1. Lincoln Hall is hosting Chicago’s very own Maps and Atlases, and they are good. Really good. In a night of electro pop and and dance music, Maps and Atlases provide an added bit of organic instrumentation into the mix. Sandwiched between fellow Chicagoans, the dance-tastic Gemini Club, and Minneapolis’s aptly named Solid Gold, Maps and Atlases should shine. Austin’s Voxtrot headlines.

2. Dancing not your thing? Yeah, me neither. Maybe big ass guitars will do the trick. In that case head over to Schubas for West Palm Beach’s Surfer Blood. Although, if you have been struggling trying to write songs and make it, maybe you won’t enjoy how easy these barely 20-somethings make it sound. There’s kind of an early 90′s Superchunk thing going on but with big old Weezer choruses if Weezer weren’t always winking at you. So go and be jealous, but maybe this will give you just the spark you need to really hone your skills. Or maybe you’ll hock your guitar and become a writer like me. Either way.

3. Tom Skilling says get out! I mean, that’s not a direct quote, but a high of 40 today should get rid of all that lingering dirty snow. Celebrate this little respite by getting on your bike (always wear your helmet, friends) and riding to one of your favorite local music hall establishments. It’s good for your soul. Take it from me, I have opinions.

Surfer Blood: 9:00 PM, Thursday, 1/14. Schubas. 18+. $15.

Voxtrot w/ Maps And Atlases: 9:00 PM, Thursday, 1/14. Lincoln Hall. 18+. $15.