Devon Kay and the Solutions at Q101’s PIQNIQ / Taste of Randolph (Episode 970)
I last interviewed Devon Kay at Riot Fest 2021. Since then, Devon Kay & the Solutions have put out lots of music and done lots of things. This catch-up was long overdue. Unlike our Riot Fest chat, we’re joined this…
Sincere Engineer at Taste of Randolph (Episode 969)
Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer returns for a backstage conversation from Q101’s PIQNIQ at the Taste of Randolph. Deanna’s one of the most authentic, enthusiastic and positive forces I’ve met in the scene, and that energy carries through to this…
Local H at Taste of Randolph (Episode 968)
Before Local H headlined the second night of Q101’s PIQNIQ at Taste of Randolph, Scott Lucas returned to Car Con Carne for a quick catch-up. Scott gives an update on the reissue of “Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles,” chats about…
Phantom Planet at Taste of Randolph/Q101’s PIQNIQ (Episode 967)
This one was a delight to record. Alex Greenwald and Darren Robinson of the long-running California band Phantom Planet joined me backstage at Taste of Randolph to talk about their career, music and future. ## A smart home connects virtually…
Friko at Taste of Randolph: a quick check-in (Episode 966)
I caught up with Niko from Friko at Taste of Randolph, months after the release of “Where We’ve Been, Where We Go from Here,” and weeks before Friko takes the stage at Lollapalooza. ## A smart home connects virtually all…
‘Street festivals are the heart and soul of Chicago’ – Taste of Randolph (Episode 965)
Street Festivals define Chicago culture in the summer. Moments before doors opened on 2024’s Taste of Randolph, Julie Darling (West Loop Community Organization President) and Kelli Packer (West Loop Community Organization Spokesperson) jumped in the car to talk about the…
Neptune’s Core at Roti (Episode 964)
The two sets of sisters comprising Neptune’s Core are on a creative roll. Since I last spoke with them, they’ve nailed down their live show and their music continues to take chances and go to interesting places. I can only…
Fig Dish is back (PREMIERE)
Summary 90s Chicago alt rock band Fig Dish returns with first new music in over 27 years. New album, Feels Like the Very First Two Times, releases on 9/6/24 on Forge Again. Preorders available now. Live show: GMan 9/6, tickets on…
Americana artist Karen Shook joins me for tacos (Episode 962)
This episode finds me outside El Vado in McHenry (929 Front St.) for a chat over tacos with Americana singer-songwriter Karen Shook. As I mentioned early in the interview, her sound is more “Nashville” than “McHenry” (though what, really, is…
Godzilla, Chinatown and XXX: Cinephile Stephanie Sack (Episode 961)
Hail GODZILLA! Cinephile Stephanie Sack returns to preview cool screenings at local independent theaters. Discussed in this episode: -“Go Go Godzilla,” a Godzila marathon at the venerable Music Box Theatre -Chinatown – 50th anniversary screening at the Pickwick (Park Ridge)…
