The Hudson Branch released their new album World Kid yesterday, and to celebrate they have released the track "Piggyback".

You can catch The Hudson Branch as they headline Lincoln Hall on May 8.

Rockie Fresh has released a video for his track "Into The Future" which comes from his recent mixtape "Drive 88". Just like his last video from "Drive 88", Rockie is giving the Back to the Future a fresh Chicago feel in this one.

If you miss this ’80’s or missed the ’80’s and wish you hadn’t than Ghosthouse may be the group for you. A little bit Prince, and a little Ray Parker Jr., Ghosthouse is back with their new single "Stop Drop & Roll". Any time you see a track on bandcamp tagged "1984" you new you are in for heavy synths, drum machines, hand claps, and some pure elctrofunk! The single and all six remixes can be downloaded for free.

Stephen Paul Smoker released his new album Ripe Fruit last week. The album an eclectic romp shifting from the fast paced, driving rhythm of "In Cairo" to the somber pluck guitar of "Cold As A Stone". This album seems meditative and psychedelic at the time. The are many moments through out at quite, almost restful. One of my favorites are the flute interlude in "The Light On The First Day of Spring… Pt 1.". In many way Stephen Paul Smoker is a throw back the 60’s, but the way he builds his melody’s also feel very modern. Ripe Fruit is just that, fresh and ready to be consumed.

Kilo Records has released the album on clear vinyl and Stephen Paul Smoker will be celebrating the release with a show at Empty Bottle on April 27th. The show is free with RSVP.

Scott Lucas (of Local H) is preparing to release his new album with The Married Men, Blood Half Moons on June 5th via The End Records. This is the bands second album, and the recently released the title track.

MP3: Scott Lucas & The Married Men "Blood Half Moon"

Scott Lucas & The Married Men will be celebrating the release at Metro on June 9th with Deer Tick.

Saki (3716 W. Fullerton Ave)has a great line-up of in-store performance schedule for Record Store Day, April 21st.
1pm – Santah
2pm – Bare Mutants
3pm – Cains & Abels
4pm – Cross Record
5pm – Minor Characters
6pm – Hollows
7pm – Opposites
8pm – The Runnies

Fake Limbs play at the Hideout May 25th in celebration of their debut album, "Man Feelings." (Available on vinyl and high-quality mp3 download.) "Behold Chicago’s Fake Limbs! Do not fear them! Tho they bristle with an amplified martial asthetic and singer/grunter Stephen Sowley is the size of a black bear, these men just want to have fun and they won’t harm yer carpets, furniture or yer pets. They may, however, harm yer hearing so pack some protection. Despite the crushing drums, churning bass lines and face-melting guitar leads, Fake Limbs aren’t afraid to strap on their man feelings with song titles like ‘Balding But Angry’, ‘Paris In the 20s’ and the epic ‘Let Me Be a Woman for a second’." — Jeff Moody, Stripwax.com

You can also catch Fake Limbs tomorrow, April 21st, playing an in-store at Reckless Records as part of their mega Record Store Day Event.

The duo known as Supreme Cuts released the details of their forthcoming debut LP, Whispers in the Dark, which will be released on June 12th by Dovecote Records.

Whispers In The Dark track listing

1. Whispers pt. 1
2. Lessons Of Darkness (Apology)
3. (Youngster Gone Off That) Sherm
4. E2
5. Ciroc Waterfalls
6. Intermission
7. Whispers pt. 2
8. Belly
9. Epitome
10. 18th
11. Val Venus
12. Whispers In The Dark

Wild Belle is finishing the month on tour with Tennis up and down the West Coast. The duo recently performed at Mulberry’s Parker Hotel Pool Party during Coachella.

This summer will bring the return of the big band sounds of Mucca Pazza. The band is releasing their lastest effort, Safety Fifth on June 12th through Electric Cowbell Records. As the album’s sampler below will beautifully illustrate, Mucca Pazza is a wild cross-roads of circus band, marching band, swing band, and garage band. Their performances are epic and sound is one of a kind.

You can catch Mucca Pazza at Auditorium Theatre on May 12th as they open for Andrew Bird at 7pm. They will also be performing on the Studs Terkel Bridge at Division and Halsted on May 12th at 12pm for free.

The latest video from Giant System features the haunting sounds of E+.