There’s a bit of a mystery surrounding Toronto prog rock band Vast Robot Armies. Are they space-robots? or something? Their latest record “Little Creatures” out early this month is an epic adventure. “Revenge For Nerds” sets the tone with some space-aged guitars that guide you through the intergalactic journey on the Vast Robot Armies spaceship. The vocals remind me a bit of the Meat Puppets with more of a rounded edge. This record will keep your head in the clouds wondering where you’re going to end up next. And that is the question…when will Vast Robot Armies appear for a live show in Toronto? Like their facebook page and download their record and the message will arrive when the planets have aligned. Whoa.-Kris “Big City” Gies

Yet another poll hath gone, and the people have spoken: Wildfires is your Austin Deli Artist of the Month, coming in hard with a big push in the last few days that rocketed them straight into first. We've got a pretty good idea where Wildfires' roaring race to the win got its fuel, as this dreamy and deceptively-named indie outfit had a recent EP release at Cheer Up Charlies on March 11. Wildfires has transitioned over the years from a more acoustic-heavy American roots sound to poppy indie with a hazey shoegaze bent, which is what you'll get from single "Sad Wolverine" off the new EP and found below. The digital release of the album is said to be available soon, and we think it's a pretty cool coincidence that the band was able to time its release to match so perfectly with the weather, as this airy indiepop entry goes quite lovely with the light spring weather we've got in Austin right now. We suggest making Wildfires your spring soundtrack for all the hours of driving about looking for parking you're about to do this fest, so get listenin' and happy goddamn SX, y'all.

Usually when I hear the words “Western Massachusetts”, I think of an imaginary land populated by a few hippies and raging-drunk college students. After hearing California X’s new record, Nights in the Dark, I’ll be holding Western MA in much higher regard from now on. Super-tight riffs, crunchy guitars--these guys pull off a great metal/punk sound that’s versatile enough to appeal to punks, metal-heads and laid-back rockers alike. My favorite track is "Hadley, MA," with is slow, churning riffs and Pavement-esque feel. This song captures the band’s grit, but with added hints of lo-fi pop-punk that I find really appealing.

For more info on California X (and to see a list of their upcoming 2015 tour dates), check out their Facebook page.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

“It’s heavier on guitar and there are few synthesizers” says Chang Won Chang about his newest project, Perihelion. “It’s like a caveman diet.” Chang, known on stage as Dr Neanderthal, says his creative process is much like the prehistoric nature of the paelo diet- heavy on the proteins and light on the carbs.

Chang’s five- track album is audibly dark and primitive, influenced by the ambient sounds of Brian Eno and 90's drum & bass. Chang doesn’t sing, but rather howls and echoes his lines. Lyrically, the album is based on the theme of perihelion - the point in orbit in which the Earth is closest to the sun. “Life is a cycle, and sometimes it can be really intense,” explains Chang. “And that intensity is different for different people.” So in his songs, the subject matters are left up to the interpretations of his listeners. “The songs can be about love or even your job.”

The D.C. based musician is currently working on a brighter, "poppier" album he is hoping to release next year. For now, take a listen to the unique sounds of Dr Neanderthal’s Perihelion below. -- Sade A. Spence