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.

Please join us for our two 6th Anniversary showcases going down this weekend in Milwaukee. On Friday night, join us at Cactus Club for Sat. Nite Duets, Golden Coins and Blessed Feathers. Three of our favorite new bands in the city right now. Tickets are only $8, you can RSVP here. On Saturday, we welcome S. Carey and Conrad Plymouth to Club Garibaldi. Tickets are $10 and on sale now here. (Please note: this show now begins at 10PM so that you can enjoy the Packers playoff game)

Upcoming Shows:

1/12 – The Helio Sequence + Houses + Sun Airway – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
1/13 – Marketa Irglova + Sam Amidon + Jeremy Messersmith – Schubas (CHICAGO)
1/13 – The Besnard Lakes + Lia Ices + A Lull – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
1/14 – Mystery Jets + Title Tracks + Screaming Females – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
1/14 – Fol Chen + Brahms + Apache Beat + Twin Shadow – Schubas (CHICAGO)
1/14 – Sat Nite Duets + Golden Coins – Cactus Club (MILWAUKEE)
1/15 – S. Carey + Conrad Plymouth – Club Garibaldi (MILWAUKEE)
1/15 – Sat. Nite Duets + Fatty Acids – Project Lodge (MADISON)
1/15 – Handsome Furs + Cloud Nothings + Jaill + Oberhofer – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
1/16 – S. Carey + Darwin Deez + Young Man – Schubas (CHICAGO)

Just Announced:

2/5 – My Brightest Diamond – Der Rathskeller (MADISON)
2/12 – The Love Language – Der Rathskeller (MADISON)
2/23 – Lucinda Williams – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
3/3 – The Love Language – Linnemans (MILWAUKEE)
3/10 – Marnie Stern + Tera Melos – Subterranean (CHICAGO)
3/29 – Destroyer + The War On Drugs – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
4/7 – Sharon Van Etten – Pabst Theater (MILWAUKEE)
4/8 – Sharon Van Etten – Der Rathskeller (MADISON)
4/9 – Sharon Van Etten – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
4/11 – Destroyer + The War On Drugs – High Saloon (MADISON)
4/26 – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart + Twin Shadow – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
4/27 – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
4/28 – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
5/7 – Trail of Dead + Surfer Blood – Bottom Lounge (CHICAGO)

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

By Alex Schaaf

One of the best things about the shows that I’ve seen since I moved to New York City is that several of them have been “special” shows: the ones where the parents come, where the cousins come; where the whole room is just full of support and adoration for the artist on stage. This, of course, is due to the fact that several of my favorite bands happen to be from NYC, and so their shows here always seem to be a little more important. Not that Wisconsin is totally devoid of “special” shows, I got the same kind of feeling when I saw one of Bon Iver’s first full-band shows ever at a tiny venue in Eau Claire (brag brag). But it’s just something that happens more regularly here.

Last night’s Sharon Van Etten show at Bowery Ballroom, an event that sold out days earlier, was definitely one of those shows. Van Etten repeatedly expressed her excitement and nervousness due to the size of the crowd. She constantly thanked her parents, her cousins, her sister, friends from Tennessee, and the rest of us for making the night so special. Van Etten’s personality really won me over last night, as her playful, humorous modesty is really striking in comparison to the cautiously aggressive tone she sometimes takes in her songs.

Van Etten seemed well aware of what a special night it was, and she lived up to the expectations with the performance. Her band, which included a drummer, bassist, keyboardist, and backup singer (Cat Martino), did an excellent job at filling out the songs and replicating the energy that is on the album. The set started with five songs from Epic, her latest release, and each song was given an extra dose of energy in the live setting. Later she would showcase a couple of brand new songs, some older tunes, and even an R.E.M. cover.

The night also featured a couple of guest performers: Brad Cook from Megafaun came and sang on “Tornado” in the middle of the set, and he also played bass during the R.E.M. cover. Peter Silberman of the Antlers came out and provided vocals during set-closer “Love More,” which was my favorite song on the record and proved to be a beautifully haunting way to end the first set.

I was a relatively late arrival to the Sharon Van Etten bandwagon. I first heard of her about a year ago, when I listened to Because I Was In Love, her 2009 album. I enjoyed it, but didn’t get hooked. Then 2010 went by, and I heard more and more praise for Van Etten, coming from artists I respect like Justin Vernon and The National, along with this very website. Finally, a month ago or so, I got a hold of her new album, Epic, and ever since then I’ve spinning it non stop and falling in love with her songs over and over again.

With Because I Was In Love, I enjoyed it on some level, but ultimately I kind of relegated it to the “female acoustic singer-songwriter” bin and didn’t see too much value past that distinction. Looking back, I can’t blame myself, as most of the songs are based around acoustic guitar and vocals, which is a very tricky combination these days. You either do it right and create a distinctive sound (The Tallest Man on Earth, Bon Iver) or it just blends in with the millions of other people that record songs with just acoustic guitar and voice.

However, after getting hooked on Epic, I appreciate much more the things she was doing with both records. The new material features a bit more fleshed-out arrangements, a bit more rocking, and a couple of songs that don’t even have any acoustic guitar at all. This kind of diversity helped me to see what gorgeous songs Van Etten was writing, and the amazing delivery and performances that were behind each song. Definitely a force to be reckoned with, I predict Van Etten has a grand 2011.

Upcoming:

4/7 – Sharon Van Etten – Pabst Theater (MILWAUKEE)
4/8 – Sharon Van Etten – Der Rathskeller (MADISON)
4/9 – Sharon Van Etten – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)

MP3: Sharon Van Etten – “Love More”
MP3: Sharon Van Etten – “I Couldn’t Save You”
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Buy: Sharon Van Etten – Epic

We’ll send you off into the weekend with a couple new new tracks from Lower Dens. First, check out the new single, “Batman,” and then have a listen to the Mayo Thompson cover, “Dear Betty Baby.” Buy the tracks digitally or as a 7″ vinyl here.

MP3: Lower Dens – “I Get Nervous”
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Buy: Lower Dens – Twin-Hand Movement

Wye Oak has eluded me live for years now. I’m a big fan of their records, but I’ve never managed to catch their live show. A few weeks ago, “Civilian,” the title track from their forthcoming Merge Records release (March 8th, Pre-Order) hit the internet. It’s an instant gem which only makes me more excited for spending time with the whole record. Download the track and see what we mean:
MP3: Wye Oak – “Civilian”

Wye Oak has a pretty good run of tour dates around the upcoming record including opening for the Decemberists in Chicago on February 4th (Sold Out) and a road trip worthy gig at Lawrence University in Appleton with Callers on Wednesday, April 6th.

Elsewhere:

Another Merge release that should be on your radar is the debut album from Apex Manor, The Year of Magical Drinking. The record comes via Ross Flournoy, who we’ve been fond of since his days fronting The Broken West. There’s a great interview conducted by Justin Gage with the band about the record and their California roots.
MP3: Apex Manor – “Under The Gun”

Middle Brother is Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), John McCauley (Deer Tick) and Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit). Their debut release arrives on March 1st on Partisan records from which the track/download below appears.
MP3: Middle Brother – “Me Me Me”

Over The Rhine is self-releasing their new album, The Long Surrender, and have released the beautiful new track, “The King Knows How.” The band also announced tour dates in support of the record that have them coming through Milwaukee, Chicago, and Madison in April.
MP3: Over The Rhine – “The King Knows How”

As a huge baseball fan, I was excited to get word that The Baseball Project returns with Volume 2: High and Inside, its second album of baseball-themed rock n’ roll on March 1st via Yep Roc. Guests on this release include Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan, Chris Funk and John Moen of The Decemberists, and many more.

Speaking of baseball, I was happy to hear that Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar were selected to the Hall of Fame. I grew up watching both of them. However, I do find merit in what Joe Posnanski lays out in his recent piece, The Willie Mays Hall of Fame.

Amazon MP3 has amazing albums from Beach House, The Avett Brothers, Broken Bells, Jay-Z, The Black Keys, Best Coast, Local Natives, Fleet Foxes and a bunch more for only $5 each.

I stayed up last night to catch Justin Townes Earle on Letterman last night and it paid off in spades. Performing the title track from his fantastic 2010 release, Harlem River Blues, and with Jason Isbell on guitar, it was a performance that brought a smile to my face. Justin is out on the road for several dates next month, including stops in Chicago and Madison. Don’t miss him.

MP3: Justin Townes Earle – “Harlem River Blues”
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Buy: Justin Towes Earle – Harlem River Blues

Elsewhere:

One of the things keeping me up last night was the opportunity to hear Iron And Wine perform Kiss Each Other Clean live courtesy of NPR. Everything I’ve heard from this record has me so excited for this release. You can really hear Sam Beam stretching out and putting all his cards on the table. I love it. Listen to the entire record via this live recording.

Twin Shadow’s Daytrotter session that went up yesterday is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time, specifically the track, “Slow.” You can find that track and bunch more great stuff on his record, Forget. Even more great news is that Twin Shadow is supporting The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, including a stop here in Milwaukee at Turner Hall Ballroom on Tuesday, April 26th.

Akron/Family have released an official video of “So It Goes,” which appears on their forthcoming Dead Oceans release, S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT. Pre-order your copy here.
MP3: Akron/Family – “So It Goes”

Remember Matt Baur? His album, The Island Moved In The Storm, was one of my favorite records of 2008. We’ve been introduced to the video for “Don’t Let Me Out” for the first time. It’s worth the watch.

The Strand of Oaks Kickstarter campaign has only one week left to go. Make your pledge today and help get Pope Killdragon pressed on vinyl.

If you’re in Madison on Friday night allow us to recommend the Conrad Plymouth, Snowbirds and Derek Pritzl show at the Frequency. Tickets are only $6 and you’ll be able to purchase the Conrad Plymouth self-titled vinyl we put out on our Ten Atoms label last year.

We’re super excited for our two 6th Anniversary showcases going down next weekend in Milwaukee. On Friday night, join us at Cactus Club for Sat. Nite Duets, Golden Coins and Blessed Feathers. Three of our favorite new bands in the city right now. Tickets are only $8, you can RSVP here. On Saturday night we’re supremely excited to welcome S. Carey and Conrad Plymouth to Club Garibaldi. Tickets for that show are $10 and moving fast, so please get yours today. On top of all that excitement, we’ll have free nachos. Bam!

Last year Tennis drew high praise around the internet behind the release of their Baltimore three-song EP. The band readies their full-length debut, Cape Dory on Fat Possum on January 18th. I’m a big fan of Alaina’s voice and look forward to seeing how this group is live.

Tennis are touring in support of the record including stops in Madison at the High Noon Saloon on Monday, February 21st and Chicago at Lincoln Hall on Tuesday, February 22nd.

MP3: Tennis – “Take Me Somewhere”
MP3: Tennis – “Baltimore”
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Buy: Tennis – Cape Dory