Recorded on a drizzly Monday in the Fulton Market neighborhood, this episode features Little Dave Merriman and Ronnie DiCola of the long-running Chicago melodic punk band, The Arrivals.

The band recently released Payload, their first full-length album in 15 years. Dave and Ronnie join James VanOsdol to discuss the evolution of the group, the challenges of promoting music in the age of TikTok, and the deep personal stories behind the new tracks.

Highlights:
A long-awaited return: After 15 years, the band explains that the hiatus was not exactly intentional.

Life changes: Between moving to different cities and managing adult responsibilities, time simply slipped away.

Capturing energy: They finally committed to recording after realizing the timing felt right to revisit old demos and capture new energy.

Family and maturity: The track This Is What It Feels Like was originally written as a simple song for Dave’s young daughter.

Growth: Over time, it evolved into a more complex exploration of self-acceptance and emotional growth that resonates with the band’s older perspective.

Blue Island roots: The band reflects on their connection to Blue Island, Illinois.
Community: They describe the town as a place filled with honest, hardworking people who know how to have fun.

The DIY spirit: From producing music videos to recording on a worn-out eight-track digital recorder, the band continues to embrace a hands-on approach to their craft.

Payload is available now on all major platforms.

Car Con Carne is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. They are the local experts in Chicago for screen printing, embroidery, and band merchandise.

Join me at Gallery Cabaret on Wednesday April 22nd for a night of local music! It’s only my second time DJing – what can go wrong?