Lili Trifilio returns, for the most part, to the voice and guitar sound reminiscent of her first Beach Bunny EP. She is breaking out and deciding to put Book Club out under her own name. I  am excited for her to be lauded as the creator she is. It is a similar lo-fi layered construction, but there’s obvious refinement and experience in the quality of the recordings. Cleaner. Tighter harmonies. The balance and spatial arrangement makes the different parts sound like a band of Trifilios. She retains a spontaneous loose quality that give the music an immediacy and rawness. Like you are peeking in on her inner thoughts. The standout track on this is the central/title track “Book Club.” Trifilio has always been a master of a turn of phrase, so this song, full of book-based metaphors for love, has to be a masterpiece. The next great American novel, I mean song. “Let's leave our book by the road, let all the vines turn the words into stone, write a new novel, that no one has wrote, I’ll be the author, you’ll be the best quote.”

No word about Lili playing solo, although you are sure to see her post on IG about it if anything pops up.

-Tina Mead 

Thalia Hall - October 31st. 

****

Small Places / Part One / Small Places

Like a beat poet on an acid jag, Adrian Politzer and company take a jaunt through the inner recesses of psych rock space with crazy highlight “Out Of Town” sandwiched with trippy jams that belong in everyone's next late night playlist. Clearly written as a way of working through his life, Politzer is using the act of making music as therapy. Never a negative approach to songwriting, one countless artists have utilized, his honesty and ability to lay his life out for the world to listen is a beautiful affair. Each of the seven tracks on Part One has something a little off kilter that works a foot into the forefront, making for a mind melting listen. Chicago act Small Places has more to come with Part Two and the journey is sure to continue. 

-Kyle Land

Elbo Room - October 6th

Starting off October’s spooky season, Irish indie rock and experimental band Girl Talk releases new and very creepy The Talkies. With creative noises and tones along side furious guitar riffs and heavy drum cymbals, it foreshadows the upcoming holiday. Opening the record with heavy breathing and an eerie, repeating tone in “Prolix”, it serves as a warning: this as a not-so-orthodox rock album. “Going Norway” and “Caveat” give a noticeable mixture of punk and industrial melody with droned out vocals that fluctuate to a scream. There are more experimental tracks such as “Akineton:” where a continuous alarm like sound plays leading into a static guitar riff which suddenly drops into a very low tone, almost hard to hear, like a haunting noise you question whether you truly heard or not. The Talkies is a great experimental album, blending creative genres into one rock project, giving a horror vibe and feeling of eeriness. 

  -Nicole Locarno 

Beat Kitchen - October 2nd. 

Is this Country? Is this Rock and Roll? Do I hear some Disco? Well whatever this is, it’s really amazing and intuitive. Sturgill Simpson, isn’t afraid to speak his mind and to take music out of the norm and give it a little more life. With riveting guitar solos mixing with synthesizers, I don’t know whether I want to dance or nod my  head. Bringing it back to rock and roll basics in, “Last Man Standing”, Simpson uses a “radio” theme quickly transitioning from heavy rock and roll, to blended 80s eecentric country, to disco party over the course of Sound and Fury.  

-Nicole Locarno  

With powerful vocals, invigorating lyrics, and an acoustic melody supporting her amazing voice; singer/songwriter Martha Hill brings, Be Still to life. It’s music to truly sit and take in. This record is a look into her life, full of vulnerability, taking a songwriters lyricism from just talking about life experiences to opening up and causing you to relate to their life.

-Nicole Locarno

The Devil in a Woodpile guitarist takes an instrumental solo journey through the catalog of the 20th centuries masterful pop icons, The Beatles. Joel Paterson has been an excellent sideman to many of Chicago’s legends over his years in the scene and with  Let It Be Guitar! Joel Patterson plays The Beatles he takes his Gibson antics through a fantastic jazz tinged take on the Fab Four’s classic tunes.   

-Kyle Land

Old Town School Of Folk Music - October 24th

The side project of Chicago singer/songwriter Henry Joseph (The Record Low, Treasurer), Perma Cough eases into its rolling four track psych tinged folk rock with excellent single “Ask Me About” before delving into the full body breathes of highlight “Decent” and too soon closer “Hear From You.” With his debut EP s/t, Joseph hits all the right emotional chords. 

 -Kyle Land 

M.C. Taylor just continues to get better with each and every record, and while it may not hit the high points of Hurt Like a Levee or Lateness of Dancers, Hiss Golden Messenger’s newest effort Terms Of Surrender is a portrait of an artist hitting middle age and coming to terms with his lot in life and the small, simple joys it offers. 

 -Kyle Land

Lincoln Hall - November 9th 

Reinvention is always a productive venture in an artist's journey, and with their new self titled record, rockers Chastity Belt have entered into a dreamier, fuzzier, fuller phase. Buoyed by some time off following personal issues leading to a chaotic 2018, the Seattle indie rockers return with Chastity Belt and produce a gorgeous record full of the dreamwave sounds vocalist Julia Shapiro displayed on her excellent solo effort earlier this summer. 

 -Kyle Land

Lincoln Hall - November 21st

Combining art rock with a hooky electro pop synth majesty, NYC outfit Operator Music Band jumps right out of the speakers. Embracing all things odd is their M.O. and Duo Duo arrives just in time for those fall house parties to hit. This is full tilt dance party music.  

 -Kyle Land

The Hideout - October 10th

The Vivian Girls return after an eight year absence with the startling power of Memory. Coming back together, after years of each pursuing other musical ventures seems to have given the indie stalwarts a new found energy and fuller dynamic. Chillingly dreamy, Memory is a floating vacuum of the musical mind. 

 -Kyle Land

Empty Bottle - November 1st and November 2nd

Adventures on the Floating Island lingers like a candle light in the mind's eye. With lounge music as his guide Ohio native ,L.A. based, collage artist Monster Rally (Ted Feighan) takes what others have left behind and crafts it into beautiful pieces of electro psych art.    

 -Kyle Land

Schubas - October 18th

Hardcore emo outfit Capstan takes the genre to new heights with Restless Heart, Keep Running. From it’s opening piano chords to the closing horn lines, Capstan is pushing the boundaries expectation. 

 -Kyle Land

Beat Kitchen - October 12th - All Ages

Modern folk runs so many avenues, but you can’t beat a woman with a guitar and some potent lyrics. Pieta Brown’s latest effort Freeway was recorded up North at April Base and co-produced by S.Carey (Bon Iver, solo career) and backed by Mike Lewis (Bon Iver) and Jeremy Ylviskaker (Andrew Bird). Despite the all-star cast surrounding her, the real standout is Brown’s vulnerable and reflective lyrics.  

 -Kyle Land

British rock band LIFE has a really funny way of living and detailing their opinions about it. With songs like, “Grown Up,” and “It’s a Con,” they drop playful beats and gruff, heavy riffs to compliment drone-out vocals with a punk/modern flair. The modern rock comedy concept is almost too funny to be true. Whether talking about self esteem in “Niceties,” or planning a day of nothing in “Bum Hour,” this album, A Picture of Good Health, is a fun listen.

 -Nicole Locarno

Not much is out there about Richmond’s solo artist Frames. But her debut EP Cursed should go a long way toward fixing that. 

 -Kyle Land

Debuts don’t get much better than this banger from L.A. rockers Kills Birds. When post punk vigor and post rock rhythm combine into a smashed up ball of pure rock anger and squeal it’s time to pay attention.   

 -Kyle Land

Gossamer tunes roll out of Durham singer/songwriter Molly Sarlé like water, and Karaoke Angel feels entirely effortless, leading to the most relaxing listens of the week. 

 -Kyle Land

Nashville duo Twen have arrived on the impressive shoegaze psych rock debut Awestruck. With a stripped down feel that runs counterpoint to most shoegaze Twen capture exactly the right sound. 

 -Kyle Land

Entre Los Dos enters the brain and refuses to leave, harboring a sweet sentimental streak that holds long after Y La Bambas latin infused indie rock fades away. 

 -Kyle Land

It’s Mudhoney releasing new music. Do you need us to convince you to listen to Morning In America? Just plug in already!!! 

 -Kyle Land

Paige McConnell (Phish) once again joins forces with Otell Burbidge (Allman Brothers Band , Dead and Co.) and Russell Batiste (Funky Meters). The superstar jam lineup Vida Blue went into the studio for the first time in fifteen years (joined by Adam Zimmon of Ziggy Marley’s band) to produce their newest masterpiece Crossing Lines. 

  -Kyle Land

These hometown boys have really hit a stride with Lookout Low: their most musically mature release to date. Twin Peaks is shaping into something truly special. With elements of classic rock blending with the indie jangle aesthetic they’ve been harboring for years, Lookout Low displays an act on the verge. 

-Kyle Land

The Riv - November 29th

Chicago emo pop punk outfit Sleep On It may be exactly what the genre calls for, but their damn good at it; and new record Pride & Disaster connects with the inner punk rocker in us all.   

-Kyle Land

This local band will be back around soon enough.

For anyone looking for a complete deprogram, Mukqs newest release Any% is for you. The Chicago based experimental electronic maverick will make sure you never look at music the same way again. 

-Kyle Land

His performances are rare, but if you get into one, watch your mind.

If you need a reason to listen to Joe Keery’s (former Post Animal guitarist and yes, Steve Harrington) insanely good psych pop debut as Djo, what are you waiting for, an invitation! Get in there and give Twenty Twenty a spin! You’ll be so glad you did. 

-Kyle Land

Sleeping Village - October 18th

A beautiful turn from Austrilian singer/songwriter Alex Cameron, as he turns the lens toward himself and his relationships with his girlfriend and newfound step dad role. Miami Memory is by turns dad rock, eighties throwback synth masterpiece, and confessional opus. 

-Kyle Land

Thalia Hall - November 8th

No one does indie folk rock quite like Devendra Banhart. Mixing his Venezuelan heritage with his Houston upbringing to results that just stagger the imagination. Ma should be on everyone's fall playlist. 

-Kyle Land

Thalia Hall - November 3rd

Black masked psych rock adventurers Blood Cultures release a  second mind blown effort into the ether with Oh Uncertainty! A Universe Despairs.   

-Kyle Land

Schubas - November 27th 

What a solo debut from Nashville singer/songwriter Jeremy Ivy! Rolling folk rock from a career musician who deserves to be recognized for this excellent collection of sing-along gems in The Dream and the Dreamer. He also happens to be married to Margo Price, just saying...

-Kyle Land

Sleeping Village - October 19th

Jonah Tolchin produces hometown Americana that connects with every heart. Fires for the Cold just continues his stellar pedigree with its outright beauty and honesty. 

-Kyle Land

Hideout - November 7th

The debut solo effort from Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino is an evocative deep dive into the post-rock maven’s inner self. Everything about Adult Baby screams “this is me!”

-Kyle Land

Constellation - October 12th 

A reggae legend, Lee “Scratch” Perry needs no introduction; and Rootz Reggae Dub rides the myths into the Jamaican sunset. 

-Kyle Land

Subterranean - September 20th

Last year’s Heart Head West was a revelation and actress/musician Lola Kirke has returned with a classic country vision in Friends and Foes and Friends Again, a duet record that features some of indie rock, country and folk’s most overlooked artists, including Brent Cowles, Lilah Larson, and Austin Jenkins.       

-Kyle Land

Do312 Goose Island Block Party - September 20th

Spin Metronomy Forever at your next house party and watch it evolve into a full fledged dance party. Funky grooves mix with a distinct smart delivery for Metronomy’s best record to date. 

-Kyle Land

Thalia Hall - February 11th - not on sale yet.

If Before You Begin doesn’t launch Sequoyah Murray the world doesn’t know what's up. A complete revelation, the Atlanta artists newest release is some of the best alt-R&B of the year.  

-Kyle Land

Hideout - October 4th

Benson, Minnesota family emo trio Tiny Moving Parts have again produced something special with breathe. TMP always manages to pull at the spirit with their moving lyrics and matching energy. 

-Kyle Land

Bottom Lounge - October 26th

The fresh bluesy rock of local quartet Kid Bear is as catchy as they come. With great big hooks and plenty of infectious three-chord fuzz, they lay it all out there with EP2. 

-Kyle Land   

Montrose Saloon - November 14th.

A stunner of a record from Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based house producer Octo Octa. The transgender artist is a hero in both the house and LGBTQIA communities, and Resonant Body may be her best recorded work yet. 

-Kyle Land

Every Frankie Cosmos record has expanded Greta Kline’s once very personal recordings into whole new sonic landscapes. Following the lead of last year’s Vessel, Close It Quietly is another huge leap into a more mainstream indie rock palette.  

-Kyle Land

Thalia Hall - September 23rd - All Ages.

As advertised, Boy Harsher’s newest release is an uncut version of their classic 2017 EP, Country Girl. Full of their patented electro-goth beats, Country Girl Uncut just expands on the magic of the original. Who said more isn’t a good thing? 

-Kyle Land

Metro - October 9th.

Straight from New Zealand comes the debut full-length of rocking quartet Miss June. With Bad Luck Party, Annabel Liddell and company are announcing their arrival with plenty of fuzzed-out guitar and punk spirit.

-Kyle Land

Subterranean - October 21st.

The legends of the African desert return with their newest effort, Amadjar. After forty years, Tinariwen is as strong as ever, so if you’re feeling musically adventurous, this is the perfect record to stretch your horizons.  

-Kyle Land

Thalia Hall - October 1st.

Plenty of original artists have come and gone, but Adam Bainbridge has been performing under the guise of Kindness for ten years now.  Something Like A War hits on every. single. level. 

-Kyle Land

Sleeping Village - November 8th.

Throw on Bimini Road, the new studio record from Moon Boots (aka house producer Pete Dougherty), and you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing through the whole damn thing.   

-Kyle Land

Chop Shop - October 9th.

Literally returning to their roots, Jersey emo masters Senses Fail have re-recorded their debut EP From the Depths of Dreams. 

-Kyle Land

Riot Fest - Friday on Radicals Stage - 3:10.

Double husband and wife team, Blushing produce some of the freshest dreamwave shoegaze we’ve heard all year. This quartet’s self-titled debut is surely the start of a long career producing lushly orchestrated layers of lovely noise.  

-Kyle Land

You had me at Brazilian post-rock…  Guaxe is the real deal, and this is one of the best records I’ve heard all year. Their potent mix of South American rhythms with synths, heavily effected guitar, and flowing lyrics create a magical match made in post-rock heaven. 

-Kyle Land

Another excellent effort from the new masters of instrumental post rock. The Messthetics are three legendary players merging their forces for one hell of a ride in Anthropocosmic Nest. 

-Kyle Land

Natasha Khan returns with another dark synth pop classic in Lost Girls. It’s been three years since Bat For Lashes graced us with new music, and this one was worth the wait.  

-Kyle Land

Nashville supergroup, The Highwomen, shake up history in their vocal tonal ranges and narratives of trials and tribulations in their debut self-titled album. From songs about love, heartbreak, and their journeys as women, these amazing artists plead through their lyrics with a traditional melody of strumming acoustic guitars, tambourines, and soft drum beats. These four women are going to be unstoppable, and this album is just the beginning.  

-Nicole Locarno

Not many merge the simplicity of folk with the string complexity of bluegrass quite like Nashville trio, The Wood Brothers. This live collection recorded during their March run at San Fran’s iconic venue is a true example of their excellent showmanship and songwriting.   

-Kyle Land