It’s been almost a year and a half since the uniquely experimental Renee-Louise Carafice released her debut album Tells You to Fight. Her music is lo-fi folk with slight electronic elements, but it is more her quirky lyrics that give off an experimental feel. Take the first single, “Bodhisattva” (mp3), from her album for example, and her wondering tales of youth romance. She adds all of these wild references and images that catch the listener by surprise. That’s not to mention her tiger mask! That inventive storytelling continues throughout the album in tracks like “House on Fire” and “A Kick To The Head”, and are even more endearing because for her soft and breathy vocals at times. If you’ve missed out on Caraface’s debut I suggest you take a listen and try to check her out live.

Renee-Louise Caraface is performing four shows in the first eight days of December. She will be at The Whistler on Dec. 1st, Empty Bottle on Dec. 2nd, Elastic Arts on Dec 5th, and Funhouse Collective on Dec. 8th.

I’m not sure if Thanksgiving weekend is the best time for the blues, but perhaps you didn’t get the wishbone or didn’t make it to the Best Buy in time to get the best deal or possibly you wasted your morning in a mile long line. Whatever the reason if you feel your life could use a bit of the blues then you need to check out sound and soul of Rough Cut. These four musicians have a knack for making the blues fun, loud, and exciting. Rough Cut makes pro-quality, live recordings of each show in order to keep popular songs featured on their web page fresh, and listeners coming back. They offer free, constantly updated live versions of popular tracks on their web page, which is a unique strategy developed in order to keep fan content fresh. This also gives potential fans a good idea of the live experience may be like. So after you have your cold turkey sandwich head out to Bird’s Nest this Saturday (11/28) and check out Cris Lauer, Mike Tate, Josh Izzo, and Tom Rogus of Rough Cut.

We still have not seen an official release date for Rhymefest’s new album El Che, but he did release two videos from the album over the last year. MTV announced this week that both videos, “Chicago” and “Stolen” will premier on MTV Jams this Friday (11/27). Both videos were produced by the talented Chicago video director Konee Rok.

I don’t know if you could ever say that the members of Brilliant Pebbles are under the radar or quiet in anyway, but it seems like they managed to release their debut ep without making the necessary waves. I think it has more to with the new direction of the band the actually ep itself. The self-titled ep is high energy, glamorous, and well-produced, but the new direction of the band is more electronic than this material. I feel the releasing of this seven track ep is more of a ritualistic release to clear room for their new material than anything else. However, this should not affect the listeners approach to the record, this is a colorful carnival of sound and dramatic vocalization and should be a welcome addition to any collection.

Brilliant Pebbles’ debut Ep is now available on Itunes, Amazon, and Emusic, along with local fav Reckless Records.

New York based outfit Outernational is readying the release of their debut EP "Eyes On Fire,” produced by Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello, who is featured on vocals and guitar on “Fighting Song.” Rock at heart, Outernational reaches out to reggae, ska, punk, dub, polka, mariachi, hip-hop, and world music, much as their forward-thinking predecessors and audacious idols. Outspoken and loud, this rock quintet  will be celebrating the release of “Eyes On Fire” with an all-ages concert at The Highline Ballroom on Sunday, December 6, 2009 with supporters Japanther and R-Tronika. The doors open a-t 6PM, and tickets are $12 in advance with a free download of the six-song EP on their website, or $15 on the day of the show. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Travis Lee Wiggins continues to impress me not just by how prolific his but with the quality of his music. It was just a couple months ago that we were talking about the massive Essex Chanel love song collection, but now I have the latest effort from The Salts (formerly The Summer Salts) on my desk. Formed in 2006, The Salts are a trio fronted by Wiggins, but also include Mike Rice and Luke Krause on guitar and drums. Broomstick Rock Star will be released on December 22nd, and finds Wiggins presenting a more aggressive indie rock set. Tracks like “Go There” (mp3) and the title track and so many others have addictive poppy hooks, and Rice adds playful and nostalgic guitar riffs through out. There is also a heavy dose of pleasant dance rock on this album. This is a fine addition to the massive catalog that Wiggins is creating.

Chicagoans, you know you’ve heard of Kid Sister aka Melissa Young. She’s been burning up since her performance at Lollapalooza in 2008, and between being the protege of Kanye West and being backed by her little brother’s band Flosstradamus she’s only getting hotter. Before that she was on public aid and working two jobs just to make ends meet. Now, her debut album Ultraviolet just came out to great aplomb and she’s one of the big success stories of 2009. If there’s anyone who represents a true Chicago story, it’s Kid Sister.

The much anticipated Ultraviolet, released November 17th on Downtown Records, is everything that could have been expected from Ms. Young. But with people like Kanye West, Estelle, Cee-Lo, and A-Trak helping you along the way, how could it not? Kid Sister shows her diverse style on Ultraviolet and displays her capability of being a sultry songstress to a raucous rhyme-spitting snake in twelve tracks. Following suit of Young’s first single "Pro-Nails", the material on Ultraviolet is like one big dance party with the beats provided by Josh Young (who also provides backing vocals for his older sis) and Curt Cameruci creating a strong back bone to Kid Sister’s lyrics.

Kid Sister is playing at the House of Blues Wednesday, November 25th with Flosstradamus and with Rob Threezy and Green Velvet supporting. The show starts at 6:30 pm and is all ages. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 at the door. Nothing like a big dance party to work up an appetite for Thanksgiving. — Amy Dittmeier

As you know Califone will be releasing a film early next year called All My Friends Are Funeral Singers and recently released the soundtrack for the film via Dead Oceans. A few months ago we brought you the trailer for the film, and now here is the music video for the song “Funeral Singers” which also features footage from the film.

Poi Dog Pondering "Complicated" from their 1995 album Pomegranate.

Ashley Llorens (aka SoulStice) shares time between Chicago and Washington, and has released six albums or mixtapes in the last six years. His latest, Beyond Boarders (an “international concept album” featuring beats crafted by Belgian producer Sbe) has grabbed the attention of the folks at Warner Brothers who decided to include SoulStice on the soundtrack for the new movie “The Blind Side”. The movie features Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw and hits theaters on the 20th. SoulStice’s contribution is a brand new track made specifically for this movie with producer Mighty Wyte, and is called “That Thang”.

An underground rock icon and revered artist, the late, great Wesley Willis attracted and offended people the world over. Wesley Willis’s Joy Rides follows the life of the prolific and controversial artist on his journey from obscurity to fame. On December 8th, this film, which won the Gold Hugo for the Chicago Award at the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival, will be released on DVD by Eyeosaur and MVD Visual. His story is inspiring and illustrates how though determination we can overcome almost anything. Wesley Willis became an underground rock icon, revered artist and hero to many before his untimely death in 2003. Termed by some as an “outsider artist” due to his schizophrenia, the film examines Wesley’s ability to draw people in despite his intimidating facade.

A free screening on Joy Rides is taking place on Dec. 6th at Empty Bottle at 7pm.

WTF happened to the fun loving group that ditched our fair city for the hills of L.A. not that long ago. The new video from Ok Go is interesting, but song leaves me asking the same question that the title alludes to.