Smith Westerns have released a short film by Ray Concepcion called "Die With Your Chin Up". The film is the result of the band inviting Concepcion into the studio during the final stages of the recording of their latest album Dye It Blonde.

Smith Westerns will be performing at Lincoln Hall on May 11th.

blink. brings their brand of free jazz mixed with rock and electronic to The Whistler tonight to celebrate the release of their new album The Architects. The album will be offically released by Whistler Records on April 19th. This is the band’s second album and first in the last three years. Check out the beautiful track "Protect From Light I" below and check out blink. tonight at The Whistler with Arms & Sleepers. The show starts at 9:30 and is free.

Scattered Trees have launched a unique video contest where they have asked four aspiring student filmmakers to create their own video for the band’s song “Four Days Straight.” You can check out each of the videos here.

The track comes from the band’s new album Sympathy which was released this week and can be stream over at AOL Spinner.

The Sea and Cake are releasing a new album called The Moonlight Butterfly on May 10th. This is the bands 9th album and it finds Prekop, Prewitt, Claridge, and McEntire at their finest. Check out the first single "Up on North Shore" below.

My My My is competing in the Midwest section of the Billboard "Battle of The Bands". The band is one of three finalist and the only Chicago band in contest. They are also doing a short tour as part of the contest and will play against the other bands in Vegas. However, they need your vote before April 8th.

Company of Thieves have announced the details of their sophomore album which will be called Running From A Gamble and will be released by Wind-Up Records on May 17th. The band has shared the first track from the album "Modern Waste".

The band is currently on tour with The Whigs and will be performing next in Chicago at Ravinia Festival on June 26th.

Jackson Bailey is a new band in town, forming last year and now releasing their debut ep, Theories. The group is fronted by PJ Anderson and also contains Steven Gillis (Filter) as drummer. The band plays a very vanilla brand of Americana pop in similar vein of Hootie & The Blowfish. What redeems the project are Anderson’s earnest lyrics. The five track ep is a journey in love and loss and the conflicts in between. Is that enough to redeem the project? Possibly, I’ll let you decide. You can stream three of the tracks on the ep at bandcamp.

Jackson Bailey will celebrate the release of Theories on April 8th at The Bottom Lounge with Molehill, Facing Winter and Nathan Kalish & The Wildfire.

Lujo Records has released their 2011 sampler to give fans a taste of what’s coming out this year from the label. It features tracks from Chicago band’s Yourself and The Air (Who’s Who In The Zoo ep coming soon), A Lull (debut album Confetti coming April 12th), and Baby Teeth. The track from Baby Teeth is from their free ep Boss which was released back in January.

A Lull and Yourself and The Air are performing at Schubas on April 22nd.

The trio of Pillars & Tongues create music that is really intended to be experienced live. The albums are great, but when witnessed live they really expand and transform the sound. Over the last couple of month the band has released three live sessions that you need to check out. We mentioned their Daytrotter session when it came out, but they have also released a session with Dublab, and a Antilog Session live at the 2640 Collective. All three sessions feature new material, and the band just announced that they will be releasing their latest album The Pass and Crossings in May. through Empty Cellar Records.

Project Film is continuing to build on the success of their debut album which was recently released by Tandem Shop. They recently opened for Island of The Misfit Toys at Schubas, see video above, and they will be performing on March 31st at Beat Kitchen with The Window Theatre, JT Royster, and Minnesota’s The ACB’s.

If you are looking for some hard funk and big soul look no further then the Septet Lubriphonic. The band released their latest album, The Gig Is On back in December, but just released a live album for free through bandcamp. The album was record in New Orleans at Tipitina’s during Mardi Gras.

Lubriphonic will be performing at Double Door on April 1st.

The Loneliest Monk appeared over at Daytrotter over the weekend. The band performed four tracks from their self-titled debut album.

The band will be performing at Schubas on April 30th with Scattered Trees and Chaperone.