As we have mentioned Company of Thieves will be releasing their next album, Running From a Gamble, on May 17th. The band just released a great acoustic video for the track "Queen of Hearts".

Stretch your mind so open and step into the mystical world of Sarah Weis. The latest release from the local cassette label Plustapes is the far reaching and career encompassing effort from Sarah Weis. Musik & Plus is a 25-song collection of the best moments and sounds from this adventurous musician, actress, and just all around creative person. This is infact is her debut album, but this songs and images have been circling our consciousness for years.

The cassette will be released in June, but Sarah is holding a virtual listening party on May 10th at 6:30. She will be playing the new cassette on her Fisher Price tape player. Join the party here.

The Part Five have a new single out called "C-Clamp". It comes from their new full-length release called The Tightening. The track reminds me a little of early New Order, but with a little more rock and a little less of the ’80’s cheesy. I love how this tracks breaks down around the 2 minute mark and then comes back full force.

The Part Five will be performing at The Empty Bottle on May 15th with Dozens. Tickets are only $3 and the shows starts at 7pm.

Color Radio will be releasing their debut full-length album, Architects, on June 14th. The band has made a video with the talented Elijah Alvarado for Elephilms for the albums first single "Quiet House".

Color Radio will be performing at Subt on May 6th with Big Science and An Aesthetic Anaesthetic (17 & Over / $10).

Hey Champ is back again with a new EP called "Anything At All" (Turnout, May 10th). This is the band’s follow-up to last year’s hit EP "Star".

Hey Champ is performing a dj set this Sunday, May 8th, at Smart Bar with Kid Color, Adulture, and Michael Serafini.

Gonzo Chicago is close to reaching their goal, but only has ten days left. Check out the video below and then go lend your support if possible.

Big Science has been hard at work on their upcoming full length album, to be released this fall, since returning from a successful appearance at SXSW. The band has released the first single from the album and it is called "Loose Change Century". It’s got a little early U2 vibe, and it is quite enjoyable.

Big Science will be performing at Subt on May 6th with Color Radio and An Aesthetic Anaesthetic.

Daniel Knox is an old soul in a modern world, and on Evryman For Himself we hold he is adapting and adjusting to the world around him. These are saloon songs, these are piano ballads in their purest form. Knox reminds me of a mix between Randy Newman, Anthony & The Johnsons, and Tom Waits. On Evryman For Himself he takes the listener on a journey through his life and tells us stories of love, loneliness, and scenes that he has observed. He seems to spot the smallest scenes and find the uniqueness. He is a crooner, a commentator, and marvelous storyteller. It is clear through songs like the haunting "Ghostsong", the biting but humorous "…etc…", or the title track "Evryman For Himself" that Knox is a special talent and a truly gifted singer/songwriter.

Evryman For Himself will be released by La Societe Expeditionnairie on May 10th. Daniel Knox will be performing at The Hideout on May 26th.

I don’t think Matt Ryd will be dancing like this when he performs at Schubas on May 25th, but this video is so fun to watch.

The Deli and Betta Promotions have come together to hold the first ever Deli showcase. The bands involved were the top four bands in our recent Best Emerging Artist of 2010 poll.

The event will take place on May 13th at Empty Bottle and feature Secret Colours, Dastardly, Soft Speaker, & Canasta.

Salem has released a haunting video for their track "Sick". The track comes from their 2010 debut album King Night (IAMSOUND). With their dark take on gansta rap they are still the scariest band in town.

We’re a fully independent band from Chicago trying to carve out our own little musical world. It’s always odd trying to explain what we do, particularly because we try not to think about it so much as actually do it. When we make music we try our best to put something together that we enjoy and that we can be proud of, if someone else happens to like it as well then thats the icing on the cake. We’ve always done things differently then the bands we’ve been surrounded by. We’ve kept our little project a secret for as long as we’ve been able to but now it looks like the secret is out! We’re homesick for the future. We’re Chasing Mars.