If you've ever been to a Retribution Gospel Choir show, you know there's typically a point about two-thirds of the way through the show when the band switches from playing their punchy, hooky heavy rock songs and unravels into an extended jam. And if you're in the mood for an extended jam, it's typically a high point of their show, as frontman Alan Sparhawk leads the band through feedback-laden peaks and valleys. The band decided to capitalize on their ability to improvise with one another by recording two of their longest and jammiest songs for a new full-length album, which is due out on January 22 on burgeoning Duluth imprint Chaperone Records. As Alan Sparhawk of RGC and Low tweeted last night, the album will be "2 songs, 42 minutes." 

Retribution Gospel Choir drummer Eric Pollard has also been quite busy with his solo project, Actual Wolf. On the heels of last night's announcement from RGC, Pollard added that he's also heading into the recording studio to record his first Actual Wolf full-length LP. The recording will take place at Sacred Heart, which is housed inside a converted church in Duluth, and will be helmed by Sparhawk. As Pollard puts it, "there is a lot of music coming out in 2013 from the northern crew." Catch Actual Wolf live (and maybe hear some of those new songs?) when he performs as part of First Avenue's Best New Bands showcase on January 11.

Philidelphia-based party-rock quintet Free Energy (which is now almost entirely comprised of Minnesota natives) have released another track off their sophomore album. Love Sign is due out January 15, 2013, on the band's own Free Energy Records, and today they announced that anyone who pre-orders the record will receive a free download of the track "Street Survivor." The band will be in town promoting the new release on January 26 at the Turf Club.

Stream the track right here. Dudes have that whole "anthemic" thing on lock.

A North American tour is expected to follow in late 2013.

And a few more notes:

• NME has a list of 20 things you didn't know about Purple Rain, the film. It was originally called Dreams?

• The internet pretty much decided that Solange (Knowles, a.k.a. Beyonce's sister) is SO HOT RIGHT NOW and should be awarded a blue ribbon for her performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Better watch what everyone's talkin' bout here.