Anthony Magera was born in Indiana and went to art school in Ohio. He moved to Chicago, where he has worked as a painter and actor. He writes, records and plays music under the moniker T-bird Magera, which is a nod to a childhood nickname. He lives with his gal, Mary, who bought him a guitar. T-Bird Magera will be performing May 31 at Silvie’s and on July 30 at Tonic Room.

This week the local net label Rock Proper announced that they will be releasing the latest album Jonny Rumble. The album will be released on June 15th, and will feature ten new tracks from the band. What is unique about this Rock Proper released is that it will be an actual vinyl issue (limited to 250) with a digital download. The majority of Rock Proper’s releases to this point have been free digital albums.

You can preorder JR here, and the band will be hosting a listening party of June 15th at Burlington Bar. The record release show will be on June 25th at Beat Kitchen.

To celebrate the release of their new EP Big Bang and the birthday of band member Vee, The Maybenauts are taking part in a seven band FREE show at The Darkroom this Friday. The show starts at 8pm and I recently had the chance to ask the band a few questions. You can read the interview here.

The first lady of Chicago hip hop Psalm One (sorry Kid Sis…) released a new ep called Women @ Work earlier this month. The ep is free and preview of what is to come on her debut on Rhymesayers Entertainment. Go download the ten track ep and blast it!

The latest album for the prolific band Berry was released yesterday by Indiana’s Joyful Noise. Joey Lemon, Paul Goodenough, Shane Bordeau, Matt Aufrecht formed the band in 2002, but didn’t arrive in Chicago until 2007. In the last eight years the band has written and recorded over 100 songs and have released 10 albums and eps. Blue Sky, Raging Sun is the bands eleventh release and their first since singing with Joyful Noise back in March. What is interesting about this album and its sound is that the band decided to stop touring by van and only traveled by train while writing this album. The result is a new sound that is both fresh and classic at the same time. The album is a twelve track travelogue of sorts and pop adventure at every turn.

Yes, it’s Tuesday night, but sometimes a show is just so good that you have to make a point to attend. Tonight that show is the Love of Everything record release show at Empty Bottle. Best In Tensions is the latest release from the duo of Bobby Burg and Elisse La Roche. Over the years the band has received additional help fromTim Kinsella (Joan of Arc, Make Believe), Jeremy Bolen (Chin Up Chin Up), Jeanine O’Toole (1900s) and others. I haven’t heard what the line-up will be tonight, but the show is only $5 at the door and with an album like Best In Tensions to support it will be a great time.

Also appearing tonight at Empty Bottle will be Loose Dudes and Calibrated Crematorium. The show begins at 9pm.

Over the weekend we sent our photographer Shalimar Beekman to Double Door to capture a few images of The Last Vegas.

If you are going to be a highly confident band that does not hold a very high regard for media support you have to be able to deliver and do it in a big way. On their latest digital single, "Weapons for War", A Lull gives the world a sample of they can expect on the band’s forthcoming full-length debut Confetti. This album will be the follow-up to their 2009 ep Ice Cream Bones. Weapons For War is a force, and a track you really need to hear. I fully wanted to dislike this track but it has won me over and I am now looking forward to Confetti. The track has this tribal feel that really pulls you in, and this massive building energy that they utilize perfectly.

A Lull will be performing at Subt on June 13th, and "Weapons for War" b/w "Spread It All Around" can be purchased at all digital outlets.

With their June 15th release of Apparitions on Carpark Records Light Pollution has decided to hit the road today in support of the album. Their coast to coast tour starts tonight in Ohio and goes through June. The band will play at Lincoln Hall on June 4th with This Will Destroy You.

The latest edition on Giant System TV features the band Chicago Stone Lightning Band.

Over the weekend Radius sent me a new video directed by Jackson Arcade.

Keith Masters has sent a new remix of his track “Make It Take It Shake It” from his EP Discotheque. The remix is by Nolens Volens.