I’m heading to Chicago tonight to experience Lincoln Hall for the first time. It’s been years since I’ve seen Akron/Family live and I’ve also heard great things about the opener Delicate Steve. But first, we’re swinging by Schubas to check out Juniper Tar’s set.

Though it’s early in the year Akron/Family’s S/T II: The Cosmic Birth And Journey Of Shinju TNT has quickly risen to the top of the stuff I’ve heard this year. There’s a great video of the band performing “Canopy” at Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton, Ontario a few nights back. The always reliable NYC Taper has the audio from the Akron/Family set at the Knitting Factory last week.

You should also check out Wye Oak’s set from the Rock Shop in New York last month, also courtesy of NYC Taper. Wye Oaks’ fortcoming record, Civilian arrives March 8th on Merge Records and is also one of the best albums we’ve heard this year. Wye Oak plays a free show at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on Wednesday, April 6th.

Did you see Destroyer’s amazing performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon? So good. Watch it here.

NPR is web-casting tonight’s Low Anthem concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.

Iron & Wine return to Milwaukee on Tuesday, June 7th with a show at Turner Hall Ballroom. The room is a perfect match for the 70′s sound found on their new album, Kiss Each Other Clean

AV Club Madison reviews Tennis at the High Noon Saloon

Daniel Knox has his new album, Disaster up as a full album stream on Bandcamp.

NPR has a Tiny Desk Concert with Local Natives.

The New York Times has a great article on the Low Anthem and their new album, Smart Flesh

Girl Talk’s show in Madison on Monday, March 7th has moved to Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center. Tickets can be purchased here.

Sat. Nite Duets are opening for Smith Westerns at the Frequency in Madison on Friday, February 25th. You can also catch Sat. Nite Duets for free at Lawrence University in Appleton on Saturday, February 26th.

Milwaukee’s Juniper Tar just recorded their first Daytrotter session over the weekend. The band is doing three dates with the Deep Dark Woods including a show we’re presenting at Cactus Club on Friday, February 25th.

elbow will release new album, Build a Rocket Boys on April 12th.

Bill Callahan will release his new Drag City album, Apocalypse on April 19th.

Cotton Jones have a new EP out today called Sit Beside Your Vegetables which you can download/stream here.

We’re pretty damn excited to be hosting tonight’s triple bill of Frontier Ruckus, David Wax Museum, and Juniper Tar at the Cactus Club. Tickets are $10 and Juniper Tar kicks things off at 10pm. We’re expecting a big turnout, advance tickets are available.

MP3: Frontier Ruckus – “The Upper Room”
MP3: Juniper Tar – “Via Chicago”

Wisco: A Tribute To Wilco’s Summerteeth — a music compilation featuring our favorite Wisconsin artists each covering a track off of Wilco’s 1999 LP, Summerteeth.

I am honored to provide you with our labor of love. The state of Wisconsin is overflowing with musical talent. So much more than could ever be captured in just one compilation like this. That being said, I thought about the records that meant the most to me. Ones that I absolutely could not live without. That record, for me, without a doubt is Summerteeth. But this creation is more about the musical talent within our state lines fleshing out these songs and making them their own. This compilation shines a bright light on Wisconsin’s finest by way of one of my favorite records.

The tracks are available for free as a high-quality digital (320kbs MP3) download/stream below, or grab the whole thing as one zip file. This project would absolutely not have been possible without the amazing help of every one of the musicians showcased here. Big thanks also go out to Dan Brielmaier for creating the artwork and Justin Perkins for mastering the project.

This is our gift to you, please enjoy it and share it with your friends. We would love for you to show your support of this project with a donation in any amount to the Wisconsin Humane Society. There’s tons of animals that could use our help. Thanks and enjoy the music.

1. Can’t Stand It – Invade Rome
2. She’s a Jar – Jeremiah Nelson and the Arrogant Derelicts
3. A Shot in the Arm – The Selfish Gene
4. We’re Just Friends – Decibully
5. I’m Always in Love – The Celebrated Workingman with Caity Guzkowski
6. Nothing’severgonnastandinmyway – Conrad Plymouth
7. Pieholden Suite – Pezzettino
8. How to Fight Loneliness – Time Since Western
9. Via Chicago – Juniper Tar
10. ELT – Blueheels
11. My Darling – The Championship
12. When You Wake up Feeling Old – Flight
13. Summerteeth - Surgeons In Heat
14. In a Future Age – The Daredevil Christopher Wright
15. Candyfloss – Chris DeMay with Edward Burch
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Bonus Track: “Summerteeth” (Alt Version) – Pezzettino + Allen Cote

Download: Wisco: A Tribute To Wilco’s Summerteeth

Muzzle of Bees + WUD Music Committee are proud to present tonight’s amazing triple bill of These United States, Juniper Tar and Strand of Oaks. This free show kicks off tonight at 9:30 at the Memorial Union – Terrace (Rain location- Der Rathskeller).

Juniper Tar and Strand of Oaks begin their east coast tour together tonight. Check the tour dates and see them if they swing through your city.

MP3: These United States – “Everything Touches Everything”
MP3: Juniper Tar – “Birds In Trees”
MP3: Strand of Oaks – “End In Flames”

Our friends in Juniper Tar and Strand of Oaks head out on tour together later this month and will be followed by Hi-Frequency Media documentary style. If you’re seen the video for “Black Pain Tea” you have a good idea of what type of results can come of this collaboration as they collectively travel East.

Here’s where you come in. Please toss some of your spare change, in any amount, towards offsetting the costs of making this video happen. There’s a lot of time and effort going into this project and your donation is instrumental in making it happen. So go here and drop a couple bills into the bucket.

Bonus: Juniper Tar is currently offering their first album, To the Trees in exchange for your e-mail. Worth it.