Fort Frances released their new ep Harbour late last month, and have now released a very cool cover of Ryan Adams’ track "New York, New York". The track lead up to a show last weekend in The Big Apple. The trio, lead by vocalist David McMillin, play a passionate brand of roots rock.

Alex Longoria is the frontman for Cold Blue Kid and is also involved with Hidden Era and Bright Ships. Cold Blue Kid is planning a full length release for the end of summer and have released a video for the new album’s first single "Now You Wake".

Joe Pug released a lyrics video for his track "Deep Dark Wells" which appears on his second album "The Great Despiser" (Lightning Rod Records).

Pug also announced most of his summer tours dates which include four local shows in June.

June 2 Chicago, IL — City Winery *

June 3 Chicago, IL — City Winery *

June 22 Chicago, IL — Beat Kitchen (SOLD OUT)

June 23 Chicago, IL — Green Music Festival

* Supporting Calexico

After months of writing songs in a small town hardware store, just outside of Rockford Illinois, La Historia began playing shows regionally and recording with Mike Hagler at Kingsize Sound Labs in Chicago. The band members have all played in a variety of bands, including The Braves and Gods Reflex, over the last fifteen years’€”sometimes together. They couldn’t resist the chance to continue creating electric, Midwestern guitar-rock.

Now, enthusiastic to be making music together again, the members of La Historia spend time writing music and discussing/listening to the records that made them want to do so in the first place.Although their influences are numerous, La Historia manages to filter the inspiration through an atypical lens that is both competent and consistent. The band is more likely to draw influences from the underdog, guitar-based bands from the ‘€˜80s and €’90s that have kept their attention for the past 20 years than anything from classic or modern rock eras.

The band employs a somewhat familiar wealth of sounds in their music, balancing roaring and chiming guitar parts, fuzzy bass tones, and nuanced drumming, but avoid sounding too nostalgic or derivative. La Historia‒s intersecting guitar-lines, thoughtful, pronounced drums, sturdy bass lines, and commanding yet emotive vocals are the product of four friends who love to listen to one another just as much as they love listening to their favorite bands. The "€œAwake Enough EP" contains the first five songs the band wrote together. Members: Kevin Schwitters, Jesse Carmona, Phil Goudreau, Luke Kramer.

This past weekend was the weekend of Chance The Rapper, and it does not seem to be slowing down. I’ve heard him called the "Kendrick of Chicago" and the future of the hip hop. On Saturday, Chance released a new video for his track "Hey Ma", just in time for Mother’s Day.

On An On have released a video for their track "Every Song" from their debut album Give In.

The band also announced this week that they will be touring the West Coast this month with Junip and be performing at Bonnaroo in June.

On An On’s next home town show is currently scheduled for Aug. 31st North Coast Music Festival.

Nick Scalise and Gregory Shanahan (aka Bestfriends) recently released a new single called "A-Sides". The tracks delve even deeper into the duo’s love from shimming ’80’s electro-pop, and improve upon what the started last year with their debut ep.

Vic Mensa told XXL this week that Kids These Days were no more. Vic went on talk about his solo project and dropped a video for his new track "Did It B4". You can read the full interview here.

Secret Colours have released a video for their track "Blackhole" which is taken from their forthcoming album Peach, due May 28th.

You can catch Secret Colours at Empty Bottle on June 8th.

A few weeks ago we brought you the first single, "Spider", from the new album, Wilderness (Carrot Top Records), from The Handsome Family. The album drops next week, and the duo has released a video for the track "Woodpecker" and a new single "Owl".

If you have figured out the theme, the entire album is composed of songs named after different creatures. From "Eels" to "Glow Worms" to "Lizards", Wilderness is true to its name.

You can catch Handsome Family at Pritzker Pavillion on July 22nd at 6:30pm for a free concert. 

Heart Explosion is the sophomore LP from the singer/songwriter and Alt-pop enthusiast Sam Vicari. What will thrill you about Sam is his honest approach to songwriting and his love for ’90’s indie rock.

You can catch Sam Vicari at Reggie’s Music Joint on May 18th.

Smith Westerns will return this summer, June 25th, with the follow-up to their 2011 debut Dye It Blonde. Soft Will is being released by Mom + Pop.

Yesterday the band released the video for the album first single "Varsity". Currently, Smith Westens next local show will be Lollapalooza in August.