Matchess has a new track, “The Mystic Ship by Antonin Artaud" on the recently released Lillerne Tapes #100 compilation. Matches is the experimental synth pop of Whitney Johnson, and her latest album, Sacracorpa, was released on July 27th via Trouble In Mind.

Lillerne Tapes released this cassette, their 100th, last week and the compilation features bands and musicians that have helped shaped the local label over the last ten years. This includes contributions from Brett Naucke, Forest Management, Opheliaxz and many more.

Matchess will be participating in the improvised musical round robin event along with Makaya McCraven, Ben Lamar-Gay, Jeff Parker, Circuit Des Yuiz, and more at Thalia Hall on August 30th.

Photo by Maria Tzeka

oeugons are real is primarily the math rock project from Tristian Zemtseff. He is preparing to release his debut full-length album, don’t hold anything, on September 7th.

Zemtseff has released the first two singles from the album, “a stone to cut the wings” and “watching”.

You can catch oeugons are real at The Store (2002 N. Halsted) on September 18th with Melazeen and Stutter. Proceeds from this benefit/album release be split between NAMI Chicago and The People’s Music.

Ideal Copy is warped Synth Pop of Jimmy Avgerinös. He will be releasing his debut album, 33101, on August 19th.

You can currently stream three of the album’s 12 tracks including our favorite the ominous “Bad Behavior”. The tracks have a retro feel, and underlying warmth that is compelling.

Mike Maimone (Mutts) has released the first single, “Roll Big River”, from his forthcoming solo EP, “The High Hat Club”. The EP will be self-released on September 14th, but can be pre-ordered now.

You can catch Mike Maimone on September 16th at Ravenswood ArtWalk.

Amir Tripp released his latest album Pyro back in March, and it featured contributions from King Louie, Saba, and Trapo. One of the coolest aspects of this project is all of the original artwork by Makhai Foy, which has been complied into a a comic book.

Recently Tripp released a great video for the single “Hardball”.

Last month we stumbled upon a new album on bandcamp by an artist we had never heard before (or at least we think we’ve never heard before) called nnin. On “[re:Cover]” she has reimagined a collection of very well-know songs ranging from “Wicked Games” by Chris Isaac to “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. On each song she takes a really unique approach and genuinely gives each song a new life.

We knew we had to write about the album, but in beginning that process we realized that we knew nothing about nnin. There were no links to social media or websites, no upcoming shows, no past releases, none of the information we typically share with our readers. However, there was the standard link to contact the artist that resides on all bandcamp pages. We clicked that link and here is the resulting interview with the mysterious nnin.

Window, Window recently released their latest EP, "Nothing Doesn’t Hurt", via Brace Cove Records. The five song EP is somewhere between sad piano pop and DIY garage rock.

The duo of Kevin and John have been recording together since 2012 and released their debut album, American Lonely, back in 2016.

Bleach Party has released a new single called “Entertain Yourself”. This is the fierce garage rock of Meghan MacDuff (Vocals, Guitar), Bart Pappas (Guitar), Richard Giraldi (Bass), and Kaylee Preston (Drums).

You can catch Bleach Party tonight, August 10th, at Empty Bottle with Tacocat and Gymshorts.

Options has released a second single, “Fog”, from his forthcoming LP, Vivid Trace, which will be released on Sept. 14th via Sooper Records.

Options is primarily the work of Seth Engel who has been a part of so many great band’s over the years including Coaster, Great Deceivers, Pyramid Scheme, and Lifted Bells. He is also currently the touring drummer for Nnamdi Ogbonnaya.

Options will be touring for most of September and October, and will be performing at The Hideout on September 14th with Fond Han, Floatie, and Jodi.

Julianne Quass is the front woman for the Blues and Classic Rock inspired band, Julianne Q & The Howl. They released their debut album Julianne Q back in 2017, and now are preparing to release a great new EP called "Sky Rider" this Fall.

Earlier this year the band released a couple of cover of classic rock songs. Below is their take on the Jimi Hendrix classic “All Along The Watchtower.

Julianne Q & The Howl have several shows coming up in August. You can catch them at Castaways on August 12th opening for Backyard Cohort, at Little Italy Fest on August 19th, and at Oak Park Micro Brew Review on August 18th.

Stardusk Encounter recently released their latest EP, #perceptionmanagement. This is a blend of Garage Rock and Psych Rock spread across seven tracks. The album as a whole deals with impact advertising and social media is having on our every day lives.

Stardusk Encounter is the work Robbie Rob, John John,, Rob Paz, and Joel.

The O’My’s have announced the release date of their new album, Tomorrow, and it will be dropping September 7th via Haight Brand. The duo of Maceo Vidal-Haymes on vocals and guitar and Nick Hennessy on keys also released a new single from the project called “Puddle” which features Saba.