The Laureates don't seem to believe in taking things easy. They just celebrated the release of their new EP No Knotrol over the weekend, and they're currently amidst a run of releasing a free MP3 cover song to fans every month throughout 2010. January found them putting their own spin on The Velvet Underground's "I Can't Stand It" and February's offering was the creeping Breeders nugget "Do You Love Me Now." more ›

The Laureates tell us there are no more gentlemen, least of all themselves. So why does their music make us feel like we’re headed to the "Enchantment Under the Sea" dance and they'll keep their damn hands off us? With tunes that make us snap along, this foursome puts audiences in a time machine with an early 60s-inspired sometimes punky, sometimes toe-tapping poppy, indie rock sound. Their album interweaves old school harmonized backup vocals and the practically forgotten end-of-song fadeaway, but like recycled fashion, these retro elements are made new again when paired with a bit of hard-edged modern grit. more ›

The early 90's Riot Grrrl movement in Los Angeles and Minneapolis proved concretely that even though we like to paint our nails and smell nice, sometimes a girl just needs to rock. Girls Rock! Chicago camps are a non-profit organization offering area young ladies the opportunity explore self-expression through traditionally rock-oriented instruments and arrangements. It's a killer concept and one we wish had existed in suburban Wisconsin when we were slogging through our formative years. more ›

The Laureates pen '60s inspired pop with a new millennial sensibility. That is to say that while they wear their influences proudly on their buttoned lapels, they still sound utterly modern. Their forthcoming full-length, There Are No More Gentlemen, is all syncopated strumming and lackadaisical melodies, equal parts paisley and punk. more ›