:36.747 –> 00:34:39.207
And I’m like, oh my god, we’re shipping out of state.

00:34:39.727 –> 00:34:40.987
This is fantastic.

00:34:41.187 –> 00:34:42.787
This answers a question I’ve always had.

00:34:42.807 –> 00:34:44.807
How do record jackets get made?

00:34:44.827 –> 00:34:47.667
It’s just one of those things you see and you just…

00:34:47.687 –> 00:34:51.007
I took it for granted that, well, there’s a way that comes together.

00:34:51.027 –> 00:34:52.407
I just don’t know what it is.

00:34:52.587 –> 00:34:53.127
Yeah, right.

00:34:53.187 –> 00:34:58.387
So, normally it’s on a big, huge offset press.

00:34:58.587 –> 00:35:01.067
Like I said, it takes multi-people to run it.

00:35:01.367 –> 00:35:04.607
A lot of sheets just to get it inked up, just to get the color right and all that.

00:35:05.127 –> 00:35:08.607
We run everything high-speed digital, so we just hit a button.

00:35:08.687 –> 00:35:09.467
It’s absolute.

00:35:09.487 –> 00:35:10.267
The color’s perfect.

00:35:10.507 –> 00:35:11.387
The sheet is perfect.

00:35:11.407 –> 00:35:13.387
Everything just flies.

00:35:13.407 –> 00:35:14.047
And it’s great.

00:35:14.627 –> 00:35:15.027
It’s fast.

00:35:16.247 –> 00:35:22.467
We only run album jackets twice a month for two days.

00:35:22.707 –> 00:35:23.267
That’s it.

00:35:23.967 –> 00:35:27.267
Generally about the 15th of the month and about the 30th of the month.

00:35:27.287 –> 00:35:28.647
We gang up everybody’s orders.

00:35:29.027 –> 00:35:31.047
We run them all at the same time, everything.

00:35:31.307 –> 00:35:32.207
It’s that fast.

00:35:32.227 –> 00:35:33.207
It’s that clean.

00:35:34.547 –> 00:35:46.247
The issue, again, is getting that word out there to bands, to labels, that you don’t have to buy the entire Happy Meal.

00:35:46.967 –> 00:35:54.307
You can parse it out and when you parse it out, you can get your album jacket on over here.

00:35:54.327 –> 00:35:55.607
You don’t have to buy the Happy Meal.

00:35:55.627 –> 00:35:56.787
You do have to buy the Family Meal.

00:35:57.227 –> 00:35:58.167
Yeah, right.

00:35:58.187 –> 00:35:59.707
Family dinner.

00:35:59.787 –> 00:36:01.427
Which is way more worth it.

00:36:02.107 –> 00:36:10.327
While we’re on topic, if a local artist is listening and planning out doing a record, website for them.

00:36:10.907 –> 00:36:13.587
musicgraphicschicago.com.

00:36:13.747 –> 00:36:24.607
You could fill out the form on the website, which you’ll shoot over to me in my email, but you could also email us at print at musicgraphicschicago.com.

00:36:24.727 –> 00:36:26.367
Try to get back to you within a day or so.

00:36:26.447 –> 00:36:26.847
Perfect.

00:36:26.967 –> 00:36:28.287
Are you allowed to talk about clients?

00:36:28.307 –> 00:36:29.547
Are you allowed to talk about who you work with?

00:36:29.547 –> 00:36:31.947
And Nose is a perfectly fine answer.

00:36:33.187 –> 00:36:36.647
Actually, we even highlight them on our Instagram page.

00:36:38.687 –> 00:36:44.507
Yes, on a revolving feature called Cover Story.

00:36:45.907 –> 00:36:51.267
And we feature the artwork and who made it and why.

00:36:51.847 –> 00:36:56.727
And yeah, again, it’s the poor man’s artwork.

00:36:57.467 –> 00:36:59.287
Because some of them have a great backstory.

00:36:59.367 –> 00:37:06.647
There was one where, was it a father or grandfather drew it and then he passed away and they wanted to use it for an album jacket?

00:37:06.667 –> 00:37:08.647
I’m probably paraphrasing this.

00:37:09.007 –> 00:37:09.407
Yes.

00:37:09.487 –> 00:37:10.887
There’s something to that effect.

00:37:10.947 –> 00:37:12.387
Yeah, yeah.

00:37:12.447 –> 00:37:25.067
And others, there was one that the band saw this artwork from some artist who was in Germany somewhere.

00:37:25.087 –> 00:37:30.327
And they reached out, they found this guy on the internet and just asked him, hey, can we use this?

00:37:30.747 –> 00:37:32.687
And he said, yeah, sure, use it.

00:37:33.107 –> 00:37:33.767
And they used it.

00:37:33.907 –> 00:37:34.807
And it’s gorgeous.

00:37:34.947 –> 00:37:37.527
It’s like one of the best album covers that we’ve ever done.

00:37:37.647 –> 00:37:47.647
And those stories about that, you know, it’s like every day we see a different story, a different file where it’s like, that’s cool, man.

00:37:47.667 –> 00:37:48.267
That’s cool.

00:37:48.287 –> 00:37:50.007
That one’s even better, you know.

00:37:50.587 –> 00:37:53.007
All right, so the website again.

00:37:53.547 –> 00:37:55.127
musicgraphicschicago.com.

00:37:55.507 –> 00:37:55.987
Beautiful.

00:37:56.307 –> 00:38:01.667
13 Monsters, while you’re here in the car, we’re recording this on the 7th of May.

00:38:01.867 –> 00:38:06.867
On the 11th of May, Saturday, you’re playing Cary’s Lounge in Rogers Park, West Rogers Park.

00:38:06.887 –> 00:38:07.147
Yes.

00:38:08.187 –> 00:38:11.107
With Super Fry, Amy Fry, who’s a DJ on Chirp.

00:38:11.527 –> 00:38:14.107
If anybody’s familiar, I know people are familiar with Amy.

00:38:14.147 –> 00:38:14.827
She’s great.

00:38:15.887 –> 00:38:20.627
And then on the 23rd, we’re at Montreux Salon.

00:38:21.107 –> 00:38:23.007
I have no idea who we’re playing with there.

00:38:23.247 –> 00:38:23.827
Sorry, everyone.

00:38:27.587 –> 00:38:32.347
Then we’re in the studio in like June and July because we have to make another album.

00:38:32.787 –> 00:38:34.887
And then we’re at Punk Rock Tacos.

00:38:34.907 –> 00:38:38.547
We’re playing outside with The Usuals and Collidious Time Bomb.

00:38:38.567 –> 00:38:39.947
I think that’s on August 10th.

00:38:39.987 –> 00:38:41.727
Do you have a preference on the box, Jamie?

00:38:41.867 –> 00:38:44.647
Give me the sample one first.

00:38:44.827 –> 00:38:45.807
We have two boxes.

00:38:45.987 –> 00:38:47.947
We have some really, really cool stuff.

00:38:48.687 –> 00:38:49.187
I believe that.

00:38:51.247 –> 00:38:52.767
You actually brought a box of samples.

00:38:52.887 –> 00:38:55.767
Yeah, we’re a print shop, man.

00:38:56.267 –> 00:38:57.647
I can’t just talk about it, right?

00:38:58.187 –> 00:39:03.147
So some of the things that we can do for you.

00:39:03.167 –> 00:39:04.307
Oh, look at that, Vortis.

00:39:06.047 –> 00:39:07.927
Vortis was our first album.

00:39:08.207 –> 00:39:08.807
Were they really?

00:39:08.827 –> 00:39:10.327
Yeah.

00:39:10.347 –> 00:39:10.767
I love it.

00:39:11.667 –> 00:39:14.007
And 13 Monsters has played with Vortis?

00:39:14.027 –> 00:39:14.787
So many times.

00:39:14.867 –> 00:39:16.387
Yeah, many, many times.

00:39:16.787 –> 00:39:23.367
Yeah, this is a recent one, and we just did four variations in four colors.

00:39:23.387 –> 00:39:26.387
So for those who are now watching King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.

00:39:26.407 –> 00:39:27.287
Love that.

00:39:27.687 –> 00:39:28.347
Love that one.

00:39:28.547 –> 00:39:30.327
We also do slipmats.

00:39:31.127 –> 00:39:31.827
Very nice.

00:39:31.847 –> 00:39:32.227
That’s it.

00:39:32.247 –> 00:39:33.367
You’re showing a dead-and-co.

00:39:33.547 –> 00:39:34.167
Uh-huh.

00:39:34.627 –> 00:39:35.667
2023 slipmat.

00:39:35.687 –> 00:39:36.127
Very nice.

00:39:36.287 –> 00:39:39.747
We also do inserts, paper inserts, like this one for Cypress Hill.

00:39:41.127 –> 00:39:46.007
And one of the other things that we do that I invented is…

00:39:46.587 –> 00:39:46.907
Yeah.

00:39:47.547 –> 00:39:48.727
It is not a picture disc.

00:39:49.147 –> 00:39:54.507
I invented a way to digitally print through our press the B side of the album.

00:39:54.667 –> 00:39:55.467
Oh, look at that.

00:39:55.727 –> 00:39:58.587
So all of the music is on the A side.

00:39:59.067 –> 00:40:00.187
Look at that, Naked Raygun.

00:40:00.347 –> 00:40:01.187
Look at that.

00:40:01.207 –> 00:40:01.487
Uh-huh.

00:40:01.947 –> 00:40:03.327
And then we print on the B side.

00:40:03.567 –> 00:40:04.127
So like…

00:40:04.227 –> 00:40:04.987
Oh, that’s beautiful.

00:40:05.007 –> 00:40:06.147
Yeah, we’ve done that one.

00:40:06.147 –> 00:40:07.067
Yeah, this one was beautiful.

00:40:07.087 –> 00:40:07.967
Oh, I love Show and Tell.

00:40:07.987 –> 00:40:10.267
Oh, yeah, this one’s really, really cool.

00:40:10.287 –> 00:40:11.167
What am I looking at here?

00:40:11.307 –> 00:40:12.967
That’s a band called Ill Communication.

00:40:12.987 –> 00:40:13.667
Ill Communication.

00:40:14.427 –> 00:40:16.747
So, all of the music is on that side.

00:40:16.847 –> 00:40:17.267
Yes.

00:40:18.527 –> 00:40:20.247
And then the frame of the print…

00:40:20.267 –> 00:40:20.907
Oh, that is badass…

00:40:20.907 –> 00:40:20.907
.

00:40:20.907 –> 00:40:21.927
is on that side.

00:40:22.187 –> 00:40:22.687
That is badass.

00:40:22.707 –> 00:40:24.127
And there was one more here.

00:40:24.127 –> 00:40:25.427
Oh, Cooler Than Jesus.

00:40:25.527 –> 00:40:26.007
Uh-huh.

00:40:26.387 –> 00:40:28.367
So, I have the original of those at home.

00:40:28.387 –> 00:40:30.107
I know WaxTracks just repressed this.

00:40:30.127 –> 00:40:35.107
The 12-inch of My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Cooler Than Jesus with Devil Bunnies as the B side.

00:40:35.247 –> 00:40:36.367
But have you seen this?

00:40:36.527 –> 00:40:37.027
I have not.

00:40:38.307 –> 00:40:38.807
Uh-huh.

00:40:40.127 –> 00:40:40.987
Look at that.

00:40:41.007 –> 00:40:41.367
Uh-huh.

00:40:41.387 –> 00:40:41.387
Uh-huh.

00:40:43.607 –> 00:40:43.887
Oh.

00:40:44.027 –> 00:40:44.307
Wait.

00:40:44.327 –> 00:40:44.587
Okay.

00:40:44.607 –> 00:40:47.487
So, Cooler Than Jesus and Devil Bunnies on the same side, I’m guessing?

00:40:47.627 –> 00:40:47.887
Yeah.

00:40:48.847 –> 00:40:49.167
Bingo.

00:40:49.407 –> 00:40:49.927
Amazing.

00:40:50.587 –> 00:40:51.047
Amazing.

00:40:51.547 –> 00:40:51.947
Yeah.

00:40:51.967 –> 00:40:55.647
So, we can do just about anything.

00:40:55.867 –> 00:40:59.827
We do decals and we do inserts and we do hype stuff.

00:40:59.847 –> 00:41:01.187
We bury the lead with you guys.

00:41:01.207 –> 00:41:02.167
We totally bury the lead.

00:41:02.187 –> 00:41:02.987
We should have led with this.

00:41:03.067 –> 00:41:03.427
No, no, no.

00:41:03.447 –> 00:41:03.747
It’s fine.

00:41:04.067 –> 00:41:04.367
Oh, my God.

00:41:04.387 –> 00:41:04.667
You’re fine.

00:41:04.787 –> 00:41:04.987
Oh.

00:41:05.867 –> 00:41:08.747
Drum wraps, too.

00:41:08.767 –> 00:41:10.367
We do bass drum heads.

00:41:12.527 –> 00:41:16.567
Seriously, you guys, if you think about it, ask us.

00:41:16.587 –> 00:41:19.427
We’ll tell you we could do it or we can’t or we’ll figure out a way together.

00:41:19.447 –> 00:41:21.287
That’s kind of what we do.

00:41:21.487 –> 00:41:23.427
Give me the Santa Claus one.

00:41:24.047 –> 00:41:25.527
Two JVO from Santa.

00:41:25.827 –> 00:41:26.207
Wow.

00:41:26.627 –> 00:41:26.967
Yeah.

00:41:27.547 –> 00:41:28.147
Thanks, Santa.

00:41:29.067 –> 00:41:30.507
I’m going to open this for you.

00:41:31.427 –> 00:41:33.107
First, you get this.

00:41:33.487 –> 00:41:33.727
Ooh.

00:41:33.947 –> 00:41:34.427
It’s yours.

00:41:35.247 –> 00:41:36.367
Aha, the official band t-shirt.

00:41:36.387 –> 00:41:36.827
Oh, look at this.

00:41:36.847 –> 00:41:37.867
This is So Chicago.

00:41:37.887 –> 00:41:40.027
This is So Chicago.

00:41:40.047 –> 00:41:41.347
It’s got a fucking rat on it.

00:41:41.367 –> 00:41:42.047
Oh, my God.

00:41:42.067 –> 00:41:42.847
I love it.

00:41:43.647 –> 00:41:44.107
I love it.

00:41:44.127 –> 00:41:45.027
And this is a nice shirt.

00:41:45.567 –> 00:41:46.047
Thank you.

00:41:46.927 –> 00:41:48.827
What a great image.

00:41:49.247 –> 00:41:56.647
And then because everybody needs a Les Paul and a Flying V, so you get a Les Paul and a Flying V sticker.

00:41:56.667 –> 00:41:57.007
Sweet.

00:41:57.047 –> 00:41:58.907
And then you get a hot dog sticker from us.

00:41:59.087 –> 00:41:59.567
Amazing.

00:42:01.007 –> 00:42:09.367
And then just because we own a printing company, and we can do this like on a whim, you have every size of Car Con Carne sticker.

00:42:09.447 –> 00:42:10.127
Stop it.

00:42:10.147 –> 00:42:10.407
Here.

00:42:10.707 –> 00:42:12.047
Oh, that’s okay.

00:42:12.067 –> 00:42:12.467
That was worth it.

00:42:12.487 –> 00:42:13.827
It wasn’t open.

00:42:14.307 –> 00:42:14.707
And then.

00:42:14.727 –> 00:42:15.147
Look at this.

00:42:15.827 –> 00:42:16.227
And then.

00:42:16.507 –> 00:42:17.167
You guys.

00:42:17.267 –> 00:42:19.067
Custom cut vinyl.

00:42:19.587 –> 00:42:21.147
All different sizes of cut vinyl.

00:42:21.387 –> 00:42:25.807
You can like, you can go and like tag the entire fucking neighborhood like right now.

00:42:25.907 –> 00:42:26.727
I wouldn’t do that.

00:42:26.787 –> 00:42:27.667
I would get killed.

00:42:28.227 –> 00:42:30.507
But there, bingo, all kinds of stuff.

00:42:30.527 –> 00:42:31.907
Okay, dude, this is.

00:42:31.927 –> 00:42:33.727
Oh, wait, wait, wait.

00:42:33.867 –> 00:42:35.007
It gets better.

00:42:35.027 –> 00:42:36.107
I’m not done.

00:42:37.047 –> 00:42:38.547
This is like having Jerry Seinfeld.

00:42:38.887 –> 00:42:40.107
Give me the big one.

00:42:40.927 –> 00:42:43.267
I really I’m speechless.

00:42:43.287 –> 00:42:44.127
This is very kind of you.

00:42:44.147 –> 00:42:48.727
Actually, you should probably open that back there because it’ll be on camera because you can see it.

00:42:49.927 –> 00:42:50.787
Thank you so much.

00:42:50.807 –> 00:42:52.947
This is incredibly kind of you.

00:42:53.687 –> 00:42:55.847
Hey, man, have print shop, we’ll print.

00:42:55.867 –> 00:43:01.187
And as you know, being an independent venture, like marketing is right.

00:43:01.867 –> 00:43:03.327
And we’ve got, I hope I’m open.

00:43:03.347 –> 00:43:04.087
Wait, there’s some more.

00:43:04.107 –> 00:43:04.667
There’s some more.

00:43:05.967 –> 00:43:07.147
Give me those.

00:43:08.547 –> 00:43:10.887
These are I didn’t know he printed this money either.

00:43:10.907 –> 00:43:11.267
Lord.

00:43:11.427 –> 00:43:14.707
These are these are huge carcon carne stickers.

00:43:14.727 –> 00:43:18.467
You can put these like in the side of your house like JVO lives here.

00:43:18.967 –> 00:43:32.747
Oh, my God, wait, and that back there, cameras catching your own banner that in Latin says, we came, we saw, we ate.

00:43:33.007 –> 00:43:34.267
That’s amazing.

00:43:34.927 –> 00:43:36.047
Thank you for the translation.

00:43:37.027 –> 00:43:38.007
That is so cool.

00:43:39.127 –> 00:43:42.967
That’s amazing.

00:43:42.987 –> 00:43:47.467
Oh, my God, I’m completely blown away by your by your kindness.

00:43:47.487 –> 00:43:47.747
Thank you.

00:43:47.767 –> 00:43:48.567
We don’t go anywhere.

00:43:48.587 –> 00:43:49.407
Empty handed, dude.

00:43:50.847 –> 00:43:56.107
I mean, between this, the world’s greatest sandwich and all this microphone noises here, JV, I’m sorry about that.

00:43:56.567 –> 00:43:57.627
This is the last episode.

00:43:57.647 –> 00:43:58.987
There’s no reason to do anything else.

00:44:01.027 –> 00:44:02.707
Sorry, everyone else.

00:44:02.727 –> 00:44:03.747
Thank you for your support.

00:44:04.087 –> 00:44:04.767
My bad.

00:44:05.047 –> 00:44:06.487
The podcast is canceled.

00:44:06.807 –> 00:44:08.747
Really fantastic work.

00:44:08.767 –> 00:44:14.167
And you asked me for my logo and I didn’t even think twice about I figured you’re going to share it on Instagram or something.

00:44:14.187 –> 00:44:14.367
Nope.

00:44:16.127 –> 00:44:19.107
No, no, no, we’re going to share it on the side of this fucking building right now.

00:44:21.987 –> 00:44:22.827
We’re not going to do that.

00:44:23.227 –> 00:44:24.827
I mean, I would have been fine with this t-shirt.

00:44:24.847 –> 00:44:26.427
I mean, honestly, this is really fucking cool.

00:44:27.507 –> 00:44:27.927
Thank you.

00:44:27.947 –> 00:44:28.227
Thank you.

00:44:28.247 –> 00:44:28.487
Thank you.

00:44:28.507 –> 00:44:29.447
Ethan, what do you think?

00:44:29.547 –> 00:44:32.767
I realize we’ve been talking about Leo Graphics this whole time.

00:44:32.787 –> 00:44:35.827
I don’t want to like cast you out of the conversation here.

00:44:35.847 –> 00:44:36.167
No, no, no.

00:44:36.547 –> 00:44:37.207
I’m fascinated.

00:44:37.427 –> 00:44:40.067
I actually would like to point out how we know Ethan.

00:44:40.547 –> 00:44:44.827
When we first opened the shop, we were like, we need to get lunch around here.

00:44:45.007 –> 00:44:45.687
Where do we go?

00:44:45.707 –> 00:44:50.367
I don’t know if we passed it one day or we just heard people talking about him.

00:44:50.447 –> 00:44:51.447
We’ve got to go in.

00:44:51.467 –> 00:44:53.367
We’ve got to go support.

00:44:54.607 –> 00:44:55.307
We came in.

00:44:55.327 –> 00:45:03.347
I don’t remember if we got a hamburger or one of the chicken sandwiches, but I remember I ordered tomato soup.

00:45:03.367 –> 00:45:05.687
When we were picking up, Ethan’s like, it’s not ready yet.

00:45:05.947 –> 00:45:11.567
And he goes back into the kitchen and he has this little mini pot where he’s making the soup.

00:45:11.587 –> 00:45:12.907
It was individual to order.

00:45:12.927 –> 00:45:15.627
It wasn’t a big cauldron that has been sitting there all day.

00:45:15.947 –> 00:45:17.907
So everything is fresh to order.

00:45:17.967 –> 00:45:24.067
And we just struck up conversation with one another and we hit it off so well and we kept coming back.

00:45:24.087 –> 00:45:29.287
And then once the pandemic hit, he needed some signage, you know, with the now open, you know, everything’s cool.

00:45:29.307 –> 00:45:30.067
Come get your food.

00:45:31.087 –> 00:45:37.887
And we helped him with that and we’ve been coming and supporting ever since and wouldn’t give it up for the world.

00:45:37.907 –> 00:45:38.667
I’m glad to know you.

00:45:38.847 –> 00:45:39.227
Thank you.

00:45:39.367 –> 00:45:51.927
It’s yeah, life is all about, you know, keeping that relationship going and the storybook of your life and everyone that’s part of it and makes it a lot more interesting.

00:45:51.947 –> 00:45:52.947
You got to take care of each other.

00:45:53.247 –> 00:45:53.687
Oh, yeah.

00:45:54.347 –> 00:45:54.647
Yeah.

00:45:54.687 –> 00:45:55.027
All right.

00:45:55.047 –> 00:46:08.447
So in conclusion, in summary, all right, if I can bring this whole thing home, Hermosa Restaurant, 4356 West Armitage, Thursday through Saturday, you can get lunch pre-order until 10 a.m.

00:46:08.547 –> 00:46:09.267
The previous day.

00:46:09.287 –> 00:46:10.187
Did I get that all right?

00:46:10.267 –> 00:46:10.487
Yep.

00:46:10.707 –> 00:46:11.647
OK.

00:46:11.667 –> 00:46:12.307
Family dinner.

00:46:12.327 –> 00:46:17.227
I got to ask how how do people get involved?

00:46:17.227 –> 00:46:18.827
Are you booked way far out on this?

00:46:19.387 –> 00:46:24.767
We just released our second last half of the year.

00:46:25.147 –> 00:46:27.447
So now reservations open through New Year’s Eve.

00:46:28.347 –> 00:46:37.167
So if you’re planning grandma’s 90th birthday or major celebrations, it’s tough to gather people.

00:46:37.187 –> 00:46:40.387
And we’ve had requests to go that far out and.

00:46:40.587 –> 00:46:42.427
So through the end of 2024?

00:46:42.847 –> 00:46:44.987
Yes, through the end of 2024.

00:46:45.147 –> 00:46:52.927
And at the website, through the website is an email link that just sent us an email and will provide with all the information as well.

00:46:52.947 –> 00:46:54.927
And one thing we didn’t talk about, is there a capacity?

00:46:55.587 –> 00:46:58.667
It’s for private dining, max capacity is 14.

00:46:59.407 –> 00:47:03.747
Comfortably would be 10 to 12.

00:47:04.267 –> 00:47:04.927
It’s your space.

00:47:05.007 –> 00:47:06.927
It is definitely a nice, comfortable space.

00:47:06.947 –> 00:47:10.667
And yeah, 10 to 12 would feel like something really warm and wonderful.

00:47:10.887 –> 00:47:12.567
Oh yeah.

00:47:13.487 –> 00:47:15.587
Alright, so Hermosa Restaurant, oh my god, the food.

00:47:16.527 –> 00:47:19.647
Music graphics, Leo Graphics, we’ve seen the work.

00:47:19.667 –> 00:47:29.387
So if you’re just listening to the podcast, I guess it might do you a favor to watch the podcast because you can see visual examples of what we’re talking about.

00:47:29.607 –> 00:47:30.007
Oh yeah.

00:47:30.027 –> 00:47:32.507
Jamie and Deb do exemplary work.

00:47:32.847 –> 00:47:34.427
Deb just had, I saw the light bulb.

00:47:34.447 –> 00:47:36.067
If you’re watching the video, there’s a light bulb over there.

00:47:37.967 –> 00:47:46.167
I don’t want to interrupt you because you’re trying to wrap up, but I just thought of an iconic piece that we’ve done that the music community doesn’t realize that we did.

00:47:46.747 –> 00:47:55.527
If you go into Tone Deaf Records, the back mural on that wall was one of our first projects as Leo Graphics Chicago.

00:47:56.267 –> 00:48:03.467
We printed that on vinyl and installed it ourselves, and it’s still up, when did we start?

00:48:03.667 –> 00:48:05.347
We started in 2019.

00:48:05.367 –> 00:48:06.107
What is the image?

00:48:06.907 –> 00:48:13.047
It’s a bright fuchsia pink backdrop with psychedelic images on it.

00:48:13.067 –> 00:48:27.567
There’s a big eye on it and with the Tone Deaf logo, and it’s like a 24 foot wide wall, and every band that plays there plays in front of that wall, which has become sort of like local iconic.

00:48:28.807 –> 00:48:34.407
Yeah, that was like our first, I don’t know, probably month or two.

00:48:34.427 –> 00:48:36.007
Our only outside sale.

00:48:36.807 –> 00:48:38.027
The entire time we’ve been open.

00:48:38.087 –> 00:48:44.727
Yeah, one outside sale in the entire five years now is Tone Deaf Records.

00:48:44.907 –> 00:48:46.267
We’ve done no outside sales.

00:48:46.287 –> 00:48:47.787
It’s all been word of mouth.

00:48:48.107 –> 00:48:48.807
That’s amazing.

00:48:49.067 –> 00:48:54.627
Now, by asking that question, as I was about to say in the podcast, Deb has unlocked an additional hour of interview.

00:48:56.087 –> 00:48:58.327
Thank you, Jason Bateman, Deb.

00:48:59.887 –> 00:49:01.247
Jason Bateman back here.

00:49:01.487 –> 00:49:02.387
So let’s get into it.

00:49:02.407 –> 00:49:06.087
If you could be any animal in the forest.

00:49:06.107 –> 00:49:07.687
So 13 Monsters, the website.

00:49:08.727 –> 00:49:10.107
13monstersmusic.com.

00:49:11.087 –> 00:49:15.167
And then social sites for you guys.

00:49:15.187 –> 00:49:17.987
Instagram is at Leo Graphics Chicago, right?

00:49:18.387 –> 00:49:19.267
It’s not shy.

00:49:20.627 –> 00:49:22.367
Or Music Graphics Chicago.

00:49:22.387 –> 00:49:24.547
There’s that Instagram also.

00:49:24.807 –> 00:49:26.287
The Facebook pages, all that.

00:49:27.127 –> 00:49:30.967
But yeah, we’re readily accessible.

00:49:31.507 –> 00:49:33.387
We don’t hide from anybody.

00:49:33.667 –> 00:49:38.027
You want to talk to us, reach out about whatever you got, whatever project.

00:49:39.407 –> 00:49:44.887
You got an awesome band, a show that we should go to, a show that you want to do with us, an album that you want to do with us, whatever.

00:49:45.787 –> 00:49:46.147
We’re in.

00:49:46.367 –> 00:49:46.787
Let’s go.

00:49:46.827 –> 00:49:52.607
So in summary, support local business, support local restaurants, support local music, support your community.

00:49:52.827 –> 00:49:53.687
Those are all good lessons.

00:49:53.967 –> 00:49:55.147
And your local podcast too.

00:49:55.167 –> 00:49:56.667
And your local podcast.

00:49:56.847 –> 00:49:58.327
Alright, thank you everybody.

00:49:58.347 –> 00:49:59.687
Thank you so much for having us.

00:49:59.747 –> 00:50:00.187
Thank you, brother.

00:50:00.507 –> 00:50:04.527
We’re all juggling life, a career, and trying to build a little bit of wealth.

00:50:04.727 –> 00:50:09.347
The Brown Ambition Podcast with host Mandy and Tiffany the Budget Nista can help.

00:50:09.387 –> 00:50:13.327
When it comes to navigating your career, it really isn’t a linear path.

00:50:13.347 –> 00:50:19.167
You just have to make the best choices with the information that you have at the time and just trust in the journey.

00:50:19.247 –> 00:50:21.307
Our job security is ourselves.

00:50:21.367 –> 00:50:23.167
It is our ability to bounce back.

00:50:23.247 –> 00:50:27.107
And if there’s one thing that I’ve learned is that I’m always going to rise to the top.

00:50:27.267 –> 00:50:29.487
Brown Ambition, wherever you listen.

00:50:29.507 –> 00:50:29.547
Listen.