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Nate Manic

Nate Manic may not have a Soundcloud, Bandcamp, or Wikipedia page, but he does have one helluva following. (And a Facebook page.) With influences ranging from Radiohead to Aretha Franklin and regular DJ gigs at Crobar and Smart Bar, Manic worked his way up from being a Madison, Wisconsin dance music favorite to music director of Smart Bar. He’s had the chance to perform with DJs like Kaskade, Derrick Carter, and a host of young talent that flows in and out of the Metro basement every day. As for his music, Manic’s house mixes maintain a prodigious funk element with a minute dash of trance in well-placed areas. Some of his sets are posted on his PodOmatic profile and on YouTube, but if you want the full effect, you’ll have to go see for yourself. (Appearing at Smart Bar on November 30) –text: Lisa Mrock

World/Inferno Friendship Society

As one of the classiest power bands to ever take the stage, WIFS blends ska, punk and alternative with as much effortless movement as a waltz. Sincere in their lyrics and voices, they sound a little like Grant Lee Buffalo with less whining and more nuance. Even with all their lineup turnover, they maintain glorious consistencies in their sound that pay homage to the ‘80s a la Talking Heads, They Might Be Giants and Madness. As many as 10 members pile on stage with a totally unified sound that doesn’t get too garish or disjointed like some other large bands can, as if they’re trying to show you just how big and just how loud they can get. This is a veteran band with much to offer in the way of dancing, audience engagement and good old-fashioned ska club joy — without all that pretentious bad boy image bullshit getting in the way of one damn fine rock show. (Appearing with O’Death at Reggie’s Rock Club on November 29) –text: Carrah Bechtel

Mimosa

With the rise of popularity in electronic music, particularly live EDM festivals, it’s pretty easy to get lost in all the choices and options. Yet everyone who saw him headlining Wicker Park Fest 2011 knows that Mimosa can deliver a carpet-bomb-style bass drop dubstep attack. This, combined with his stealthy ninja-esque approach to amping-up and remixing pop music into his set, make Mimosa’s live performance a necessary experience for dance music enthusiasts. However, lumping Mimosa in with the dubstep genre is tricky because it conjures up images of annoying crowds overindulging in energy drinks and screaming obnoxiously. Thankfully, Mimosa’s recorded material does not reflect this. Instead, it showcases his ability to womp and wobble with style while still being able to create surreal alternate universes with ease and precision. Nothing annoying about that. (Appearing with The Cool Kids and Cosmic Revenge at the Congress Theater on November 24) –text: Ian Jones

Volcanoes Make Islands

Volcanoes Make Islands seems a proper name for this Chicago quartet as they employ their scattered interests to build an explosive sound. The various band members’ tastes in music range from Radiohead to Tyler the Creator and Zeppelin, building a heady mix of gritty indie rock with a gripping psychedelic flair. Crunchy distortions and ambient backgrounds combine in lush waves that never fail to make you get up and move, either to bounce along with the beat or drift around your living room in a purple haze. Volcanoes Make Islands has been releasing tracks since 2009, but newly released album Museum of Endangered Sound is their first full-length effort. As a long-standing fixture on the Chicago indie scene, the band bounces between dance- and folk-tinged tunes effortlessly and without comment as they continue to shake things up with their offbeat brew of eclectic rock fusion. (Appearing with The Field Auxiliary at Schubas on November 23) –text: Jasmyn Martin

Nate Manic

World/Inferno Friendship Society

Mimosa

Volcanoes Make Islands

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