Indie Music 101 (6-11 Nov 2009).

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto, all for $10 or less. If I'm missing something you think I should list, or you have any comments, let me know. I star (*) shows that most interest me.

Like this list? Join my Facebook group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings. Subscribe to my podcast (or download the episodes) here, or through iTunes. The latest ones are here. Make sure to check the rest of my blog for show reviews and photos, giveaways, and downloads.

Just came back from the Gravity Wave CD release. Fun was had. Cake was eaten.

A few things to point out for this week: Spiral Beach are playing a couple shows this weekend to raise funds for their European tour. Wham City and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is on this weekend. It's "a 3.5 day DIY arts/music fest exhibiting the art, music, and culture of Baltimore art collective: Wham City." There you go. All the details are here. And “Make Some Noise” is on at the Toronto Public Library. Show listings included below. All the details are here.

FRIDAY (6 nov)

* The Billie Hollies and The Phonemes @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Jesse Levine and Nick Storring @ Holy Oak, 9:30pm, pwyc.

Spiral Beach (acousic) @ Repsycho (676 College St.), midnight, $5. All ages.

* The Gertrudes w/ Lake of Stew @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5. Music over by 11pm; dance party after.

The Unbelievers (CD release) Dirty Chinese Thieves, and DJ Vania @ Bovine, 9pm, $5.

* Catl w/ Bradley Boy (2 sets each, alternating) @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

Thank Funk It's Friday feat. The Ambassadors w/ The Backbone Beat @ The Silver Dollar Room, 8pm, $5.

* Steam Whistle Unsigned feat. The Coast, Great Bloomers, and Bloodshot Bill, w/ Gravity Wave DJs @ Steam Whistle Brewing (225 Bremner Blvd.), 8pm, $5. Proceeds to the Artists' Health Centre Foundation.

Late Night Live feat. Modernboys Moderngirls, Darlings of Chelsea, and Lemon Wilde (LA) @ The Silver Dollar Room, 10:15pm, $6.

The Matavaras, Black Diamond Bay, The Cunninghams (CD release), and Moondog Uproar @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, $6.

Carpenter, Clothes Make the Man, Farewell Cool Reason @ Sneaky Dee's, 8-11pm, $6.

Olaroks, Bella Clava, Revolvers, and George Casey @ Cameron House, 9pm, $6.

Postcards, The Easy Targets, The Hoa Hoas, and Volcano @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7.

Burn Down the Capital presents Shearing Pinx, Thrashed Genes, Ahna, and The Dead Are Those Who Have Died @ Teranga, 9pm, $7.

Stokka w/ Don Primo & Audible Entity @ The Rivoli, 9:30pm, $10.

Bastard Cult Death Child (CD release) w/ Burning Love, Crux of Aux, and Warcrimes @ Hard Luck (812 Dundas St. W.), 9pm, $? Free CD for first 100 people.

SATURDAY (7 nov)

Canaille Trio @ Holy Oak, 9pm, pwyc.

The Jessica Stuart Few @ Reposado, 10pm, $5.

* Make Some Noise concert feat. Bruce Peninsula and Timber Timbre @ North York Central Library (5120 Yonge St., North York Centre subway), 8pm, free.

Spiral Beach (acousic) w/ The People of Canada @ The Only Cafe (972 Danforth Ave.), 11pm, pwyc. 19+

Late Night Live feat. Micronite Filters, Danger Danger, and Bootleg Glory @ The Silver Dollar Room, 10:30pm, $5.

* Hand Drawn Dracula presents Off the International Radar (EP release) w/ Aidan Baker (Nadja) feat. Nick Storring & Tilman Lewis, Rabbit Season, and DJ Graham Walsh (Holy Fuck) @ The Garrison, 9pm, $7 (or $15 gets you the vinyl EP, too).

Saigon Hookers, Belljars, and Sometimes Why @ Bovine, 9pm, $5.

TWM/Sugar Fight Presents Cobra, The Vaudevillainaires, and Poisonous Glass @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6.

Book (Paul Norrish, CD release) w/ The Beekeeper's Society and Joanna (Anna Mernieks) @ The Cameron House, 9pm.

Travis Porter & We Got the Movement present Starring Janet Leigh, A Sin For A Prayer, Misguided Aggression, and more @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $7.

Canary Mine (CD Release) w/ Little Foot Long Foot & Vedette @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

Shook Ones, Make Do and Mend, We Are the Union, and Junior Battles @ The Poor Alex Theatre, 7:30pm, $10.

The Rest w/ Luke Nares, Pick A Piper, and The Passengers @ Polish Combatants Hall, 7:30pm, $10 (adv, $12 door). All ages, licensed.

SUNDAY (8 nov)

Jaron Freeman-Fox (EP release) w/ Emilyn Stam, Ben Whitely, and Dan Stadnicki @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 1-4pm, pwyc.

Evalyn Parry w/ Claire Jenkins @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5-7pm, pwyc.

Wavelength 488, a Round Robin, hosted by Drew and Niall w/Maylee Todd, members of Steamboat, Hooded Fang, Sports: The Band, Henri Faberge & the Adorables, Gravity Wave, and more @ The Garrison, 9pm, pwyc.

Jeremy Jay, Heaven (final show), Tropics, and Black Umbrella @ Wrongbar, 9pm, $7 (adv, $8 door).

MONDAY (9 nov)

Ashley Jane (CD release) @ Supermarket, 7:30-10pm, free.

TUESDAY (10 nov)

* Blue Rodeo w/ Julie Fader and Wayne Petti (Cuff the Duke) @ Diesel Playhouse (roof), 2:30pm, free. Blue Jays Way and Mercer Street will be closed to traffic so the people can gather below.

The Pink & Black Attack presents Forever Dead! and Rhythm & Blooze @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

Drool Lounge presents Jessica Stuart and Katey Morley @ Drool Lounge (198 Augusta Ave.), 9pm, pwyc

* Donlands & Mortimer w/ Heartbeat Hotel @ C'est What, 9pm, $5.

Josh Cockerill (CD release) @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm.

The Copyrights, The New Enemy, and The Roman Line @ Sneaky Dees, 9pm, $8.

Slate Pacific, The Commandeers, AM Glory, Temple Of Life, and Elias @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

WEDNESDAY (11 nov)

PWYC Weds feat. Cap Guns, The Slate Pacific, and Rebecca Ramone @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc.

Wednesdays Go Pop! feat. Quinzy, Michael Rault, and Gavin Slate @ Supermarket, 9pm, pwyc.

* Ian Blurton w/ Huron @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $7.

* Wax Mannequin & Black Blood w/ Rae Spoon and Mark Bragg & the Butchers @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

* Carl Wilson presents Songs for Jessie Presley feat. Joe Pernice, The Reveries, and D-Sisive @ The Music Gallery, 8pm, $9 (adv, $10 door). "A musical tribute to Berlin-based artist Candice Breitz's survey exhibition of art about twins, fans, pop culture, and identity. . . . [S]ome of Toronto's most exciting independent musicians unveil their artistic zygotes by playing covers of songs by their formative influences, alongside the clonings, mutations and deviations that are their own songs."

What's on tonight.

I'm running late as usual this week, so here's tonight. There's a LOT of great things happening, so get out there and be part of some of it if you can! I'm gonna try my best... curious about Grand Analog in a library, Gravity Wave w/ Gregory Pepper. Kate Maki is great, Cursed Arrows are fantastic, the Horseshoe Tavern lineup is stellar, Brian Borcherdt's (Holy Fuck) got a new band...

THURSDAY (5 nov)

460 Basement Show feat. Christian Bridges @ 460 Spadina Ave., 9pm.

* Make Some Noise concert feat. Grand Analog @ Toronto Public Library College/Shaw Branch (766 College St.), 8pm, free.

* Cursed Arrows (CD release), Tonka & Puma, and We're For Barton @ The Garrison, 9pm, pwyc.

* Kate Maki (CD release) w/ Doug Paisley @ The Cameron House, 9pm.

The Main Thing w/ Barbara Mamabolo @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, $5. Funk.

* Gravity Wave (CD release) w/ Gregory Pepper & his Problems and DJ Gabe Knox @ Teranga, 9pm, $5.

Hot Soup feat. Mike Gennaro & Kyle Brenders (free jazz), Diana Groenendijk & Suzanne Liska
of Flight Works collaborate w/ Neema Bickersteth (voice and movement), Anthony Bergamin (electro acoustic new opera), and Aurora Cowie & Brett Leier (alt. rock) @ Labspace Studio, 8pm, $5. This is a monthly "night of experimental sound and performance."

Field of Fur (feat. Brian Borcherdt), Dirty Inputs (feat. Aaron Dawson), and Vangel @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Cheddar Cheese & The Mousetraps w/ SerbSuperb (AKA Branko) @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

* Dog Day, Immaculate Machine, and The Balconies @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $10.

Sara Kamin and The Pigott Brothers (CD re-release) @ The Rivoli, 8:30pm, $10.

Ticket Giveaway: You Say Party! We Say Die! @ The Phoenix, 20 Nov.

My two favourite musical genres are folk and electro, or, more specifically, electro-pop and folk-rock. The last contest I brought you was folk and pop and quieter stuff, so it's only fitting that now I've got one that showcases my love of dancing (awkwardly).

Vancouver band You Say Party! We Say Die! are on tour, promoting their new album, XXXX. The first and only time I saw this band was during this year's NxNE festival at the El Mocambo. Though festival showcases aren't always the best measure of a band's performance prowess, YSP!WSD! didn't tone things down. Front-woman Becky Ninkovic is a serious presence on stage (and great vocalist), and the band's songs are catchy and danceable without being overly produced or all about the 80s.

YSP!WSD! are coming to Toronto on 20 November. They're bringing Montrealers Think About Life and Torontonians---and YSP!WSD! label-mates---Little Girls with them. (The inclusion of the Slim Twig-ish Little Girls means this is certainly not a standard dance band bill.)

Download: Little Girls, "Youth Tunes," (Concepts, 2009).
Download: Think About Life, "Set You On Fire" (Family, 2009).
Download: You Say Party! We Say Die!, "Laura Palmer's Prom" (XXXX, 2009).

Courtesy the MuseBox, I've got a pair of tickets to give away to this show! So, if you're 19+, going to be in Toronto that night, and want to party it up good, send me an email (historyjenATgmailDOTcom) with your full name in the body and "YSP!WSD!" in the subject line. Get that into me by 11:59pm on Monday, 16 November, and I'll let you know if you're a winner the next day.

Fine print: Steam Whistle presents You Say Party! We Say Die!, Think About Life, and Little Girls, w/ DJ Vaneska @ The Phoenix, Friday, 20 November, 9pm, $12 (adv).

Ticket / CD Giveaway: The Wooden Sky @ Lee's Palace, 13 Nov.

One of the country's top folk rock bands, the Wooden Sky, released their sophomore full-length album---If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone---this summer. (I liked it; still do.) To celebrate the release, the men went on the road, playing backyards, living rooms, rooftops, and other alternative spaces. Filmmaker Scott Cudmore went with them:

(Part 2 of the documentary is up here, and look for parts 3 and 4 later this month.)

Although the summer tour was fantastic for the bands and fans alike, and no doubt made every performance special in ways regular shows just can't be, it meant that fewer people could see the band perform than if they'd played in larger, more public venues. And that, I presume, is what this current tour is all about.

Torontonians can get their Wooden Sky fix on Friday, Nov 13 at Lee's Palace. They're bringing along local popsters Hooded Fang and the decidedly un-popy Brian Borcherdt, whose solo project bears little resemblance to his other musical endeavour, Holy Fuck. Each one of these acts alone would be enough to get me out of my pyjamas on a rainy night. In other words, good lineup. And now, thanks to me (read: not me), you can go to the show for free!

Courtesy the Musebox I've got two tickets and a copy of If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone on CD to give away to one lucky 19+, Toronto-residing reader. Want in on this? Email me your full name by 11:59pm on Tuesday, 10 Nov. I'll draw a random name and let you know if you're a winner the next day.

Download: The Wooden Sky, "Oh My God (It Still Means A Lot To Me)" (If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone, 2009).
Download: Hooded Fang, "Fall Leaves" (Hooded Fang, 2008).
Download: Brian Borcherdt, "Scout Leader" (Coyotes, 2008).

Fine print: The Wooden Sky, Hooded Fang, and Brian Borcherdt @ Lee's Palace, Friday, 13 November, 9pm, $12.50 (adv, $15 at the door).

-----

The Wooden Sky will be hitting up other towns in Ontario and Quebec this month. Be sure to go early for Evening Hymns' set. He---Jonas Bonnetta, that is---has a new record out himself. I think you'll like it, too.

7 Nov @ Phog Lounge (Windsor, ON) w/ Evening Hymns
13 Nov @ Lee’s Palace (Toronto) w/ Hooded Fang & Brian Borcherdt
14 Nov @ Absinthe (Hamilton, ON) w/ Evening Hymns
15 Nov @ Merchant Ale House (St. Catherines, ON) w/ Evening Hymns
20 Nov @ The Albion Hotel (Guelph, ON) w/ Evening Hymns
21 Nov @ The Montreal House (Peterborough, ON) w/ Evening Hymns
24 Nov @ Call The Office (London, ON) w/ Evening Hymns & Jenn Grant
26 Nov @ L’Agitee (Quebec City, QC) w/ Evening Hymns
27 Nov @ The Blacksheep Inn (Wakefield, QC) w/ Evening Hymns
28 Nov @ Club L’Ambi (Montreal, QC) w/ Evening Hymns & Jenn Grant

Shout out: The Wilderness of Manitoba.

[I originally prepared this for NxEW.ca's artist spotlight section.]

Toronto band the Wilderness of Manitoba got their start a year ago, but they're already getting recognized for their lush, melodic, nature-inspired folk songs. The band self-released their 8-song EP, Hymns of Love and Spirits, back in August. The release celebration was a two-parter: first, a rousing performance in a backyard garage; and then, a week later, a packed Sunday-night affair at indie hotspot Sneaky Dee's. Both events were thrilling for me, and for presumably most other people in the audiences. That a band can seem entirely appropriate---and sound amazing---in these two very different venues is, to me, a mark of something special.

With musical influences ranging from Joni Mitchell and other 60s folksters to hot American indie bands like Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver, or our own Great Lake Swimmers, the WOM create soundscapes that draw you in, make you feel at home, and leave you wanting more. It may not be the most original music you've ever heard, but the band's 4-part harmonies are beautiful and stick with you. Or, as Bob Battams just put it, "Folk bands are a dime a dozen these days, but this band's hotness factor lies in their ability to make a semi-tired genre sound fresh and beautiful again." (He listed the band fourth on his list of the hottest Canadian bands of 2009.) The voices---three men and one stunning female vocalist---are a key part of the band's sound. Guitar, ukulele, banjo, cello, bass, and a variety of percussion instruments round things out.

Here's my favourite track, "Evening." This song was originally written by lead man Will Whitwham's mother. (Her version, recorded in the 1960s, is included on the EP, too):

Download: The Wilderness of Manitoba, "Evening" (Hymns of Love and Spirits, 2009).

Look for a Wilderness of Manitoba full length in 2010. In the meantime, grab yourself a copy of the EP from CDBaby (or, if you're in Toronto, from Criminal Records, Soundscapes, or Sonic Boom) or download it from iTunes. (Look out for it on Zunior soon.) You won't regret it.

For more on the band, see the UK's Line of Best Fit, blogTO, and Shawn Clarke's two part interview here and here.Photo credit: Chromewaves' Frank Yang captured the band at a recent show at the Garrison in Toronto. From left: Stefan Banjevic, Will Whitwham, Sean Lancaric (behind the drum kit), Melissa Dalton, and Scott Bouwmeester.

Review: Julie Dorion, Herman Dune @ Lee's Palace.

Julie Doiron is one of the country's musical national treasures. Her unassuming demeanor, loveable cuteness, gorgeous voice, and ability to really rock out when called for are standouts of her live shows. Even more so is the fact that she makes each one feel unique in ways other performers are unable to match. Last Tuesday night's Toronto concert at Lee's Palace was no different. It was, to my mind, also one of the concerts of the year.

The show opened with Doiron's friend, Shotgun Jimmie, but his 8:30pm slot was under-advertised, and I missed it entirely. Next up, one-time Doiron collaborators Herman Dune, a Paris-based two-piece. (They were Julie's backing band for 2004's Goodnight Nobody.) Self-introduced as David Herman Dune (vocals and guitar) and Neman Herman Dune (drums), the band performed 11 songs; practically a headlining set. David's songs and singing style remind me of Jens Lekman. They are personal and a little chatty, kinda folky---or, "anti-folk," as they call themselves---but mostly popy. So, tailor made for me to fall in love with them (and I did when I saw them at Lee's back in March). It was a strong set, helped by Julie joining in singing duties for the last couple songs. I was impressed with the band's ability to really rock out given their instrumental limitations. The extended versions of the songs they performed were great, and really got the crowd revved up for the main event. In fact, the post-performance cheering was unlike anything I've heard before for a mid-show band: long and loud with many shouts of "encore!" It was not to be.

Happy that my earlier comments to show-going friends that "Herman Dune is great, you'll like them" had proven true, I was hoping for great things from Julie. And that's what I got. She was backed that night---and that night only, so she said---by the Baird brothers: Jesse on drums and Jay on bass. Other guests included Constantines' Will Kidman and Shotgum Jimmie on electric guitar. Quite the impressive lineup. A friend standing behind me was giddy with excitement; this was more than she could have hoped for. The only thing missing (for me) was Julie's musical partner Fred Squire, but she performed two of his songs, including the brilliant "Spill Yer Lungs."

Julie, Will, and the Baird Brothers performed 10 songs for us, rocking them up good. We got a string of hits, including new ones off her most recent record, I Can Wonder What You Did with Your Day. My favourite off the new record, "Tailor," made it in there. Then the men left the stage, and Julie sang and strummed 6 more. She took audience requests, performing rather more, I think, than perhaps she'd planned. She asked at one point whether she could play a new one for us, seeming apologetic for wanting to do so. Oh Julie, you're so cute. And then Jesse---who's gotta have the best drum face in the business---and Jay came back on-stage. "Jimmers" was invited up too, for an impromptu figure-it-out-as-we-go-along jam session to perform 4 more songs. On a couple occasions Jesse knocked both drum mics off their stands, he was hitting the symbols so forcefully. The whole thing was really something else. I was counting songs, the good reviewer that I am, and so was aware that we were getting rather more than normal. Julie's tunes run shorter than most, but still. The show ran the gamut from soft and sweet (and nearly heart-breaking) to hard-rocking awesomeness. As I left the venue, I overheard one bouncer comment to another, "An hour 45 [minutes]---fans got their money's worth." Indeed. Wow.

Download: Julie Doiron, "When Brakes Get Wet" (I Can Wonder What You Did with Your Day, 2009).
Download: Julie Doiron, "Consolation Prize" (I Can Wonder What You Did with Your Day, 2009).

Photo credit: Adam M. Anklewicz. Thanks Adam!

Podcast 54 (22-28 Oct 09) feat. the Schomberg Fair.

Tyler and I met up with Matt, Nate, and Pete from the Schomberg Fair at a rehearsal space earlier this week to talk about their new record (Gospel - out now!), their upcoming tour, and so they could play us a song. Plus other stuff: how the band classifies their sound, Nate's worst performance experience, the band's plans for the future, and more. Featuring songs by the Schomberg Fair ("Angel's Wings"), Everything All the Time ("I Get So Hot"), Make Your Exit ("Kids"), the Schomberg Fair ("Trouble Will Soon Be Over" [live recording]), Sprengjuhöllin ("Worry till Spring"), and Sky Larkin ("Smarts").

The Schomberg Fair celebrate the release of Gospel on Saturday at the El Mocambo. Also performing at their friends the Unsettlers (and 11-piece band from Montreal) and the Speaking Tongues, on first at 10pm. Cover is $8 at the door, and you'll be able to buy the new record for only $7 more. I hear there will be some surprises....

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Indie Music 100 (22-28 Oct 2009).

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto, all for $10 or less. If I'm missing something you think I should list, or you have any comments, let me know. I star (*) shows that most interest me.

Like this list? Join my Facebook group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings. Subscribe to my weekly podcast (or download the episodes) here, or through iTunes. Or just listen to the latest one, and all the other ones, at Zygiella. Make sure to check the rest of my blog for show reviews and photos, giveaways, and downloads.

Last weekend was pretty hard to beat, show-wise, but now we've got another week with some options. Lots of top-notch yet inexpensive shows on offer, all for the low price of $10 or less. Take something in if you're able! I'm still trying to figure out my schedule, and it just might depend on my mood each day. As usual, the shows I'm most recommending have stars attached to them. But I'd probably be happy to be at nearly anything on this list. Toronto is awesome.

A couple other things to mention: There a 2-day Metalfest @ Duffy's Tavern on Friday and Saturday. More details here. This is billed as "2 Days Of Dinge & Destruction."
For more on the Music Gallery's X Avant New Music Festival, check the MG's website. I've got a few of the "late night series" shows listed below.

THURSDAY (22 oct)

* Pamela Brennan, Chris Staig, and Andrew Vincent @ The Press Club, 10pm.

* The Gladstone Hotel & Blocks Recording Club present Thursday Night Confidential feat. The Pining and Emma McKenna @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 10pm, free.

Download: The Pining, "Life Ain't Fair" (The Pining, 2009).

Peter James Project w/ The Histrionics @ Mitzi's Sister, 9:30pm, no cover.

* Rah Rah, Michou, and The Gramercy Riffs @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $5.

The Disciplines (feat. Ken Stringfellow) w/ Husk @ Velvet Underground, 8:30pm, $8.

X Avant Late Night Series I feat. Shearing Pinx, Black Feelings, Actual Water, Ahna, and Weirding Module @ The Garrison, 9pm, $7.

TWM presents Pumps, Other People (formerly We're For Barton), and The Dropjoys @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Rival Boys, Rat Tail, guest, and DJ Christian Dagger @ The Boat, 8pm, $10-$5 donation. Proceeds go to the Farley Foundation.

Mighty Popo @ Hart House (Arbor Room), 9pm, free.

We Have Band w/ Young Empires (feat. Matthew from GoldenGirls) @ Wrongbar, 7-10pm, $10.

* The Untold City presents OPOPO, Kidstreet, Adolf Glitter, Young Flux, more @ Wrongbar, 10pm, $7.

Pop Goes the Ossington feat. The Dank, Littlefoot Longfoot, and Blue Venus @ The Ossington, 9pm, $5.

Tiger Bar Groove! feat. Bravestation, The Playground Hookers, Datura, Triceratops, and Saskatoon Guitar Destroyer @ Tiger Bar, 9:30pm (start), $10 (or 2 tix for $11 total). Join this group and get in for $7 or two for $8.

FRIDAY (23 oct)

Beansprout Series presents Barn Owl, Big City Nights, and Alex Kalmar @ 1307 Bloor St W, 8pm, pwyc. All ages. Proceeds to Bloor Landsdowne Christian Fellowship's community programming.

Download: Barn Owl, "Concerning The Jane & Finch Murders."

Lana Laro w/ Brent "The Driller" Miller @ Holy Joe's, 9pm.

* No Shame presents Everything All The Time (EP Release), Whale Tooth, Mike Duguay @ The Drake Hotel, 8-11pm, $7. Dance!

Download: Everything All The Time, "Losing My Mind" (Everything All The Time, 2009). This is a great EP.

Mutters (tape release) and Rocket Reducers @ 751 (751 Queen West), $5, ($2 tapes).

Practice Halloween Party feat. Parks & Rec, Ginger & Irene, and The Bootleg Glory @ The Legion/Canadian Corps Headquarters, $7 (or $5 w/ costume).

Murder Ford Monument (CD release) w/ The Jing Bang Show, StereoGoesStellar, and 1977 @ Rancho Relaxo, 8:30pm, $5.

The Goodluck Assembly, Make Your Exit, and Corduroy @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $8.

Download: Make Your Exit, "Kids" (Remind Me the Reason I Came, 2009).

Slowcoaster w/ guests @ Lee's Palace, 9pm, $10.

SATURDAY (24 oct)

The Framework and Rikers @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8-11pm, $5. Should be fun.

Vilipend, Kosmograd, and Orn @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5. Oh my.

Mt. Royal and Colourbook @ Rearview Mirror, 9pm, $5. I've seen and like Mt. Royal in the past. Great band.

Winhara and Sprengjuhöllin @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10. A band from Iceland!

Download: Sprengjuhöllin, "Worry till Spring."

X Avant Late Night Series 3 feat. Sightings, Trashed Genes, Panopticon Eyelids, and 10,000 Watt Head @ The Garrison, 9pm, $7.

GutBustALooga feat. The Bring Back Swayzes, Fashion Tips, B'MO Crazy, and High Heels Lo Fi @ The Poor Alex (772A Dundas St W), 8:30pm, $5. Promises to be ridiculous (in a good way).

* The Schomberg Fair (CD release) w/ The Unsettlers and The Speaking Tongues @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $8 ($15 and you get the new album too). Yes!!

Download: The Schomberg Fair, "Trouble Will Soon Be Over" (Gospel, 2009). This is one of the slower tracks on the album, and my current favourite.

SUNDAY (25 oct)

Benefit concert feat. The Better Vistas Tango Quintet, Nigel's Angels (flute, viola, and harp trio), and the performance of a new Canadian composition by Darren Miller @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge, 2-4pm.

Holy Folk! feat. R. Mirsky, Brodie Dakin, and A.V.H. @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

* X Avant Late Night Series 4 / Wavelength 486 feat. Stop Die Resuscitate, Danger Bay, Terror Lake, and JR Hill (Winnipeg), w/ General Chaos Visuals, DJ Michael J Brown, and host Doc Pickles @ The Garrison, 9pm, pwyc ($5-$10 suggested).

* Gather Round Season 3 premier feat. Hamilton Trading Co. and The Strumbellas @ The Boat, 9pm, pwyc. These are always lovely acoustic-like evenings.

We, The Firemakers (CD release); The Love & Terror Cult; Vilipend; Kosmograd; and Justin Zoltek (The Knockouts) & friends @ Sneaky Dees, 9pm, $8.

The Peace Leeches, Sprengjuhöllin, and The Archives @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6. Again: Iceland!

MONDAY (26 oct)

* Fucked Up Weekend Pre-Party feat. Lovvers (UK), Vicious Cycle, School Jerks, and First Base @ The Garrison, 9pm, $8 (adv). Look for more FU Weekend shows next week.

Gloryhound, Two Crown King, and Homefront @ Horseshoe, 8:30pm, free.

* Engage Concerts presents Awesome New Republic w/ Invasions and The Best @ Velvet Underground, 8:30pm, $8 (adv).

TUESDAY (27 oct)

Diemonds, The Blakes, Kobra & the Lotus, and the Black Rainbows @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Lisa Marie Kruchak / Aimee Rochard, Joy Thompson, and Evan Symons @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc.

TWM presents Great Dane, Minto, and Carnival Moon @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm $5.

Download: Minto, "Burnt Down Trainbridge Blues (Lawyers)" (Lay It On Me, 2009).

* The Bronzed Chorus (Greensboro, NC), Antarctic (Jacksonville, FL), Sleep for the Nightlife, and Reverse Mount Rushmore @ Siesta Nouveaux, $5/pwyc.

WEDNESDAY (28 oct)

Shotgun Jimmie (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 7pm, free. All ages.

* Wednesdays Go Pop! feat. Yukon Blonde, The City Streets, and Leif Vollebekk @ Supermarket, 9pm, pwyc.

Trixx, Cry Angel, The Snipes, and The Johnnys @ Horseshoe, 8:30pm, $4.

Reid Jamieson @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $7.

The City Streets, Touch Me Airborne Plague, and Cedar @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

* Peggy Sue, Sky Larkin, and William Delray @ Cameron House, 9pm, $5. A couple of good UK acts.