This episode sees the return of drummer, Mark Esses, who's behind the kit for super-cool bands like Downstait, Night Spice and Flowers for Dorian.

We met at El Vado, a Mexican restaurant in McHenry, and we chatted about:

Balancing Multiple Projects: Besides being the drummer in a bunch of bands, Mark Esses also keeps busy as a D.J. We talk about how he manages his time and creative energy across all these endeavors.

Pro Wrestling Music: Mark shares the story of how he was recruited into Downstait after the singer saw him perform and they bonded over a shared love of pro wrestling. We dig into the process of creating entrance themes for wrestlers and Mark's passion for the sport.

Band Dynamics: We touch on the 20th anniversary of his band Flowers for Dorian and the longevity of band relationships. Mark also mentions the story-driven concept behind his band Night Spice, which even has an accompanying comic book.

The Creative Drive & Collecting: While eating tacos during a sudden downpour, we bond over the "collector's mindset." I talk about my record collection, while Mark talks about his passion for collecting Batman, wrestling, and other pop culture memorabilia, including a story about having to start his collection over after a flood.

Marc has a lot going on, and we barely scratched the surface! Support his projects at marcesses.com!

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Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story.

It's the ultimate novel about the '90s and Chicago's music scene.

Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.

And also follow 90daysinthe90s on Instagram for tons of Chicago scene & alternative music related content

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TAG PUBLICITY is a Music & Event Publicity company that is freshly distinctive. TAG PUBLICITY is a full service entertainment PR, talent development, branding, digital marketing, social media management, project management, distribution, content creation, booking and public relations company currently headed by Evan J. Thomas - You can reach out to Evan anytime for any of your PR needs to [email protected]

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