Local psychpop troubadour Shawn Rosenblatt of Netherfriends mentioned back in June that he was planning to release an album comprised of Harry Nilsson samples. Earlier this month, he delivered. And he’s hit us with a few extra surprises since. more ›

For two acts whose names are so quickly spreading, Ornery Little Darlings and Netherfriends can be hard to catch live - both seem to prefer little-known, DIY spaces over commercial venues and both have been away touring as of late. But tomorrow night, these local favorites come together for a free show in the intimate confines of the Empty Bottle. more ›

Last April, Shawn Rosenblatt of solo psychedelic pop act Netherfriends gave up his day job and Chicago apartment and set off on the "50 Songs 50 States" tour, a year-long project with the objective of writing and recording one song in every state. He’s been trekking the U.S. since, staying with friends and fans and letting each new environment influence his songwriting process. Well, it’s been nearly a year now, and with the tour nearing a conclusion, Netherfriends is preparing to drop the first recording from the project, Angry East Coast. more ›

With records like EP Calling You Out and last year’s full-length Barry And Sherry, locals Netherfriends have specialized in whimsical, guitars-and-synth-driven psychedelic-pop. But even at the band's poppiest, there’s always been an undercurrent of atmospheric, whirring soundscapes in their highly melodic sound. If you've ever wondered what Netherfriends might sound like after putting those soundscapes in a cryogenic freezer, you've got your answer. On New Years' Day, Netherfriends released Alap, an ambient, drone-heavy departure that they put out through Bandcamp for free. more ›

It seems Netherfriends are inexhaustible. The local psych pop act just returned home from touring the East Coast and Midwest and is already hitting the stage hard in Chicago. They performed at Viaduct Theater last night, but if you didn’t make that show, no biggie, because they have a handful of more intimate shows lined up for the near future. more ›

Chicago’s Netherfriends hold a special place in our hearts. Since Shawn Rosenblatt started the psych-pop project back in 2007, we’ve witnessed it thrive from just a struggling, little-known local secret to the notable indie act it is today. So naturally we’ve been pretty psyched about the release of their debut LP, Barry and Sherry. But the new album doesn’t seem to be getting the attention we expected. Maybe this is because it’s so easy for a digital-only release to get lost in the endless sea of online music. more ›

Chicago's musical landscape is ripe with indie bands who've built their careers and found success and acceptance on the city's streets and stages. There's a certain charm involved in watching a band blossom from obscurity, finding new fans in the faces populating your favorite local haunts and hangouts. Formed in 2007, and with a recent Daytrotter session and a new EP titled Calling You Out to their credit, Chicago indie folk pop act the Netherfriends are one step from full blown notoriety, savoring an endearing balance of critical praise and humble show hustling. more ›