Middle Brother — the much-lauded collaboration between Deer Tick, Dawes, and Delta Spirit front-men McCauly, Goldsmith, and Vasquez — swing through Chicago and Madison this weekend. Dawes and Deer Tick share opening duties and judging from the near constant buzz and the quality of their self-titled debut, both shows promise to be something special.  The band stops in Chicago at The Metro on Saturday night and at the Majestic Theatre in Madison on Sunday. Pick up tickets to either show on the band’s website. Muzzle of Bees will have a review of the Metro show up early next week!

If you’re headed to Austin next week for SXSW, all three bands are making appearances in various showcases including one where Deer Tick will become “Deervana” and play a set of Nirvana covers late on Saturday the 19th. Awesome.

Back in December, the band played for the Invisible Children holiday benefit concert. Check out the video below captured as part of that visit and consider your appetite whetted for the weekend (via Brandon Tauszik and yourstru.ly).

Me, Me, Me:

Megafaun’s Phil Cook will release Hungry Mother Blues on May 10 via Trekky Records. You can still download his previous 8-song release for free here. Check out the beautiful artwork of the forthcoming record here and download a track from the record below:
MP3: Phil Cook & His Feat – “Ballad Of A Hungry Mother”

Kanye West and Kid Cudi headline the Marcus Amphitheater on Thursday, June 30th during Summerfest. Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 26th at 10:00AM and include Summerfest admission

Pitchfork has new videos from R.E.M., Menomena, Cloud Nothings, Deerhoof, and The National.

James Blake has announced his US tour dates, including a stop at Schubas on Sunday, May 15th. I cannot wait to see Blake next week at SXSW.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are at the High Noon Saloon with Maria Taylor supporting on Friday, May 27th. Tickets are $15.

Only one week left to donate to Eric & Magill’s campaign on Kickstarter to get their album pressed on vinyl. This release will be the third for our Ten Atoms imprint.

One of the best albums I’ve heard this year comes from J Mascis, whose new solo record Several Shades of Why, arrives next week on Sub Pop. You don’t have to wait that long to hear it though, Spin has the whole thing streaming.

I’m off to Austin today for SXSW. There’s still time to RSVP for our Backyard BBQ on Friday, March 18th. We couldn’t be more excited about hosting a bunch of our favorite artists.

Each week we highlight the new releases that we recommend. Below, find our picks for this week. I can honestly say at this point of he year, Wye Oak has put out my favorite album of 2011 thus far.

Wye Oak – Civilian [Buy]
MP3: Wye Oak – “Civilian”
Video: Wye Oak – “Civilian” (Live)

R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now [Buy]
Video: R.E.M. – “Überin”
Video: R.E.M. – “Mine Smell Like Honey”
Video: R.E.M. – “It Happened Today”

Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for My Halo [Buy]
MP3: Kurt Vile – “In My Time”
Video: Pitchfork Don’t Look Down Video Feature

Discuss: Drop a comment and let us know what records you’re picking up this week.

Photos: Ed Oliver

Girl Talk’s popularity has come a long way since he was opening for Man Man at Club 770. The shows were bonkers then and still are, just on a more grandiose platform. This time through town Girl Talk grew out of the Orpheum Theater and into Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. A venue much more suitable for the high energy show. Ed Oliver was there and brought back the photos you see here.

Discuss: What did you think of the show? Leave a comment with your thoughts/reviews on last night’s show.

Fluxblog founder Matthew Perpetua ranks R.E.M. Albums from Worst to Best

NPR is streaming the Dodos forthcoming album No Color.

Listen to Photographers who open for Breathe Owl Breathe on their tour next month that includes stops in Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee and Appleton.

Junip has new video for “In Every Direction” off of their fantastic 2010 release, Fields.

The Key has video of Wild Flag at Johnny Brenda’s 3/6/11 (including Patti Smith cover).

We couldn’t agree more with Pitchfork on bestowing Kurt Vile’s Smoke Ring for My Halo as “Best New Music.” Pitchfork also has a Don’t Look Down video session with Kurt Vile.

Download A Free Robin Pecknold EP (Feat. Ed Droste) at Stereogum.

Here are the Wisconsin and Illinois shows we recommend you take in this week. Check out the upcoming concerts below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list.

Upcoming Shows:

3/7 – Girl Talk + Max Tundra + Junk Culture – Exhibition Hall/Alliant Energy Center (MADISON)
3/8 – Mucca Pazza – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
3/8 – The Chapin Sisters – Elbo Room (CHICAGO)
3/10 – Marnie Stern + Tera Melos – Subterranean (CHICAGO)
3/11 – Pezzettino + Antler Antennas + Crane Your Swan Neck – Cactus Club (MILWAUKEE)
3/11 – Maps & Atlases + Light Pollution – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
3/11 – Cold War Kids – Riviera (CHICAGO)
3/12 – Cold War Kids – The Rave (MILWAUKEE)
3/12 – Ice Cube – Eagles Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
3/12 – Obits + Jaill – Empty Bottle (CHICAGO)
3/12 – Middle Brother + Deer Tick + Dawes + Jonny Corndawg – Metro (CHICAGO)
3/13 – Middle Brother + Deer Tick + Dawes + Jonny Corndawg – Majestic (MADISON)

Just Announced:

4/16 – Breathe Owl Breathe + Photographers – Schubas (CHICAGO)
4/17 – Breathe Owl Breathe + Photographers – University of Wisconsin (MADISON)
4/19 – Breathe Owl Breathe + Photographers – Cactus Club (MILWAUKEE)
4/20 – Breathe Owl Breathe + Photographers – Lawrence University (APPLETON)
5/3 – Lord Huron – Schubas (CHICAGO)