CD Giveaway: Christine Bougie & Dafydd Hughes

Christine Bougie (guitar) and Dafydd Hughes (keys) are fixtures in the Toronto music world, well known as skilled accompanyists. They take the spotlight, playing their own work, each Monday at the Tranzac’s front room in the duo project called Angela Bower. Except, that is, for this week, when they’re moving the show to the Main Hall on Thursday. There the pair will celebrate the release of their new CD, entitled “This Is Awesome.” I’ve got a couple copies of the CD to give away. It’s pretty and the music is great, a definite keeper.

The album contains 13 instrumental pieces. The songs are mostly quiet and introspective, inviting contemplation of the listener. It’s the kind of music I will listen to when I want no obvious distractions from my own thoughts, but like to have something to listen to. These are perfect sitting and reading songs, but with definite personality and musical interest. I don’t have much in the way of instrumental music in my collection, and am glad to have this when I’m not in the mood for indie pop. Maybe you’ll feel the same way.

Yeah? If you want a copy of the CD, e-mail me at historyjenATgmailDOTcom with your name and mailing address. I’ll draw names randomly and mail out the CDs in a few days.

For more information, and to check out a couple tracks from the new album, head here.

The release show is Thursday, 4 Dec, at the Tranzac (Main Hall). Mantler opens things up, and then Christine Bougie and Dafydd Hughes share their record with us. Doors are at 8pm and the cover is $10.

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who entered. I'm mailing out CDs to the winners today!

Two Hours Traffic, Boys Who Say No, and The Danks @ WhipperSnapper.

Two Hours Traffic is the real deal. Friday night the Charlottetown, PEI band rolled into town with the Danks to end their Canada-wide tour with an all-ages show at a College St. art gallery, the WhipperSnapper. The last time THT played Toronto, it was at Lee's Palace, so I was keen on seeing them at it much smaller venue. There were some unexpected parts to the show, including the presence of Brooklyn glam rockers Semi Precious Weapons in the audience, and eight CBC television cameras filming THT's entire set. No joke. It would have been a night to talk about no matter what the music was like.

"Little Jabs," the sophomore album by Two Hours Traffic, was on the Polaris shortlist this year. I've been listening to it incessantly for the past several days, in preparation for the show, and I just love it. These guys play pop music that's at times a bit of a throwback, and it's just so gosh darn catchy and happy that it puts me in a good mood. Anyways, my point? I had high expections for the band!

They did not disappoint. Each song---they performed 16 including a two-song encore---upped the ante on any recorded output I've heard. The set was marvelously fun; the band had great energy and no antics were required to get the crowd jumping happily and clapping for an hour or so. Seriously, it was great. If you haven't heard their stuff, yet, take a listen to "Jezebel," "Stuck For the Summer," "Heroes of the Sidewalk," and "Sure Can Start," for a start. And now imagine them played even better a few feet in front of you. By the end I was left with one overriding thought: this band is fantastic and their star will rise. From the sounds of their new songs, they've got another good record coming out in a few months---"five or six months," one of them told me. If they can keep it together and continue to write and perform tight, catchy, upbeat, eminently singable songs with wide appeal in the indie scene and beyond, there's no telling where they'll end up.
But enough with the predictions. Back to the show.

In the middle spot was local band Boys Who Say No. They have a sound that's hard to describe because it kept changing with each song. I didn't dig everything I heard, but there were enough pretty fun party tunes to keep the crowd (including me) happy and dancing. This wasn't the best bill for them---more eclectic openers and closers would suit them better---but they played well and with good energy. And don't they just look like they'd be a fun band?!
The evening got started with The Danks, another Charlottetown band that shares half its members with THT. They got toes tapping and head bobbing, and played a solid, full set. The songs I've heard off their EP "Samples," sounded like pop to me, but the live show was less reminiscent of Two Hours Traffic than those songs lead me to believe. The singer's gravely voice works well with the rockier sound they've got going.

The Acorn, Ohbijou, The Rural Alberta Advantage @ Lee's Palace.

Yes! The Acorn was amazing. I've been listening to their records over the past months, and have really gotten into this band, especially the latest album, "Glory Hope Mountain." I wasn't sure how they would translate on the big stage---would it be just like the record, or better somehow? Answer: Better! Like other quieter kinda folky groups, Ottawa band the Acorn brought things up a few notches last night, rocking out and turning every song into a celebration. Seriously, I'm impressed. What a great experience. The band members looked and sounded like they were having a fantastic time, interacting with the crowd and each other between songs---are these guys dorks or what? haha---and seemed truly thrilled to be playing to a sold-out house. If you don't know this band, get on it! And whenever you have a chance to go see them live, don't think twice. I know I won't. Last night's performance at Lee's Palace was one of the best ones I've seen all year.The set list was heavy Glory Hope Mountain, though a few older songs were performed. Ohbijou joined the band onstage for the first encore song---Low Gravity, amazing---and the two bands came together for the last song of the evening, Ohbijou's Steep.

Ohbijou, in the middle slot, was in happy mood too, but kept things more low key during their set. A showcase for Casey Mecija's songwriting, this Toronto sextet (mostly) performed a great set in front of a crowd of friends, family, and many, many fans. I'm less familiar with the band's music, but what I heard, I liked. Ohbijou's been on tour with the Acorn, and last night they worked well together, setting an instrospective tone that the Acorn built on and turned into a party. The awkward banter was endearing, but I'd like to see Ohbijou party it up more on stage. They're certainly capable of it, as the last song of the evening showed.

Here are some shots, including one of the Acorn's Rolf singing with the band.Well, geez, if I'd only seen these two bands, I'd be happy. But, the openers were the awesome Rural Alberta Advantage. Despite the name, the band formed and plays out of Toronto, but the trio is a musical tribute to the province and its people, past and present. (If this sounds lame, it's because I can't write. Because the band isn't.) Songs like Edmonton and Frank, AB might be place-specific, but these and other RAA tracks speak to universal human themes: childhood memories, stories that shape our understanding of the world we live in, and holding onto the past while moving forward in one's life. The RAA's been getting all kinds of internet love recently, in Toronto, all over North America, and elsewhere. Indie music lovers have been discovering them at a fast rate, and here's to hoping for bigger things for this band soon!

I loved their set, but I felt almost like the lone RAA regular up at the front. That was kinda weird for me. But, this wasn't their show. As usual, and as the record, "Hometowns," showcases, the RAA performs folk-inspired indie pop but with fast-paced drumming that gives the melodies an urgency and excitement. The somewhat strained leading vocals and sweet female backing ones combined with creative percussion by all three band members and use of keyboards work fantastically well. I've written about this band lots of times before, and put them on my "hottest" list.

Photos aren't great, but here's a couple of Nils and Amy. Paul was hidden at the back of the stage.Ah, Lee's Palace, you've done right by me once again. Thanks so much to all the bands for a great show!

Other reviews: The R.O.B., photos by Chromewaves (Frank)

Library Voices, Provincial Parks

Last night I got to go to the Bovine Sex Club to see Provincial Parks and Regina up-starts, Library Voices. I've mentioned both bands before on this blog, and played them on my podcast. So already you know that I was going to enjoy myself. And I did. Provincial Parks was lovely. Great melodies and lovely harmonies.

Library Voices were, well, crazy! All ten of them are on tour, and they were all up on stage, joyously singing and clapping and otherwise playing their hearts out for an enthusiastic crowd at this small downtown venue. Although I know the Bovine for rock shows, the decor---Christmas lights and stuffed things stuck to the ceiling and walls---definitely fit this band. Library Voices are sweet fun, but not too sweet. There were two high points for me: the uber poppy Vampire Weekend-like "Step Off the Map & Float," and the encore cover of that great Talking Heads song I can't remember the name of. I'd love to hear and see more of this band. Not sure how they manage all ten of them on tour together, but they seemed to be loving every minute of it. The ones I could see, anyways: the members of the band who weren't hidden behind other members of the band.

CD Giveaway: Flying Eyes

Flying Eyes is a five-piece indie rock band from Toronto. The group has a new EP out, available digitally, using fancy-schmancy card thingies. The album sounds great, and is a good example of the indie pop rock this city is producing. Interesting guitar sequences and vocal ability are features of the songs, and I’ll think you’ll like them! Kinda catchy, kinda pop-y, definitely rock-y.

Preview the tracks at the band’s MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/flyingeyesmusic

I’ve got 4 drop cards to give away, entitling you to download the album off the internet for free! (Exciting, I know.) If you want one, send me an e-mail at historyjenATgmailDOTcom with your name and mailing address. I'll gather up the responses, draw winners randomly, and mail the things out after the weekend.

BTW, the band’s always looking to play with new and exciting bands. Those interested can contact Flying Eyes at flyingeyesmusicAThotmailDOTcom.

Stay tuned for another giveaway soon!

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who entered. I've mailed the 4 cards to the winners!

Podcast 19 (24-30 Nov 2008).

Featuring Library Voices ("Step Off the Map & Float"), I am Robot & Proud ("Uphill City"), The Acorn ("Crooked Legs"), The Superstitions ("Of Sound Mind"), This Is Picture ("Every Copied Step"), and First Person Shooter ("Go Go America").

The website doesn't like the podcast this week, so you're best bet is to download it from iTunes or Zune. See the last link for iTunes users.

Stream: http://www.zygiella.com/historyjen

Download: http://www.zygiella.com/rss/podcasts/zygiellapodcast19.mp3

Subscribe (RSS): http://www.zygiella.com/rss/podcasts/zygiellapodcasts.rss

Subscribe (iTunes): http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=282270866

Great music this week! If you want to head out tonight, check out the first few minutes of the podcast before you do... Library Voices!

Indie Music 60 (24-30 Nov 2008).

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.

Was getting over jetlag last week, so didn't hit up any shows except my favourite: Wavelength at Sneaky Dee's last night. It was as eclectic a lineup as you're gonna get. Sports: The Band, Christine Duncan's Element Choir (weird!), and Fall Horsie.

Wednesday through Saturday of this week International Pop Overthrow is on at the Rivoli (Wed-Fri) and then Annex WreckRoom (Sat aft/eve). Each show features 8 bands. Not having heard of this thing before, I have no opinions. The Rivoli shows have very short sets, with bands on every 30 minutes, so if you want a quick taste of a bunch of bands, these shows are for you. I'm not too familiar with the lineups, though they feature a bunch of bands that do play around town, including The Dress Whites, Broomfiller, Frankie Whyte & the Dead Idols, Cold Dead Hands, Square Root of Margaret, Andy Butler & the 905s, and The Human Statues. Cover is $10 for each show. Check http://www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/Schedule-Toronto-2008.htm for all the details.

MONDAY (24 nov)

Angela Bower (AKA Christine Bougie & Dafydd Hughes) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Shoeless Monday feat. The Stanfields @ 11:15, Christianne @ 10:15, and Love You To Death @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Elvis Monday feat. Curtis Santiago, The Wilderness, The Royal So & Sos, My Psycho Ex, Valley Dolls, and The People Of Canada @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 9pm, free.

Slowdance (Friends Explode DJs) w/ Heaven and Robocopp @ Mitzi's Sister, 9:30pm, free.

Panic Density feat. The Runaway Five @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

Bryan Arcand and The Jing Bang Show @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 9:30pm, pwyc.

Trevor Campbell presents I ♥ Pub Session feat. Trevor Campbell (w/ full band), Nancy Silverman, Sara Kamin, Layah Jane, and Zach Stevenson, plus more stuff @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $5.

TUESDAY (25 nov)

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. three special guests (tba) @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free. Unless my internet skills have failed me, the special guests include Mobile (Montreal) and Library Voices (Regina).

The Pink & Black Attack presents Dirty Bird @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

St. Dirt Elementary School @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

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

Organic Funk @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, pwyc.

Alexandra Ribera @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 9pm, pwyc.

Blue Blue Satellite and Amanda LeBlanc @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, pwyc.

Showcho feat. Katie Crown (comedian), Wordburglar, Elaine Kelly, and bingo w/ Dot Winters (aka Megan Fraser, comedian), hosted by Anand Rajaram @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc. These variety shows are a hoot, I hear.

Toronto Exclusive Magazine presents Project Showcase 2008 feat. Mr. Flowas and others @ Smiling Buddha, 7:30pm, $5.

Station Twang and The Superstitions @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, free.

Chris Colepaugh & the Cosmic Crew and Keith Hallett & the Big Dirty Orchestra @ The Silver Dollar Room, 9pm, $7.

WEDNESDAY (26 nov)

The Annex WreckRoom & IndieCan Radio present IndieCan Wednesdays feat. Ivorty Tree Observatory, Dan Mangan, and October Sky @ The Annex WreckRoom, 9pm, free.

Brian Gladstone & friends feat. Nancy Dutra @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

B-List Disney All-Stars (Daniel Jamieson) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc. A band will play lesser-known Disney tunes.

The Shovels and Jetset Motel @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm (start time).

Local Alternative feat. Boy In December @ 11:40, The Heavy @ 10:50, Kid Coma (CD Release) @ 10:00, and Chasing Sam @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $4.

* Sounds Like B.S., Alphabot!, and Great Lenin's Ghost @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Hotboxxx Local Talent Showcase feat. Impulse, Broken Sons, Thank The Academy, and The Barettas @ 8:30. Lee's Palace, 8pm, $5.

Toronto Exclusive Magazine presents Project Showcase 2008 feat. Melissa Bel, CarlyJo, and others @ Smiling Buddha, 7:30pm, $5.

* Nifty, Tropics, Brides, and Tradition, w/ DJ Colin Bergh @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5.

* Library Voices and Provincial Parks @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5. I'm going to this.

* The O'Darling, J. J. Ipsen, and Mikey Muscat Band @ Concord Cafe, 9:30pm, $5.

LAUGHstock presents Hush Money, Soul.Rebel.Sound, and Please Stand By @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Tundra Fun, The Jessica Stuart Few (feat. Michael Davidson), and Saint Even @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $6.

YNF, Rawlicious 3, and Apex @ C'est What, 9:30pm, $6.

No Official Capacity presents A Flame In December, Storm Their Shores, Wolves of Anson, and The Chainsaw Stunt Double @ Reverb, 7pm, $8. All ages.

Corduroy Road @ Clinton's Tavern, 9pm, $10.

THURSDAY (27 nov)

Club Django @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 8-10pm, free.

Ancient Chinese Secret @ The Cadillac Lounge, 7:30pm, pwyc.

Keith Hallett & the Big Dirty Orchestra @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, $tba.

Live Jazz Thursdays feat. Equilibrium Project @ Tequila Bookworm, 9:30pm (start time), pwyc.

* I am Robot and Proud (CD release, performing w/ Jeremy Strachan, Jim Guthrie, and Samir Khan) and Canaille @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Band & The Last Waltz Tribute @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, $5.

Oliver Pigott @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $tba.

Hummel Entertainment presents New Music Night feat. Andrew Hanna, Jay Manara (Broken Sons, acoustic), and 7th Line @ Clinton's Tavern, 8pm, $5.

Drew Smith, The Shout, and tba @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5.

The Waking Eyes and tba @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.

The Main Thing Orchestra (2 sets) w/ DJ Double K @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, $5. All ages.

The Waxbills, Cathartic, and Opus Road, w/ DJ Ash @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Sex Butler and others @ The Silver Dollar Room, 9pm, $tba.

The Hunting Horns and Drew Hawkins @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm (start time), $tba.

* The Schomberg Fair @ 11:40, Spookey Ruben (CD release) @ 10:50, Black Hat Brigade @ 10:00, and Whale Tooth @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $7.

* The Acorn @ 11:10, Ohbijou @ 9:50, and The Rural Alberta Advantage @ 9:00. Lee's Palace, 8:30pm, $10. Adv tix avail. and recommended. Amazing lineup.

Born Destroyers (EP release) w/ Carmen & Camille @ The Reverb, 8:30pm, $10.

* El Guincho and Lemonade @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $10. Adv tix avail.

FRIDAY (28 nov)

Jake Chisholm @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 6-9pm, free.

Danny Marks @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $tba.

The Jessica Stuart Few (2 sets) and Chloe & Joelle @ The Press Club, 9pm, pwyc.

Ghostlight (CD release) w/ 100 Pound Head, Picnicboy, Skull Bong, Heavywater/Oldgrowth, and more @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge and Tiki Room), 10:30pm, pwyc.

Looks Linear (CD release) w/ Ashley Bryant @ Clinton's Tavern, 9pm, $6 (or $10 and you get the CD too).

Lizzy Clarke, Suzy Wild, and Friends of the Family @ Concord Cafe, 9pm, $5.

Daysleeper, Bloodline, These Three Cities, and Jay Pollock @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5.

Chris Staig & the Marquee Players (CD release) w/ James Jewell & the Inner Tubes @ Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, $5 (or get in for free when you purchase the CD for $12).

* Catl feat. Sarah Kirkpatrick (ex-Shitt Hott) and Bradley Boy (2 sets each, alternating) @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

DCT and Easy Targets @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5. Drake weekend shows are over by 11pm, so the dancing can start. If you're going, make sure you don't miss the bands.

Sinkin' Ships and The Rosie Jones Band w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Handsome Devil w/ Beth Moore @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm, $tba.

True Grit w/ The Bailey Sisters @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm (start time), $6.

* No Shame presents The Superstitions (EP release) w/ Action Makes and The Bon @ Canadian Corps Legion Hall (201 Niagara St.), 9pm, $6 (or $10 and you get the CD too).

* Woah! Gordo (all local music dance party) feat. Kid Metropolis (CD release), The Paint Movement, The Darcys, and DJ Nova @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $7.

Road Engine Dreams, The Odysseys, and more @ The Silver Dollar Room, 9pm, $7.

TWM 29 presents Pavlov's Dogs Orchestra, Young Contrarians, and The Rest @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7.

Boss Rebel and guests @ Lee's Palace, 8:30pm, $7.

New Love Army, That's What She Said, and Chip Thomas @ Holy Joe's, 9pm, $10.

Landed Film Jam presents Battle of the Jams 2: Found 2 hosted by Skye Collyer and Adam Risbridger feat. Everything That's Fly, Shobha, Slides, Foresight For the Blind, Brain Sandwich of Zion, and Via Linez, w/ DJ Ear2ear @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 8pm, $10 (or $8 w/ canned food donation).

* Two Hours Traffic, Boys Who Say No, and The Danks @ WhipperSnapper Gallery, 7pm, $10. All ages. Adv tix avail.

Double Dose of Samba feat. Sambando Samba and Samba Porrada, w/ DJ Avan @ The Gladstone Hotel (Ballroom), 9:30pm, $10.

A Sin for a Prayer, Braintoy, The Isosceles Project, and Kodessa @ The Reverb, 7pm, $10. All ages.

SATURDAY (29 nov)

Country Saturdays feat. Kensington Hillbillys @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 8-10pm, free.

The Madhatters @ Cadillac Lounge, 10pm.

The Monster Show w/ Samantha Martin (Kensington Hillbillys) @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm (start time), pwyc.

Tennessse Voodoo Coupe and Ancient Chinese Secret @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm.

That's the Spirit and Ryan Masters @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Lost Chord, Justin Bachlow, and EarthJuice @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $tba.

* No Shame presents The World Provider (CD release) w/ Fighter/Lover and The Cleef @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 7pm (early show), $5.

Rival Gang Theatre and MJ Cry @ The Cameron House, 9pm, $5.

You Call Yourselves Soldiers, Drunkula, and DJ Stroke @ The Chelsea Room, 9pm, $5.

Social Clash, Isle of Thieves, A Match for the Curious, and The Cunninghams @ The Savannah Room, 9pm, $5.

TWM presents Debbie Suede, Ginger & Irene, and This is Picture @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5. This Is Picture is great, and I'm uber curious about Debbie Suede.

* FABRik RECordS presents FUnhUnT feat. La Casa Muerte, Still Life Still, Heartbeat Hotel (Chris Lyons from Mariposa), Alphabot!, and Boxes & Bags @ Mengrai Restaurant (Basement, 82 Ontario St. at Richmond St E), 9:30pm, $5. All ages.

You Handsome Devil (3 sets) @ The Hideout, 10pm, $5.

Ghost Walk Creek and Makita Hack & The Log Rollers @ C'est What, 10pm, $6.

The AMBiENT PiNG presents Psychedelic Ping feat. Harold and Zooids @ Renaissance Cafe, 9pm, $6.

* 2nd Annual Toronto Rock Lottery, hosted by David Dineen Porter @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $7. Twenty-five musicians will separate randomly into 5 five new bands that morning, will go off to write new songs, and will then perform them for you! It was good last year. Participants
include members of Slim Twig, Golden Dogs, The Old Soul, Laura Barrett, Nif-Dee, Republic of Safety, Forest City Lovers, Ruby Coast, Muskox, The Sure Things, The D'Ubervilles, Mackenzie King, Provincial Parks, The Postage Stamps, Sports: The Band, Great Aunt Ida, Key Witness, and more.

* Delinquints, Semi Precious Weapons, and Machetes @ The Velvet Underground, 8pm, $8. Adv tix avail.

Burn to Black (last show) w/ Cauldron, Legion 666, and Starring Janet Leigh @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 8pm, $10 (adv tix avail).

The Aline Morales Band and Friendlyness & the Human Rights @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 9pm, $10 (or $7 w/ canned food donation).

SUNDAY (30 nov)

Marc Roy @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 5-8pm, free.

Les Singes Bleues w/ Amelie Lefevbre @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc

* Wavelength 441 feat. First Person Shooter, The Maynards, The Pink Noise, and School Jerks, w/ DJ Matt Blair @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc. Wavelength does punk(ish).

Shunga (Steve Ward & Felicity Williams) & Pretty Lonely Woman @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Derek Knott @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm, $tba.

Darker My Love @ 10:00 and The Assistants @ 9:00. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8pm, $10. Adv tix avail for $8.50.

Shout out.

I'm going through next week's show listings, prepping for the next podcast, and listening to some tunes I've already got from artists playing. There's a couple excellent $10 shows (with advance tickets recommended): Two Hours Traffic w/ The Danks, and Ohbijou and The Acorn w/ The Rural Alberta Advantage. These are all great bands. The Acorn's been getting a lot of play on my Zune lately. I've never seen this Ottawa band before, though they've been around a few years and have several beautiful albums in their discography. I've only recently realized too that the handsome man I saw at the BBQs at both NxNE and Pop Montreal this year was The Acorn's lead singer/songwriter, Rolf Carlos Klausener. That's one unanswered question now answered.

Download: Here's The Acorn's song Low Gravity, off the 2007 release, "Glory Hope Mountain."

Another band with a show next week is the Toronto group This Is Picture. Much lesser known, this one. Rob likes to give away his music for free, so thanks to me catching most of a set in the summer, I've been enjoying a few of the band's tracks since then. This is pop but with a difference. Just when you think you're going to break out into dance mode, the music switches up, screwing with your rhythm. Great stuff.

Download: This Is Picture's Every Copied Step.

In my last shout out post, I wrote about Provincial Parks. They are playing a show next Wednesday at the Bovine with a Regina band called Library Voices. What a great venue, and an awesome lineup. Thanks to the internet, I've grabbed a few Library Voices songs, and have been listening. What fun! Apparently a huge group---10 members?!---that's made a name for itself rather quickly. They remind me a little of Vampire Weekend, which in my books is a good thing. Have a listen for yourself, and see you at the show.

Download: Step Off The Map & Float by Library Voices. This one's a definite keeper. And I think Rob would like it too.

Jetlagged and thinking about that show.

I'm still very much on Berlin time. The last two nights I have set my alarm so I can take a short early evening nap, but each time I have failed to actually set my alarm, it seems. And so here I am, wide awake at 4:25am. (And I've been awake for a couple hours.) I've been listening to Okkervil River and Shearwater, the two bands I saw in Berlin Monday night. I was only a little familiar with them before seeing them live, but am now very much a fan. This happens a lot with me. Hearing a band, I think, meh, they're ok, but upon taking in the live show, I get it. From then on, listening to a song brings back good memories.

Here's a shot of one-third or so of Okkervil River. FN and I were right up at the front, and a little to the right. They were fantastic. Will Sheff is an amazing front-man. Shearwater plays quieter stuff, but with a great deal of intensity. They were equally fantastic. What a great show! (It had better have been, at 17 euros, ouch.)

Jonathan Meiburg (of Shearwater) told the crowd that they two bands hadn't played together since 2002, and I believe the double-billing that night was a one-off. So, here's to being part of something rare. The internet reveals that the bands are related, and indeed that night they shared backing members.

Shearwater:There was a third band that night, but we missed it. The Ugly Suit, from Oklahoma City. I'll have to go see them if they ever make it to Toronto (where they've yet to play).

Special podcast.

I've been in Berlin, so no listings this week. But there's still a podcast! On Monday night I went to a smallish concert venue (maybe 400 capacity?) in Berlin and saw Okkervil River and Shearwater, two American indie bands from Austin, Texas. Awesome.

In this special edition podcast, Tyler interviews Bob Battams, the man behind the music site itsnotthebandihateitstheirfans.blogspot.com. This week's podcast features Toronto music chosen by Bob including songs be The Hoa Hoa's, Oh No Forest Fires, The Stormalongs, The Dress Whites, Invasions, and Clouds (that look like things).

Stream: http://www.zygiella.com/historyjen
Download: http://www.zygiella.com/rss/podcasts/zygiellapodcast18.mp3
Subscribe (RSS): http://www.zygiella.com/rss/podcasts/zygiellapodcasts.rss
Or find it through iTunes or Zune... just search for Zygiella.

I might put together a few suggestions later this week.

I'm in Berlin!

The trip went fine. Missed my connection in Paris---grumble, annoying---but otherwise things have been great. It's cloudy here, and chilly, but there are lots of dogs and little children bundled up in a lot of clothing. FN and I went shopping yesterday. We didn't buy much, but did lots of browsing. I am totally digging the flat tall boots everyone wears here. Amazing. (It's hard to wear heels on the stone sidewalks.) I all kinds of want these boots; they are exactly what I was looking for in Toronto but could not find.

No podcast this week.

Alright, we had technical difficulties, so no podcast this week. Sad!, I know. Here's what we were gonna play:

Cold Dead Hands, "The Story of My Life." http://www.myspace.com/colddeadhandsmusic

Leif Vollebekk, "Don't Go To Klaksvik." http://www.myspace.com/leifvollebekk

Paper Lions, "Getaway." http://www.myspace.com/paperlionsmusic

Sleepless Nights, "Got Caught." http://www.myspace.com/thesleeplessnights

Lioness, "Harder They Fall." http://www.myspace.com/lionesslionesslioness

$100, "Fourteen Hour Day."http://www.myspace.com/onehundreddollars

Isla Craig, "Birds in Flight." http://www.myspace.com/islacraig

It would have been a good one! I'm off to Berlin today.

Check out the rest of the podcasts at Zygiella.

Indie Music 59 (10-16 Nov 2008).

eLike this list? Join my Google Group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings. Or, the Facebook group. Subscribe to my weekly podcast here. Or just listen to the latest one, and all the other ones, at Zygiella.

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.

This week I saw some old standbys and a few new bands that I've been meaning to see live for some time now. So, success! The Ruby Coast EP launch party at Sneaks was very much a party, with crazy moshing during their set and a floor-moving dance party during Green Go's. I would have preferred less threat of bodily harm (up at the front), but maybe that just makes me too old for rock 'n' roll. A fun night, for sure. On Saturday I went to see The Dunes and The Framework. I enjoyed the Dunes' hard-played rock music as well as the polished Brit-pop inspired set by the Framework, a band that can boast strong leading vocals from two members. And then over at Rancho Relaxo I caught most of the closing set by Archipelagos. Ah, strained, intense indie rock, how I love you. I missed the Bicycles' album release party, but caught a fun set earlier in the week at Soundscapes, so I got the pared down version of the festivities, I suppose.

If you're into jazz / new music of the jazzy sort, the 1st Annual NuJazz Festival is happening this week (13-15 Nov). I've got one show listed below; for all the details, check out http://www.nujazz.ca.

This week I'm off to Berlin, so the scene can enjoy a respite from my presence. What this means for you is no listings next week, though maybe Tyler will find himself a guest co-host---will it be you?---and bring you a special podcast. As for this week's podcast, I'll let you know once it's done and posted. Oh, and thanks to those people who got in touch about the Yawn Temiseva CD giveaway. I'll be mailing the disks out tomorrow. And speaking of free music, I've posted a few mp3s on my blog for you to take. I plan on doing this regularly to help promote local bands/performers. I've got tracks from some of my favourite bands: Provincial Parks, Green Go, and $100.

Finally, check me out on the internet. Eeek!

MONDAY (10 nov)

Angela Bower (AKA Christine Bougie & Dafydd Hughes) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Shoeless Monday feat. Horses @ 11:15, Dean Lycker @ 10:15, and Henry Taylor @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Elvis Monday feat. Suzy & Ben, Start Select, Purrr, Human Statues, Skullians, and The People Of Canada @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 9pm, free.

Panic Density feat. Segger/Sexton/Van Seters @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

Bryan Arcand w/ Danielle Braund @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 9:30pm, pwyc.

TUESDAY (11 nov)

** The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. The High Dials @ 12:00, Spiral Beach @ 11:00, The Golden Hands Before God @ 10:00, and Evelyn Room @ 9:00. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free. AWESOME!!

The Pink & Black Attack presents Fingerbanger, Hundred Hand Slap, and The Bag Ladies @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

RCA Trio @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

GLUM - GLUM: A Remembrance Day Party & Show feat. Thom Gill, Ryan Driver, Steve MacKay, Fraser Gielen, and DJ Overindulgence Boy @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 8pm, free.

Peter Eastmure, Lisa Marie Kruchak, Owl/Eyes, Elissa Gallai, and Marcus Walker @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

Steel Guitar Jazz Project @ Cadillac Lounge, 7:30-10pm, pwyc.

Outbox Trio and The Jesse Malone Quintet @ Concord Cafe, 9pm, pwyc.

Luau Or Die @ Mitzi's Sister, 9:30pm, pwyc.

The Tres Bien Ensemble w/ Magna Cum Loud @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Done Me Wrongs @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, pwyc.

Sean Brown and guests @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $5.

Alpine Continuum, Guy Dallas, Blame Face, and Thomas Bey William Bailey @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5?.

The Strip (CD release) w/ Jay Pollock and Brian MacMillan @ Supermarket, 8pm, $5.

Sprinter w/ Barcelona @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Eugene Chadbourne, Christine Duncan, John Heward, Micheal Keith, Jean Martin, and David Sait @ Somewhere There, 8:30pm, $10.

Christian Weber, Chandan Narayan & Jesse Kudler, Black Soul & Christian Weber, and Joda Clément & Steve McFarland @ 48 Abell St. Unit 108 (Queen & Gladstone) 9 pm start, $10. Improv music.

WEDNESDAY (12 nov)

The Annex WreckRoom & IndieCan Radio present IndieCan Wednesdays feat. Mississippi Kings, Apollosdown, and Bombs @ The Annex WreckRoom, 9pm, free.

Laura Repo @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc. @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Brian Gladstone & friends w/ Wendell Ferguson @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

Scott McCord & the Bonafide Truth @ The Cadillac Lounge, 8-10pm, pwyc.

PWYC Weds feat. Serb Superb, The Wilderness, and Anna Sudac @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc.

Steamboat Soul Review w/ Samir Khan @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

LAUGHstock presents Kiss the Messenger, Pace the Stairs, and Mr. Furious @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

The Von Ericks and The Disraelis @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $5.

Alphabot!, Tonka & Puma, and The Elwins @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5.

The O'Darling w/ tba @ The Concord Cafe, 9pm, $5.

Soul Rebel Sound w/ tba @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $5.

We Are The Take w/ Sean Jones and more @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.

Tyler Yarema and Michelle Willis @ C'est What, 9:30pm, $6.

Rachael Bawn, Sex Butler @ Neutral, 9pm, $7.

Jonah Kanter (CD release) w/ Louise Kent @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 7-10pm, $10 (or $5 adv at http://www.metowe.com/music/launchparty/). All ages.

THURSDAY (13 nov)

Chris Cawthray Trio @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 6:30-9:30pm, free.

Neil Young Tribute @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, pwyc.

Live Jazz Thursdays feat. Gord Hyland Quartet @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

Trinket Trance presents Tripping Hazard, The Micronite Filters, and Cold Dead Hands @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm (start time), pwyc.

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

* Leif Vollebekk and Samuel Markus @ The Press Club, 9pm, $5.

* Pitter Patter Nights presents Jordaan Mason & the Horse Museum, Hamilton Trading Co., and Robert Hedge @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

THe WitHouTs (CD release) w/ Sleeps Six & The Horse You Rode In On @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

Josh Cockerill and Jadea Kelly @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $5.

FABRik RECordS presents FUnhUnT feat. Blood Rexdale & the Walls are Blonde, The Eatons, Roy Lieberman, and Robocopp @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

* Green Splat, Whatever Happened to Corduroy?, Make Your Exit, and DJ Caff @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5.

Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra presents "Brush Wood" w/ James King, Little O, and Mark Martyre @ Clinton's, 8pm, $6.

Monarch Avenue, Broken Bricks, Sintia, and Carmine @ Smiling Buddha, 8pm, $tba.

Paper Lions w/ The Waking Eyes @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $tba.

Darkside presents Night of Terror (bands + movie) feat. The Roman Line, The Leftovers, The PG 13's (members of the Riptides) @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Gettysburg, Gentlemen Husbands, and The Weathermaking Challenge @ The Silver Dollar, 9pm, $tba.

Bernadette & The North and Skinner @ C'est What, 9:30pm, $6.

Three Chicks on Tour feat. Lynzie Kent, Allie Hughes and Natasha Pasternak @ The Rivoli, 8:30pm, $10.

* Parkdale Potluck Cookbook presents Raise the Dough, a Fun-Raiser feat. Anagram, Metz, DCT, The Pauls, and DJ Wes Allen @ Wrongbar, 9pm, $10 (or $8 w/ donation to the Daily Bread Foodbank).

Lee Harvey Osmond @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $10.

Hotboxxx presents The Underdogs Showcase feat. Red Light Riot, Kong, The Broken Lyre, Thank the Academy, Adam & Evil, and Melanie Peterson @ Reverb, 7pm, $10. All ages.

FRIDAY (14 nov)

The Curries @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 7-10pm, free.

Abstract Thought Event Promotions presents Three Fold Unity, The Broadcast, Thank the Academy, St. George Circus, and Metheus Bound @ Smiling Buddha, 7:30pm, $7.

Ryan Driver Quartet @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Julian Fauth @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, pwyc.

Prosad (trance sitar) @ Concord Cafe, 8pm, pwyc?

Les Frotteurs w/ Shelby Lamb @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc.

Clockwise (CD release) w/ The James Clark Institute @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm, pwyc.

* Sleepless Nights, Wax Mannequin, Proof of Ghosts, and Trike @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5. This is not the right order of bands.

Maximum R'n'R, Drunkula, and Crack Kills, w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

The Hey Now, Make Me Young, and more tba @ The Silver Dollar, 9pm, $5 or $6, apparently.

Jay Clark & the Jones @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

Earls of slander, Les Parallelions @ Blue Moon (Queen/Broadview), $5.

* French Horn Rebellion, Gravity Wave, and Donlands & Mortimer @ WhipperSnapper Gallery, 10pm, $5. All ages.

* TWM presents Alistair Christl, The Locusts Have No King, and Mint Julip @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6. Excellent.

* The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival presents Opopo, Radius & Helena, and Kite Operations @ The Rivoli, 9:30pm, $10 (or $7 for students and Reel Asian ticket stub holders).

* Lioness (EP release) w/ Stop Die Resuscitate, DJ Jaime Sin, and DJ Micket Apples @ Wrongbar, 10pm, $10.

Glendale One and Lushus @ Cadillac Lounge, 8pm, $10.

The NuJazz Festival and Do Right! Music present The Souljazz Orchestra w/ DJ John Kong (Do Right!) @ Supermarket, 10pm, $10.

The Ryde, Audio to Mute, Adam's God, Bombs, Asleep Behind The Flame, and others @ Reverb, 7pm, $10. All ages.

No Official Capacity presents Engineer, Cauldron, The Womb, Skullfist, and Demonthrone @ Savage Garden, 8pm, $10.

Waldron Entertainment Launch Party feat. Green Go, Sule, and Famous Players (DJ set) @ Hard Rock Cafe, 8pm, $10.

orphanAID feat. Playdeaf, Prodigal Sons, and Patrick Carneiro @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $10 (or $5 w/ non-perishable food item).

SATURDAY (15 nov)

* The Sam Roberts Band (in-store) @ Sonic Boom, 3pm, free.

The Hot Five Jazzmakers @ C'est What, 3pm (start time), $5.

Country Saturdays feat. Michael Brennan and Steve Briggs @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 6-9pm, free.

The Dustbowl Thieves @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 6pm, pwyc.

John Tielli (acoustic) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 8:15pm, pwyc.

SnöwBlöwer and Zurg @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Phusion @ Concord Cafe, 9:30pm, free.

Yawn Temiseva (CD release) w/ Kyp Harness @ The Press Club, 9pm, pwyc.

* The Weather Station, The Owle Bird, and The Gertrudes @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Trudy Artman, Frank Patrick, Rob Pilch @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $5/pwyc.

Lion Ride and Saigon Hookers, w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Burn Planetarium or Dancehall Free For All @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5. Followed by Lipstick, Cherry (DJ Pammm) @ 11pm.

* Evan Dickson and Trevor Coleman present This Is Exploding feat. Animal Monster, The Cleef, and DJ set by OPOPO @ Habesha Club (875 Bloor St. W.), 9pm, $5. With "show and tell for grownups," "conversations with smart people," and prizes and free stuff. "Something different."

* Out of This Spark presents Timber Timbre, Evening Hymns, and Ryan Driver @ WhipperSnapper Gallery, 8:30pm, $5.

* $100 and Steamboat (2 sets each) @ The Dakota Tavern, 9pm, $5.

Two Foot Falls (CD release) w/ PC Keez @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5.

Hollowphonic, followed by Kensington Station (dance party) @ Neutral, 10pm, $6.

Marianne Turner, Carmen Elle, Sarah Melody, and Eve & the Ocean @ The Savannah Room, 9pm, $7.

The Donefors and Emma-Lee @ C'est What, 10pm, $8.

The Drop Dead Pinups, Suicide Kings, and Gosford @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $8.

CANCELLED Burn Down The Capital presents Plastic Crimewave Sound, Djin Aquarian, Mondo Drag, Almost Blue Sunshine, and tba @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $8 (adv tix avail.).

* Casio Tone for the Painfully Alone, Concern, and tba @ 6 Nassau, details tba.

* Toronto Bands Care Music Showcase feat. Whatever Happened to Corduroy?, Waxmen, Turn Off the Stars, and The Kevin Kerr Trio @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 9pm, $10 (or $ w/ canned food donation).

Rock for a Cause feat. Cambridge Affair, Last True Gentlemen, and Captive @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $10 (or $7 adv).

Left of Zero @ The Mod Club, 11pm (start time), $10. E-mail the band to get on the guestlist and get in for free.

SUNDAY (16 nov)

Jeremy Singer @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 2pm, pwyc.

Liquidaires @ Mitzi's Sister, 5-7pm, pwyc.

Shai Locke and Luke Vasjar @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5-7pm, pwyc.

Makita Hack & the Logrollers @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 5-8pm, free.

Morgan Tobias @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 8-10pm, free.

Gordon's Acoustic Living Room @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, free.

Chris Yang, Griffin Epstein, Diamond Rings, and Party Time @ The Oxford Hotel (117 Oxford St.), 7pm, pwyc.

PWYC Sunday feat. Silver Speakers, Courtney Lynn, Elise LeGrow, and Nika Smith @ Rancho Relaxo, 8:30pm, pwyc.

Wavelength 439 feat. Isla Craig, Tusks, and Trike, w/ DJ The Return of the Zig Zag Wanderer @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

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

Drive-In Massacre, Christian D & the Hangovers, and Gunsmoke @ Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, $6.

Violet, Farewell to 44, Pushing Up Daisies, Crown & Coke, Metropolis, and Flatline Endings @ Reverb, 6pm, $10. All ages.

Me, on the internet.

Check it out.

Thanks for the nice photos, Robin!

Shout out.

I'm gonna start a new occasional feature. These days, I find I don't have the time or energy do to proper show reviews and post some of the photos I take when I'm out and about. But I do want to acknowledge some of the music that I've been enjoying recently, whether on record or live. So we have "shout out."

The newly-named Toronto band Provincial Parks (formerly Howl) is celebrating the release of their new EP, "Iron Ponies," tonight at the Mod Club. The band was nice enough to send over a digital copy of the disk, and I played a song off it on podcast 17. Now that I've had a few more listens, I'm really enjoying what I hear. This is a band that take advantage of the great music scene around them, and their sound contains elements of mainstream indie rock and upbeat, catchy folk pop. The album's been getting some nice press. In the late summer I saw the band play a toned-down set at the Oxford Hotel, a backyard venue in Kensington Market. It was lovely.

Download: My favourite song off "Iron Ponies" is Islands.

Last Saturday I saw one of my favourite sets all year, by Born Ruffians at the Opera House. Just coming off a tour, the youngsters were in fine form. Though only a three piece, they managed to fill the venue with their sound and presence. After having seen the openers---both larger ensembles---it was really apparent why these guys are so popular, and only gaining themselves more and more fans with each show and each release. I've been enjoying their album for months. Other than my grumbling about having to avoid the mosh pit at the front of the all-ages show, I had a fantastic time. They played a couple new songs, and they have me looking forward to the next album from these guys. Henri Faberge & the Adorables warmed up the crowd nicely. Actually, "nicely" isn't exactly the right word for it. The set was CRAZY! Extremely entertaining and energetic. What would have made it better for me was if I'd known the songs. I got the sense that some of the antics were related to the lyrics, but I couldn't really figure out what was going on. Still, wow: a performance I will not forget. Rob has a review (with a couple of my photos) here. And read Bob's take here.

Luke and Mitch from Born Ruffians joined Ruby Coast on stage for the closing song of their set at Sneaky Dee's last night. This, too, will be a show I won't soon forget. I got there late and missed the first opener, but was there for Green Go. I like this electro-pop band more and more each time I see them. They have infectious energy, a great lead man and woman, and are super tight. The faster songs had some of the kids up at the front moshing, but for me what really impressed was when they slowed things down. Slower, yes, but no less intense. They kept the dance party going throughout a well put together set of slower and faster tunes. A really creative bunch, this is totally a band I can (continue to) get behind.

Download: Ghosts of the Future comes from the band's 3-song promotional disk. Look for a spring full-length, and an internet-only series of remixes out even sooner.

I'm still really taken with $100 (One Hundred Dollars') full-length, "Forest of Tears." Fantastic country album. They are playing next Saturday at the Dakota Tavern. I'll be in Berlin, but you should totally go.

Download: No Great Leap.

And since I'm shouting things out, here's to Woodhands! Have fun in Japan!!

CD Giveaway: Yawn Temiseva

Courtesy the artist, I’ve got a couple CDs to give away! Yawn Temiseva is a Toronto-based musician and visual artist, and he’s got an EP release party at the Press Club on Saturday, 15 November (9pm, pwyc). He’ll be joined by Kyp Harness. This new disk is called “Relax, I Have A Plan,” and features four songs written and performed by Yawn and his band.

Here’s the track listing:
1. Learning Now
2. Thinking Song
3. Big Box Daddy
4. Practicalities

http://www.sketchydetails.ca/
http://www.myspace.com/yawntemiseva

Want a copy? E-mail me at historyjenATgmailDOTcom with your name and mailing address. I’ll draw winners randomly on Monday and mail them off. Easy peasy.

Amazing.

It really is. The U.S.A. will have a black president come January.

Indie Music 58 (3-9 Nov 2008).

Like this list? Join my Google Group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings. Or, the Facebook group. Subscribe to my weekly podcast here. Or just listen to the latest one, and all the other ones, at Zygiella. You can also find us on iTunes, or listen with your Zune.

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.

Good shows this past week for me! Wednesday I saw Leif Vollebekk, a solo performer based in Montreal, the Julie Fader Band's debut, a fun group from the Netherlands called Hospital Bombers, and Proof of Ghosts. Great lineup (but it was freezing at Sneaks). It was much less frigid at Sneaky Dee's the next night for the sold out Fucked Up party which also featured Final Fantasy, my current favourite band $100, Vivian Girls (who are probably better than they were that night), and art-popster Katie Stelmanis & band. The afterparty at Rancho had Lullabye Arkestra and LSDoubleDCup. The former was awesome; the latter was pretty great too, even though it's clearly a joke band. Crazy good bands Thursday night. I took Friday off. Saturday I went to the Opera House to see Born Ruffians, Henri Faberge & the Adorables, and Hooded Fang. An awesome show. Faberge etc. were ridiculously fun and Born Ruffians are excellent... one of the best sets I've seen this year. I guess that's why they get to charge $12.

The free show at the Horseshoe on Tuesday looks pretty good to me. If you can't handle election returns, go there. On Friday I recommend Ruby Coast's EP release at Sneaky Dee's, also featuring electro-pop outfit Green Go, and The Elwins. Should be an absolute blast. There are a bunch of good bands performing Saturday night; good luck choosing. I'll probably be at Lee's for the Last Schmaltz (aka The Bicycles' CD release), but if you don't dig the Bikes, there are a lot of other good parties.

Most of this week at Tranzac you will find the 9th Annual 416 Toronto Creative Improvisers Festival. Full details here (http://board.stillepost.ca/boards/index.php?topic=114471.0). All shows are pwyc. And hey, if you're keen on the improv scene, you'll want to check out shows at Somewhere There and the Music Gallery, and peruse this website (http://www.aimtoronto.org/) too. Ben from the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra has a great series of podcasts on the improv/avant-guard/experimental/weird pop music scene in Toronto. Find them through the band's website (http://www.parkdalerevolutionaryorchestra.com/). The series is called What's All This Then?!

MONDAY (3 nov)

Angela Bower (AKA Christine Bougie & Dafydd Hughes) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Michou, Mandippal Jandu, Leighton Bain, and Stefan @ Concord Cafe, 8pm, free.

Shoeless Monday feat. Delusion Manifesto @ 11:15, Quiet Centre @ 10:15, and Paul Stewart @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

* Elvis Monday feat. Adam Faux, Purr, Hamilton Trading Co., The Human Statutes, and The People of Canada @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 9pm, free.

Panic Density feat. Casual Gang @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc. They're also playing at the Rex on Wednesday at 9:30pm.

Bryan Arcand w/ Shoot the Cameraman @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 9:30pm, pwyc. Lara MacMillan plays the 6-8 slot on Mondays in November, pwyc.

* Eyes on Toronto Fan Appreciation Night feat. Debra DiGiovanni, The Two Koreas, and more @ The Gladstone Hotel (Ballroom), 8pm, pwyc.

SLOWDANCE 1.1 feat. Pirate/Rock, Bozay, and Oscar Brown, w/ Friends Explode DJs @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, free.

Michelle Rumball, Ben Sures, and Stacy Burke & friends @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 8pm, $5.

TUESDAY (4 nov)

* The Bicycles (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 7pm, free.

* The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Andrew Hunter & The Gatherers @ 11:40, Superstack @ 10:50, Hot Kid @ 10:00, and Clouds That Look Like Things (CD release) @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free. Good lineup!

The Pink & Black Attack presents Firethorn @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

Ben Sures w/ Kerri Ough and more @ The Dakota Tavern, 9:30pm.

The Calzirians @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Nancy Silverman and Erika Werry @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm, pwyc.

Myke & the Mod Villains, Nate Daniels, and Chloe & Joelle @ Concord Cafe, 9pm, pwyc.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Porte (ex Secret Hand Snakes), The City Streets, You Call Yourself Soldiers, and Eamon McGath @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

GoodSoundsGood presents Melissa Bathory, Stefi Beck Band, and Christina Maria @ Supermarket, 9pm, $6.

WEDNESDAY (5 nov)

Granny Boots @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 7:30-10pm, free. Lineup tba.

Paul Linklater @ Czehoski, 9:30pm, free.

Laura Repo @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Brian Gladstone & friends @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

Groopie Records presents King Beez (CD release) w/ The von Drats @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, pwyc.

* Electroluminescent (Record release) w/ Battleship Ethel, Terra Lightfoot, and Ghostlight @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Lesley Pike (CD release) w/ Mandi Perkins, and Christina Maria @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5.

LAUGHstock presents Burnitdowns, Rackshot, Blind Cats, and The Bag Ladies @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

* Sadie May Crash w/ guests @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $5.

* The Goodnight Loving, Stolen Minks, The Weirdies, and World War I @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

The Lesson, Arunachal Subramanian (Lickpenny Loafer), and You vs mE (EP release) @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $10 (incl. free CD).

Jerry Stamp and Sean Brown @ C'est What, 10pm, $5.

Neva Dinova, McCarthy Trenching, and Five Blank Pages @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 8:30pm, $10 (or $9 adv).

Trevor Norris (CD release) w/ Janine Farragher & band and Peirson Ross “the Lost EP” showcase @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $10 (incl. CD).

THURSDAY (6 nov)

* Hart House Music Committee presents Stages feat. Run With the Kittens and Hooded Fang @ Arbor Room (Hart House, U of T), 9pm, free.

* Stolen Minks, The Speaking Tongues, Dead Sexy Sheila, and B.A. Johnston @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, $6 (I think).

The Mercy Now @ Graffiti's, 9pm, pwyc.

The Flying Bordelos (debut) w/ Gabe Lee @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, pwyc.

Jane's Party and tba @ C'est What, 9:30pm, free.

Whosarmy and The Waking Eyes (CD release) @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 8pm, free.

Live Jazz Thursdays feat. Will Fisher Quintet (debut) @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc ($5 sugg).

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

Piano Night feat. Paisley Jura, Shelley O'Brien, Bryan Pickell, and Aynsley Saxe @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

The Next Level presents Three Star Seed, Six Feet Deep, The First Time, and Ministry of Zen @ Rock & Roll Heaven, "early," $5.

Mean Tangerine and Proposterous @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

TWM presents Europe in Colour, Luxury Bob, and Fire Flower Revue @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

* Antler (CD release) w/ Sandro Perri, The Weather Station, and Eiyn Sof @ The Boat, 9pm, $7.

Amy Campbell (CD release) w/ Rhonda Stakick, Tiiu Millistver, and more @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $10 (or $8 through http://www.amycampbell.ca).

Dirty Penny, All Night Long, and Flowers of Hell @ Clinton's, 9pm, $tba.

Moon Violet and more @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $tba.

Serving Charity presents Amanda Davids and Rick Bahatti, w/ and DJ Law @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 8pm, $8 w/ can of food (or $10 w/out).

Local Alternative Rock feat. Blurred Vision @ 11:40, A Fourth World @ 10:50, My Shaky Jane @ 10:00, and Mondays Fiction @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $8.

* iNSiDEaMiND (album release) w/ LAL and Peter Project. Lee's Palace, 9pm, $10 (or $8 adv).

Robertson @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $10 (or $8 adv).

Luka Jackson (album/video release) w/ Jeremy Robinson @ The Rivoli, 7:30pm, $10.

Stuck in the City presents Trap Them, Surroundings, Crossroad, and Vilipend @ Siesta Nouveaux, 7pm, $10. All ages.

Gravity's Zero Productions presents Zombie Party feat. Akroid, Revolution Love, Yell the Burden, Gunnar Rapido, August, and Man with Target @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10 (humans, or $7 for zombies).

Birds of Wales w/ guests @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $10.

Jenifet feat. Steve York Band, Lysa Fina & the Boys, The State Of Things, and Tarik Zaky @ Supermarket, 10pm, $10. Raffle tickets sold at event for stuff from various places. This is a fundraiser show.

FRIDAY (7 nov)

Songwriters Unite! Monthly Showcase hosted by Russell Leon, feat. D'arcy Wickham, Stacy Ricker, Shawna Caspi, Ed Winnacott, Stacy Burke, Melanie Peterson, Terry Hart, Jeff Oussoren, and Lily Cheng @ Graffiti's, 9pm, pwyc ($5 sugg).

Brian Blain @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, pwyc.

Tin Roof Rusted @ Cadillac Lounge, 10pm, pwyc.

The Humbles and Fleece Elves @ Mitzi's Sister, 9:30pm, pwyc.

* Room Party (dance party) feat. Golden Girls (band, 11pm) @ The Boat, 10pm, $5.

Rollin' $ Scratchin' (dance party) feat Syntonics @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.

Hijack Delta and Orphan Choir w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Guatemala City, Truman Peyote, Pace the Stairs, and The Honest I's @ Teranga, 9pm, $5.

The New State @ 12:30, tba @ 11:30, The Tanks @ 10:30, and Get Down Sound @ 9:30. Lee's Palace, $5.

TWM presents Broadcast Radio, The Boo, and Waking Up Cross-Eyed @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Woodward Company w/ The Vive Quebec Libres @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm, $tba.

* No Shame presents Ruby Coast (EP release) w/ Green Go and The Elwins @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $8 (I think; $7 adv). A great lineup at a great venue!

* S.O.S Fundraiser feat. Oliver Pigott, Claire Jenkins (solo), More than Breathing, Robert Hedge, Caitlin Burgess, and MJ Cyr (solo, from the Hots) @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 8pm, $8 w/ can of food (or $10 w/out).

This Crooked Mile (CD release) w/ Janine Farragher & band, and Hobsons Choice SunnyLane Records presents Priya Thomas (CD release) w/ Barzin, The Hunting Horns, and Ronley Teper @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

* Pink Mountaintops (members of Black Mountain), Nordic Nomadic, and Castlemusic @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $10 (adv tix avail.).

The Spades @ 11:40, Matthew Barber @ 10:30, and Big Ideas (CD release) @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $10 (or $9 adv).

SATURDAY (8 nov)

John Borra Band @ Graffiti's, 4pm, pwyc.

The Dirty Dogs @ Graffiti's, 9pm, pwyc.

Country Saturdays feat. Howard Willett Trio @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 7-10pm, free.

* Provincial Parks (EP release) @ The Mod Club, 11pm (start time), $10. BUT, e-mail the band at provincialparksATgmailDOTcom to get on the guestlist, and get in for free, as long as you get there before 11pm, when the band starts.

YnF (Your New Friends) and Alanna Brown @ Mitzi's Sister, 9:30pm, pwyc.

Emily Weedon & Delta (CD release and farewell show) w/ The Kensington Hillbillies @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm.

Three Penny Opus (Toronto debut) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 6pm, pwyc.

* Andy Swan, JM McNab, and and Nick Zubeck @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Bible All-Stars (CD release) w/ Handsome Dewey & the Swag @ Cadillac Lounge, 10pm, $5.

Del Asher and Chasing Mercury, w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Coal Mine Canaries Scavenger Hunt (and show) @ O'Grady's, $5. Organize yourself into a team of 2-4 people. Registration is from 7:00-7:45pm.

The Sedatives, School Jerks, and tba @ The Badcave (393 Margueretta St.), $5, 9pm. BYOB.

Trigger Effect, The New Enemy, and Smoke & Mirrors @ High Art for the Lows Down, 9pm, $5. All ages.

Das Piumas and Thrillharmonic @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5. "But the first sixty people in get a free Mars Bar. Seriously."

Red City (Dave Mansell) and more @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $6.

* TWM 28 presents Archipelagos, Videotape (CD release), Parlovr, and Barn Owl @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6.

* The Framework, The Dunes, and N I G H T S, and DJ Rexford @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $6.

Matt Humphreys + Andrew Austin + Paul Filek @ C'est What, 10pm, $7.

Shaman's Revival, Save This City, and Madman Orchestra @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $8.

Hotboxxx presents Jaded, The Benvereens, From now till Forever, Lucas Hunter, Carly Malone Smith, The Kernals, Rep By Pop @ The Rivoli, 7pm, $10.

* The Bicycles presents The Last Schmaltz (Bicycles' CD release party) w/ Young Rival (EP release) and many special guests @ Lee's Palace, 9pm, $10 (or $8 adv). Guests include Sandro Perri, Gravity Wave, $100, Sebastien Grainger, Matt Murphy, Hooded Fang, Brutal Knights, Forest City Lovers, Laura Barrett, Henry Fletcher, Green Go, and The Old Soul. And there are more.

Eugene Chadbourne (solo) @ Tranzac (Main Hall) 8:30 pm, $10.

Truth Explosion Party! feat. Bionic @ 12:40, Delinquents @ 11:50, Ghost Of Modern Man @ 11:00, Dinosaur Bones @ 10:00, and Siberia @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $10.

Fuzion - A Catwalk Concert to Combat Cancer hosted by Steve Anthony (ex-MuchMusic VJ) feat. Written in Red, Second Pass, and Nathan Down, w/ DJ Hussler @ The Annex WreckRoom, 6pm (early event), $15 (or $10 w/ guestlist RSVP). Fasion: World's End Clothin, Fashion Whore, and Tarz Industrial. Prizes. All proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society.

SUNDAY (9 nov)

Taxi Chain @ Mitzi's Sister, 3pm, pwyc.

Stuck in the City presents Soul Control, Rah, In Time, and Bored Stiff @ Siesta Nouveaux, 3pm (matinee), $8. All ages.

White Squirrels and Sinnerz @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 5-8pm, free.

Bloor Street Gospel Choir @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

Emer O'Discoll & Trio @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 8-10pm, free.

Wavelength 438 feat. The von Drats, Huelepaga Sound System, and CONTACT @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

God's Gift to Yoda and Graham Campbell's Limbic Lifters @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

* Cam Malcolm & the Owls w/ Andrew Vincent and The Hunting Horn @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $tba.