I still can’t stop listening to Future Islands whose album, In Evening Air is making a strong late season push to make our year end list of favorite albums. The band hits the road with Lonnie Walker next week behind a split 7″ vinyl release.

We’ve got two Future Island tracks remixed by friend and fellow Baltimore native Jason Urick. Top notch. Check them out below.

MP3: Future Islands – “Tin Man” (Jason Urick Remix)
MP3: Future Islands – “In Evening Air” (Jason Urick Remix)
MP3: Future Islands – “Tin Man”
MP3: Future Islands – “In The Fall”
MP3: Future Islands – “Walking Through That Door”
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Buy: Future Islands – In Evening Air

I spent last week digging into the new release from Yellow Ostrich. Turns out a change of scenery was all Alex Schaaf needed. After departing Wisconsin for New York City (you’ve probably read his show reviews on this site) he released some EP’s and now has released a gorgeous collection of songs called The Mistress. The entire album is available as a pay-what-you-want download, so go download it. The band also has a Kickstarter campaign in place to get the album pressed on vinyl. One listen and I’m sure you’ll be collecting funds to pledge your support. Recommended for fans of Radiohead, Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes.

Listen to Yellow Ostrich – The Mistress:

MP3: Yellow Ostrich – “WHALE”
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – “Libraries”
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – “Campaign”
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Download: Yellow Ostrich – The Mistress

I’ve never met Ryan Weber. From his work with Decibully to his assistance with our Wilco tribute album, he’s a friend I really need to meet. Months ago he shared his new project Eric & Magill with me. I listened to the completed album, All Those I Know twice through immediately. It travels many genres from folk to electronic under a warm blanket of guitar fuzz. This is a record so special that I’m certain it will be the next great thing to go beyond the confines of cream city. So get on board right now. The entire record, All Those I Know is available right now as a free download.

Listen to the entire album here:

MP3: Eric & Magill – “All Those I Know”
MP3: Eric & Magill – “You Make It So Good”
MP3: Eric & Magill – “Grandpa’s Pink Wine”
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Download: Eric & Magill :: All Those I Know

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:

10/19 – Band of Horses + Besnard Lakes – Riviera Theater (CHICAGO)
10/19 – Henry Clay People – Empty Bottle (CHICAGO)
10/20 – Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears – University of Illinois (CHAMPAIGN)
10/20 – Passion Pit – University of Illinois (CHAMPAIGN)
10/20 – Bob Mould – Shank Hall (MILWAUKEE)
10/20 – Avi Buffalo – Schubas (CHICAGO)
10/20 – Social Distortion + Lucero + Frank Turner – Riviera Theatre (CHICAGO)
10/21 – James Apollo + Conrad Plymouth – Shank Hall (MILWAUKEE)
10/21 – Ben Weaver – Kiki’s House of Righteous Music (MADISON)
10/21 – Alejandro Escovedo & The Sensitive Boys – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
10/21 – Black Prairie – Schubas (CHICAGO)
10/21 – Dr. Dog + Here We Go Magic – Vic Theatre (CHICAGO)
10/22 – James Apollo + Conrad Plymouth – The Project Lodge (MADISON)
10/22 – Bob Dylan – Assembly Hall (CHAMPAIGN)
10/22 – Dr. Dog + Here We Go Magic – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
10/22 – LCD Soundsystem + Hot Chip – The Rave (MILWAUKEE)
10/22 – Carolina Chocolate Drops – Park West (CHICAGO)
10/22- Bob Mould – Old Town School Of Folk Music (CHICAGO)
10/22 – Isobel Campbell And Mark Lanegan – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
10/22 – K-OS + Shad + Astronautalis – High Noon Saloon (MADISON)
10/22 – Deerhunter + Real Estate + Casino Versus Japan – Metro (CHICAGO)
10/23 – Blonde Redhead – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
10/23 – David Sedaris – Riverside Theater (MILWAUKEE)
10/23 – Phantogram + Josiah Wolf – High Noon Saloon (MADISON)
10/23 – Hank III And Assjack – The Rave (MILWAUKEE)
10/23 – Daniel Martin Moore + Paleface – Schubas (CHICAGO)
10/23 – Ryan Bingham – Subterranean (CHICAGO)

Just Announced:

11/4 – Franz Nicolay + Two Cow Garage – The Frequency (MADISON)
11/11 – Fang Island + Delicate Steve – High Noon Saloon (MADISON)
11/14 – Matthew Dear – The Frequency (MADISON)
11/27 – Charlie Parr – Alchemy (MADISON)

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

Earlier this year I was stunned by the beauty of Jónsi’s in concert at the Pabst. It will be at or very near the top of my annual list of favorite shows of the year. Simply incredible. Tonight, Jónsi will perform a solo concert, webcast live, in video, for an NPR Music webcast (their first). It will also be available to watch in full all day Monday. Find some time to watch.

With that out of the way, I’ve got some CD’s that need a home. Jónsi and Alex, who last year released Riceboy Sleeps also teamed up to create a limited edition CD showcasing their 13 favorite artists. In addition to curating the collection, the duo created the album artwork above. We’ve got five (5) copies of these to give away to good homes. To enter, leave a comment letting us know what songs you’d put on a collection like this. Make sure to leave a valid e-mail address as we’ll be contacting the winners at the end of the week. Here’s the Rain Down My Favorite Songs track list:

1. “The Celebrated Polish Carillon using only the upper three keys of the piano” – Natalia Janotha
2. “Ave Maria” – Alessandro Moreschi
3. “Voggubarnsins Mal”- Smarakvarttinn A Akureyri
4. “Mother’s Last Word To Her Son” – Washington Phillips
5. “Donx Sourire” – Django Reinhardt
6. “The Gypsie Laddie” – John Jacob Niles
7. “I Can’t Believe You’re In Love With Me” – Billie Holiday
8. “Parlez-Moi D’Amour” – Lucienne Boyer
9. “Marche Funebre” – Raoul Pugno
10. “Moon River” – Audrey Hepburn
11. “John Cassavetes (2)” – Ekkehard Elhers
12. “A Candy Coated Slow Down” – John Somers
13. “When You Wish Upon a Star” – Cliff ‘Ukelele Ike’ Edwards

Jónsi plays the Vic Theatre in Chicago on Wednesday, November 3rd. He’s also performing a solo acoustic set that same day at Reckless Records on Broadway at 5:30pm.

Buy: Jónsi – Go

Breathe Owl Breathe have released a download of “Across The Loch” from their fantastic Home Tapes debut, Magic Central. On the subject of the record, it’s now available on pretty pink vinyl. Check it out and order it here. We saw the band a few weeks back at Schubas and were once again blown away by their live show. Fear not Wisconsin, Muzzle of Bees is presenting the band in Milwaukee (Cactus Club, 11/9) and Madison (High Noon Saloon, 11/10) next month.

MP3: Breathe Owl Breathe – “Across The Loch”
MP3: Breathe Owl Breathe – “Own Stunts”
MP3: Breathe Owl Breathe – “Swimming”
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Buy: Breathe Owl Breathe – “Magic Central”