- Mac DeMarco riles up Riverside Theater crowd
Things got rowdy during Mac DeMarco’s performance at the Riverside Theater in November. Within a few songs, the stage was littered with objects thrown from the audience. Several fans rushed the stage to touch DeMarco. While most were unsuccessful, one teenager evaded security long enough to sing almost an entire song.
- The Rashita Joneses have an insatiable appetite for guitar licks
There’s an urgency to The Rashita Joneses’ sleazy rock songs that can’t quite be contained. You get the sense that their motives aren’t cerebral as much as just plugging in and seeing what comes out. The band’s fifth release this year, the five-song Bang Bang! Lasagna!, is visceral and untamed.
- Bad Wig leaves The Midwestern Charm in dust on quasi-debut EP
The Midwestern Charm stacked layers of fuzz over bubblegum melodies on last year’s sophomore full-length, Growing Pains, eschewing the country twang prevalent in the band’s debut. Earlier this year the four-piece shed The Midwestern Charm label for a new moniker, Bad Wig. This month the band celebrated the release of a new self-titled EP, which descends even further into the fuzz.
- Sean Smart spits flames on mixtape
A daring, take-no-prisoners rapper, Sean Smart turns head on his first mixtape since his time with Higher Education Records. Listen to this uncompromising effort below.
- The Belle Weather slim down on new album
Folk outfit The Belle Weather was forced to make changes when drummer Steve Spalding’s degenerate nerve condition meant he was no longer able to play the drums. Instead of finding a replacement, the now-duo continued alone on new record, Suitcase. With such sparse instrumentation, nothing gets lost in the shuffle. Every chord and every line hits hard.
- Vincent VanGREAT reps Jabari jersey in Chicago for new music video
Milwaukee rapper Vincent VanGREAT took to the Chicago lakefront to shoot the music video for “Killer Steez,” a track on his forthcoming debut full-length, UnGREATful. The Jabari Parker jersey he dons perhaps doesn’t invoke glares from Windy City onlookers just yet. Vincent VanGREAT displays similar underrated potential.
- Tapebenders’ scorching new full-length
The new album from the Tapebenders takes some time to grab hold and then won’t let go. The 11-song Set Your Life on Fire shows a promising new direction from the band, one that’s more subdued and at the same time more substantial.
- The Rusty P’s big return
Seminal Milwaukee hip hop collective The Rusty P’s reunited onstage for a show at Mad Planet this month to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the group’s inception. But they aren’t just resting on their laurels. Earlier this year they released a collaborative album with LMNtylist. And they dropped a new song of their own in November, entitled “One Moment.”
- WebsterX and Q the Sun collaborate on EP
The ever-genre-bending rapper teamed up with Q the Sun this month on a three-song EP, KidX, which was inspired from Radiohead’s daring 2000 album Kid A. The effort proves that New Age Narcissism really has no boundaries.
- GGOOLLDD release long-awaited EP
Need a song to dance to through the winter? The new, sparkling four-song EP from synth-pop group GGOOLLDD has got you covered. Read the full review of For the Night here. The band also announced a headlining show at Turner Hall Ballroom on January 9. You can grab tickets here.
