Andrew Bird has released a free four track sampler to continue to build the hype surrounding the release of his upcoming LP, Break It Yourself, on March 6th. The sampler can be found here and features "Eyeoneye" from Break It Yourself, and three covers including a great cover of The Handsome Family’s "So Much Wine".

Jenny Gillespie is back and has a new ep, Belita, dropping on April 10th through Narooma Records. For this ep she has partnered with multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily to help with production and has teamed with Sam Amidon for vocals and Marc Ribot for guitar. Each bring a unique flare to the project.

MP3: Jenny Gillespie "Creature of Our Make"

Rambos seem to have it all, the look, the color scheme, the awesome album title… Rock and Roll Monsters, and the name of course. However, do they have the sound to back it up? Rambos is fronted by Julie Meckler and Jeremy David Miller, along with Ryan Anderson, JJ Evans & Ian Tsan. They play what some are calling "Junk Rock", it is gritty, fun, lo-fi at times, but it packs enough punch to be considered monstrous and worthy of the Rambo name. Rambos resided at an intersection of rage and humor, rock and folk, set up shop and proceed to entertain. The band’s debut album, Rock and Roll Monsters will be released on March 6th by Grape Juice Records.

You can catch Rambos at Empty Bottle on Feb. 25th with Pretty Good Dance Moves and Pictures of Then. The show is free if you shoot an email to rsvp@emptybottle.com.

Flosstradamus has released their Total Recall EP today via the Mad Decent imprint Jeffree. This three track release can be streamed/downloaded here for free. This is the duo’s follow-up to last November’s Jubilation.

Husband and wife duo of Paul and Krystal Masson (aka The Great American Canyon Band) quietly release their debut ep, Wild Heart last month, and now have released the first single, "Tumbleweed" from their debut album. Their debut album was recorded in a gutted out house with no running water somewhere in the city. The sound created is beautiful, intimate, and honest.

MP3: The Great American Canyon Band "Tumbleweed"

Frenchkiss Records has announced the release date, May 22nd, and the tracklist of the next Young Man release. Vol. 1 is actually part two of the band’s album trilogy. This album was produced by John McEntire. The band will be touring with Fanfarlo next month, but they currently do not have any Chicago dates scheduled.

Tracklisting:
1. Heading
2. Thoughts
3. By and By
4. Do
5. Fate
6. Wasted
7. 21
8. Wandering
9. Directions

BJ The Chicago Kid has finally released his latest project, Pineapple Now-Laters via M.A.F.E. Music. The album features a couple of collaborations with the talented Kendrick Lamar. One of those tracks is below and is called "The World is a Ghetto".

BJ The Chicago Kid will be performing at Double Door on March 23rd.

The new ep from local pop-punk band The Audition was released on Feb. 14th. Chapter II is the band’s first release since leaving Victory Records back in 2010. Check out the first single for the ep, "You Make Me Sick" below.

The band is currently on tour with Every Avenue and We Are the In Crowd and will be performing at Bottom Lounge on March 24th. This is band’s first US tour since 2010.

The new video for Gemini Club’s new single "By Surprise" for the their forthcoming EP, Here We Sit (April 17th), gives you glimpse at the raw energy contained in a live performace from the band.

The band is headed to SXSW and their next local show is scheduled for April 21st at Lincoln Hall.

The trio Sonoi have completed their sophomore album, Tropics of Holland and will be releasing it on March 13th via Meno Mosso. The band has always leaned towards the experimental, but this release they blend those adventuresome tendencies nicely with aurally pleasing pop. Below is the album’s first single "Cotton"

Sonoi will be celebrating the album’s release with a show at The Hideout on March 15th with Deep Sleep and Chandeliers.

Rites is an electro-pop four piece band that recently announced their new line-up (see below). The band is working on the follow-up to last year’s debut ep, and planning to head to SXSW next month.

Their next local show will be on March 29th at Empty Bottle with Housse de Racket.

Willis Earl Beal is the Jeremy Lin of the Chicago music scene right now. With a minimal web presence, minimal PR, limited releases, Beal has taken the scene by storm. Suddenly his signed to XL Records and appearing on the biggest music sites on the web. He is celebrating the release of his new 7" with a free show at Cole’s Bar tomorrow night, Feb. 21st, with Pillars & Tongues.