Apr 30, 2026
In this episode of Car Con Carne, James VanOsdol welcomes the Chicago-based band When We Was Kids to the car. Band members Chris, Mike, and Mark dive into their evolution from childhood rivals in the Cicero and Berwyn music scenes to becoming a technical, genre-bending powerhouse.
The group discusses their newest...
Apr 20, 2026
James VanOsdol sits down with Sean Mulroney at the legendary Gallery Cabaret in Bucktown to discuss the evolving landscape of Chicago’s music scene. Mulroney, the owner of Double Door, shares major updates regarding the iconic venue’s future and his new role as the operator of Gallery Cabaret.
A new chapter at...
Apr 17, 2026
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...
Apr 11, 2026
James VanOsdol sits down with J. and Greg from the Chicago/Los Angeles hybrid band Man's Body. They dive into the creation of their latest release, For All the Jailhouse Chess Masters, a project that marks a shift toward a more political and collaborative songwriting process for the group.
Highlights:
The sound of...
Apr 5, 2026
In this episode of Car Con Carne, James heads to downtown Joliet to step inside a three-story vault of local musical history. He sits down with founder Ron Romero to explore how a "germ of an idea" from 2012 evolved into the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66.
Why you should listen:
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The "Underdog" Location:...