The local label Sanzimat has "unearthed" a unique collection of archival recordings by the pop artist, formerly based in Chicago, Derek Erdman. The collection, Archieves Vol. 1, is series of what sound like field recordings but range to fragments of songs.

SZI-002 Derek Erdman: Coyote (Archives Vol.1) Promo. from Sanzimat on Vimeo.

Mazes have released a tremendous new album called Blazes. The album is their second full-length LP, they also released a remix album back in 2010, and the follow-up their 2009 debut. The band has grown both in sound and size since 2009 and worked diligently to complete this album. The 17 tracks are filled with humor, gentle and biting sarcasm, and a playing brand of indie pop. 

Santah has released a video for their track "Teeth" which comes from their forthcoming EP You’re Still A Lover. The ep will be released on Oct. 16th.

You can catch Santah on Oct 25th at Township and at Burlington on Oct. 26th.

The Pear Traps have a new ep called Elsewhere that has been released digitally. The band has also put out a video for the ep’s first track "Santa Fe".

The Pear Traps will be celebrating the release on Nov. 2nd with a free show at Cole’s with Landmarks.

Nervous Cloud is celebrating the release of their self-titled debut album with a free show tomorrow night, Sept 29th, at Cole’s (2338 North Milwaukee Ave). Nervous Cloud is the duo of Travis Lee Wiggins and Sarah Sterling who have performed together previously in bands like The Salts and Essex Channel. Together and on their own they bring a quirky brand of indie rock that thrives on their exchange of vocals.

MP3: Nervous Cloud "How To Get Murdered In A Made For TV Movie"

The buzz surrounding Chicago power-trio Geronimo! isn’t just critical. It’s also in the rich, gnarly tones that these gents ride night in and night out, wowing a wide range audiences, as they’ve shared stages with 90’s alt-rock heroes (Meat Puppets, Local H) to some of today’s indie-rock’s workhorses (Zola Jesus, Cloud Nothings). Whether it’s heavy, head-bobbing riffing ("Natural Feeling"), instrumental thunder (the humorously-titled "Crushtapher Robin") or franticly-paced noodling ("Electric Heart,"), Geronimo! soars at every turn on their sophomore album, "Exanimate." Most of these highly-engaging tracks, while still not out of place in the same breath as Dinosaur Jr. or Mudhoney, are lead by vocalist Kelly Johnson’s cries of boredom with the daily grind, leading the music’s overdrive mentality to be more about the ecstatic release of tension rather than just being loud.

The band – rounded out by drummer Matthew Schwerin and keyboardist Ben Grigg – will release Exanimate on vinyl with a show October 5th at Burlington Bar. Deserters and Hospital Garden will open. Geronimo! is also booked for CMJ later this year.

Joan of Arc have announced that they will be releasing a new album on Nov. 27th through Joyful Noise. The album is a stripped down offering from the band and is filled with mostly acoustic guitar and solo vocals. The first single from the self-titled project is called "King Song", and the band released a video for the song this week.

Tim Kinsella also announced that he will be embarking on a 10 city "Living Room Tour" to coincide with this release begin Nov. 1st. Unfortunately there are no Chicago dates on that tour.

FDH Records and Resurrection Records are releasing the new LP, Behind The Mirror, from the garage punks Outer Minds later this year, but the label released it digitally today. You can pre-order the physical release here. The band will be playing a release party at Empty Bottle on Dec. 15th.

This Saturday at Empty Bottle Hozac Records is hosting a showcase to celebrate the release of the new 7" ep from Nones. Nones is an aggressive psychedelic punk band lead by the manic vocals of Brandon Bayles.

The showcase also features Slug Guts, The Man, & E.t. Habit.

Supreme Cuts & Haleek Maul have released a video for their track "M00N" which appeared on their recent mixtape Chrome Lips.

Art-Noise Rockers ONO are back and releasing their first recordings since 1986. The band has been performing their wild, energetic sets around the city with regularity, but it is great to see them capturing a even a fraction of their catalog in the studio. The track that is available from the release is called "Veil" and is a collision of jagged guitars, rhythmic pounding, noise, and haunting vocals from the amazing Travis.

Albino will be released on October 31st through Chicago’s Moniker Records and there is not a better day for this album to drop.

The duo Super Hairy (aka Jonny Swift and Zack Tomlinson) have released their second ep, Groomed. The ep is available for free download. Super Hairy creates the best kind of dark electro-pop. In case you missed their set at Double Door back on the 12th you can still watch it here.