Best Threadless Podcasts (2025)

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Bad at Sports Episode 903: Jake Nickell & Lance Curran of Threadless 56:44

18h ago56:44

56:44

This week on Bad at Sports, Duncan MacKenzie and Ryan Peter Miller cruise their way into a murder mansion fever dream with Jake Nickell and Lance Curran, two of the minds behind Threadless—the Chicago-based t-shirt empire that helped invent crowdsourced artwear before we’d marketed terms like “creator economy” or “drop ship.” What begins as a nosta…

1
Threadless CEO Jake Nickell on influential company’s 25th anniversary (Episode 1040) 32:20

21d ago32:20

32:20

Threadless - the online artist community and design marketplace - is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Founder and CEO Jake Nickell joins me for char dogs at Poochie’s (a favorite for hot dog fans north of the city) and talks about the company’s history, his leadership role, and why he celebrates the weird designs. Discussed in this episo…

1
Instrumental duo El Bisonte visits Chicago from Louisville (Episode 1048) 16:54

3d ago16:54

16:54

El Bisonte is a spectacular bass and drum instrumental duo (Henry Ignacio - bass and sounds; Blake Lowery - drums) from Louisville, Kentucky. I caught up with them last weekend before they headlined “Goatstock” in Norridge, and we talked about: *Their take on Chicago *Louisville’s most famous haunted attraction *How Henry gets “upskirted” at live s…

1
UR Mom was in my car last night (Episode 1047) 11:17

5d ago11:17

11:17

I’m hanging with UR Mom for this episode. Me and UR Mom have a lot to get into, including the just-announced Summerfest date! Maura Wolf (vocals, rhythm guitar), Tommy Hinds (guitar) and Alex O’Malley (drums) joined me to talk about the band’s beginnings and the speedy word-of-mouth that’s encircling the band. More impressive, they conducted the in…

1
Introducing Afrofuturistics (Episode 1046) 11:30

2d ago11:30

11:30

Afrofuturistics is “A Chicago Collective of Horns, Bass, Hip Hop Beats” They’re jazz. They’re hip hop. They’re somewhere in between and everywhere around those edges. I met Eric Oldman and Keith Wakefield from the band outside Goat Village (4701 N. Cumberland) to chat as their band is taking off. ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-…

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Greek food, Glenview culture, metal AF: Stavros from Atlas Moth returns (Episode 1045) 47:26

8d ago47:26

47:26

Stavros from the Atlas Moth is back for his 4th appearance on Car Con Carne - it’s been over four years, so we were overdue for a chat. The first thing you may notice in this episode is how easy the conversation is between the two of us. Besides Stavros being a natural and funny conversationalist, we have a lot in common: music, comics, horror, vin…

1
Episode 902: David Schilter and Pedro Vieira de Moura 1:01:31

5d ago1:01:31

1:01:31

Recorded live at the Comics Without Borders / Sans Frontières gathering at Rice University, this episode dives deep into international comics publishing, aesthetic risk-taking, and how underground networks drive a truly global comics culture. David Schilter, publisher and editor of Latvia’s acclaimed kuš! comics, joins us alongside Pedro Vieira de …

1
With Patience trio’s terrific ‘Triptych’ tantalizes (Episode 1044) 21:03

10d ago21:03

21:03

Post-hardcore trio With Patience release their debut album, “Triptych,” on Friday, 5/9. In advance of that, guitarist/vocalist Chris Wade and bassist/vocalist Lance Curran join me on the lakefront in Rogers Park to talk about the band and album. ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutt…

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Save Ferris launches ‘Get Dancing’ tour in Chicago (Episode 1042) 14:10

18d ago14:10

14:10

It’s hard to be in a bad mood after a Save Ferris show. They are simply a fun band to see live, and their shows are a great way to kinda forget all the (looks around) madness going on in the world. That was reinforced on Saturday, August 26, when Save Ferris returned to Chicago to kick off their “Get Dancing” tour at Chop Shop (2033 W. North). I sa…

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Live performance of the Spectral Silhouette Radio Show (Episode 1041) 21:29

17d ago21:29

21:29

This is a historic first for the podcast: The cast of the beloved (and rapidly-growing) Spectral Silhouette Radio Show performs a scene created exclusively for Car Con Carne. What is the Spectral Silhouette? Before the performance, I had a great chat with Henry Scherer, the mad genius behind the concept, to learn more. Watch for ticket info on thei…

1
FITZGERALDS celebrates its ‘Historic Place’ acknowledgment (Episode 1043) 49:04

21d ago49:04

49:04

FITZGERALDS (6615 Roosevelt in Berwyn) is, without a doubt, one of my favorite places to see music and simply hang out. The vibe is always chill, and the bookings are fantastic. Beyond that, the building is historic! FITZGERALDS was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Park Service at the end of last yea…

1
Episode 901: Florencia Rodriguez and CAB 6 57:04

19d ago57:04

57:04

In this episode, we sit down with architect, editor, and curator Florencia Rodriguez, Artistic Director of the Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) 6. We dig into the ideas shaping this year’s edition—titled “Shift: Architecture in Times of Radical Change”—and her approach to curating a biennial that centers transformation, public space, and critica…

1
Bad at Sports Episode 900: Robert Pruitt 1:04:09

24d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Recorded live at Comics Sans Frontières, Houston For our milestone 900th episode, we headed to Houston and sat down with the brilliant Robert Pruitt, live at the Cats Conference: Comics Sans Frontières—a gathering of artists, thinkers, and cultural workers reshaping the future of comics, narrative, and speculative visual worlds. Live at a bar after…

1
Carla Harvey is the new Lords of Acid ‘Acid Queen’ (Episode 1039) 30:53

27d ago30:53

30:53

I’m joined for this episode by Carla Harvey, who we first came to know through her 15-ish years with the band she co-founded, Butcher Babies. At the beginning of this year, she announced that she’s the new “Acid Queen” in Lords of Acid, with a tour and album to follow. As I describe early in the episode, Lords of Acid fuses acid house, industrial, …

1
Comasoft returns with new EP, Cobra Lounge show (Episode 1038) 20:48

29d ago20:48

20:48

Comasoft, the “gothy little rock band from Chicago,” is back! Jay and Chris jump in the car to talk with me about the band's history and future plans. Actually, Chris joined us for the last few minutes, but we were glad to have him regardless. Comasoft’s new EP, “Gather at the End,” comes out on Friday 4/25 and they’ll be celebrating that night wit…

1
Record Store Day 2025 at Siren Records (Episode 1037) 12:40

1M ago12:40

12:40

Recorded at Siren Records, McHenry IL (3902 Main) on Record Store Day 2025 at 6:30 a.m. Siren Records owner Bill Linquist joins me for a conversation about this year’s RSD, as well as the impact RSD has on local record stores. Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automati…

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Bad at Sports Episode 899: Jessica Snow & Liga Spunde 52:02

1M ago52:02

52:02

Gremlins, Borders, and Recipes for Resistance This week we’re joined by Jessica Snow and Liga Spunde, two artists navigating the world through comics, street theater, and occasionally letterpress and photoshop. Jessica Snow walks us through her wide-ranging practice—from illustration and letterpress to building massive puppets and organizing street…

1
Crust Fund Pizza creator takes us to ‘Super Pizza World’ (Episode 1036) 55:03

1M ago55:03

55:03

Writer, fundraiser and pizza pro John Carruthers of Crust Fund Pizza is a Car Con Carne favorite, and it was awesome to have him back in the car to talk about his new cookbook, “Super Pizza World.” I met him at his Crust Fund Pizza distribution point, the alley behind his house, where we shared one of his masterful “Royko” (sausage + hot giardinier…

1
East Moon, Joseph Christopher, Chris Pienta live at Legit Dogs (Episode 1035) 34:49

1M ago34:49

34:49

This episode was recorded live at Legit Dogs & Ice in South Elgin (322 S. Randall Road), and includes interviews with East Moon, artist Chris Pienta and comedian Joseph Christopher (who also does a live comedy set for this episode!) ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutting-edge home…

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Creating a multimedia concert experience around Georges-Jean Méliès’ films: Jean-François Alcolea (Episode 1034) 16:25

1M ago16:25

16:25

Pianist, composer, improviser and scenographer, Jean-François Alcolea met me on the roof of Reggie’s when he was in Chicago for his “Right in the Eye” multimedia event. I can’t do the “Right in the Eye” event justice with a description, but for general understanding, he and his fellow musicians provide scores and background for the films of Georges…

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Bad at Sports Episode 898: Wafaa Bilal and Bana Kattan 1:00:43

2M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

This week. Dana’s back? She and Duncan sit down with artist Wafaa Bilal and curator Bana Kattan to discuss Bilal’s powerful and deeply personal mid-career retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Known for his provocative, often participatory works that grapple with war, trauma, displacement, and surveillance, Bilal has long made th…

1
Live performance and chat w/ Mike Vinopal at Hey Nonny (Episode 1033) 40:28

2M ago40:28

40:28

Mike Vinopal (Opal Vinopal, Local Motive, badcandy, wht.rbbt.obj) joined me for food and conversation outside Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights (10 South Vail Avenue/heynonny.com). The episode starts with an acoustic performance of the Opal Vinopal song “Speck in the Universe,” and then transitions to the food from Hey Nonny… lots of food! Cheese curd…

1
Indie bands set to bleat at ‘Goatstock’ (Episode 1032) 24:02

2M ago24:02

24:02

“Goatstock” is a new festival set for Goat Village (4701 N Cumberland, Norridge) on Saturday, May 10. Organizers (and Goatstock performers) Jamie and Deb of 13 Monsters came on the podcast to talk about the 10+ bands playing the event, as well as how it came to be. Also jumping in the car for this episode is fellow podcaster Evan J. Thomas (Better …

1
Bad at Sports Episode 897: Architecture, Documentaries, and Changing Minds with Kyle Bergman and Ashley Lukasik 58:35

2M ago58:35

58:35

In this episode, we talk Architectural Doucmentaries, Graphic Design, the cross over of the art and design audiences, and whether or not social practice could be a job: Kyle Bergman, is the mastermind behind the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF), takes us through the wild ride of showcasing global architectural stories and films. He shares…

1
FACS delivers another minimalist masterpiece (Episode 1031) 14:55

2M ago14:55

14:55

Brian Case of FACS returns to Car Con Carne, not long after the release of the band’s incredible 6th album, “Wish Defense,” and before they play Thalia Hall on April 17. We talk about Steve Albini’s role in the recording, as “Wish Defense” was the last thing he worked on before his untimely passing last year. We also talk about the ambiguity of Bri…

1
‘Best local album of the year’ artist CalicoLoco (Episode 1030) 30:23

2M ago30:23

30:23

I’m joined by the self-described “cutest band in Chicago,” CalicoLoco. Very recently, their album, “I Love Myself,” was picked as “Best Local Album of the Year” in the Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago” 2024 survey. Dani and Zeke from CalicoLoco joined me for empanadas from Cafe Tola on Southport, and we talked about: -What was it about the album t…

1
Familiar players break new ground as Violets (Episode 1029) 15:45

2M ago15:45

15:45

Violets is a new band bringing together players from Naked Raygun, the Methadones and Blood People: Aly Jados – vocals, guitar Bill Stephens – guitar Simon Lamb – guitar Fritz Doreza – bass, vocals Michael Soucy – drums As the band gets ready to play their 5th (!) show on 4/27 at Reggie’s (along with Riverboat Gamblers and the Evictions) and releas…

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Bad at Sports Episode 896: Beth Hetland and Kyle O'Connell 1:01:26

2M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

In the final episode recorded live from Stitch and Staple: The Artist Book Fair, we’re thrilled to sit down with two incredible comic creators, Beth Hetland and Kyle O'Connell. This conversation dives deep into the world of comics and graphic narratives, with Hetland and O'Connell offering insights into their creative collaborations and shared comi…

1
Beer Nuts return like Brigadoon for St. Patrick’s Day (Episode 1028) 27:32

2M ago27:32

27:32

Chicago’s favorite hard-drinking, hard-partying, inspirers-of-bad-decisions, band is back. The Beer Nuts will play an early show on St. Patrick’s Day at Liar’s Club (with opening act One for the Ditch). Joining me to preview the show outside Liar’s Club are Joe Kelly, Lou Svitek and returning favorite Herb. Lou and Joe turned the episode into a pot…

1
Bad at Sports Episode 895: Emma Bergman 56:18

2M ago56:18

56:18

In this episode, Bad at Sports welcomes artist, writer, and thinker Emma Bergman to discuss a range of fascinating topics that blend the personal, the theoretical, and the speculative. We delve into Emma's ideas about utopian conviction and how they intersect with the looming specter of the coming apocalypse, and the games we can play with what is …

1
A River runs through Arlington Heights - wht.rbbt.obj singer at Tuscan (Episode 1027) 27:09

2M ago27:09

27:09

River Toussaint Rabbitte is the frontwoman of wht.rbbt.obj, a favorite artist of this podcast, and she’s getting ready to release a solo single called “Put Down For Love” - “a slow-burning Pop/R&B ballad that drips with passion, submission, and the intoxicating pull of obsession.” In short, it’s a whole vibe and a stunning piece of music. River joi…

1
Bad at Sports Episode 894: Hoof Print Press & Immaterial Publications 57:31

2M ago57:31

57:31

In this episode, Bad at Sports dives into the world of independent publishing, printmaking, and the intersections of art, academia, and production with two innovative presses pushing the boundaries of their respective fields. Hoof Print Press, based in Pilsen, Chicago, is not just a print shop, but a thriving print publisher that explores multiple …

1
Imagine a ‘pre-dawn tryst while listening to 80s AM radio’: Bronze (Episode 1026) 24:46

3M ago24:46

24:46

This episode is smooth. I sat down with Scott McGaughey (vocals) and Dylan Ryan (piano, synth, drums, string & horn arrangements) of the soft synth-pop Chicago band BRONZE for a conversation in the green room of beloved local venue The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia). Did I hear someone say Car Con Verde Quarto? Bronze will perform at the Hideout on Sat…

1
Hypnotist Chris Jones puts Bollweevils, Lucky Boys Confusion singers under his spell (Episode 1025) 36:04

3M ago36:04

36:04

This one is arguably best enjoyed in its video form (YouTube/Facebook). Over another delicious dinner from Byron’s (1701 West Lawrence), I’m joined by hypnotist Chris Jones and returning favorites Dr. Daryl Wilson (the Bollweevils) and Stubhy (Lucky Boys Confusion). Chris is performing at Zanies (Wells) on 3/18 and Zanies (Rosemont) on 3/30. As a p…

1
Like father, like daughter: Brian Krumm and Hazel Krumm (Episode 1024) 31:32

3M ago31:32

31:32

Something we see repeatedly is that the gift, thrill and occasional curse of music is passed down from parents to their kids … and that’s what we have on display for this episode. I’m joined for Episode 1024 by Brian Krumm (Great Crusades, Brian Krumm and his Barfly Friends) and his daughter, Hazel Krumm. Two years ago, Brian put out his first solo…

1
Bad at Sports Episode 893: Cecilia Beaven 56:44

3M ago56:44

56:44

In this episode, we sit down with Cecilia Beaven, a dynamic Mexican-born artist, muralist, and illustrator whose work bridges the worlds of fine art and public spaces. Beaven's pieces have graced both urban environments and galleries, transforming her surroundings with a unique blend of surrealism, humor, and critical commentary. Her work explores …

1
Exploring Lombard’s underground (no, really) with Unmasked Coven and James the Boneless (Episode 1023) 41:43

3M ago41:43

41:43

There’s cool shit happening in Lombard. For this episode, I led a chat with four interesting and amazing creatives: From the Unmasked Coven, a queer + neurodivergent-owned space: owners Sarah and Faeth. Also from Unmasked Coven: Jesse, the person behind the productions happening at the Unmasked Coven’s super cool DIY space, Basement of the Coven. R…

1
Bad at Sports Episode 892: Process Process and Bench Press 57:46

3M ago57:46

57:46

Strap in, print nerds, because this week we’re coming to you live from the wild and inky trenches of the Staple and Stitch Artist Book Fair at 21C Chicago! First up, we’ve got Angee Lennard and Jessica Cochran from Process Process Print Publishers—the dynamic duo that’s doing god's work by helping artists get their process-based, experimental print…

1
Dyslexicon shows fangs with ‘Dracula at Sea’ (Episode 1022) 24:07

3M ago24:07

24:07

Dyslexicon is the soul-searching and emotionally-driven creative outlet of multi-instrumentalist Dan Hart. It’s metal. It’s punk. It’s prog. It’s cool. Dan joins me just as the second Dyslexicon album, Dracula at Sea, is available for streaming. At one point during the conversation, I call him a “mad scientist” for the way he put together this rema…

1
Bad at Sports Episode 891: Dawit L. Petros & Onur Öztürk - Prospetto a Mare 57:51

3M ago57:51

57:51

Live from the wild, eclectic, art-riddled halls of Stitch and Staple at the illustrious 21C hotel, we’re diving into the deep blue—conceptually, at least—with this episode. We chat with the incredibly thoughtful Dawit L. Petros and Art History powerhouse Onur Öztürk about their work in the exhibition Prospetto a Mare at the Museum of Contemporary P…

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The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked (Episode 1021) 41:41

3M ago41:41

41:41

I love a good record store, and for this episode, I’m focused one of the greatest record stores in Chicago history: The Flip Side. The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked is a new book about the birth, innovation, success and eventual end of the Flip Side chain. To talk about the book, I’m joined by co-author Ken Churilla, who wrote the book with Flip …

1
Bad at Sports Episode 890: Kris Graves and Have a Nice Day Press 57:24

4M ago57:24

57:24

Live from Stitch and Staple at the illustrious 21C Hotel (because, why record in a normal studio when you can do it in a fancy hotel?), we dive into the deep end with Kris Graves, photographer extraordinaire and head honcho of KGP | Monolith, along with the relentlessly kind crew from Have a Nice Day Press. We grill Kris on everything from the role…

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Milwaukee band Seances conjures up modern post-punk (Episode 1020) 21:46

4M ago21:46

21:46

I’m a sucker for broody, synthy, hooky post-punk, and that’s what you’ll get on the debut from Milwaukee band Seances. The album, “Power is a Phantom,” comes out on February 13th, and I’m joined for lunch by Eric Arsnow -singer, bassist, founder of Seances. We recorded outside Poochie’s in Skokie (3602 Dempster), a hot dog joint that deserves to be…

1
From iPhone voice notes to EP: Aud Whitson (Episode 1019) 23:29

4M ago23:29

23:29

Kansas-based singer/songwriter Aud Whitson is about to release her stark, authentic EP, “A House That Can’t Get Quieter,” on February 7. I caught up with her while she was in Chicago to talk about her songwriting, as well as the very DIY method she used to record the EP - voice memos on her iPhone. Check out Aud’s EP when it comes online on 2/7! It…

1
Bad at Sports Episode 889: Meg Duguid and Spudnik Press 57:21

4M ago57:21

57:21

In this episode, we catch up with Meg Duguid, the new Executive Director of Spudnik Press, Chicago’s premier community printmaking studio. Meg shares her vision for the future of the Press, an organization known for fostering an inclusive environment where artists of all levels can access printmaking resources, develop their craft, and engage with …

1
Chicago prog band McLuhan rereleases lost 50-year old gem (Episode 1018) 17:01

4M ago17:01

17:01

The fairly obscure, cult favorite, 70s Chicago prog band, McLuhan may very well be the least likely band to have entered 2025 with a string of live dates … but here we are. 50+ years after the release of their debut album, “Anomaly,” it’s getting a second life with a repressing/rerelease and the band is doing a monthly residency at Montrose Saloon.…

1
Liar’s Club hosts benefits for L.A. fire victims (Episode 1017) 17:35

4M ago17:35

17:35

Liar’s Club (1665 W. Fullerton) is set to host two fundraisers for victims of the L.A. fires: Friday, January 24, and Sunday, January 26. The Friday event, featuring Local H, Viceroy and Tuff Sudz, is sold out. The Sunday event, featuring Handcuffs, Jon Langford and more TBA, will go on sale soon (keep an eye on Liar’s Club’s social media for updat…

1
Bad at Sports Podcast Episode 888: Sharon & Guy + Marin R. Sullivan + Brandon Johnson 55:12

4M ago55:12

55:12

A strange and lucky number for an episode packed with the profound! This week, we dive deep into design, architecture, and the unique culture of Chicago. We kick things off with an interview featuring Sharon & Guy, the dynamic design collaborative whose thought-provoking artworks are included in The Spaces We Call Home, currently on view at the DeP…

1
Celebrity chef collabs return to Piece Pizzeria for PAWS fundraiser (Episode 1016) 29:05

4M ago29:05

29:05

Slice to Meet You returns to Piece Pizzeria (1927 North Avenue)! The fundraiser benefiting Paws Chicago, the Midwest’s largest no-kill shelter, kicks off with “Bill and Doug’s Excellent Adventure, a collaboration between Piece and iconic Chicago chef Hot Doug. Piece owner Bill Jacobs and Hot Doug jump in the car to unveil their masterful collab: a …

1
Avondale live music bar LiveWire keeps rocking (Episode 1015) 14:19

4M ago14:19

14:19

This conversation was long overdue! I sat down with LiveWire Lounge owner Dave Hornyak to talk about LiveWire’s 14 years in business: The highs, the lows, the bands and the $2 PBRs. Looking for a zero-bullshit, low-budget, place to unwind, listen to cool music, and be yourself? Visit my friends at LiveWire: 3394 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641. …

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