On Monday, April 29, the wait will finally be over. Boston-based rapper Caliph will be performing at Church of Boston to celebrate the release of his latest record, Heart in Mind. The disc, which he has been promoting relentlessly for months with the help of the Good Karma crew, is sure to impress even the most casual of hip-hop fans. In an age of increasing social media presence and frequently leaked records, I am impressed at how well Caliph has been able to control this album. He has managed to only release artwork for the album and two singles, "Go (The Baddest)" and "Dear Lord", without allowing any further information to reach the public.

The Rare Occasions sold me from the first guitar stroke of their “Applefork” EP which has the cadence of the Cranberries and the upbeat attitude of the Strokes. "Battin’ Lashes" has the chops with Brian Mclaughlin’s charming lead vocals that are seamlessly complimented by bright guitar licks. The rest of the EP shows an affinity for experimenting with rarely mixed genres. “Miss Mary Mack” combines baroque pop and garage with a bit of psych and prog mixed in. The EP came out a short 10 days ago and they’re playing at the Middle East next week for a show to benefit cancer research with a bunch of other local bands. RSVP below. – Hillary Anderson

4.26 – Backyard Block Party (benefit for cancer research) @ the Middle East Downstairs – RSVP

 While Skösh is known around their hometown of Buckfield, Maine for their funky, high-energy cover sets, their original tracks might be better described as hipster-country. “Tall Grass” the first single off their upcoming self-titled debut, sounds best on a lonely dirt road as the upbeat twangin’ of that acoustic guitar entwined with a cheery whistle melody blends with the more somber lyrics of jack-of-all-trades bandmate Jedidiah Allen. The band recently won the Young & Free Maine 2013 Sound Off and will be taking the stage with some national acts at Kahbang this summer. Hopefully you can make it to one of their stellar shows up north before they take the region by storm with original material come this summer. – Samuel Hill 

There are so many guys with guitars nowadays. They’re a dime a dozen. But Max García Conover is one that you wouldn’t stop if he brought his guitar to the campfire. His latest album, Burrow, was recorded in his attic studio during a long, cold Maine winter, and it shows. The music is stripped down to the bare minimum, just Conover, his raw vocals, poetic lyrics and a tricky folk-guitar melody. This is the kind of music you’ll want to turn up during those long, scenic car rides this spring. Check him out soon, as he’s playing shows throughout New England all season. – Sam Hill

 Whether your spring break was this week, or it starts next week, or maybe you just don’t have one because you no longer live in the fantasy lands of “high school” and “college” and have a real gundamn job, or you just aren’t ready to hear the term “spring break” because you’re still all partied out from SXSW – listen to some sage advice. If you’re working, not working, have class for 8 hours, laying in bed bemoaning last weekend: just stop. Spring break is a great excuse to have some awesome shows. Check out the lineup Speedy Ortiz has going for this weekend with plenty of locals and out-of-towners playing some righteous jams. – Hillary Anderson

3/21: WMUA 91.1 FM spring break show (amherst, ma) w/ Krill, Squarehead, Spelling Bee RSVP
3/22: Machines With Magnets (pawtucket, ri) w/ Radical Dads, Plates of Cake link
3/23: bs (allston, ma) w/ arvid noe, spelling bee, rad dads, plates of cake link

Sink your teeth into some crunchy sound bites from Hope & the Husbands, who released their “Demo ep” in February. It features Pixies-sounding punk rock vocals from both Hope and her husbands (?) (or at least Hope and someone male in the band, whether it be her husband or not). Hope & the Husbands is a four-piece female-fronted band. Despite the Wordart cover, this demo is way rock and roll. If you’ve been looking for a harder, grungier, Boston band, this is the band to go see. – Hillary Anderson

There’s an irresistable alternative sound bite coming out of the Boston band Gentlemen Hall – it’s called "Sail Into the Sun", and it’s the first single off their upcoming full-length. They’ve been named "Best Act" by the Boston Phoenix in 2012, and they’ve shared the stage with a number of big names. Their synth-pop sound likens them to other popular electro artists coming out of the area right now – but these guys have a unique add-on to their stage presence and sound. Their 6-piece band includes a flute/piccolo player. So, lovers of wind instruments and catchy synth-pop – you’ve met your match. – Hillary Anderson 

Like local music? Like cheap beer? Like helping out a local hero with medical bills for his recent brain surgery? Then don’t miss BRAINFEST 2013 — TONIGHT (March 1) at The Worthen (upstairs) at 141 Worthen St, Lowell, MA. The show is only $5, starts at 8pm, and is 21+. Featuring performances by local punk gods: HIVESMASHER — BEWARE THE DANGERS OF A GHOST SCORPION — BIG MESS — OH THE HUMANITY — OLD GREY. All proceeds go to benefit the medical bills of local music guru Tom Southerton, for his recent and successful brain surgery (which turns out to be stupid expensive even with insurance). Come celebrate the gift of brains, and if that doesn’t sell you, the 50-50 raffle should… – Carrie Ingraham

Slander‘s dual signal release was met with a bit of a buzz, getting coverage on a few blogs including Stereogum. Following that burst of success they’ve released the video for the two singles – a longform black and white video. The video, directed by Ellery Twining, does a good job of bringing the singles to life. Before seeing the video, I was already feeling the retro Fleetwood Mac vibes from the twangy guitars and take-no-prisoners drums. Magnets definitely shines in the forefront, with an especially energetic intro and catchy hooks up the wazoo; from "You wanna be alone" to "I can make you want it" yelped and wailed by frontwoman Julia Farrar. Ghosts takes it down a notch with a slower pace and a less puncuated and more drawn out feeling than Magnets, but the two singles play off each other well. – Hillary Anderson

If Providence’s Magic Man plans to follow their new single “Paris” with an equally strong set of tunes for their sophomore album, they could stage a breakout similar to a fellow New Englander playing catchy synth-pop songs: Passion Pit. Though the quartet may have found a bit of inspiration with their stateside neighbor, they are certainly holding their own style down, with bouncy piano interludes and cool synth beats woven into a simply great vocal part. Check them out live tomorrow night with Ava Luna at the Outer Space in Hamden CT. RSVP here. – Hillary Anderson

Boston indie rock stalwarts Pile new full-length is full of grunge-y goodness. Dripping will have you from beginning to end, and neglect to call you for at least a few weeks. But you won’t be able to stop listening. “Am I a freak?” You’ll ask your friends, “I just love dripping so much… but it doesn’t love me…” Well you see, dear listener, it’s just that dripping is too busy rocking out and playing a billion shows this month. So curl into your post-hardcore fetal position, and let the music wash over you. Or just go out and see Pile at one of their many shows in the upcoming months. They’re hitting 26 states on their spring tour so odds are they’re coming to a venue near you. It’s not like you’re stalking dripping, or anything… you’re just really into the music. Right. – Hillary Anderson

2/21 NEW BRUNSWICK NJ – THE ALAMO
2/22 WASHINGTON DC – DESPERADO’S
2/23 BROOKLYN NY – THE LAB
2/24 NEW HAVEN CT – FORT FLESH
3/22 CAMBRIDGE MA- MIDDLE EAST UPSTAIRS
4/25 PITTSBURGH PA
4/26 PHILADELPHIA PA
4/27 NEW BRUNSWICK NJ
4/28 BROOKLYN NY – DEATH BY AUDIO
4/29 ALLSTON MA

Só Sol’s music would be most welcome at a really relaxed cabaret. The Boston band’s name translated is “Only Sun.” Jessica Dasilva sings their 5-song Brevemente EP in Brazilian Portugese and English, and is joined by her husband John Garrett on guitar and vocals some tracks.  The blending creates a Latin Americana and folk sound with husky vocals and a dark fanfare. Live, the band plays as a 5-piece with a diverse instrumentation that includes stand-up bass, cello, and cavaquinho. – Hillary Anderson