Back in January The Dirty Diamonds released an free ep called The Singularity Pt. 4. The band combine surf rock with soul and r&b, and it is an intoxicating combination. It was the fourth on four ep’s that the band’s has released over the last year. Above is the video for "Heaven’s Plate" whuch is from the first ep. All of the ep’s are available here for free.

The Hit Back officially release their debut album, Who Are These Weird Old Kids, through Sidetown Records today. The band may not have a lot of experience on the scene, but their electro-pop sound is right in line with a lot of popular bands. Their sound is a mixture of guitar-based pop and subtle but effective electronics.

You can catch The Hit Back at Saki on May 14th.

The unique Psych-rocker Stephen Paul Smoker has released a fun new video for his track "No You No Me". The track comes from the new 7" from Kilo Record with features this track and "Neon Green". Both tracks will appear on the bands forthcoming full-length Ripe Fruit.

Stephen Paul Smoker will be performing at Viaduct Theater on May 7th with Grace Kulp, and The Funeral and the Twilight.

I’ve long felt that Nick Butcher of Sonnenzimmer is not only a great screenprinter, but it one of the most inventive musicians in Chicago. With his latest project he has again teamed up with Portland’s Hometapes to create an instrumental work of art. Free Jazz Bitmaps, Volume One is a process-based publication in the form of a series of lathe-cut 7”records culminating in a 12” vinyl LP release. The architecture of this inaugural volume is provided by Hometapes musical and visual artist Nick Butcher. Songs created by Butcher will come to life throughout 2011 in six bi-monthly editions of ten lathe-cut records each made in an edition of 10. The collection will ultimately be featured on vinyl LP, alongside reinterpretations of those songs by renowned Chicago improvisers Jason Adasiewicz, Tim Daisy, Keefe Jackson,Mike Reed, Jason Reobke, and Jason Stein.

The entire project will be available digitally through bandcamp.

Lollapalooza has released their 2011 initial line-up for the festival taking place at Grant Park from Aug. 5th to Aug 7th. Included are Chicago’s Smith Westerns, Maps & Atlases, Disappears, Gold Motel, Young Man, and former Chicagoans Ok Go. You can view the full line-up here.

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).