Scrambler Seequill announce their debut LP "Secret Passageways" on Layered Records, and are offering four free downloads from the album. Accompanying the downloads is the debut music video for "One Design", produced, directed and visually designed by Seequill - which was made with a $200 budget - and as much invested in beer and coffee.

Frenchkiss/Mom+Pop Records just announced the signing of Freelance Whales - who packed the house at our CMJ Saturday afternoon party at the Delancey. The band will leave on a winter tour with Fanfarlo and play Webster Hall on December 18.

On Saturday December 5 local music blog Guilt Free Pleasures is presenting an intimate night of folk/alt-country performances at a private art space in Brooklyn, NY, featuring fine Brooklyn folkster  Reverend John Delore among others. His blues-tinged alt-country rumbles with wistful tales of yearning. His gritty vocals have been likened to those of Hayes Carll, Mason Jennings and Steve Earle. Full line up and more info about this even can be found here.

A musician since the age of 3, Elaine Lachica first knew she wanted to be a singer when she heard Liz Fraser sing “Blue Bell Knoll” by the Cocteau Twins. It was then she started songwriting, and she hasn’t stopped since. "I think I Can See the Ocean" is her third full-length, and her first label-backed one. The release is scheduled for February 23 on Stunning Models On Display Records. Contributing musicians on the album include drummer Mark Stepro (Ben Kweller), bassist Rob Calder (Ari Hest), guitarist Aaron Lee Tasjan (New York Dolls), a string quartet led by violinist Rob Moose (Sufjan Stevens, Antony and the Johnsons) and brass section led by trumpeter Jon Mizrachi (Essie Jain).