The local label Tandem Shop has released a free compliation for the holidays. The digital-only album includes tracks from the most recent addition to Tandem Shop, The Island of Misfit Toys, two new songs from Levels (formerly Honest Engines) recorded this past summer, one previously released and one unreleased track from Mr. Bear, and two songs from the recently released Project Film album. You can grab the mp3s here.

10. Judson Claibirone "Song For Dreaming" from Time & Temperature (La Societe Records) 4/6/10

9. Sad Brad Smith "Everyone Knows I’m Still in Love with You" from Love Is Not What You Need (Self-Released) 1/1/10

8. Skybox "In A Dream" from Morning After Cuts (Self-Released) 4/13/10  

7. The Record Low "What If I’m Wrong" from Away From Us (Self-Released) 5/1/10

6. Panda Riot "Motown Glass" from Near & Far Ep (Mirror/ Mirror) 5/10/10

Just in time for the Holidays, Giant Sytem has released a very festive episode featuring Tiny Cover Band.

As part of a new "Gangster" cover/remix/mashups project called The Glorification of Gangster Netherfriends has covered the Body Count song "Cop Killer". Also included in the project is Loyal Divide covering "Guns of Brixton".

Netherfriends is performing at Subt on January 6th, and you can still purchase his LP Barry and Sherry on 150g Deluxe Clear Vinyl (w/ Inserts and digital drop code) Out of 500 here.

Sam Prekop has released a video for the track "The Silhouettes" which appeared on his recent release Old Punch Card (Thrill Jockey). The video was created by Jordan Kim (Yo Gabba Gabba!, Adult Swim).

The Giving Tree Band have had a great year. They released their new album The Joke, The Threat, & The Obvious, and received a ton of critical acclaim. As a gift to their fans they have recorded two holiday songs with the talented Nellie McKay.

The Giving Tree Band are performing at Cubby Bear on December 23rd with The Shams Band.

Chicago folk-rock outfit Cousin Dud released their first full length album, Our American Cousin, on December 11th. The album is streaming at Myspace, LastFM, and Soundcloud, and is available for download on a pay what you want (including free) basis. Also available for free download is their EP, of Hats and Unicorns, released in September 2010. The song ‘Crows’, for which this video is created, appears on the aforementioned EP. Cousin Dud will be playing live at Cole’s Bar in Logan Square, Chicago, on Saturday, January 29th, 2011. Also on the bill will be Jaime Rojo as well as the Blue Ribbon Glee Club.

This Friday, December 17th, Coins will be celebrating the release of their new tape Recital Pressures (Plustapes). The duo of Angela Mullenhour and Ellen Bunch have a wonderfully haunting sound that lends itself perfectly to the tape format.

Coins will be performing at The Hideout with Tight Phantomz and Das Boton.

On January 11th The Heligoats will share a 10" with Austin’s Sam Humans that will be released through Greyday Records. Heligoats account for four of the ten tracks on the album including this track "A Word From Our Sponsor".

The Smith Westerns have released a video for their track "Weekend" which appears on their sophomore LP, Dye It Blonde, which will be released on Fat Possum on Jan. 18.

The band will be performing at Empty Bottle on Feb. 26th.

We are less than a week away from the show to end all shows, the Beats and Blogs show at Subt on 12/18. The show features performances by Hollows, Rabble Rabble, Radar Eyes, and White Mystery. Doors open at 10pm and tickets are $10.

In Tall Buildings have released a video for their track "The Way To A Monster’s Lair". The video was shot as part of Kyle Orbit’s Giant System series, but was released early to help further promote the band’s self-titled debut album which was released in April on Whistler Records.

The band will be performing at Schubas’ Tomorrow Never Knows on January 12th.