Rounding out the Muzzle of Bees Summer Concert Series at Madison’s North Mendota Supper Club will be Portland, Oregon’s Mimicking Birds on Friday, August 6th. Recently signed to Isaac Brock’s Glacial Pace Records, Mimicking Birds plays a warm, compassionate, and ethereal brand of cosmic folk that, sans the volume, fits in nicely with Vetiver and Fleet Foxes. This is the band’s only Upper Midwest date of the summer, hitting Madison for an intimate house show before playing to the sweaty masses at Lollapalooza in Chicago the next day. Like previous shows at the North Mendota Supper Club, tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to the band, so let’s have a great turnout! Doors will open at 8 and the show will start around 830pm.

To reserve a spot for this incredible show, please RSVP to nmsc1402@gmail.com.

Coming Soon: Strand of Oaks – North Mendota Supper Club

Video: Mimicking Birds – “The Loop”
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Buy: Mimicking Birds

I’ve been acquainting myself with Jeremy Messersmith’s new album, The Reluctant Graveyard, on the constant urging of my Minnesota friends. Their support was so strong we decided to bring Jeremy to the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on Wednesday, August 11th.

Jeremy Messersmith’s The Reluctant Graveyard is currently available as a “name your price” digital download. Take a test drive of the album via our two favorite songs below.

MP3: Jeremy Messersmith – “Toussaint, Grey, First in Life and Death”
MP3: Jeremy Messersmith – “Knots”

By Jon Stone | @jwstone

This year Bonnaroo presented a rare opportunity for me to see a number of my favorite bands play within a few days (and sometimes hours) of each other. Since there was so much happening of interest, it didn’t leave much time for taking in new music. One band that I regrettably missed was Frontier Ruckus. They hail from an unlikely Detroit and play music that should easily please fans of Mumford & Sons, Mountain Goats, and even Calexico.

The record is full of surprises; the first one is that connection to Calexico – a triumphant horn section gives the songs a melodic tension between the South and Southwest (might we call this tension Midwestern?), one foot in the cornfields and another in the desert. There is other surprising richness here including great instrumental layering – banjos, saloon piano, and I even noticed some exceptional saw playing on several songs. The lyrics and melodies here are equally layered. This is a great summer record, one with equal parts sun and rainclouds, and one not to miss.

I look forward to getting another chance to see this band play soon. If you’re in Chicago, you can see them on July 15th at the back porch stage at the House of Blues. Frontier Ruckus’s second album, Deadmalls and Nightfalls drops July 20th on Ramseur Records.

Myspace: Frontier Ruckus

Buy: Frontier Ruckus – Deadmalls and Nightfalls

After swearing I would never return to Summerfest grounds after Saturday night, I found myself awaiting Devo’s set the following night. I have some very convincing friends and for that I’m fortunate because Devo at Summerfest was one hell of a good time. Dan got a bunch of great sounding videos from the show, but I couldn’t resist sharing the amazing “Beautiful World” featuring guest vocals by Booji Boy! Stick it out till the end and you’ll be rewarded with a Michael Jackson story at the end. Not that Michael Jackson story though.

Also, it’s worth noting that Devo’s new album, Something for Everybody, though front-loaded, is a pretty great summer listen.

Buy: Devo – Something for Everybody

You heard the news, right? The legendary Guided By Voices are back together (for at least one night) in celebration of Matador Records 21st birthday bash in Las Vegas.

It should come as no surprise that Guided By Voices front man Robert Pollard is releasing a new album today. Pollard has been consistently churning out the recorded output at a steady clip since the dissolution of his old group. There’s been hit and miss along the way, but today’s release, Moses on a Snail, sounded pretty great in rotation over the holiday weekend. Download the title track below.

MP3: Robert Pollard – “Moses on a Snail”
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Buy: Robert Pollard – Moses on a Snail

Here are the Wisconsin and Illinois 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.

Upcoming Shows:

7/6 – Castles + Weather Duo + Arto + Wintertime Carousel – Gates of Heaven (MADISON)
7/7 – One Eskimo – Majestic Theatre (MADISON)
7/8 – One Eskimo – The Rave (MILWAUKEE)
7/9 – The Avett Brothers – Big Top Chautauqua (BAYFIELD, WI)
7/9 – James Taylor + Carole King – United Center (CHICAGO)
7/10 – Celebrated Working Man – Concert Cruise (MILWAUKEE)
7/10 – Collection of Colonies of Bees – Concert Cruise (MILWAUKEE)
7/10 – Patton Oswalt – Majestic Theatre (MADISON)
7/10 – Islands – Memorial Union Terrace (MADISON)
7/10 – Hum – 150th Birthday Party, Downtown (CHAMPAIGN)
7/10 – Spoon – Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party (CHICAGO)
7/10 – Soul Asylum – Peterson Park (CHICAGO)
7/10 – Squeeze + Cheap Trick – Ravinia Festival (CHICAGO)
7/11 – Cory Chisel – Bastille Days (MILWAUKEE)

Just Announced:

8/28 – Mighty Mighty Bosstones + Flatliners + The Bottle Rockets – The Rave (MILWAUKEE)
9/16 – David Bazan – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)

+Bookmark our upcoming shows page for all your concert announcements+