If it seems like cute, sweet Twin Cities indie-pop band Now, Now – formerly Now, Now Every Children – dropped off the local radar of late, that's because the trio has been busy elsewhere. The group signed a deal last year with Trans- Records, the new label run by Death Cab for Cutie guitarist and veteran producer Chris Walla. Then it went and traveled 1,800 miles to Vancouver to record with producer Howard Redekopp, who previously worked with Tegan and Sara, New Pornographers and the underrated An Horse.

All of this work abroad will finally come to a head around South by Southwest time in mid-March, when Trans- will release Now, Now's second full-length album, "Threads." The first single from the record, "School Friends," debuted online today and is posted below. Just before heading to SXSW, the band will play a hometown, all-ages release party at 7th Street Entry on March 13. After SXSW, it will hit the road for a monthlong trek opening for the Naked and the Famous.

Formed around 2008 while its members were still at Blaine High School, the trio -- singer/guitarists Cacie Dalager and Jess Abbott and drummer/keyboardist Brad Hale – previously released an EP and full-length album for local indie imprint Afternoon Records. It was that Afternoon album, "Cars," that reportedly caught the attention of Walla -- recommend by none other than fellow indie-rock vet John Vanderslice, according to the band. In the promo bundle for the new album, Dalager says, "We killed ourselves over 'Threads.' That sounds dramatic, but everything about it was excruciating in a good way."

Can't wait to feel the pain.

Now, Now: School Friends by Trans Records