Maps & Atlases’ debut album will be called Perch Patchwork and will be released by Barsuk Records on June 29, 2010. Here is the tracklisting:

Will/The Charm/Living Decorations/Solid Ground/Is/Israeli Caves/Banished Be Cavalier/Carrying The Wet Wood/Pigeon/If This Is/Was/Perch Patchwork

Band is currently touring with bands like Drink Up Buttercup and Frightened Rabbit. Their next Chicago show will be on May 8th at Metro with Frightened Rabbit. Here is a sneak peak at the album and the song “Solid Ground”.

The Scissors recently released the first video from their latest album, You Can Make It Dangerous. The track is called “Let’s Go”, and the video is great.

You can catch Scissors at Subterranean on April 24th.

At SXSW this year YAWN caught the eye and ear of a lot of folks. Here is some footage of their performance at Levis Fader Fort courtesy of the WILD honey pie. They will be performing at Abbey Pub on April 13th with Caw! Caw!.

Everyone I know who has heard the songs of Daniel Knox has fallen in love with his brand of music. He is an undeniable musicial genius and he is opening for The Watson Twins on April 4th at Old Town School. If you missed it you need to check out his live session with Coach House Sounds.

Cast Spells has been everywhere lately and on May 4th Dovecote Records will release their debut ep, Bright Works and Baton on clear vinyl. There will only be 500 copies pressed so you should preorder your copy today. This 12” edition will include an additional track “All Brass” which was not included on the Sargent House release.

Color Card is a three-piece experimental outfit hailing from Chicago, IL. Formed in early 2009, the band pushes the limits of the "indie" genre by incorporating various styles and instrumentation. Recently, with the help of producer/engineer Ben Kaufmann, just finished recording a few songs at Chicago’s own Engine Studios. They have also just made official plans to record a full length starting in May. Listen to new songs ‘Rigors’ and ‘Tourniquet’ and stay tuned for upcoming shows at the band’s myspace page.

The latest album from My My My, Leather Silk, looks and reads like an under produced classic porn movie from the ‘80’s. It’s complete with cheesy actors named “Big Baddy Cosgrove”, “Captain Sage Bronson”, “Silky”, “Terrycloth Jones”, and so on. However, when you put the album it is a completely different experience. This is power pop at its finest. Filled with finely tuned electronics, sweeping guitar riffs, and dueling vocals provided by Russell Baylin and Sarah Snow. I would compare their current sound to that of Headlights, especially when Snow is taking the lead.

There is not a lull in this album, which means you will never stop moving. The centerpiece of this ten-track album is the song “Swoon”, and in a way it sums up the album. The looping electronic open leading to a gritty guitar riff and atmospheric keyboards, but it is the interplay of Baylin and Snow that will make you “Swoon”. My My My have far surpassed their 2008 effort, Little Cat Plays the Alpha Rave, and Leather Silk should make them one of the more sought after Chicago bands of 2010.

My My My will be celebrating the release of Leather Silk on May 8th at Bottom Lounge.

Stanley Ross (aka Nicholas Meiers) is back with a free ep, MN-EP from Rock Proper. This EP follows his two self-released albums and finds him working with some new musicians and creating a new sound. The album features Tim Cronin of Camera Obscura, Domenico Ferri of Brother Truck, and many other talent musicians. The EP was produced by Gary Burger of 60’s legends The Monks! It is a subtle slow burner that will guide you into the summer.

MN-EP will be released on April 6th, and will be a free digital album. Stanley Ross plays with Joe Jack Talcum of The Dead Milkmen at Schubas on April 8th.

The new video from Oh My God is amazing. "Bring Yourself" was conceived and created by Dan Bigelow and the track comes from their latest album, The Night Undoes the Work of the Day (Split Red Records).

With less than a year together, Dozens will be releasing their debut EP on May 1st at Schubas. The trio of Kyle Mann, Vincent Naples, John Norman weave textures and sounds with the best, and on their EP they combine elements of Morphine, mellower Alice in Chain, and even a touch of Fleet Foxes. These three harmonize in song and instrument to create a tight collection of sonic explorations.

You can download Dozens EP for free here and check them out live on May 1st at Schubas with Rego and Elsinore.

I posted my review of the new EP from Panda Riot a couple of weeks ago, and it seems they have made a video for my favorite track from the album, “Motion Glass”. The new EP, Far & Near will be released on May 11th.

The latest installment from the coolest new site in town, Small Chicago, is live and features three tracks from the rock n’ roll band Sissy Mena.

Sissy Mena will be performing at Subterranean on April 8th with Wild Peaks and The (Glorious) Teaparty.