How can you possibly not attend something billed as the greatest show ever? Well, if you don’t want to take the bills word for it the bands involved have given you several incentives to dig a little deeper. The first thing you need to do is visit the show's website (yes, it’s a website dedicated to just this show). Once you are at the site you will be able to download free albums from three of the four bands involved. Who are the bands involved you ask? Picture Books, Venna, Crayolala, and Kid, You’ll Move Mountains. You can find eps from Venna and Picture Books, and the full-length debut from KYMM all for free. Also, on the site you will find a ticket that will grant you free admission if you arrive before 9pm. If you need a little more from Picture Books, a live session from them was posted today over at Coach House Sounds. What more could you want really? 

Four great local bands, January 2nd, at The Metro for free (before 9pm). It truly is the greatest show ever.

As I begin to receive a few Christmas covers from Chicago musicians I feel as though I have missed an opportunity to do something bigger. Maybe next year there will be a Deli Christmas song project or something. Regardless, the Christmas spirit has infected Brendan Losch and I am happy to share with you his interpretation of the classic "White Christmas".

Number twelve is the wonderfully inventive song and video from Volcano! "So Many Lemons" which was released as a single back in March.

Our number thirteen selection comes from the BBU crew. "Chi Don't Dance" no only captures a snapshot the hip hop scene in 2009, but also focuses on a style of dance that is original to the city.

2009 was a great year for Tania Bowers (a.k.a. Via Tania) and to close out the year she has sent us a beautiful Nina Simone cover. “Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood” is a perfect track for Tania and you can that it is meaningful to her. You can download the track here.

Via Tania already has some big plans for 2010 including a trip to SXSW. She will also be releasing a New single "Fields", as well as an exciting music video shot by none other than Aussie production team Moop Jaw (The Temper Trap, The Presets, The Golden Filter, Peaches, Miami Horror, Neon Indian) who will be taking Tania into the beautiful, rural mountain lands of Mount Buller, a spectacular locale known for its sunsets and breathtaking landscapes. Basically, we will be hearing much more from Tania Bowers next year.