Over the weekend, An Aesthetic Anaesthetic kicked off a campaign to raise fund for their next album. The band is hoping to raise at lease $1500 to help cover the cost of recording. The four-piece band has an array prizes levels line-up including copies of their the new album, their second, which will be called Names and be released in July.

Midnight Moxie has launched a new web series called Moxie Mailbag where they attempt to answer the questions that their fans submit.

There may not be a more distinctive voice in Chicago music history than that of Josh Carterer of The Smoking Popes. This Christmas Josh has released a new solo album filled Christmas songs. When I say solo, I mean he sang all vocals, and played all instruments on the project – including, but not limited to, drums, guitar, keyboard, tambourine, shakers, hand claps, foot stomps and even 2x4s. The album, The Heart of Christmas, was released on November 22nd and Josh has been touring singing his carols since that time.

MP3: Josh Carterer "The Heart of Christmas"

He returns home tomorrow, Dec. 14th, for a show at Schubas with Scott Lucas and Rainbow Rhythms.

Check out Archie Powell & The Exports on Chic-A-Go-Go and the show prepares for 2012.

The band is taking part is a great event this Friday, December 16th, at The Beat Kitchen. Noise For Toys is a rock n roll charity event featuring State and Madison, Archie Powell & The Exports, The Noise FM and The Scissors. Bring a packaged, unwrapped toy to be donated to the US Marine Corp Reserve “Toys For Tots” charity and receive half off the price of admission. Tickets are $10 or $5 with a unwrapped toy. Check out the Noise For Toys trailer here.

Mom + Pop Records announced this week that the next Andrew Bird album with be released on March 6th and will be called Break It Yourself.

Bird also announced his 2012 US tour dates and is offering the following to anyone who purchases a ticket any of the shows. You will receive a copy of Bird’s EP Fake Conversations which is a live ep from his October 2011 tour, a digital download of Break It Yourself at midnight on March 6th, and five-song souvenir live ep from the Break It Yourself tour coming in Spring 2012. The tour includes a a Chicago date on May 12th at Auditorium Theater. 

Andrew Bird will be performing two shows at MoCA Chicago on 12/21 and 12/22.

Bailiff recorded a session with Audiotree on Nov. 29th, and here is the track "Little by Little" from that session. You can watch their full session here. The track comes from their 2011 release Red Balloon which can be stream and purchased here.

You can catch Bailiff tonight, Dec. 9th, at Subt with Young Buffalo and Distractions.

We announced several months ago the Felix Culpa were calling it quits and this Friday, December 9th they will play their final show. Joined on the bill by friends El Oso, Sainthood Reps, and Monday’s Hero, the Culpa will be celebrating their final performance with a special two-hour long set playing a combination of album-favorites past and present, for what will ultimately serve as a memorable event for both fans and band members alike.

The band formed back in 2002, and have release two LP’s and two EP’s. The most recent release being this past February and "Sever Your Roots / Bury The Axe" which is available through No Sleep Records.

Mutiny by The Felix Culpa

Plains have released a video for their track "Black Feeling" which appears on their self-titled debut album. The album was released earlier this year, and is the brainchild of Michael McGinnis. The bands next single "Judy" premiered this week on ABC’s Revenge.

What a year Blah Blah Blah has had. Check them out on a recent episode of Chic-A-Go-Go.

This year saw the release of the self-titled debut ep of Gag Order and they have been playing some great local shows ever since. This is definitely a band you need to hear live before the end of the year.

MP3: Gag Order "Late Night Train Ride"

Gag Order is performing at Beat Kitchen on December 8th with The Ultrasounds, Sexy Fights, and Holiday House.

The latest Rooftop Session featured the band Jenny Dragon. The band released their first ep called "The First Singles" back in May, and is fronted by Sarah Jane Goldstein and Jodi Jean Amble.

You can check out Jenny Dragon at Subt on December 6th with Logan Squares and Strychnine.