You only get a brief sense of what Snow n’ Charm will sound like on their new EP, but you can tell the boys are having some fun making it. The band has released two eps previously and they are available over at bandcamp.

Local musician and founder of Antiopic Records David Daniell with James Elliott, Thrill Jockey’s Bettina Richards, Regina Greene (Front Porch Productions), and Greg Davis have come together to curate an incredible project that will benefit the relief efforts in Japan. In fact, 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of this release will go to the Japanese emergency response organization Civic Force, Peace Winds, and the Fukushima Prefecture municipality. Benefit for the Recovery in Japan features 64 tracks from some of the best musicians from around the world including Prefuse 73, Parts & Labor, School of Seven Bells, and so many more.

The gentle dream-pop of Architecture reminds me slightly of a female version of Campfires, and this band is releasing their debut ep, When We Were Young, on April 9th. Architecture is primarily the duo of Melissa Harris and Rebecca Scott of Panda Riot and together make a beautiful psych-twee sound.

The band is performing at Miskas this Saturday, 3/26, and celebrating the release of the ep on April 9th at The Whistler.

I Fight Dragons have released a new video of Packy Lundholm, their lead guitarist, playing Tetris in various locations around town. I just love seeing him play his guitar which is an actual NES. You can get free music from the band here.

I Fight Dragons will be performing an all ages show show at Lincoln Hall on 3/31, and they promise they will be using this guitar.

Geronimo! is giving away their 2010 LP Fuzzy Dreams for free this week leading up to their show free show at Double Door on 3/29. You can download the album here. Also playing that night are Kid You’ll Move Mountains, Brontosaurus, and The Soil & The Sun.

The trio know as Deep Earth is back with their first studio release. Armed with their syncopated and harmonious soundscapes, the trio is looking to put Chicago into a trance with House of Mighty. This cassette is now available their the Minn. label Moon Glyph, and is a spacey psychedelic trip through the Chicago underground. This sound fits perfect with what we have been hearing from other like-minded musicians like Gatekeeper and even the recent release from Netherfriends. The label has released 150 copies of this cassette so grab yours today. Also you can expect a split 7" with Deep Earth and the Minneapolis group Food Pyramid later this year.

Hollows appeared on Daytrotter over the weekend and performed four tracks including my favorite Hollows song "Shadows In The Dark".

Archie Powell & The Exports are releasing a series of covers this month in video through youtube. The first two covers are "The Ballad of John and Yoko" by The Beatles and Devo’s "Girl U Want". The band is clearly having a good time, but still these are quality covers.

The band is performing at The Viaduct on April 1st with Glittermouse and Republic of Lights, April 8th at Penny Road Pub (South Barrington), and April 15th at The Abbey.

Julie Meckler is joining Will Phalen and the Stereo Addicts for a night of music at The Bottom Lounge hosted by the Chicago Acoustic Underground. Above is Julie practicing a new song she is adding to her live shows. It is "La Complainte de la Seine" by German composer Kurt Weill.

Will Phalen & The Stereo Addicts just released a new single called "Home Someday" which is backed with a cover of the Faces tune "Ooh La La".

Also on the bill for March 31st at The Bottom Lounge are Cook County Fair and BJSR. Tickets are $10 and the show starts at 8:30pm.

Black Math have released a trippy video for their track "Night Shade" which comes their Phantom Power which was released last year by Permanent Records.

Local label and publisher Another New Calligraphy recently announced the signing of the hauntingly beautiful Emily Cross (aka Cross Record). Late last year Emily released a series of free singles through bandcamp as Cross Record that were charming and entrancing that the local label could not resist. ANC will be releasing Emily’s debut album Magnetic Current on April 19th.

In the last two months Emily has shared the stage with Thin Hymns, Pillars & Tongues, Can.Ky. Ree, and other like minded bands. She is well on her way to having a great emergence this year.

The Smoking Popes released their latest album, This Is Only A Test, on March 15th and performed down at SXSW the next night. The album is triumphant return for these ’90’s Chicago punk-pop hero’s. The album is a concept album of sorts, and the band is currently down at SXSW tearing it up. Check out their live performce on JBTV here, and the video for their new track "Punk Band" below.