Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list. Also, don’t miss the very solid week of new releases, including our recommended purchases below.

Upcoming Wisconsin Shows:

4/13 – John Scofield – Majestic Theatre, Madison
4/14 – Lyrics Born – Majestic Theatre, Madison
4/14 – Wilco – Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
4/15 – Wilco – Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
4/15 – Kris Kristofferson – Northern Lights Theater, Milwaukee
4/15 – Roman Candle + Deep Vibration – Frequency, Madison
4/16 – Roman Candle + Deep Vibration – Shank Hall, Milwaukee
4/16 – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit + Justin Townes Earle – High Noon Saloon, Madison
4/17 – Ezra Furman – Orpheum Stage Door, Madison
4/17 – Mason Jennings – Majestic Theater, Madison
4/17 – The Handsome Family/Marissa Nadler – High Noon Saloon, Madison
4/19 – Extra Golden – Cactus Club, Milwaukee
4/19 – Death Cab For Cutie + Cold War Kids + Ra Ra Riot – Carroll College, Waukesha

Upcoming Chicago Shows:

4/16 – Cold War Kids – Schuba’s
4/16 – Jeff Beck – Park West
4/17 – Death Cab For Cutie/Cold War Kids/Ra Ra Riot – Aragon Ballroom
4/17 – Simian Mobile Disco – Metro
4/17 – Four Tet – Sonotheque
4/17 – Occidental Brothers Dance Band International – Empty Bottle
4/18 – Loretta Lynn – Old Town School Of Folk Music
4/18 – Travis – Vic Theatre
4/19 – The Handsome Family – Schuba’s

Just Announced:

5/24 – Gomez – Pabst Theater, Milwaukee

New Releases:

Bill Callahan – Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle, Dengue Fever – Sleepwalking Through the Mekong, Metric – Fantasies, Prefuse 73 – Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian (Dig)

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

Last night Timothy Showalter performed under his musical incarnation of Strand of Oaks, performing to a dedicated group of listeners at Madison’s Cafe Montmartre. It was a nice crowd considering the Easter holiday, and those in attendance got to hear, for the first time, live selections from the Muzzle of Bees approved Leave Ruin record. Today, they’re on their way to record a session with our friends at Daytrotter. If you weren’t on board with these guys before, you most certainly will be soon.

Photos: Ed Oliver
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Previously: Muzzle of Bees Interview :: Strand of Oaks
Previously: Video: Strand of Oaks – “Two Kids” (Live)
Previously: Strand Of Oaks :: Leave Ruin

Buy: Amazon Digital ($7.99)
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Myspace: Strand of Oaks
MP3: Strand Of Oaks – “End In Flames”

Muzzle of Bees is thrilled to be bringing Strand of Oaks to Cafe Montmartre in Madison tonight. If you’ve yet to introduce yourself to the beauty that is Leave Ruin, please do so immediately. Some are hailing it as the For Emma, Forever Ago of 2009 and Rolling Stone just summed it up perfectly as “devastating, gorgeous songs about loss and heartbreak.”

Show: 8 PM
Tickets: $7
Buy Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets

Previously: Muzzle of Bees Interview :: Strand of Oaks
Previously: Video: Strand of Oaks – “Two Kids” (Live)
Previously: Strand Of Oaks :: Leave Ruin

Buy: Amazon Digital ($7.99)
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Myspace: Strand of Oaks
MP3: Strand Of Oaks – “End In Flames”

Thanks to everyone who came out for Rodriguez + Diplomats of Sound at the High Noon Saloon last night in Madison. We really appreciate all of you that came out in support of an artist whose support has been long overdue. Once again, Muzzle of Bees photographer Ed Oliver navigated the crowd to provide the steller shots you’re seeing here.

Discuss: What did you think of the show last night? Please leave a comment with your thoughts/reviews of the show.

Buy: Rodriguez – Cold Fact
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Myspace: Rodriguez
MP3: Rodriguez – “Sugar Man”

Welcome to the third podcast/download I’m co-hosting with Ryan Schleicher at 91.7 WMSE.

In the coming weeks you’ll be able to add these to your favorite RSS reader and access it via iTunes. Until then, please hang with us as we dust off the cobwebs and feel free to drop a comment with your suggested songs, podcast name, etc. Thanks for listening.

Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast: Volume 3:

Intro: Dent May – “Welcome” / John the Savage – “Market Day” / These United States – “Susie at the Seashore” / Deer Tick – “Still Crazy After All These Years” / Andrew Bird – “Fitz and Dizzyspells” / Neil Halstead – “Sometimes the Wheels” / Horse Feathers – “Curs in the Weeds” / Gramercy Arms – “Looking at the Sun” / Rodriguez – “I Wonder” / Uncle Tupelo – “Gun” / The Deep Vibration – “Mississippi Woman” / Crocodiles – “I Wanna Kill” / La Strada – “Starling” / Felice Brothers – “Run Chicken Run”

Download: Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast: Volume 3

Levon Helm readies the release of new album, Electric Dirt on June 30th. If you’re not familiar with Helms Grammy award winning Dirt Farmer, please check out these videos.

Arriving on June 30th, “Electric Dirt starts off with a rousing rendition of The Grateful Dead’s “Tennessee Jed” moving on to a beautiful stripped down version of Happy Traum’s “Golden Bird.” “Growing Trade”, written by Levon Helm & Larry Campbell tells a deeply heartfelt story of a farmer’s struggle to preserve his livelihood and the rousing horns on “Kingfish” written by Randy Newman, brings the swagger of New Orleans to the forefront.”

Seeing one of Levon’s Midnight Rambles at his upstate New York home/barn sits at the top of my list to do. Hopefully I can cross that off this summer. Until then, check the Electric Dirt track list below.

Track Listing:

1. Tennessee Jed
2. Move Along Train
3. Growing Trade
4. Golden Bird
5. Stuff You Gotta Watch
6. White Dove
7. King Fish
8. You Can’t Lose What You Ain’t Never Had
9. When I Go Away
10. Heaven’s Pearls
11. I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel To Be Free