Giant System has returned with a great live session with Running. We are looking forward to an action-packed secord session from Kyle Orbit and company. 

Loyal Divide has released a new single called "Otto". The A-side features vocals from Rachel Sarah Thomas. The track was originally part of the session for their 2011 album Bodice Ripper, but it did not make the finished product.

Loyal Divide: "Otto" (Prefix Premiere) by prefixmag

Back in November experimental rocker Without Waves unleashed the fury that is Scab Platter. The album is hard, aggressive, shredding, but also subtly nuanced and adventurous. This is album to put on when you need to get out that built up aggression, and if you are not sure what you are screaming about the lyrics to each track are on their bandcamp page.

You can witness the rage in person at Cobra Lounge on Feb. 3rd.

Later this spring, Wells-next-the-Sea’s new EP "Passenger Side" will be released on Chicago’s Squirrel Trap Records. Right now, you can download the first track, "With Our Eyes Closed", for free below. It’s the sound of cheerful Americana for the perennially bummed.

Hear that song and more when Wells performs an intimate show at Uncommon Ground (3800 North Clark Street) on Thursday, January 26. Show time is 8:00 pm. Lee Ketch of Mooner opens. Seating is limited, but dinner reservations in the music room guarantee seating for the performance. Phone 773-929-3680 to reserve your seats.

MH has released a new full length album called Year of the Indian. The album is a beautiful mix of experimental folk and instrumental journeys. This is the follow-up to last years Black Animal, and it builds beautifully of that solid release. My favorite track on the new album is "Surface Energy". It is subtle, gentle, but builds in a way that is undeniable.

I don’t know a lot about MH, but I enjoy his campfire melodies and I am sure there are more to come.

The Elkcloner is the wacky and frantic work of New York’s Filip Mitrovic. On his debut album he has enlisted the talent Chicago-based jazz vocalist Rose Colella to add some steady rhythm and beauty to what he has created. The result is unique and nearly indescribable. It’s is really the essence of beauty in chaos, and somehow it works.

The Elkcloner’s self-titled debut will be released digitally on February 28th.

The Elkcloner – Crossfire by The MuseBox

Today was the coldest day in Chicago is quite sometime, but the temperature in Mongolia today was -22 degrees. Next month, Canasta will head to Mongolia as part of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Arts Envoy Program. The tour begins on February 3rd in Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar and continues on to Sainshand and Dalanzadgad, finishing back in Ulaanbaatar on the 10th.

What an exciting opportunity for to experience another culture and share the Chicago sound with a new country. The band recently released a new video for their track "Magazine (Songwriter on a Train)".

Wild Belle is Natalie Bergman and Elliot Bergman of NOMO. They are branching our this year and preparing to release their first single, "Keep You", on Feb. 21st. The track is reggae-filled pop with Natalie’s sultry croon over the top. It doesn’t scream Chicago winter, but it might take you away to another place and time.

Wild Belle is working on a full-length album that sound be released later this year.

Jane Thatcher is the gripping voice behind the haunting folk sound of Jane & The Pretty Pleases. In the trio she is back perfectly by piano (Michael James Brooks of Common Shiner) and cello (Ira Ochs), and when combined with her guitar the result is gorgeously somber. The trio recently released an ep that was recorded live in the basement of a Chicago home.

Jane & The Pretty Pleases are performing on Jan. 26th at The Hideout with Machine Gun Mojo and Liza Day.

The new EP, Billboard Sun, from Brighton MA comes out at the end of the month, but is available to be streamed and pre-ordered here. It’s been several years since the band released their debut LP Amateur Lovers, and with this release the band has really matured. Driven by the vocals on Matt Kerstein, the ep wonderfully captures the sound we have all come to love hearing live in the local venues over the last few years.

Brighton MA is performing at Lincoln Hall on Jan. 19th with Santah and Dastardly.

Jenny Gillespie and Narooma Records have announced the follow-up to her beautiful 2010 LP Kindred, and it will be an EP called Belita. The release will be available on April 10th will include the track below, "Creature of Our Make". The five track ep will feature contributions from Sam Amidon, Jim White (PJ Harvey, Cat Power) and Marc Ribot (Tom Waits).

MP3: Jenny Gillespie "Creature of Our Make"

You can catch Jenny Gillespie at Old Town School of Folk Music on January 29th @ 7pm.