My extended weekend.

I went to see Slim Twig---bizarre, then awesome; Miracle Fortress---different than expected, with wonky sound, but good; and Born Ruffians---fun, even if I had to leave part of the way through their set at Lee's Palace on Saturday night. I met Paul and some of the kids from Ruby Coast and this guy, all whom were up at the front. I was, for most of the night, front row centre. It was a fun time. The crowd seemed a bit sparse (for a sold out show, probably due in large part to the TTC strike), but once the headliners came on everyone moved forward and it felt much more like a proper rock concert.

Maybe a third of the way through Born Ruffians's set, I had to dash off to the Horseshoe. I had hoped to see everything, but the show wasn't running on time, and I'd promised The Schomberg Fair guys that I'd make an appearance at their CD release party. I got there at the right time, and had a fantastic end to my night. It was a shame I had missed Tin Bangs, but MB danced hard enough for the both of us. And then he walked me home (again). Stupid strike!

The strike continued to cramp my style and make my feet hurt on Sunday since I had to hike down to Kensington Market for an afternoon birthday party. A clump of us celebrants then made our way to Soundscapes to catch the Born Ruffians's in-store performance. I missed most of it, but had a good time chatting with QuadB and Tom the teenage scenester as the guys were setting up. KH and I had ice cream down the street while they played. It was lovely.

The rest of my day was taken up with more walking, dinner with a historian friend of mine, and then Gather Round at the Boat. The music---especially Malcolm Bauld and Hamilton Trading Co.---and company was amazing! I had a blast, and everyone there seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her- or himself too. I even got up the nerve to finally introduce myself to LV. The strike ended Sunday afternoon/evening, so I was able to get home safely and relatively cheaply.

Monday morning I got up early so MB and I could drive down to Pittsburgh to catch Woodhands play the last show of their North American tour. Yes! It was a total blast. It being the whole two-days we were on the road, hanging out with PB and DW, and checking out MB's old haunts. It was fascinating to catch a glimpse of the music scene in a much smaller city. Although MB and I are so completely not uber hipsters here in Toronto, we were pretty nearly the coolest kids at the Monday night show. It was strange. The Pittsburghers kinda didn't know what to make up us. Especially when Woodhands started playing and we let loose. Funny.

And now it's Wednesday and I haven't managed to do any dissertating yet this week. Life keeps getting in the way. But I'll get back to it in short order . . . or, well, maybe next Tuesday, once I'm back from San Francisco. Ah, life. It's so fun sometimes!

Pittsburgh, Woodhands.

I'm off to Pittsburgh to see Woodhands tonight. MB and I are driving down . . . because clearly we are crazy superfans! It's gonna be fun.

I'll have to tell you about that and my super fun Saturday and Sunday when I come back.

And Pittsburghers, if you are reading this, you should go to the show tonight at Garfield Artworks. Woodhands are opening for Ra Ra Riot.

Indie Music 33.

Like this list? Join my Google Group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings.

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though with a preference for listing those happening at venues I especially like, or featuring performers I know something about. This list is thus not comprehensive. In addition, I rarely list shows that cost $10 or more, and never ones that require advance ticket purchases. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, let me know.

Over the Top Fest kicks off Thursday night, and continues through Sunday. All shows are all ages, and they should all be good. I will be out of town for most of the fest, but you can find me up near the stage for the Woodhands show on 1 May at Sneaks. Woo! I've listed some of the shows below; for all the details, check the fest website.

Have I mentioned recently that there are a lot of fantastic shows happening all the time in this city?! I'm missing some stuff from this list... if I have time later in the week I'll fill in the blanks. Go out and have fun!

MONDAY (28 apr)

Angela Bower @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Elvis Mondays presents My Psycho Ex, Steve Singh, GIRAGIRA.gif, Witch Ever, and Gemini 12 @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, free.

Shoeless Monday feat. The Human Statues @ 11:30, Liam Titcomb @ 10:30, and The Eradicators @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Groovy Mondays feat. Barry James Payne and Norm Liota @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Ryan Jewell w/ Og Horwood, Roman Pilates, and Man Made Hill @ Pete's Place (191-193 Dowling Ave., at Queen), $4.

Marsupial Mondays presents $100 and Owl Eyes @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, $5.

* Pitter Patter Nights presents Horses, The Details, and Malcolm Bauld @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. Go to this! It will be awesome.

Baby Eagle w/ Guitar, Matt Shine, Pete Tremblay, and The Diamond Teeth @ Silver Dollar, $5.

Hooded Fang, Chariot Drama, and Freakuency Z @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5.

Monthly Songwriter Night feat. Coco Love Alcorn, Kaya Fraser, Marc Charron, w/ host Lindsay Ferguson @ Supermarket, 9pm, $10.

TUESDAY (29 apr)

Toronto Folk Singers @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 7pm.

The Dank w/ First Person Shooter, Left of Zero, and Les Parallelions @ The Boat, 8pm, free.

Micronauts w/ Mark Laver, Mike Smith, and Ali Berkok @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Downsview @ 12:00, Daniel Wesley @ 11:10, The Withouts @ 10:20, and The Forty Five Tension @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Drumheller @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Marilee Yorston, Drea Nassader, and Carla & Steve @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

* Will Currie and the Country French (EP release) w/ Bellewoods and The Dress Whites @ Sneaky Dee's, $7 (or $12 w/ CD). All good bands, and at a good place. How can you go wrong?

The Mermen w/ tba @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm.

* Alli's Journey presents Kae Sun w/ Megan Hamilton, Steve Puchalski, Vanderpark, Dave Borins @ Supermarket, 9pm, $10. This is a benefit show for Alli's Journey.

WEDNESDAY (30 apr)

Aaron Lumley and David Prentice @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Muskox and Feuermusik @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

PWYC Weds feat. Halleluyah!, Secret Japanese Girlfriend, and Justin Chee @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Intransit, Vacuity, and Jordan Fine @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Crawling Quiet w/ Ashlea Jonesmith @ Smiling Buddha, 10pm.

The Love & Terror Cult, Yell the Burden, Akroid, and Gunnar Rapido @ Clinton's, 8:30pm, $5.

Slides (debut) @ The Velvet Underground.

Wombat Wednesdays presents Sandro Perri, Snailhouse, and Dan Goldman w/ DJ Samir Khan @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $6. I went to last week's WW, and had a lovely time.

Sheltered in Sound w/ Scott Cooper @ The Central, 8:30pm, $5 (or $10 w/ CD).

Troy Western w/ Myke Mazzei & The Mod Villains and Spacecraft 7 Lite @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 8:30pm, pwyc.

A Trophy Life w/ Touch Me Airborne Plague, Ryan Luchuk Band (final show), and Chad Doucette @ The Rivoli.

THURSDAY (1 may)

* Frantic City feat. The Primordials @ The Beaver, 10pm, free. Dance party!

Gravity Wave (acoustic set) @ Marylou Flamingo, 6pm. The band will play at 7:30 or 8pm.

NUDe as the NEWs feat. Mantler, Antler, and Heavy @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Local Alternative feat. Blurred Vision @ 12:00, Stone River @ 11:10, Jackfish River @ 10:20, and Remote Wonder @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $4.

Idle Tigers (CD release), Pants and Tie, and Katherine Sheng Morrison @ Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, pwyc.

* Quarry Records & Familiar Music present Megan Hamilton & The Volunteer Canola, Deromantic, Little Foot Long Foot, and Dave Borins @ Supermarket, 8pm, $5.

iNSiDEaMiND (12" release) w/ Colin Fisher, John Kameel Farah, and DJ sets by murr and Circle Research @ The Boat, 9pm, $10.

Black Collar Thursdays feat. The Groopies and C-Sexshuns w/ DJ Stu Dead of Playdead @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

HomeWreckords presents Big Ideas, Infighter, and Shortwave @ Clinton's, 8:30pm, $10.

Skate 4 Cancer feat. Shad, Matthew Johnston, Elephant, Lives of Many, and Farewell Cool Reason @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 8pm, free.

Naturopathic Rock For Charity @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 8pm, $5.

Tambourine Magazine Showcase @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm.

Reid Jamieson w/ Annelise Noronha @ The Rivoli, 7pm, $10.

George Hewson (CD release) @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $tba.

The Books Elusive, The Hemingway Solution, and Dave Mansell @ Smiling Buddha, 8pm, $5.

* [OTTF] Woodhands w/ Bobby Birdman, Skeleton Me, and The New Bloods @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10. Woodhands will be just back from their North American tour in support of their amazing full-length, Heart Attack. I'll be here! And I loved Skeleton Me when I saw him (Luke Lalonde from Born Ruffians) in December.

* [OTTF] The D'Urbervilles w/ So Many Dynamos, Oh No Forest Fires, and tba? @ Ukula, 8pm, $10.

FRIDAY (2 may)

Smoosh (in-store) @ Sonic Boom, 7pm, free.

The Foolish Things @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

Clara Engel and tba @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

PCP and The Cleef (debut) w/ DJ Troubleshhhhhhh @ Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5.

Rollin' & Scratchin' w/ Kidstreet, TMDP, DJ Chili P, and DJ Me @ Supermarket, 10pm, $5

Fitzroy Terrors w/ DC3 @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $8.

TWM presents The Job, Invasions, Leonids, and Diamond Teeth @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6.

Pace the Stairs @ Clinton's, 9pm, $5.

The Sevenate, Sugar Coated Killers, and Nagasaki w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.

Joe Hall & the Continental Drift @ Free Times Cafe, $10.

Methodology (EP release) w/ Mint and Joni NehRita @ Revival, $10.

Saidah Baba Talibah @ Trane Studio, 8pm, $10.

* [OTTF] The Wooden Sky w/ Rebekkah Higgs, and Major Grey @ Ukula, 8pm, $6.

* [OTTF] DD/MM/YYYY (7" release) w/ Revolution Love, and Shpilberg @ Whippersnapper Gallery, 8pm, $6.

[OTTF] The Ten Kens w/ Singer, Wye Oak, and Cloudland Canyon @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.

[OTTF] The Beginners w/ Will Currie & The Country French, and Laura Peek @ St. Stephen-in-the Fields Church, 7pm, $10.

OTTF Afterparty feat. Bush League and Eamon McGrath w/ DJs Dan Vila and Jeremy Finklestein @ Teranga, pwyc. The bands go on around midnight.

SATURDAY (3 may)

Tokyo Police Club (in-store) @ Criminal Records, 12:30pm, free.

Gillis Griffin Henderson @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 6pm, pwyc.

Sid Jackson & Fee Chee (The Modern Men) and End of the World 1969 @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 9:30pm, pwyc.

Holoscene and Epigram @ The Velvet Underground, 8pm, $5.

TWM presents The Antiqs, Vestaloynes, Burn Planetarium, and Boogie Infection @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6.

Alternative Rock N Roll feat. Crush Luther @ 12:30, Low Level Flight @ 11:30, Magneta Lane @ 10:30, and Natasha Pasternak @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.

Cherry Bomb presents Scream Club w/ MC Nolan Natasha and DJs Denise Benson and Cozmic Cat @ Wrongbar, $8 (before 11:30pm, $10 after).

The Black Hollies and tba @ Silver Dollar, 9pm.

Partytank (CD release) and Midwives w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Lights w/ Play Oliver and Chase the Light @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $5.

The Joys w/ The Voyd, The First Time, and Supernal @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

[OTTF] An Albatross w/ Aa, and The Creeping Nobodies @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.50.

[OTTF] High Places w/ Huckleberry Friends, and Our Brother The Native @ St. Stephen-in-the-Fields Church (West Hall), 8pm, $10.

* [OTTF] Foxfire w/ Pas Chic Chic, Ruby Coast, and Elfin Saddle @ Whippersnapper Gallery, 8pm, $8. Even if the music isn't your thing, Foxfire is high-energy ridiculousness, in a good way. And Ruby Coast are fantastic, and they put on a great live show. (Just avoid the raucous teenagers in the front.)

SUNDAY (4 may)

Lazy Sunday Matinee w/ Alex Lukashevsky @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 2:30pm, pwyc.

Tom McCammon and Mantler @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc. This is Tom, the 13-year-old you see at all the good shows you're at.

Gather Round feat. Absent Sound w/ Hamilton Trading Co. @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. HTC is so awesome!

* [OTTF] Wavelength 411 feat. Nadja, Peter and the Wolf, and Our Brother the Native w/ DJ Broad Jaw @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

The WoodChopper's Association @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Dance Electric, Man with Target, U.T.I., and Please Standby @ Smiling Buddha, 8:30pm, $5.

Colors in the Air, Dirty Page, and The Gulls @ Kathedral, 7pm, $10.

Donlands & Mortimer (CD release) w/ The Magic, Boys Who Say No, and The Miles @ Reilly's, 8pm, $10 (or $8 adv). Fun!

Safe for another year.

Well, not really. But yesterday was my annual dissertation committee meeting. My main supervisor called in from her office at Oxford, and she, I, and the two other profs of my committee chatted about my progress and plans for the next year. It went well . . . but I have work to do! Afterward, there was more chatting, and then off to Harbord House for lunch with the two of them and CS, another PhD student in my year with whom I share a couple supervisors. After lunch I ran some errands on campus and ran into people to talk to, and finally made my way home.

There was just enough time to relax a bit before AT called and we went to Future Bakery to catch up. (He just did his exams.) We had a nice time. I got back home at 9pm, and then headed over to EH's to have some food with her and MB. But I had to dash off quickly to make it to Rancho Relaxo in time to catch Holoscene. They were cool. Different from my usual indie rock, pop-folk, or electronica fare. I stayed for most of the Hoja Rojas's set. I did my best to get into it, but their standard rock didn't do much for me. There was such a small crowd at Rancho, and I felt bad about that, but there was nothing I could do. And I'd promised a group of historians that I'd be at Sneaky Dee's not long after midnight, so off I went.

My friends and I hadn't danced to Shit la Merde in much, much too long. This time he was joined by DJ Pammm, and she was fantastic! The evening was fun. The crowd was a bit sparse at Sneaks too, which surprised me, but it was good to have a bit more room than I expected to have. A couple of the guys from OPOPO were there, and MB and I talked with them briefly. Their EP is coming out soon. Am looking forward to seeing them again.

MB and I decided that we're going to Pittsburgh on Monday to see Woodhands! Two-day road trip!! I have many things to do before then . . . not least of which is laundry and hoping the fridge doesn't die and we lose all our food. That would suck. Stupid landlord, fix the fridge.

I went to Tranzac last night.

Wednesday nights this month Samir Khan (Tusks) has been putting on shows at the Tranzac's Main Hall. They've been varied, but have all looked enticing. I went last night, drawn out in mid-week by the promise of a set by Gentleman Reg, who didn't seem to be too thrilled about playing this one the last time I chatted with him. But he was there, and at least pretended to be happy about it!

I got to the Tranzac in time to hear the last couple of songs by Bellewoods, and chided myself for not coming earlier. This is a band I've gotta see again. They sounded great. Second on the bill was Great Aunt Ida, a band I've listed many times, but had yet to see. Ida and her band were ok, but I imagine the Southern Cross Lounge is a better fit for them. Gentleman Reg and his band (including one of my favourite drummers, Greg Millson) performed catchy but interesting idie pop songs. I was glad that I went. And I look forward to the new record, hopefully out early in the summer.

These days it's rare that I go to a show without knowing if anyone I know will be there. Last night I went solo, and didn't bank on seeing any familiar faces. A friend of mine turned up for Reg's performance, but earlier in the evening I busied myself meeting and talking with Samir and Michael Holt, whom I'd seen perform a song last Friday at El Mo. It was good to remind myself that I do actually enjoy going out alone.

Purging things from my life.

I have been generally good and working since the weekend. Finished up marking this morning, and handed the essays back to the professor. Good.

Last night I had my final lecture at Massey, and then I came home and decided definitely that I wasn't going to be a fellow there next year. After I turn in my key, I may never go back there. I have mixed feelings about the place, but overall I think it worsens rather than betters my life, and I don't need that.

The weather's been lovely, and I've been eating well.

Tonight: Gentleman Reg!

Indie Music 32.

Like this list? Join my Google Group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings.

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though with a preference for listing those happening at venues I especially like, or featuring performers I know something about. This list is thus not comprehensive. In addition, I rarely list shows that cost $10 or more, and never ones that require advance ticket purchases. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, let me know.

It's back to normal for me. I stayed in during the week and then went to El Mo on Friday to see Oh No Forest Fires, and out-of-towners Via Audio and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. What fun that was.

There are some exciting things happening this week. See below for lots and lots and lots of suggestions. If I could go out every night this week, I would: Tranzac on Monday, Mitzi's on Tuesday, Tranzac on Wednesday, Rancho or the Boat on Thursday, Rancho or El Mo on Friday, Saturday I'll be show-hopping for sure, and Sunday I'd be at the Boat, though Sneaks will be fun too. There are also some afternoon in-stores this week you should know about.

MONDAY (21 apr)

Angela Bower @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Elvis Mondays presents The Priddle Concern, Don Vail, and The People Of Canada @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, free.

Shoeless Monday feat. Sun Brimmers @ 11:30, Summer Field @ 10:30, and Dawn Desmaris @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Groovy Mondays feat. Brian Gladstone and Erika Knight @ Mitzi's Sister, pwyc.

Marsupial Mondays presents Owl Eyes and Carnival Moon @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, $5.

TUESDAY (22 apr)

* Earth Day Concert @ The Music Gallery, 8pm, free.

Marco Solo @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Flying Eyes @ 12:00, Playmaker' @ 11:10, Beautiful Unknown @ 10:20, and Shelter With Thieves @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Owle Bird and Danger Music @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

* The Jessica Stuart Few and Mint @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Pink and Black presents C'mon and Partytank @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

Heavy Petting and Casual Licks @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm.

Tully Management Group presents Kae Sun w/ Miles Jones and Mrinda @ Supermarket, 9pm, $10.

WEDNESDAY (23 apr)

The Compulsive Ramblers @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

James Carroll w/ Andre Skinner and Arthur Renwick @ The Central, 9:30pm, pwyc.

The Centaurs @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc. "All improvised funk and groove with an electronic edge, featuring Josh van Tassel on drums and sampler, Dead Drouillard on guitar, Devon Henderson on bass, Joanna Borromeo on boards, and [Rob Piilonen] on flute and effects."

Honest I's, Empire Air, Remotely Controlled, and Clouds that Look Like Things @ Tiger Bar, 8pm, pwyc.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Alphabot! w/ The Liptonians and The Papermakers @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Vercity w/ Empty Chamber and tba @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm.

Spectrum, The Flat Planets, and Sevan Kelian @ Clinton's, 9pm, $5.

Michelle Titian @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm.

Band of the Month Club presents Radius & Helena w/ guests @ The Velvet Underground, 9pm, $5.

* Wombat Wednesdays presents Gentleman Reg, Bellewoods, and Great Aunt Ida, with DJ Samir Khan @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $6.

Jess Gardham w/ Linda M. and Daphne Darling @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm.

The Show (acoustic set) w/ State of Mind and Still the King @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $tba.

THURSDAY (24 apr)

* Peter Moren (w/out Bjorn and John; in-store) @ Soundscapes, 4pm.

Obviously Five Believers @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Michelle Rumball's Matinee @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Deep Dark United @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Yellow Pills (dance party) feat. The Dress Whites @ Augusta House, $3.

Amy Pitt, Ida Maidstone, and James Everett (Metheus Bound) @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm, $5.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Yuka w/ Slap Back Mountain and Analog @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

City Roots presents Ronley Teper, Jay Linden, and The Good Lovelies @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $5.

Emma-Lee w/ Melissa Bathory and Arthur Renwick @ The Central, 8:30pm, $6.

Public w/ guests @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $6.

Black Collar Thursdays feat. Sean Ashby (CD release), The Conmen, and Hue w/ DJ Stu Dead of Playdead @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Zygiella.com presents Diamond Teeth, Black Hat Brigade, and The Liras @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Disfear, Trap Them, Living Darkness (final show), and Endless Blockade @ Sneaky Dee's, 8pm, $10.

FRIDAY (25 apr)

The Wayside Ramblers and Nic Oliverio @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Ben Gunning @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Kite Hill and Tin @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Jeanette Lee (full band) w/ Swedish Fish and Subculture Syndrome @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $10.

Yo Butter feat. Wordburglar w/ DJs Co-op and Mr. Sals @ Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5.

Max Woolaver @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm.

On The Verge w/ Tripping Hazard, Orange Fuzz, and A. F. Analog @ The Central, 9:30pm, $5.

Rude Mule presents The Unionist Ministers, Major Grange, and Little Foot Long Foot @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5.

Catherine MacLelland, Dennis Ellsworth, and David Baxter @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9:30pm.

Rocking Out for Refugees feat. Hello Beautiful, Grand Am, Mikes Band, and Undadogg @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 10pm, $5.

Invasions, Vicious/Delicious, Jawbone, and Dave Picco & Jetset Motel @ Silver Dollar, 9pm, $6.

* TWM 15 presents Love Kills, Hojas Rojas, and Holoscene @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Off White presents Teenanger w/ DJs Schramm and the Boner Dragon @ The Beaver, 10pm, $5.

No Shame presents TDMP, Mixylodian, and Kidstreet @ The Drake Underground, 8pm (early show), $5.

* Fox Jaws w/ 6ixty8ights and Elephant @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $5.

The Blakes @ 12:30, Foxfire @ 11:30, Songs From A Room @ 10:30, and Young Rival @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $8. Should be a good night out.

The Tom Fun Orchestra w/ Hamilton Trading Co. and tba @ Lee's Palace, 9pm, $8.

Albert Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult), Drunkula, and Dean Lickyer w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $10.

SATURDAY (26 apr)

Several good bets tonight. I, for one, will be at Lee's and the Horseshoe.

The Hollows w/ Stephen Court @ The Central, 10pm, free.

Dawn 'n' Blueclover and Josh Cockerill @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Baby Eagle and Mandibles @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 6pm, pwyc.

Matt Paxton, Doug Paisley, and J. M. McNab @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

* No Shame presents Ghost Bees (CD release) w/ Fall Horsie and Timber Timbre @ The Drake Underground, 7:30pm (early show), $5.

MusicWorks presents CCMC, Feuermusik, I Have Eaten the City & Wyrd Visions @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $10.

Wang Dang Doodle (blues dance party) feat. Mississippi Grover @ The Boat, $5.

* Nif-D w/ Touble vs. Glue and The Creeping Nobodies @ Tiger Bar, 9:30pm, $7.

Ben Rose w/ Krista Hartman, and Andrea Rambo & Sean Pinchin @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $8.

* Indie Rock N Roll Spectacular feat. The Schomberg Fair (CD release) @12:30, Tin Bangs @ 11:30, Entire Cities @ 10:30, and The Cheap Speakers @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $8. This will be great!

The Outbred Inlaws, Tara Lee Combs, The Knifings, and Christian & The Hangovers @ Silver Dollar, 9:30pm, $8.

Lodown and Hammersmith w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Blaire Reinhard & The Buffalo Builders @ C'est What, 10pm, $6.

* Born Ruffians, Miracle Fortress, and Slim Twig @ Lee's Palace, 9pm, $10. Finally!

SUNDAY (27 apr)

Lazy Sunday Matinee w/ Victor Bateman @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 2:30pm, pwyc.

Eviction Party w/ Team Rocket @ High Art for the Low Down, 3pm.

* Born Ruffians (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 4pm, free.

Kyp Harness, Cleave Anderson, and Joan Bessen @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

* Gather Round feat. The Details (acoustic set) w/ Hamilton Trading Co., Malcolm Bauld, and Lisa Kruchak @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. Yay!

* Wavelength 410 feat. The Magic, Museum Pieces, and Women in Tragedy, w/ DJ Music Is My Radar @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc. If you haven't seen The Magic, you need to.

The Debonaires and The Deborahs @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:30pm, pwyc.

Healing Power @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm. Bring snacks to share, watch a movie (9:30pm), and see/hear Wolfcow perform (11pm).

Quartet Abstract and tba @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm.

Too much walking.

I overdid the walking around downtown Toronto in the summer weather thing the past few days. I've been out for days in a row. It's been great shopping and hanging out and running into people, but now I'm tired. The weather's been so nice, though: after months and months of freezing, terrible weather, the whole city kinda had to get out. Including me.

I had a semi-plan to go see Laura Barrett at Sunrise Records Saturday afternoon. I made it there in time, but things were running behind, and my friend had to go, so I didn't stick around either. No biggie: it was just nice to be out.

Now if only I didn't have 14 more papers to grade. I suppose I could grade them on the balcony tomorrow . . . but, no, we can't open the door to the outside. (This apartment is full of problems.)

Grading, shopping, eating.

That's been my life the past few days. Went out with MB on Queen West on Wednesday and Thursday, then by myself to the Eaton Centre and Queen West on Friday. I will soon have sunglasses! Finally. First pair ever. Also, I've acquired a hat and jeans. And they are good.

Friday night I met up with JH and the two of us went to get sushi to bring back and eat with CS, who is in the middle of exams. Dreadful things, those. And then JH and I went to El Mocambo to see Oh No Forest Fires, Via Audio, and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. What fun! What a good place to see a show. I won two spots on the guestlist from this blog, so the show was free. I never would have gone otherwise. So glad that I did. All the bands were great, and it was fantastic to have seen ONFF again after too long. They rocked tonight! I bought Via Audio's disk with my Canadian money.

Quick update.

So, um, went dancing Saturday night. Fun. Sunday went for dim sum with YT and JF. Fun. Talked a lot on the phone. Monday went to a meeting---actually not a waste of time---then thought about grading, and did some dissertating. Tuesday had lunch at Massey with MS, then another meeting (very short) then home to waste time and eventually grade three papers.

Grading is my life from now on . . . until April 23. Ugh.

Indie Music 31.

Like this list? Join my Google Group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings.

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though with a preference for listing those happening at venues I especially like, or featuring performers I know something about. This list is thus not comprehensive. In addition, I rarely list shows that cost $10 or more, and never ones that require advance ticket purchases. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, please do let me know.

On Friday I went to a new venue for me (the Niagara Legion Hall) to celebrate the release of the Entire Cities' new album, "Deep River." All the bands/performers that played were great, and worth seeing again: Nils Endeloff (The RAA; I missed his set), Nich Worby, The Gravity Wave (band), Laura Barrett, Basement Arms, Casey Mecija (Ohbijou), and Entire Cities. Tuesday I saw and heard Katie Stelmanis (and Maya Postepski), Final Fantasy, and Jens Lekman. It's been a good week.

This week I think we should all give some love to the Tranzac. And there's a couple of in-store performances of interest. I'll probably be at Rancho on Friday and Saturday.

MONDAY (14 apr)

Angela Bower @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Elvis Mondays presents Dinosaur Bones, The Paper Makers, The People Of Canada, Boxes & Bags, and Still Life Still @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, free.

Groovy Mondays feat. Erika Werry, Selina Martin, and Lucas Stagg @ Mitzi's Sister, pwyc.

LAUGHstock presents Retro-Radio, The Kettle Black, and Remember Marksam @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5.

Marsupial Mondays presents Owl Eyes and Dead Love Triangles @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, $5.

Troy Sinister & The Trailerpark Ghouls @ The Cameron House, 9pm, free.

Larry Tee @ The Social, $7.

Cloud Cult and The Forms @ El Mocambo, $10.

TUESDAY (15 apr)

Emilie Mover @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Hundred Fold @12:00, Allie Hughes @11:00, and Virtue N Vice @10:00. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Mothring @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

CaMp CoMbO w/ The Formula @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

The Johnnys and Rehab for Quitters @ The Bovine, 9pm.

Luke Sneyd, Jeff Beadle, and Emilio Fuentes @ The Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5

Kae Sun, High Plains Drifter, and The Mexican Standoff @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.

Helen Carlson @ The Cameron House, 8pm, $5.

WEDNESDAY (16 apr)

The Slackers (in-store) @ Sonic Boom, 6pm, free.

Greg Hambleton and Hugh Oliver @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

PWYC Weds 2 w/ La Casa Muerte, St. Clair, and Bella Clava @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc.

The Book of Gnomes w/ God's Gift to Yoda @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

* No Shame presents Evening Hymns, Jon McKiel, and The Boys Who Say No @ The Drake Underground, 8pm, $5.

Dirty Chinese Thieves, The Job and DJ Troubleshhh @ Chelsea Room, $5.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Your New Friends, Alanna Brown (EP release), and Matt Heidt Experience @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

The Scarlett Fever, Mark Feldman, and Aberdeen @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5.

May-Jun, Vanessa Johns, and Sarah Campbell @ Clinton's, 8pm, $5.

Radius & Helena, Hot Monogamy, and Bludwash @ The Velvet Underground, 9pm, $5.

* Wombat Wednesdays presents Etaoin Shrdlu, Sing that Yell that Spell, and L'embuscade @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $6.

The Framework w/ Sunriser @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $7.

Jerry Leger & The Situation w/ The Rattlesnake Choir @ The Cameron House (Back Room), $10.

THURSDAY (17 apr)

The Salarymen and The Church of Miss Walker @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

* Whatever Jailer, Jordaan Mason, and Sarah Dee @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc. Jordaan Mason was the guy who performed Neutral Milk Hotel's "Oh Comely" at the Drake a few weeks ago.

Rob Cappelletto Trio, Electroluminescent, and M. Mucci @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

* Pitter Patter Nights presents The Miles w/ Hush Money @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. The Miles: so young, so good!

Team Rocket w/ Eviction Party @ Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5.

Dopplehertz presents The Glamour w/ DJ sets by Doppleherts and Famous Players, hosted by Pink Mafia @ Wrongbar, 10pm, $5 (before 11pm, $10 after).

Local Alternative feat. Pelt (CD release) @ 11:30, Proxy Set @ 10:30, and Greedy Feedr @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $5.

Jenny Allen (The Fates) and Ken Tizzard @ Supermarket, 9pm, $tba.

New Machine, The Evelyn Room, and Dead Sparrow Pie @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 10pm, $5.

Black Collar Thursdays feat. Summer of 92 w/ DJ Stu Dead of Playdead @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Antler, Sing Leaf, and Sandro Perri @ Renaissance Cafe, $7.

TWM presents Cancel Winter, Pass Kontrol, and Ryan Shearing @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7.

The I Spies, Galore, and Five Star Trailer Park @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 8pm, $8.

Revival Dear w/ Steve Strongman @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $10.

Alexandra Ribera w/ Joel Visentin and guests @ Clinton's, 9pm, $10 (or pwyc).

FRIDAY (18 apr)

Jenny Allen @ Gorilla Monsoon, 10pm, free.

The Chris Staig Band and Hamburger James @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Ben Gunning @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

The Shady Character Revolution, Archaea, The Young Pale Horses, and Make Me Young @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm.

I Can Put My Arm Back On You Can't, Ancestors, Women, and L'embuscade @ The Press Club, $5.

Cyanide Kiss @ Clinton's, 9pm, $5.

Nastymix presents Eli Escobar @ Wrongbar, 9pm, $5 (before midnight).

The Womb (CD release), Georgian Skull, Single File to Freedom, and more @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5 (or $10 w/ CD).

* TWM presents OPOPO, Les Handclaps, The Primordials, and The Assistants @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6. Awesome, a dance party. I'll be here!

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin w/ Via Audio and Oh No Forest Fires @ El Mocambo, $9. Fun, fun!

* TO Indie Brit Pop Faves! feat. The Coast (CD release) @ 12:30, The Wooden Sky @ 11:30, The Ghost Is Dancing @ 10:30, and Mixel Pixel @ 9:30. $10 (or $8 adv). Great lineup!

Arya, Docile, and The Speakeasies w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $10.

SATURDAY (19 apr)

* Laura Barrett (in-store) @ Sunrise Records, 4:30pm, free. Love her!

Broomfiller and Snowblower @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Griffith/Hiltz @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 6pm, pwyc.

* Shelby Lamb Band, Lisa Bozikovic, and Harvest Chant @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 9pm, pwyc.

Paula Perri, Perversion, Falling Trees, The Wilderness, and Michael Moone @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm.

Jim Armstrong & The Sonic Deli Band w/ Sleeps Six @ The Savannah Room, 9pm, $5.

First Person Shooter @ The Mod Club, 10pm, free (if you e-mail band@firstpersonshooter.ca, and get there before 11pm).

The Hots w/ Daniel Ledwell (In-Flight Safety) @ El Mocambo, 9pm.

The Break Down and Lila Rose @ The Cameron House, 9pm, $7.

* BBQ (aka Mark Sultan), Teenanger, Used Kids, and The Weirdies @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $8. This is where I plan to be.

* Warchild fundraiser feat. Key Witness, Proof of Ghosts, Andre Charles Theriault, and more @ Silver Dollar, $7.

Anvil and Curses! w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $8.

Vonegut & The Slaughterhouse Orchestra @ Music Gallery, 8pm, $5 (students), $10 (members and seniors), or $15 (regular).

These Electric Lives, followed by Kensington Station w/ DJs Lawrence and Shit la Merde @ The Neutral, 10pm, $8. This is also an "official" Tokyo Police Club CD release party. You could win the album "Elephant Shell."

Lords, Sailboats Are White, Our Father, Die Brucke, and Akroid @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.

SUNDAY (20 apr)

Lazy Sunday Matinee w/ Jake Chisholm @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 2:30pm, pwyc.

Charlotte Cornfield and Ben Spencer @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

Charlotte Cornfield w/ Ben Spencer's Funeral @ The Central, 8pm. I think these last two listings are correct. The internet is wrong and confusing sometimes.

Wavelength 409 feat. The Reveries and EiYN sOF w/ DJ Soulville USA @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

* Canadian Electronic Ensemble (incl. Rose Bolton, John Kameel Farah, Larry Lake, Jim Montgomery and Paul Stillwell) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:30pm, pwyc.

Michael Keith's Young Electric Warriors @ Mitzi's Sister.

After some days of work, it's time for fun.

And so it goes. I have a hard time getting a lot of work done. Wednesday I was good. But Thursday I ran errands and came home exhausted and just could not work. On Friday I did an hour or so of dissertating, but that's it. This weekend I'll have to be productive.

I found some good stuff this week, and I've been starting to incorporate it into my chapter. It's good, but it also is hard, and it hurts my brain. Sigh. Generally, though, life is awesome. I even managed to miss all the rain that happened today.

Tonight I went to the library to get out books for CS, then out again for a bite to eat with KH, then I walked over to MB's place for dinner, and then the two of us went to the Legion Hall on Niagara for the Entire Cities' CD release party featuring a whole bunch of great performances. It was a super fun time. I couldn't stay until the end of the night, though: had to leave in hopes of catching the TTC, and it was really loud in there. Thank goodness for earplugs.

Tuesday was busy.

Tuesday was very good: lunch with a friend at Kilgour's, then to the library to look at material actually useful for my chapter/dissertation (!!), then to class, then to Harbord House for dinner and drinks with the prof. and his friends, then off to the Great Hall to see and hear Katie Stelmanis (w/ Maya Postepski), Final Fantasy, and Jens Lekman.

I came in near the beginning of Katie Stelmanis' set. The room was getting full even at this point. I stood near the middle-side and enjoyed her. Although I still think the songs all kinda sound the same, I much preferred her in this setting to when I saw her and her band perform at Lee's Palace. The percussion arrangements are fantastic.

After she was done, I---as nicely as possible---pushed my way to the front (well, several rows back) because I spotted Quadb from this indie music blog. Turns out Frank was up there too, and so was Mike, whom I hadn't met before. So I spent the rest of the evening with the bloggers, which was fun!

Final Fantasy was nice, and I can see how he's made a name for himself. He's a lovely guy, it seems to me, who plays really pretty, interesting music with good lyrics. I love his looping. I'm not in love with him, but I'd happily see him perform again. I don't know if the next time it'll be in such a neat venue, or if I'd be lucky enough to be so close to the stage.

I was quite taken with Jens Lekman. Not blown away, but my the guy is talented and a real charmer in his own way. He put on a great low-key---yes, such a thing exists---performance. I would love to see him again someday, hopefully only three rows back like this time. I left once the show was over, after chatting with some indie kid friends of mine, but many people stayed around, waiting for Jens (and Owen?) to play more songs for them on the corner or in a nearby park . . . awesome.

I don't do real show reviews, so check the blogs I mentioned above for proper accounts and photos from the evening!

Other than Tuesday, I've been good and working as I should this week. I crossed some important things off my list today. But the chapter's not done yet. Give me time.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Went with MB to Lee's Palace on Friday to see Hamilton Trading Co. and also caught Wildlife. HTC was fantastic! KH has an excellent voice and stage presence, and the choir was amazing. It was different and I loved it. We were both impressed.

Went with a prof. of mine to a bar on the east side of town in the afternoon to see Bill Colgate and his band perform. The music was great, but the absence of indie kids was a problem for me. I made the best of it, but felt out of place and anxious about not working on my chapter.

Today I went nowhere, and am dissertating. So I'll miss out on Wavelength, which is a shame, but I have things to do. Like finish my damn chapter.

Indie Music 30.

Like this list? Join my Google Group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings.

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though with a preference for listing those happening at venues I especially like, or featuring performers I know something about. This list is thus not comprehensive. In addition, I rarely list shows that cost $10 or more, and never ones that require advance ticket purchases. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, please do let me know.

It's been another rather full week for me, music-wise. I'm going to tone it down a bit---April is a bad month for us grad-student types, what with committee meetings and grading and other annoyances. That being said, I am going to the Great Hall on Tuesday for Jens Lekman (with Final Fantasy and Katie Stelmanis). If I've had a productive week, I'll want to be at the Horseshoe on Thursday and celebrating Entire Cities' CD release on Friday at the Niagara Legion Hall.

You know that I try to make this as accurate as possible, but because of when I put it out, things can change (and I can make mistakes and I definitely leave things out).

MONDAY (7 apr)

Angela Bower @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Shoeless Monday feat. October Sky @ 11:30, Birthday Boys @ 10:30, and The Torcus @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Elvis Mondays presents Royal So and Sos, The Human Statues, Mahogany Frog, Atlas Eyes, and The People of Canada @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, free.

Groovy Mondays feat. Matt Storch, D’arcy Wickham, and Outlaw Social @ Mitzi's Sister, pwyc.

Marsupial Mondays presents Owl Eyes @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 10pm, $5.

TUESDAY (8 apr)

Brock Gel @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm.

Pink & Black present Delinquints and The Toads @ The Bovine, 9pm.

Michael Louis Johnson @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Tele @ 12:00, The Imports @ 11:10, Telegram @ 10:20, and Honky @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Ronley Teper and Anhai @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Mothring @ Mitzi's Sister, pwyc.

Mike Glendon, Chris Fata, and The Alanna Brown Band @ Silver Dollar, 9pm.

Strawman Fallacy (final Toronto show), Akroid, and Siberia @ Smiling Buddha, 8pm, $5.

WEDNESDAY (9 apr)

The Dodos (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 5pm, free.

Patrick Boyle Quartet @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Adverteyes, End of the World 1969, and Jessy Bell Smith @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Spanish Rock Night feat. Gardenias & SoulAdikts @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm.

HotBoxxx presents Opal Blue, Joel Geleynse, Frankie Whyte & The Dead Idols, Alana Kurtis & The Tumblers, Trailing, and Screen 3 @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $5.

Local Alternative feat. TNBT @ 12:00, Walk Off The Earth @ 11:10, Weybourne Project @ 10:20, and Stop Drop & Skank @9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $5.

Born to Busk, Mark Davis, and Katbandooo @ Clinton's, 7:30pm, $5.

Basement Arms w/ One Legged Step Child, Soup Kitchen Line Up, and The Hatchetmen @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. Recommended.

Band of the Month Club feat. Radius and Helena w/ The Disraelis and The Psycadelicacies @ Velvet Underground, 9pm, $5.

Swiss Dice w/ Peter Project @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.

Blues Element @ C'est What, 9pm, $6.

Wombat Wednesdays presents The Silt, Alex Lukashevsky, and Isla Craig Band @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8:30pm, $6.

The Mission District w/ USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $7. The Mission District is a Montreal band, and a good one.

The Dodos w/ Ket Witness @ El Mocambo, 9pm, $8.

THURSDAY (10 apr)

Lots of good things to do tonight. Why are Thursdays always so awesome??

Electroluminscent, This Quiet Army, Millimetrik, and Whisper Room @ Mitzi's Sister.

Brent Tanemura, Brodie West, and Tania Gill @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

This Note feat. Ghosthands (Andre Charles Theriault) and Dark Bird @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

3rd Annual Acoustic Foodbank Fundraiser @ The Cameron House, 9pm, $5 (or a non-perishable food item). Performers include Douglas Adams (Fire Hydrant), Greg Shean (Static Lab), Ian Strung (Cold Dead Hands), Jeannine Dulac, Jon Sohn (Fire Hydrant), Louis Branchaud (Daddy Ashes) w/ Mihaela Dumitrascu, Matt Madill, Mick Srivastava (The Atomic Ravens), Nidhan Grewal (Fire Hydrant) w/ Mark Weston, Pixie Moonshine (Tripping Hazard), Reuben O'Dell Barkow (Remainameless), Ryan Murray (Cinema), Sumon Mukherjee (The Black Fever), and Tristan Campbell (Fine Motor Control).

B.A. Johnston w/ Saffron Sect and Brent Randall & His Pinecones @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

No Shame presents Pas Chic Chic w/ Steve Singh @ The Drake Underground, 8pm, $5. This is part of the Drake's Franco fest thing.

TWM presents Our History of Cowboys, Itchy Watery Eyes (feat. Dead Fucks), and Boxes & Bags @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

The Sevenate and Moon Violet @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm, $5.

Black Collar Thursdays feat. Greedyfeedr and The Isosceles Project w/ DJ Stu Dead of Playdead @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

The Harold Wartooth, Luz Atomica, and The Best @ Silver Dollar, 9pm, $5.

Nevado Records Showcase feat. Elephant, Bass Lions, Seedy Ease, and Monster Show @ The Rivoli, 8:30pm, $6.

* Alternative Roots feat. Sunparlour Players @ 11:30, Hilotrons @10:30 (CD release), and Andy Swan @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.

Time to Rock w/ Oliver Black and Dean Lickyer @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $8.

Rock Plaza Central, Jetplanes of Abraham, and Gusto Basketcase @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.

FRIDAY (11 apr)

The Foolish Things @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, free.

Ben Gunning @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Bunny Brown @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Great Train Reverie @ Mitzi's Sister.

Capital Kill presents Murderquad, Serene Molestation, G.O.D., and The Donner Party @ Teranga, 8pm, $4 (or $3 w/ flyer).

Lindsay Fitzsimmons, James Kent, and The Boy From ET @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, $5.

The Ben Hammond Four (CD release) feat. vocalist Zach Finkelstein @ The Central, 9:30pm, $7 (or $15 w/ CD).

Jewelry Rat (CD release), Tropics, and Terror Lake @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5 ($10 w/ vinyl).

Golden Girls (CD release) w/ Pink Dead Whale @ Tiger Bar, $5. I gotta go back to Tiger Bar at some point.

Sexy Krissy's Birthday feat. The Famous Monsters and The Outbred Inlaws w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 and Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

TWM presents Animal Clinic, The Coast Guard, That’s the Spirit, and Karma Controllers @ Rancho Relaxo, $6.

Dave & Chuck Show Party feat. Phil Allister, The Leathers, DBAS, Oklahoma Bomb Squad, Rehab for Quitters, 68 Pornomags, and Springloaded @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 8pm, $6 ($5 w/ canned food donation).

* Entire Cities (CD release) w/ Basement Arms, The Gravity Wave, Nich Worby, Casey Mecija, hosted by PDF Format, w/ DJ Moist Fowlette and guests @ Canadian Corps Legion Hall (201 Niagara @ King), 9pm, $7.

Alt Funk Rock N Roll feat. Run with the Kittens @ 12:00, Jay Spectre @ 11:00, and SCOBO @ 10:00. The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.

Magnolius w/ Guitar, Abyss, DJ Coco Bryce, and Style Movement @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

Montreal ElectroCrunk feat. Thunderheist @ 12:00, Bonjay @ 11:00, and Vitamins For You @ 10:00. Lee's Palace, $10.

SATURDAY (12 apr)

The Weirdies and Satan's Candy @ Trash Palace (89-B Niagara), 3pm, $3.

The Superstitions, Shitt Hottt, and The Calrizians @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

The Stormalongs, Luz Atomica (final show), and The Merry Warners @ Cameron House (Back Room), 8pm, $5.

Portable Men, Mystery Guests, and Expos @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm.

The Weathermaking Challenge @ The Central, 9:30pm, $10.

* TWM 14 feat. Mark Berube & The Patriotic Few, Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra, and Whale Tooth @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7.

Sons of Butcher and Ditch @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

* The Weather Station, $100, and Sing Leaf @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 10pm, pwyc.

The 6ixty8ights, followed by Kensington Station @ The Neutral, 10pm, $6.

Alt Rock N Roll feat. Hoolie Snatch @ 12:30, Thomas Matheson @ 11:30, Rockafellers @ 10:30, and Stereo Hoax @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $6.

(weewerk) presents The Burning Hell, War Mannequin, and The Kettle Black @ Silver Dollar, 9pm, $8.

Josh Gabriel (CD release) @ C'est What, 10pm, $7.

Grand Theft Bus, Two Minute Miracles, and North Amorica @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $10.50.

Tribute to Bob Marley feat. The House of David Gang, Tonya P, Empress, Deeqa, DJ Chocolate, and Patrick Roots @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 9pm, $10 + canned food donation ($15 w/out).

SUNDAY (13 apr)

Lazy Sunday Matinee with Olenka @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 2:30pm, pwyc.

Hiccup Truck @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5:00pm, pwyc.

Wavelength 408 feat. Purple Hill, Raccoon Wedding, w/ DJ Wolfcow @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

Sandbox @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:30pm, pwyc.

The Hormoans, Revolution Love, and The Dank @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm.

Gather Round feat. Hamilton Trading Co. @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. I finally saw HTC on Friday, and I thought they were awesome!

Have I mentioned lately...

... that I love Woodhands?! To pieces. What an amazing band. PB and DW are off on a North American tour, and I hope it goes really well for them. Last night was their CD release party at Wrongbar. And, oh, what a party! So, so fun. MB and I secured our spots at the front, and danced nonstop.

... that I love indie kids? They were out in force last night, of course. And they are all great.

... that I love Toronto, because stuff and people like this exists? Wow.

[Photo of Dan Werb and Paul Banwatt taken at Wrongbar last night.]

Teach, party, dissertate.

On Tuesday evening, after a day of tutorials (not well attended) and class, I went over to Queen West for a free party hosted by The Gravity Wave. I got there later than most people. As soon as I walked in the room---the Great Hall---I realized that tonight, this was the place to be for the indie-hipster set. The level of coolness in that room was rather astonishing. In a good way.

The evening's entertainment was something else. Ken Farrell and all the people who helped him out really outdid themselves. What a creative event! I had a good time, and had fun snapping pics of people I knew and didn't know.

Today I've been doing my best to dissertate. The chapter is still not done. I keep finding problems with it. But parts of it are, I think, pretty ok. So that's good. I'm going to go back to it now.

Time's a wasting.

Just heard that lyric in the "Title Track" of Amos the Transparent's album ("Everything I've Forgotten to Forget," which I absolutely love, by the way). And, yeah, darn: it's April already! What the heck have I been doing since September?? I mean, I know what I've been doing, but I wish I had been more efficient about things. Sigh.

But whatever. Life is important, and sometimes I just couldn't do what I was supposed to be doing. I refuse to feel terribly guilty about things. But it's April and I still haven't finished my first chapter. This is unimpressive. I shall attempt to do something about this soon.