Chromatics – Kill for Love
The newest Chromatics album packs a fierce punch of high energy, chill vibes, and plenty of good songs. Read more »
Contest: Win to Tickets to This Saturday’s Plants and Animals Show in Madison
Win two tickets to the the Quebec indie rock trio's Saturday show at the Frequency in Madison. Learn how inside. Read more »
Interview: Caroline Smith
Caroline Smith talks about the Good Night Sleeps' new record, moving to the Cities, and why she loves Beyoncé. Read more »
Sat. Nite Duets – Summer of Punishment + mp3
Sat. Nite Duets offer up their latest Pavement-worshiping LP and capitalize on the things that make both bands so great. Read more »
St. Vincent – “Krokodil” b/w “Grot”
St. Vincent delivered on Record Store Day with an exquisite new 7". What were your favorite releases of the weekend? Read more »
The United Sons of Toil – When The Revolution Comes, Everything Will Be Beautiful
Protest music you can headbang to. Read more »
Songwriter Spotlight: Chris Porterfield (Field Report) +mp3
Chris Porterfield opens up about his past work with Justin Vernon and Megafaun members in DeYarmond Edison, the dissolution of Conrad Plymouth, and the future of Field Report. Read more »
Wisconsin Built – Rest Less
Ambient lo-fi that'll put you to sleep, but in a good way, courtesy of Wisconsin Built. Read more »
Alabama Shakes – Boys and Girls
The highly-anticipated debut from Alabama Shakes does not disappoint. Read more »
PM Premiere: Watch WC Tank’s New Video, “Candy Council”
The quirk-rapper releases a fittingly quirky video directed by the Fatty Acids' Kurt Raether, will play a video-themed show at Linneman's on Friday. Read more »
Songwriter Spotlight: Astronautalis
An in-depth in-person chat with one of the most inventive, original, and engaging forces in contemporary music. An exclusive with Astro. Read more »
Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal
Great new music from Iceland. Your leg is not being pulled this time, we promise. Read more »
Optimist Optometrist – We Can See Our Bright Futures Clearly
Optimist Optometrists successfully navigate the meaning of life on this short-playing twee-pop masterpiece. Read more »
“Neat,” he said. – sWeEt SwEaT
The pretentiousness of the band and album names definitely makes this an album you can judge by its cover. Read more »
No-Kill Shelter – Disposable Slacks EP
Grab a Czech-English dictionary and get started. It'll be at least a year until you can fully appreciate this band. But it's worth the wait. Read more »
Don Draper’s Indie Playlist
Pete Campbell will do something that compliments his tendency to be a little bitch within the first ten minutes of Mad Men’s much-anticipated season premiere this Sunday, mark my words – and it will be nothing short of glorious. While my euphoria over the return of my favorite show on... Read more »
Doomtree – No Kings
Minneapolis indie-rap kingpin collective make their intriguing mark with their 2nd family-affair-only LP and it's worth your time. Read more »
Songwriter Spotlight: Young Hines
Singer/songwriter Young Hines opens up about how he got where he is, past and present music, being on the move, and his writing process. Read more »
Songwriter Spotlight: Matthew Cooper (Eluvium)
Matthew Cooper opens up about the connections between life and music, the differences between creating and scoring, and Eluvium's future. Read more »
Songwriter Spotlight: Christopher Barnes of Gem Club
Gem Club's chief songwriter talks about misconceptions, the band's process, and plans for sound expansion. Read more »
Songwriter Spotlight: Ramesh Srivastava (formerly of Voxtrot)
It was 2006 and I’d just fallen madly in love. The object of my affection? Voxtrot’s Raised By Wolves EP and, more specifically, “The Start of Something.” Up to that point I’d just been carelessly meandering around somewhat directionless in a search for the perfect romantic song and then I... Read more »
Ticket Giveaway: Cate Le Bon
Win tickets to Cate Le Bon's 18+ show at Madison's The Frequency this Thursday. Just re-post and/or retweet this story. Read more »
Justin Rice (Bishop Allen/The Last Names)
The Bishop Allen frontman opens up about his new band The Last Names and their ambitious 52 covers project. Read more »
Bird of Youth – Defender
Will Sheff co-produces a debut album brimming with confidence, originality, and some seriously strong songwriting. Read more »
Brandon Beebe- In This Place
I’ve probably said this before, but my favorite thing about writing for Playground Misnomer is the constant exposure I get to local music that I would otherwise probably miss out on. Wisconsin is jam-packed with incredibly talented artists who deserve ten times the recognition they’ve been receiving; I’m just trying... Read more »
Dad Rocks! – Mount Modern
The Mimas frontman's solo debut as Dad Rocks! is eccentric, eclectic, direct, and a stunning introduction. Read more »
Win Tickets to See Cass McCombs in Madison
Win two tickets to see Cass McCombs' Madison show on Monday, January 30th at High Noon Saloon. Contest ends Friday at 4 p.m. Read more »
Coo Woo- Love Exposure
The local music scene is already looking great, and it's not even February yet. Check these guys out and see for yourself. Read more »
IfIHadAHiFi Video Interview (+mp3)
The Milwaukee noise-rockers cover a wide array of subjects like The Rock, where their name came from, and how far they'd be willing to go to get on Aaron Rodgers' record label. Read more »
Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory (+mp3)
Cloud Nothings delivers one of the most genuine, anguished releases in recent memory. Read more »
Album Review: Crappy Dracula – Fantastic Dracula!
The latest full-length album from the crazed Milwaukee punk jokesters shows their muscle and some promise but leaves more to be desired. Read more »
Sadistik & Kristoff Krane- Prey for Paralysis (+mp3)
Sadistik and Kristoff Krane team up to drop an album of introspective hip-hop. Read more »
Lost Lander – Drrt (+ mp3)
Ramona Falls' Matt Sheehy steps out into the lead role, and while the album's produced by RF leadman Brent Knopf, shows his own skill with music that's "natural" in every sense of the word. Read more »
Stream This Noise!: Cloud Nothings, Craig Finn, Nada Surf
Three releases due to drop next week from Cloud Nothings, Craig Finn, and Nada Surf are streaming now. Find out where. Read more »
POLIÇA — Give You the Ghost
Buzz bands, y’all. Everyone wants to be the next big thing, or else everyone wants to be a part of the next big thing. That’s especially true in the Twin Cities, where the love of local music and arts is more like an epidemic — a month ago First Avenue... Read more »
Dizzee Rascal – Dirteetv.com
Let there be no mistaking it, 'Dirteetv.'com could be the start of Dizzee's re-entrance into the limelight, showcasing a new sound, but one that definitely needs some work. Read more »
The Red Plastic Buddha – All Out Revolution (+mp3)
The Red Plastic Buddha oozes psychedelia on 'All Out Revolution.' Read more »
Los Campesinos! — Hello Sadness
The fourth studio album by Los Campesinos!, Hello Sadness isn't the overwrought, depressing work it purports to be — at least not on paper. Read more »
Album Review: Giant People – Giant EP (+mp3)
Madison-based Giant People put their heart into their scrap and if you give it a chance, it'll reveal more than just promise and charm. Read more »
Show Review: Haunted Heads + Charley & the Cynics + The Sleepwalkers at Reptile Palace
A New Years Eve show that captured the inherent energy of the night and started the year off right for all those involved. Read more »
Concert Review and Interview: Chris Koza of Rogue Valley
Frontman Chris Koza discusses all things Rogue Valley, concept albums included, in this exclusive interview. Read more »
The Roots — Undun
The Roots' latest album, Undun, is less an attack on an unfair society than a case study, an illustration of a person whom the system failed. Read more »
Best of 2011: T.J.’s Picks
We wrap up our Best of 2011 lists with the Editor-in-Chief's. There are some you probably hated, some you probably loved, and some you've probably never heard of. Check it out, and let us know what you thought the best albums of 2011 were. Read more »
Best of 2011: Scott’s Picks
I'm amazed that, despite this site now featuring five different writers, there's still plenty of items on year-end lists that we disagree about, or that are loved so dearly by some and only held lukewarmly by others. Read more »
Best of 2011: Steven’s Picks
Extensive is an understatement in describing Steven's list. Read more »
Best of 2011: Matt’s Picks
This year was an odd one easily but I find I'm more worried for rock's sake than for rap, which has been nothing but ground-breaking lately. Read more »
Best of 2011: Sam’s Picks
I always seem to be scrambling to listen to all the good music that’s coming out in a given year, along with everything I’ve missed from the years past, so I hope you’ll forgive me if my Best of 2011 list is lacking something that you think deserves to be... Read more »
Bon Iver Homecoming Performance- Dec. 12th
By the time the first dissonant guitar riff of “Perth” had been played, I knew that Justin Vernon and company had successfully exceeded my personal perception of what Bon Iver is capable of doing. Gone are the days of sparse, acoustic songs being written in isolation as a homemade remedy... Read more »
Hot Tracks: Sat. Nite Duets – “Way Behind My Age Group” (Download mp3)
The Milwaukee slacker-rockers drop the first single from their upcoming February release, 'Summer of Punishment.' Noticeable absent of naked dudes on the cover. Read more »
Fire On The Playground: Interview with Jamie of Xiu Xiu
In this video that we've been holding on to way too long, Jamie Stewart from Xiu Xiu tells us there's hope for the Xiu Xiu Hotline, what the three best kinds of tea/T are, and how many bear-shaped containers of honey he's gone through. Read more »
Album Review: Archie Powell & the Exports – Skip Work
A band capable of producing a high level of garage-rock fervor and deadpan lyrics has an exceptionally low probability of disappointing — don’t miss out on Archie Powell and the Exports. Read more »
Florence + The Machine — Ceremonials
Ceremonials, the sophomore album by Florence + The Machine, reaches grandiose levels of force. But it becomes clear that Florence Welch, having found this one powerful note, misses the potential subtleties in an otherwise successful album. Read more »
Album Review: Dessa – Castor, The Twin
Rappers, in the way of jewelry and style of dress or any image of that nature, can be found in any number of camps or scenes. However, when it comes to lyrical content, stage prescience, or anything regarding the music part, there two sides of a spectrum to work with:... Read more »
Latest items
The Midwestern Charm – The Midwestern Charm + mp3
The Wisconsin bands emerges with a debut album that finds everything perfectly in place. Read more »
Recommended Concerts: May 14 – 20, 2012
The Polyphonic Spree, The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, Reptar, La Sera, Mayer Hawthorne, Sat. Nite Duets, Xiu Xiu, Dirty Beaches, Here We Go Magic, Kele, Paper Thick Walls, The Hussy, Milo, JC Brooks, Surgeons in Heat, Kurt Vile and the Violators Read more »
Archie Powell & Exports – Great Ideas in Action + mp3
Archie Powell's back, and packs a bigger punch than ever with the Exports' latest release. Download "Metronome" in the review. Read more »
Chromatics – Kill for Love
The newest Chromatics album packs a fierce punch of high energy, chill vibes, and plenty of good songs. Read more »
Contest: Win to Tickets to This Saturday’s Plants and Animals Show in Madison
Win two tickets to the the Quebec indie rock trio's Saturday show at the Frequency in Madison. Learn how inside. Read more »
Recommended Concerts: May 7 – 13, 2012
Suckers, Justin Townes Earle, Poliça, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Ty Segall, Childish Gambino, Danny Brown, The Hussy, BadBadNotGood, Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Horse Feathers, Tenement, Saturday Looks Good to Me, St. Vincent, Electric Six, Maps & Atlases, Big Freedia & The Divas,Myles Coyne and the Rusty Nickel Band, ... Read more »
Interview: Caroline Smith
Caroline Smith talks about the Good Night Sleeps' new record, moving to the Cities, and why she loves Beyoncé. Read more »
The Gaslight Anthem Debut New Single, “45″
The Gaslight Anthem release the lead single off of their upcoming album, "Handwritten," due out July 24th. Read more »
Recommended Concerts: April 30 – May 6
The Drums, A Lull, Icarus Himself, Great Lake Swimmers, Field Report, Old 97's, Spiritualized, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Retribution Gospel Choir, M83, Neon Indian, Altos, Northless, Local H, Canopies, The Damn Choir, Paper Thick Walls, Suckers Read more »
Sat. Nite Duets – Summer of Punishment + mp3
Sat. Nite Duets offer up their latest Pavement-worshiping LP and capitalize on the things that make both bands so great. Read more »
St. Vincent – “Krokodil” b/w “Grot”
St. Vincent delivered on Record Store Day with an exquisite new 7". What were your favorite releases of the weekend? Read more »
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