The Sometimes Family brings fresh take to classic funk and soul. The five-piece band generate a big full sound complete with organ, flute, and so much more. Their new album, Fun With Heartbreak, will be released on July 1st.

The Sometimes Family will be celebrating the release of Fun With Heartbreak at Double Door on July 1st.

Leaf Bird has released a video for their new track "True Lies". The track comes from their forthcoming cassette "Diamonds From The Cherry Mine, Vol. 1" due out this summer on Chicago’s own Plustapes.

J. Crist seems like he is always up to something. He is performed earlier this week at the always insane V-Live Nightclub.

Earlier this month he released the official video for his track "Shining (Party At The Bar)".

I can’t think of a time in Serengeti’s career when he has been more prolific than in 2012 and we are only half way through the year. His latest project is a wonderful, hard-hitting, and well-produced new LP called C.A.R. The album was produced by the legendary Jel & Odd Nosdam, and will be released by Anticon on July 31st. I’ve been listening to the album for the last month, and it stands in sharp contrast to his previous two releases this year. C.A.R. takes a much more political stance at times then the fun-loving Kenny Dennis Ep, and plays it a little more close to the traditional hip hop roots that Serengeti’s work with s/s/s.

C.A.R. is perhaps Serengeti’s strongest effort to date and that is exemplified in the albums new single "Talk To Me".

Golden Birthday will be releasing their third studio album, Blue Island, through the wonderful local label Rainbow Body Records tomorrow, June 26th. The album promises to be a step forward in the band’s lush atmospheric pop sound.

Golden Birthday will be celebrating the release tonight with a free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Bitchin’ Bajas.

Different Sleep is the work Rafa Alvarez a San Diego native now based in Chicago. His latest track is lush and beautifully constructed. He is firmly rooted in what now thriving downtempo scene.

There is a lot news, as usual, coming from the White Mystery camp. The band released an app yesterday that will keep you up-to-date on their tours, video, photos, etc. You can grab that here. Also, They will be premiering a new video on JBTV on June 27th.

In tour news they will be hitting the road with Shonen Knife this summer for a tour that includes a show at Empty Bottle on August 2nd.

You can catch White Mystery at Cobra Lounge tomorrow, June 23rd, with Netherfriends and The Henry Clay People.

We have mentioned the new album Ami Saraiya & The Outcome several times over the last month as we approached the release date. Soundproof Box was released this week and the band has released a new track from the album called "Purging". In a way the track represents the album well as it is wild, energetic, and pleasantly eclectic.

MP3: Ami Saraiya & The Outcome "Purging"

Ami Saraiya & The Outcome currently has two Chicago shows scheduled this summer and you can catch them at Ace Bar on June 27th and at Schubas on August 9th.

Charlie Deets has released a video for "Bad Romance", the fourth single from his 2011 album The Power of Suggestion. Enter the world of Charlie Deets here.

Board of Governors is thrilled to announce its Summerfest debut on the Summerfest Rock Stage July 5th with Motion City Soundtrack and Super Happy Fun Club! Entry is absolutely free if you arrive at or before the Board of Governors begin their set at 1:00 p.m.

For more details on this hot new Chicago-based rock band, check out their website, or download their brand new EP from iTunes. Voted Chicago’s I AM Fest Battle of the Bands Champion and labeled by Metromix as "Sexy even when sober," BOG’s live show at Summerfest is something you won’t want to miss!

The trio Sanawon has released a unique five-song video documentary called "The Promise". The film loosely weaves together the story of singer-songwriter Jenny Choi’s parents and their journey of creating new lives in America. The root of story focuses on her mother as she travel alone from Seoul to Chicago to marry a man she had never met before.

Choi is joined in Sanawon by Phil Stone and David Johnson (formerly of American Football). You can watch each of the videos here. Below is part 1 and a track called "Clark".

The new ep from YAWN, Happy Tears, will be released on June 20th via FeelTrip Records. The band has released the first single from the ep, "Ganymede", and you can stream it here.

The band will be performing at Wicker Park Fest on July 28th.