The trio of Pillars & Tongues create music that is really intended to be experienced live. The albums are great, but when witnessed live they really expand and transform the sound. Over the last couple of month the band has released three live sessions that you need to check out. We mentioned their Daytrotter session when it came out, but they have also released a session with Dublab, and a Antilog Session live at the 2640 Collective. All three sessions feature new material, and the band just announced that they will be releasing their latest album The Pass and Crossings in May. through Empty Cellar Records.

Project Film is continuing to build on the success of their debut album which was recently released by Tandem Shop. They recently opened for Island of The Misfit Toys at Schubas, see video above, and they will be performing on March 31st at Beat Kitchen with The Window Theatre, JT Royster, and Minnesota’s The ACB’s.

If you are looking for some hard funk and big soul look no further then the Septet Lubriphonic. The band released their latest album, The Gig Is On back in December, but just released a live album for free through bandcamp. The album was record in New Orleans at Tipitina’s during Mardi Gras.

Lubriphonic will be performing at Double Door on April 1st.

The Loneliest Monk appeared over at Daytrotter over the weekend. The band performed four tracks from their self-titled debut album.

The band will be performing at Schubas on April 30th with Scattered Trees and Chaperone.

The latest video from Giant System comes from the band Heavy Times.

Small Chicago took some time off but they are back with a great performance form Suns. The band came by and played 3 tracks including "Little Horn" above from their 2010 ep Close Calls in The U.S. Space Program.

Suns is performing at Bottom Lounge on April 16th.

Island of Misfit Toys will be releasing their debut album via Tandem Shop this summer. To celebrate and build a little hype the lead singer and primary songwriter of the eight-piece band is providing fans with one-of-a-kind give aways. Upon request, Sanders will record personalized acoustic demos on his four-track recorder. Each recording will include nine original songs and one cover, and fans can request specific songs. Recordings will also include a personalized letter from Sanders and information about the upcoming release.

To request a personalized recording, please send an email to sandersbooking@gmail.com with a name and mailing address.

The band will be performing a FREE show today (3/26) at 2pm at Saki (3716 West Fullerton Ave) with Holdfast and Warm Ones and then at Beat Kitchen on 4/10 and Reggie’s Rock Club on 4/17.

Salem is heading to LA next week to make their first headlining appearance as part of Check Yo Ponytail 2. To build the hype out there they have released a mixtape called Mother Always. It takes a dark look at remixing and reworking some popular tracks including Smashing Pumpkins and Cam’ron.

Also performing at Check Yo Ponytail 2 on March 29th will be Chicago’s Gatekeeper, Light Asylum, The Present Moment, and Killing Spree DJ’s.

Fresh off his performances at SXSW and tour with Twista, ProbCause is back and performing at Schubas on 3/27. Below is the Flux Pavilion Remix on the track "Gotta Know" which comes from him forthcoming ep Stir Fry.

You only get a brief sense of what Snow n’ Charm will sound like on their new EP, but you can tell the boys are having some fun making it. The band has released two eps previously and they are available over at bandcamp.

Local musician and founder of Antiopic Records David Daniell with James Elliott, Thrill Jockey’s Bettina Richards, Regina Greene (Front Porch Productions), and Greg Davis have come together to curate an incredible project that will benefit the relief efforts in Japan. In fact, 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of this release will go to the Japanese emergency response organization Civic Force, Peace Winds, and the Fukushima Prefecture municipality. Benefit for the Recovery in Japan features 64 tracks from some of the best musicians from around the world including Prefuse 73, Parts & Labor, School of Seven Bells, and so many more.

The gentle dream-pop of Architecture reminds me slightly of a female version of Campfires, and this band is releasing their debut ep, When We Were Young, on April 9th. Architecture is primarily the duo of Melissa Harris and Rebecca Scott of Panda Riot and together make a beautiful psych-twee sound.

The band is performing at Miskas this Saturday, 3/26, and celebrating the release of the ep on April 9th at The Whistler.