I interviewed Sean Moeller from Daytrotter the other day, and one his many wry observations about the state of the music industry today was that far too many musicians can’t make a living on their music because they insist on living in Brooklyn or West Hollywood and can’t afford their multi-thousand dollar rents. Chicagoans don’t have that worry, as if you’re willing to have a roommate you can still score a decent place for $400 each. The lower cost of living leaves our creative types working less at shitty part-time jobs and working more on music, so it’s no wonder that some of the best independent releases of the year came straight outta the Second City. For the sake of interest, we’re excluding the major label types (your Wilcos, Kanyes, and Fall Out Boys, etc.), and sticking to the hard working up ‘n’ comers. Check ‘em out:

David Vandervelde/The Moonstation House Band (Secretly Canadian) - Though he’s since moved to New York, David was a Chicago resident when this 7-song gem was released in January. All of the swagger of T. Rex set against the orchestration of the Beatles and some out of this world production kept this record in heavy rotation on the Birdpod, and we’re looking forward to more hooks-for-days from David in 2008.

MP3: David Vandervelde - Jacket

Joe Pug/5 Music Songs (Viator) - I’ve said it before and I’ll bet I say it again - Joe Pug is the real deal. The kid’s got that weariness in his delivery that you can’t smoke or drink your way to, because it comes from somewhere deeper than the vocal chords. It’s the same gritty, spirited voice that made Hank I, Kurt Cobain, and Bob Dylan iconic. Watch for big things from this newcomer in ‘08.

MP3: Joe Pug - Hymn 101

Le Concorde/Suite (Le Grand Magistry) - I’m really into this band, and with good reason - it’s like the Postal Service meets Hall & Oates, and there can be nothing wrong with that. I’m really hoping the buzz around Stephen Becker & Co. continues to build in Chicago, as this is a band that treats its music not only as an art, but also as a science.

MP3: Le Concorde - I Want You Back

The Narrator/All That to the Wall (Flameshovel) - It’s probably impossible to capture the debaucherous shitstorm that is a Narrator show on tape, but All That to the Wall is the closest approximation yet. It’s a more-than-solid garage-y guitar record that’s resonated outside of our fair city, but we Chicagoans still hide a smirk to think that we get to see these guys leave it all on stage more often that the rest of you.

MP3: The Narrator - Surf Jew

Cracklin’ Moth/My Heart Is Leaking (self-released) - It’s sad to report, but the on-again, off-again togetherness of this tight alt-country pop band seems to be permanently off. It’s a shame, because I believe they were truly *right there,* and Matt Ammerman’s voice has a grain running through it that’s both desperate and the most beautiful thing you’ve heard all day.

MP3: Crackin Moth - My Heart Is Leaking

OFFICE/A Night at the Ritz (Scratchie/New Line) - In the interest of full disclosure, I work for the company that manages OFFICE, but I don’t work with them directly so I’ve got no qualms about including A Night at the Ritz on this list. Scott Masson has the pop melody chops of a Brill Building star and the band is always composed. The tight, dancey rock is undeniable catchy and indubitably cool.

MP3: OFFICE - The Ritz

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