The Pear Traps

This lo-fi goodness comes compliments of The Pear Traps, an unsigned group of Chicago-based indie rockers with the simple goal of playing a show at the United Center.  Embrace the minimalist and smooth nature of the sound and style, play it within the right context and you'll quickly understand it's effectiveness and power.

The Pear Traps - "Come Home"

Check out the entire EP,  at their bandcamp page, and then download a collection of five slightly different-styled tracks they released last year entitled, Basement Fidelity, for free here.

Compliments of an interview by WindyCityRock late last year, find out about The Pear Trap's lo-fi inspiration and a skosh more.

Nathan: Bryant actually builds his own amps, which adds a certain sound. There’s already so much set a certain way, it’s just a matter of every one plays a little differently and adds something to the sound.

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California Wives - "Tokyo"

impromptu acoustic set at SXSW, 3/17/11Troysnoise was the first one to the hypem "Purple" party last November, and now the California Wives buzz continues to build.  They played multiple day parties and showcases for their first SXSW appearance and are back in their hometown Chicago now amidst a growing following.  Earlier this month they released a new track and the crew shared these thoughts about the smoothly flowing single, "created in between different stages of the band's writing process, [CW] agreed that it fit neither on their well received 2010 EP, Affair, or their forthcoming album, deciding it best to [let it] shine on its own." 

California Wives - "Tokyo"

cuz they're building houses and lights in Tokyo

The song's title is an ironic one; the devastation in Japan occurred just days after the track's release.  Do your part to help in the recovery process and make a donation to those in need at globalgiving.org.

Scattered Trees

The more unknown a talented band is the better the odds are they get our attention.  Chicago's Scattered Trees fits that mold with no full-length albums out and a following that's just beginning to catch fire. 

In early April their first album, Sympathy, will be unveiled via Roll Call Records/EMI, while shows scheduled at SXSW in two a half weeks will likely further fan the flames about ths talented folk rock meets indie pop act.  "Four Days Straight," "Instant Karma," and "Love and Leave" are all from late last year and will likely each find their way onto the band's upcoming tracklist.

Scattered Trees - "Four Days Straight"

Drawing comparisons to a modern-day ELO, I also hear an up-tempo Wilco meets Radiohead.  Find out more about the crew at their homepage.

Scattered Trees - "Love and Leave"

Scattered Trees - "Instant Karma" (John Lennon cover)

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California Wives - Affairs

This four piece indie band from Chicago, California Wives, released their first official work two months ago with a 5 track E.P. named Affairs.  It's always exciting to stumble on an upstart like this one and I really dig what they've done within this electronically-infused indie pop sound.  According to their below interview three days ago, there's a video for "Blood Red Youth" in the works and what sound like a full-length album next year as they continue to build their fan base and write new music.

"Purple" is addicting, "Blood Red Youth" inspires with its energetic electric guitar, and  "Twenty Three," (cool video) maintains steady tempo throughout while still building all the way through to the end.  My only complaint is that I want more.

California Wives - "Blood Red Youth"

Three days ago Chicago Tunes caught up with California Wives; thanks to them we have an excerpt for you to learn a little more about this upstart group.

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Like Pioneers - Piecemeal

"Last winter, members of Bound Stems, the Narrator, Chin Up Chin Up, Vacations, and a whole host of other Chicago bands got together over two weekends at IV Labs and played it out.  A band that came together as a result of a recording studio reunion, a name that came about from a self-deprecating joke, and an album that exists with the help of many - it makes perfect sense." -likepioneers.com