These four friends have spent the past three years developing the odd blend of indie dance-rock, alternative and electronica that is Common Anomaly. While the group’s numerous influences range all the way from The Mars Volta to Daft Punk, their sound ultimately falls somewhere among the likes of Foals, Minus The Bear, and The Faint. Their polished, high-energy live performances have earned them a growing loyal fanbase and a regular schedule of shows all over the Colorado Front Range, where they can frequently be seen with fellow up-and-comers The Photo Atlas, The Epilogues, and The Knew, as well as such national acts as Royal Bangs and Bear Hands. Common Anomaly’s sophomore album “Iridium” (mixed/mastered at the legendary Blasting Room Studios) was released March 2011, and a summer tour with is in the works.

Headed by Neal Alger, who’s known in Chicago music circles primarily for his jazz guitar work, Needles in the Red is a new project that melds the visceral nature of rock with some of the harmonic sophistication of jazz. Add some thoughtful lyrics and a few of the most versatile musicians in the city and you have the power quartet Needles in the Red. Alger and drummer Eric Montzka of Needles have toured the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Brazil performing jazz together but this project represents a return to their musical roots of rock and pop. Bassist Dan Thatcher has been involved with bands such as Diana and the Dishes and curates the Eyes and Ears Music Series in Wicker Park. The newest addition to Needles is lead/rhythm guitarist Zoey Witz who has led bands that have shared the stage with Foreigner, Poison, Travis Tritt, and the Spinners.

Fletcher Rockwell is an American rock band from Chicago formed in 2009. With a classic heartland sound steeped in the grit and charm of their hometown, the group quickly built a loyal following on the strength of their raucous live shows.

The band’s new EP, Still Searching, finds them conjuring the spirit of early Tom Petty and the ragged honesty of artists like Wilco and The Replacements. In ‘’Scorpion Woman’’ and ‘’Too Late,” frontman Mike Nutt shares tales of love won and lost like a young Ryan Adams, and the band hits a sweet spot between No Depression-style rock and 70’s AM gold. A full LP is due in 2013, and judging from the band’s recent shows and latest release, it’s highly anticipated.