By Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Dec 11, 2007 at 8:00 AM

The OnMilwaukee.com / WMSE Local Music Podcast has the blues this week, but it's not sad about it. Check out a new album from Hounds Tooth -- and a CD release party to boot. There's plenty happing in the music world this week in Milwaukee, so tune in, listen up and get out there. Enjoy.

The Hearts of Stone are back on the scene with a new, self-titled album that comes artfully boxed inside a tin case. Fancy packaging aside, this album is fantastic -- just have a listen to "The Ship" on this podcast. Then, go check out the band live this Thursday at the Cactus Club, opening for Headlights.

Milwaukee blues group Hounds Tooth also has a new record. The self-titled debut surfaced last Saturday, but will be officially celebrated this Friday, at the Paramount Restaurant in Grafton. Look for an interview with guitar player J.D. Optekar tomorrow on OnMilwaukee.com.

Singer-songwriter Mike Mangione is no stranger to Linneman's Riverwest Inn -- that's where he officially released his "Tenebrae" earlier this fall. See the soulful singer play this Friday, with his band.

And picking up the pace of this podcast is China Pig, a raucous band playing the almighty Derrick's Moustacheo Basheo with Bingo Christo and The Assh*le Two at Stonefly Brewing Co. this Saturday. Show starts at 10 p.m. and keep in mind that "free moustache rides while supplies last" really means free pale ale.

Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.

As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”