Talons is essentially the work of Mike and Sommer Tolan, and together they make beautiful and heartfelt and soulful music. Even though the band is based in Chicago their music is very much rooted in nature. Most of the new album was written while Mike with living in Spain. The new album "Songs for Boats" is a collection of near hymns masterfully sungs over an array of acoustic guitars, autoharps, chord organs, clarinets, violin and lapsteel. It is peaceful and relaxing through out. The local label Positive Beat Recordings released this album on March 29th, but the band is celebrating the release tonight (4/25) with a free show at The Whistler.

Last month we shared the news that Tandem Shop would be releasing a 3-song ep by Honest Engines on May 3rd. We also shared the song "Sunny Setting Sun". We now have the cover image for the ep and you can stream the first track on the ep "French Song" below. The other track on the ep is "El Jardin".

The legendary Joan of Arc are all over the place this morning. Their performance of for Giant System which was filmed at the site’s first birthday party went live today. Also the bands performance for Coach House Sound was posted this morning. The band’s new album Life Like will be released by Polyvinyl on May 10th and can be preorder in my different formats and packages right now. The band also recently performed a quality 30 minute set for Setlist TV.

The band is performing tomorrow night (4/26) at the Museum of Contemporary Art as part of the Face the Strange Music Series.

The Cool Kids break out their winter coats and film around town for their new video "Free Throws".

Wilco has announced that the first release from their newly formed self-run label dBpm Records will be their new 7" single which will feature a new song, "I Might", backed with a cover of Nick Lowe’s "I Love My Label". This release will first appear at the band’s Solid Sound Festival this June. The official release is schedule for July. Check out Tweedy’s recent performance of the new track "Open Your Mind" the CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.

Secret Colours have made a video with the talented Sean Michael Pheanis for their dreamy track "Chemical Swirl".

Secret Colours are performing at Empty Bottle on April 26th with Asteroid #4.

The new album, Is A Beast, by hometown favorites Cameron McGill & What Army was offically released on April 12th, but the hype has been building for a while. McGill returns to Chicago to celebrate the release on April 29th with a show at Schubas. McGill has been endlessly touring since the release of his last album in 2009. This is the band’s fifth full-length studio album, and you can stream and/or purchase the album here.

You can also catch Cameron McGill & What Army on JBTV tomorrow (4/23).

It’s Friday, leave the office early and blast this new track from Chuck L.I. as you roll out of the parking lot. "Office Space" was produced by fellow Chicagoan Stefan Ponce, and you can download the track here.

Houses have released their video for the track "Reds" which appears on their debut album All Night.

There is a new band in town and they are called Pretty Swans. The group was founded by Russ Woods (aka Tinyfolk) and they have released a free ep called Embers. The ep features covers of songs from Chris Isaak, Bruce Springsteen, and Elvis, and two originals.

The band is currently wrapping up recording their debut full-length which will be called We Got Hot & Died. All of the songs on the album deal with the subject of fire and the album can be preorder here.

The Pear Traps are releasing a new self-titled ep on May 1st. You can currently stream all six songs through bandcamp. The band is celebrating the release with a free show at Cole’s on May 27th. Cassettees will be available at the show.

D. Rider is back and will now on be known as Dead Rider. The band fronted by the boasterious guitarist and vocalist Todd Rittmann is returning with a new album called The Raw Dents (out May 3 on Tizona). The two tracks that I have heard from the new album both display a raw enegy and a gritty agressive sound.

Dead Rider will be performing at Quenchers on May 6th with Microwaves.