Mike Maimone (of Mutts) has released a second single, “Through The Changes" and video from his 2018 EP, The High Hat Club. The beautiful shot video was directed by Nick Rush and blends found footage with images of Mike performing the introspective ballad.

You can catch Mike at Lincoln Hall on February 8th with Dassit and Bassel and the Supernaturals.

Local Rock band, Conway, released two singles back in October, “Forbidden Fruit” and “Every Single Time”. These tracks were the band’s follow-up to their 2017 debut EP, “Last Chance To Dance”, and their first releases since adding Mitch De Biase (Backing vocals, Bass) and Austin Johnson (Drums).

Conway was founded by and is fronted by Aidan Hargis (Lead vocals, Guitar) and he is joined by Riley Allen (Backing vocals, Guitar, Synth) in addition to De Baise and Johnson.

You can catch Conway at Beat Kitchen on February 1st with Vyse and 20 Watt Tombstone.

Ambein Sloth recently released their debut single “So Long Ago”. This is the new project from electronic music producer and guitarist Spinmont. Unlike the music he creates as Spinmont, or with the electronic rock band Jetpack Hotline, this is poppy Post-Punk music in the vein of The Strokes. We can only hope there is more to come from Ambein Sloth.

Lala Lala (aka Lillie West) has teamed up WHY? (aka Yoni Wolf) to release a new single and Scott Fredette-directed video called “Siren 042”. Lala Lala had a tremendous 2018 with the release of her latest album, The Lamb, via Hardly Art and the critical acclaimed that followed.

Lala Lala will kick off their first ever headlining U.S. tour on January 17th with a sold out show at Metro with Snail Mail.

Rainbow James released their debut album, Songs About James, last month. This is the Alt Rock of Mike Cangemi (Bass Guitar), Griff Johnson (Vocals, Guitar), and Colin Mohr (Drums).

You can catch Rainbow James at Emporium Chicago with Rookie and Aberdine on January 13th.

Mock Nine has released a new single called “Mach 9”. This is the young band’s first single of 2019 and third overall, following-up “Work Out” and “Fair”.

This basement rock and a little raw, but has a really catchy chorus that has been echoing through my head all morning. This is the work of Tommy Langford (Lead Vocals), Franklin Brady (Rhythm Guitar-Harmonies), Mac Campbell (Bass), James Bruce (Lead guitar) and Sam Grosman (Drums)

You can catch Mock Nine at Martyrs’ on January 12th with The Powers Project and Monarchy Over Monday for a 5:30pm all ages show.

Saxophonist Greg Ward has played with such diverse artists as Tortoise, Lupe Fiasco, and Makaya McCraven, but is striking out on his own again with Stomping Off From Greenwood. This new album drops today, January 11th, via Greenleaf Music and finds Ward teaming up with Matt Gold (guitar & effects), Dave Miller (guitar & effects), Matt Ulery (acoustic & electric bass), and Quin Kirchner (drums).

The album is the follow-up to his 2016 Greenleaf debut, Touch My Beloved’s Thought, as was recorded after the group spent a month together in residency. The album features 8 original jazz compositions and a fresh take on the standard “Stardust”.

Ahab Rex is back and has enlisted some help from several talented friends for his new album January Eyes. For this project he has enlisted Ivan Russia of Mr. Russia, Chris Connelly, Robert Hyman of [melter] & TH Inc, Sam Vicari, Brooke Cassell, Right-Eye Rita, and many more.

The album’s lead single is called “Distorted Flowers and is accompanied by the video below. Rex has a unique vocal style that may take a minute to acclimate to, but is rewarding and nostalgic. It is a low gravely whisper in the vain of Tom Waits, but in the softer side of that sounds.

The album is cinematic in a film noir sense of theater and performance, and is captivating from start to finish.

Performance company CabinFever has released a huge collection of songs that were composed by the ensemble to accompany their live dance productions across the country over the last seven years. The album is called ”Homes” and is chamber folk at its finest.

These tracks were written and performed by Evan Anderson, Doug Barber, Patrick Glennon, Anna Goren, Lia Kohl, and Gavin Price.

CabinFever has also released a 12” vinyl album called “Respire” via the Philly label Dead Definition, which features more amazing experimental folk music.

Photo by Joy Jacobs

Psych Pop band The Daisy Heaves have released an emotional and meaningful album called Gramophone Ghost. The album is dedicated to Jason William Paszek of Animal Holograms who passed away in September of 2017.

The Daisy Heaves are primarily the work of R. Dwhale, and on this project he is joined by David Lawrence on Guitar and Jake Besen on Drums.

All proceeds from this project are being donated to Thresholds, a local non-profit that helps people with mental illness with housing, employment, and recovery.

Beat Maker Sev Seveer has dropped his latest project, Shelfie Baps II, via Beats of All Nations. Below is the crazy winter-themed video for the track “Fah”.

This is Sev’s second LP and first since 2016. He is joined by Booda Blaou and Waterr on a track called “Daily Bread”, and it really leaves wondering what other talented Chicago emcees could do with these eclectic beats. However, these beats are enjoyable and exciting all on their own. 

Movies About Animals dropped a new single to kick off 2019 called “Gosling”. This is the pop punk band’s first release since 2017’s “Spare Change”.

Movies About Animals is the work of Jeff Schaller (Guitar, vocals), Troy Sennett (Guitar), Jake Cary (Bass), Cory Steel-Thomas (Keyboard), and Jeffeory Stuenzi (Drums).