On January 1st, Netherfriends released a new free digital ep called Alap. Alap is a term used in Indian classical music for a sectin that is improvised and free flowing. The EP contains seven tracks, one for each day of the week. Accompanying videos are being created by the minds behind the Lateral Label, who released Netherfriends’ debut LP Barry and Sherry. They have already released videos for "Saturday" (below), "Sunday" and "Monday".

Netherfriends will be performing his last Chicago show until May tomorrow, January 6th at Subt with The Loneliest Monk, Dozens, and Wolf in a Spacesuit.

I can’t believe I missed Seafarer the first time, they released their debut EP Hiding Places back in May, but I am not going to them this time. The psych-folk quartet is re-releasing the EP on January 18th and celebrating the release on the 23rd at The Whistler. Hiding Places is an energetic seven song array that was recorded at Engine Studios with recording engineer Jake Westermann.

Seafarer is ready for a larger stage and a wider audience for their solid debut EP. They will be performing a free show this Saturday (1/8) at Saki at 7pm, and another free show on January 23rd with A Light Sleeper on the 23rd at The Whistler.

Lupe Fiasco will be releasing his third album, Lasers, on March 8th on Atlantic Records. On Christmas day he released a video for his new track and the albums first single "The Show Goes On".

Flosstradamus dropped their 2010 wrap-up mixtape this week via twitter called W3 L0V3 Y0U 2010. You can see the tracklist here and download it here.

You can check out Flosstradamus on NYE with Gemini Club and Prefrosh at Lincoln Hall.

I’ve always wondered why bands chose to change their name, and Castevets move to CSTVT has no explanation either. However, names aside the band still has a solid sound and a new label to prove it. The band is currently finishing up their upcoming full-length on new label home Run For Cover Records, as well as its 7" label debut due out next month.

CSTVT is performing on January 2nd at Subterranean with Stay Ahead Of The Weather, Bongripper and Coping.

Unicycle Loves You is performing at Beat Kitchen this week, Dec. 30th. The band has had a great year which saw the release of their new album Mirror, Mirror, an appearance on the Yo Gabba Gabba tour and recently an appearance on Daytrotter.

The band will be giving away their homemade coloring book for Mirror, Mirror to the first 100 fans to attend the Beat Kitchen show!

Está Vivo just released an interesting video for his track "Morningtide". 

5. Maps & Atlases "Living Decorations" from Perch Patchwork (Barsuk) 6/29/10 4. In Tall Buildings "The Way To A Monster’s Lair" from In Tall Buildings (Whistler Records) 4/6/10 3. Smith Westerns "Girl In Love" from Self-Titled (Fat Possum) 8/31/10 2. Young Man "Up So Fast" from Boy Ep (Frenchkiss Records) 10/12/10 1. Houses "Endless Spring" from All Night (Lefse Records) 10/19/10  

To top off the great year that Judson Claiborne has had by releasing their debut album, Time & Temperature, through La Societe Records they appeared on Daytrotter this week.

The local label Tandem Shop has released a free compliation for the holidays. The digital-only album includes tracks from the most recent addition to Tandem Shop, The Island of Misfit Toys, two new songs from Levels (formerly Honest Engines) recorded this past summer, one previously released and one unreleased track from Mr. Bear, and two songs from the recently released Project Film album. You can grab the mp3s here.

10. Judson Claibirone "Song For Dreaming" from Time & Temperature (La Societe Records) 4/6/10

9. Sad Brad Smith "Everyone Knows I’m Still in Love with You" from Love Is Not What You Need (Self-Released) 1/1/10

8. Skybox "In A Dream" from Morning After Cuts (Self-Released) 4/13/10  

7. The Record Low "What If I’m Wrong" from Away From Us (Self-Released) 5/1/10

6. Panda Riot "Motown Glass" from Near & Far Ep (Mirror/ Mirror) 5/10/10

Just in time for the Holidays, Giant Sytem has released a very festive episode featuring Tiny Cover Band.