We’re happy to announce that Blane Fonda has been selected for couple showcases in Austin during SXSW: on Friday March 19, we’ll be playing as part of JBTV’s SXChicago Showcase at The Trophy Room, and on Saturday March 20 at 9pm we’ll be playing at Cuba Libre for a RedGorilla showcase; we hope that any Chicago friends that are planning on being down there will come say “Hey!” or something to that effect.

Before we leave for Austin, we are excited for a few events around here: Tonight (3/9), we are sharing the stage at Schubas with two bands we like a lot called Via Audio and Pattern is Movement. Also, illustrations from Blane’s own Mark Wetzel will be on exhibit during a one night event, titled twentysomethings: revelations in asymmetry. The gallery (Gallery 3) will be held Friday March 12 from 6pm – 10pm at 1542 N Milwaukee, 3rd Floor. and it is free. – Charlie Nadler

Last week BBU released their impressive mixtape, Fear of a Clear Channel Planet. These three are all about Chicago and serve the scene well on their mixtape. With the help of Million $ Mano and Ruby Hornet, they have encapsulated what Chicago independent hip hop is all about right now. If you are headed to SXSW this month be sure to check out BBU as they six different showcases in three days!

Carpark Records announced today the signing of a band we have liked for quite sometime, Light Pollution. The label, currently home to bands light Beach House, Dan Deacon, and Ear Pwr, plans to release the bands debut LP, Apparitions, on June 15th. The first track on the album will the synth-heavy anthem “Good Feelings”. The band is still putting the finishing touches on the album, but will be touring for the next two months. The tour includes a stop at SXSW where they will play eight different shows including the Carpark/Paw Track show on the 18th.

Light Pollution can next be seen here in Chicago on March 26th at Mopery Loft and then on April 1st at Bottom Lounge.

This past Friday we sent our new friend and photographer Daniel Bartel to the Beat Kitchen to photograph Tin Tin Can. Despite a little guest list confusion Dan was able to make it inside and snap a few shots of these fan favorites. You can find more images from the show at Dan’s website.

Is it too early to name an album the best of the year? Ok, I’ll slow down, but the new album from Pillars and Tongues is something special. Lay of Pilgrim Park was released last month by Empty Cellar Records, and builds upon the bands previous releases but seems more focused. Over this six song vinyl release you will find the signature and vibrant string textures molded by violinist Beth Remis and bassists Evan Hydzik, and the intense percussion of Mark Trecka, but what I love are fluid and layered fluid vocal improvisations by each member of this trio. This is celestial chamber music with dead-can-dance-esque vocals provided by Trecka. There are tribal elements, folk elements, and elements of various cultural influences. My favorite track is the closing track “Made of Sheen”. It slowly opens with what seems like an endless single note, but then explodes open into a whole new realm of sound.

Lay of Pilgrim Park was released on Feb. 9th and is available on vinyl with a digital download by Empty Cellar Records.

Before Rockie Fresh heads to SXSW to take part our Music Tech Mashup event, he will perform Battle of The Midwest at Wild Hare on March 7th. Rockie is the latest in long line of emcees to come out of Chicago in the last few years. Last December Rockie released his mixtape called Rockie’s Modern Life and this mixtape has allowed Rockie to gain radio play and notoriety. If you haven’t heard the mixtape you can download it here.

My favorite Rockie Fresh has to be the Justice-based “Do The Dance”.

Occasionally, you come across a musician that is honestly trying to accomplishment something unique, create something that is different. Warren Buckler, an experimental singer/songwriter, has tried to create his own sound and in many ways succeeded. He starts with a beautiful base of folk music, and adds a touch of technology. He does this by manufacturing his own accompanying instrumentation with a synthetic sophistication. The mixture has so many possibilities and on his debut album Like that of the Coral he explores many of them. What is most exciting about this self-released album are the layers of sound that he builds. It took him a while to complete, but this debut is stunning, complex, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Warren Buckler will be performing at Uncommon Ground on March 26th.

Are you one of the two million plus viewers that this video has received? Directed by James Frost, Ok Go does it again with inventiveness and creativity. This is the official video for the recorded version of "This Too Shall Pass" off of the band’s latest album "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky".

Among the many Chicago musicians making their way down to the year’s South By South West music festival is Via Tania. Even though it is only March she is already having a great year which has seen the release of her album Moon Sweet Moon, and some very impressive shows. What I have found most interesting about Tania’s year have been the covers she has produced. Her latest cover is of The Presets “If I Know You” and it is beautiful and needs to be heard.

Before heading down to SWSW Via Tania will be playing a show at The Hideout. After SXSW she will be hitting the road with Seabear and arrives back in Chicago on April 2nd for a show at Schubas.

The Catbirds have released their first full-length album Subanimal Sounds, and will be celebrating this release tonight (March 4th) at The Hideout with Baby Teeth. The Catbirds is primarily the work of Baltimore’s Peter Beyer, but the band includes F. James Cooper of our own Detholz!, as well as Benyamin Artes-Miranda and Karl Doerfenmueller of Chicago.

The Catbird sound is somewhat Americana, somewhat psychedelic, and like folk-pop. It’s a pleasant blend that could span a number of decades and influences, namely Belle and Sebastian or The Beach Boys.

This week the soulful JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound released a brand new single called “Get it Together”. The single is back with this incredible rework of the Wilco track “I am Trying to Break Your Heart”. This is the bands first release since last year’s self-released full-length r&b/soul album Beat of Our Own Drum.

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound will be performing at Tonic Room on March 10th.

This week the New Jersey net label Rain Above Records released a new (and free) digital single by the bedroom troubadour Tinyfolk. The single features two songs “I Was Cato the Elder” and “Snowy Branches” and totals less than five minutes in length. Over the years Tinyfolk has tried his hand at many different styles, but these tracks are clear and gentle folk.

Tinyfolk will be performing at The Space in DeKalb, IL on March 15th.