A few Chicago music news bites

• Locally-based indie pop outfit Skybox have been pretty quiet of late following the release of their last album Morning After Cuts in 2010, but they've just resurfaced with a colorful video for the snappy track "Light."

• Gapers Block has a review and photos from Smith Westerns' Friday night set at Metro.

• Gapers Block also has an update from Canasta guitarist Jeremy Beckford, who comments on the band's uplifting experience on their first day in Mongolia (they are in the unlikely tour destination as part of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' Arts Envoy Program).

• In case you were wondering, former Chicagoan Liz Phair is a fan of Lana Del Rey. She defends the frequently-criticized overnight sensation in a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece.

• Chicago Mixtape is one year old! Celebrate with them by downloading this week's mix tape, featuring new music from Unicycle Loves You and Netherfriends, an unreleased Modest Mouse cover from Architecture and more. Also check out their anniversary show Saturday at Subterranean.