The last time James checked in with OK Cool, it was during the pandemic, and they were just faces on a screen. Now, they finally meet in vivid 3D at HIDE+SEEK on Randolph Street ahead of the band's Sunday performance at the 29th annual Taste of Randolph! Haley and Bridget reflect on their creative output since 2021, including the release of two EPs (Surrealist and Fawn) and their 2025 full-length LP, Chitchat. They also break down the meaning behind the catchy, residency-taking track "Jeans," reveal the Borat movie quote behind their "Wawwoowewa" music video, and share the exciting news that they have officially started tracking their next record. Special Thanks to Our Sponsor Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery, and other merchandising needs. Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

Years in the making, Chicago band Action/Adventure joins Car Con Carne ahead of their upcoming performance on the West Stage at the 29th annual Taste of Randolph! Recorded at the wonderful HIDE+SEEK on Randolph, the band talks about their masterful album Ever After, the transition from the remote, high-pressure writing process of Imposter Syndrome, and the realities of life on the road. Plus, they dive into the unique dynamics of their dual-vocal delivery and reveal that writing for their next record is already officially underway. ## Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery, and other merchandising needs. Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

From Hide+Seek (838 W. Randolph Street), James VanOsdol sits down with Julie Darling, the President of the West Loop Community Organization. With the 29th annual Taste of Randolph just days away, Julie shares an insider's look at what it takes to bring the massive, three-day street festival to life. In this episode, Julie previews the event's culinary focal points and highlights some incredible new festival additions. She also addresses the major structural shifts for this year's event, including the decision to completely eliminate the suggested gate donation in favor of a 50/50 cash raffle, and hints at some highly anticipated volunteer bars run by Chicago for Chicagoans and Double Door Rocks. ## Car Con Carne is sponsored by Exploding House Printing, here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. They're local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Check out their work on Instagram at (at)explodinghouse, or check out their site at exploding house printing dot com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

From Hide+Seek (838 W. Randolph), James VanOsdol sits down with a true Chicago treasure and underground legend, house music icon Gene Farris. With a career spanning more than three decades, Gene is set to close out the East Stage on Friday night at the upcoming 29th annual Taste of Randolph. In this episode, Gene discusses his brand-new single, "This is the World", his aggressive creative mission to release a new track every month, and how he keeps his music current by staying open to learning from the generations that follow him. He also dives deep into the rich history and unmatched talent pool of the Chicago house scene, and shares how his label, Farris Wheel Recordings, has been breaking new artists and providing a platform for independent music since 1998. ## Car Con Carne is sponsored by Exploding House Printing, here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. They're local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Check out their work on Instagram at (at)explodinghouse, or check out their site at exploding house printing dot com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

On a sweltering 90-degree summer day, Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer joins James VanOsdol in the car for episode 1128 of Car Con Carne. To beat the heat, they enjoy ice cream from Rainbow Cone while diving into the new Sincere Engineer album, Probable Claws, which arrives on June 26th. Deanna shares behind-the-scenes stories about writing the tracks, and how her songwriting has evolved to focus on a more refined, classic structure for this release. The conversation covers the fascinating details behind the album's tracks, including the opening song "Twist My Tongue" and the standout track (and JVO favorite) "LOL," which features a surprise spoken-word introduction from actor Wil Wheaton. Deanna explains how that internet friendship blossomed, leading to a fun discussion about her own name being inspired by Deanna Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation. She also reveals the hilarious, stealthy process of filming her latest music video inside a Jewel grocery store right before closing time. As Sincere Engineer prepares for a massive summer ahead, Deanna also previews her upcoming performances at major Midwestern festivals, including Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 25th and a return to Chicago for Riot Fest in September.  Check out Probable Claws on June 26! ## Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. They're local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here's why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever - their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between. They've worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty Bottle, the Music Box, Dante's Pizzeria, the Brokedowns, and the list goes on and on. Jonathan at Exploding House has been doing screen printing for decades. He knows what he's doing - besides his technical expertise, he delivers production efficiency and cost awareness to offer boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices. Check out their work on Instagram at (at)explodinghouse, or check out their site at exploding house printing dot com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

In this episode of Car Con Carne, James VanOsdol catches up with Chicago comic artist and musician Dan Dougherty at Hamburger Heaven in Elmhurst to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dougherty's award-winning comic series, Beardo. Dan looks back on the decades-long evolution of the strip, from its late-night origins while working as a barista to its long newspaper runs and modern digital home. The conversation highlights Dan's current Kickstarter campaign for Beardo Volume 7, Generation X-Hausted, a massive collection bringing the brilliant collections current. For the first time ever, the campaign is offering backers a chance to own original, hand-drawn comic strips from the Beardo archives. Find the project on Kickstarter (search "Beardo"), and be sure to get yourself set up with a copy (and cool rewards in the process). Car Con Carne is sponsored by Exploding House Printing. Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. Their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between, offering boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices. Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

When Clark Vogeler joined the Toadies in 1996, there was no way to imagine the band would still be going, selling out rooms across North America. Thirty years later, the veteran guitarist finds himself navigating a beautifully unpredictable landscape, touring behind The Charmer, a gritty, tough new LP recorded with the late, legendary Steve Albini. Sitting over pizza at The Art of Pizza in Chicago (3033 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657), Vogeler reflects on how the band has defied time to become a cross-generational force. From old-school fans to teenagers crowding the front row, the Toadies are experiencing a career renaissance they never could have predicted decades ago.   Vogeler pulls back the curtain on the creative process behind the new material, including the dark, self-critical inner voice that inspired frontman Vaden Todd Lewis to write the album's title track as a way of making peace with his own creative friction.   Being an independent band in 2026 comes with freedom, a sharp contrast to the major label pressures the Toadies faced in the 1990s. By self-funding their studio time through relentless touring, the band completely owns their masters, ensuring their creative output stays entirely in their own hands. As they prepare to share the stage at the Vic Theatre with Local H, Vogeler chats about the camaraderie of the road, the enduring legacy of Steve Albini, and why age has absolutely nothing to do with making great, muscular rock and roll.   Featured Sponsor: Exploding House Printing Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery, and other merchandising needs. They're local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here's why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever—their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between.    Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.

Zeb and Ray from the fantastic North Carolina band Bask join me for this episode as we chat on the back patio of Livewire Lounge in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. Bask released their epic, genre-defying album The Turning last year, blending elements of psych, prog, atmospheric rock, and country into an incredibly awesome, cinematic vibe. We dig into their collaborative songwriting evolution, how they execute their massive sonic dynamics, and how their music serves as a true journey for the listener. Plus, since the interview fell on Zeb's birthday, we talk about the band's essential Chicago birthday stop: hitting up Johnny's Beef in Elmwood Park (this band knows how to maximize their tour down time).   Support Our Sponsor Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. They're local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here's why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever - their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between. They've worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty Bottle, the Music Box, Dante's Pizzeria, the Brokedowns, and the list goes on and on. Jonathan at Exploding House has been doing screen printing for decades. He knows what he's doing - besides his technical expertise, he delivers production efficiency and cost awareness to offer boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices. Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

L7 takes victory lap on 'Last Hurrah' tour (Episode 1124) L7 is embarking on their final run, The Last Hurrah Tour, capping off a legendary career with a final celebration of iconic songs, hooks, and unforgettable riffs. For Chicago fans, the circle closes at the Vic Theatre on Sunday, November 1, a stage the band hasn't commanded since 1994. In this episode, L7 co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist Donita Sparks joins the show to reflect on the long road, the band's legacy, and what it means to finally say goodbye on their own terms. Donita looks back at the band's transition from its indie roots to early 90s alternative mainstays and highlights along the way, like being anointed by John Waters for Serial Mom. "We wanted our gender to not be relevant... we just wanted to prove in a punk rock way that you could throw a band together, work hard, and go on tour." — Donita Sparks Beyond the nostalgia, Donita dives deep into the sonic DNA of L7, explaining why they will always be a "guitar band, not a vocal band." She opens up about the realities of the 90s major label system, the resilience it took to create The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum, and the joy of reconnecting with fans over the last decade. It's a candid conversation about hard work, and ultimately, a mission accomplished. The end is near, and you don't want to miss the last hurrah. Press play and check out the full conversation with Donita Sparks. (Permission to use "Fuel My Fire" and the associated tour video sizzle kindly provided by L7/rights holders)   ## Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs. They're local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here's why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever: their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between. They've worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty Bottle, the Music Box, Dante's Pizzeria, the Brokedowns, and the list goes on and on. Jonathan at Exploding House has been doing screen printing for decades. He knows what he's doing. Besides his technical expertise, he delivers production efficiency and cost awareness to offer boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices. Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.  

Was life better before the digital era? That's the rhetorical question at the heart of Golden Sands, the immersive, totally analog experience created by Rachel Lichtman. She recently jumped in the car to talk about her upcoming Programme 4: The Affiliate Sales Presentation show at Evanston's SPACE on May 27th. Described as a station from an alternate timeline that simply never stopped broadcasting, the traveling show forces audiences to sit with media in a way that modern streaming interfaces disrupt. Lichtman notes that our modern "handheld casinos" offer so many options that choice paralysis sets in, torpedoing our attention and severing our cultural connection. I love the fact that these shows rely purely on old-school, word-of-mouth curation to bring people together.Described as a station from an alternate timeline that simply never stopped broadcasting, the traveling show forces audiences to sit with media in a way that modern streaming interfaces disrupt. Lichtman notes that our modern "handheld casinos" offer so many options that choice paralysis sets in, torpedoing our attention and severing our cultural connection. I love the fact that these shows rely purely on old-school, word-of-mouth curation to bring people together. The event is a highly collaborative, scripted performance inspired by the bizarre world of corporate industrial musicals and 1970s television. The performance features a stellar cast of local and national talent, including Chicago media legend Rich Koz, Dag Juhlin, Jon Langford, Kelly Hogan, Joel Murray, Nora O'Connor, and Chris Murphy.  Dag brings "Rod Kellogg" to life, a buttoned-up host surrounded by a world of mid-century grooviness he doesn't quite understand. With custom set designs, a live Rhodes piano providing a nostalgic soundscape, Programme 4 offers a needed, temporary escape from the digital world. I can't wait. To see the full schedule of upcoming dates, make the scene over at programme4.tv.