Podcast 29 (25 Feb-1 Mar 2009).

In this edition of the podcast, we talk too much, and we play The Golden Dogs ("Birdsong"), Megan Hamilton & the Volunteer Canola ("Prophecy"), Hollerado ("Americanarama"), Nice Cat ("Dirty Socks"), The D'Urbervilles ("Dragnet"), and No Bunny ("Give It To Me").

I think Tyler took out the part where he confused The Diableros and The D'Urbervilles. He's no fun, that one.

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Indie Music 71 (23 Feb - 1 Mar 2009).

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

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto, all for $10 or less. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though this list is not comprehensive. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, let me know.

I've been sick and out of it, but I'm finally feeling better and up to doing a full(ish) list again. In the past couple of weeks I've seen only a handful of bands/performers: The Hylozoists, Mi Ami, Thank You, I am Robot & Proud, Snowblink, Alex Lukashevky, Bruce Peninsula, and the Rural Alberta Advantage. (Oh, plus something awesome at the Music Gallery... not indie at all.)

Last week was a bit off, show-wise, in my view. Things are back on track this week, with several good lineups on offer that won't cost you much.

MONDAY (23 feb)

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

Shoeless Mondays feat. Wear Your Crown @ 11:15, Brown Sugar @ 10:15, and Make Me Young @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Derek Downham & friends (residency) @ The Press Club, 9pm, free.

Elvis Monday feat. Allie Hughes, Human Statues, Gemini 12, Frank Nevada, and The People Of Canada @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 9pm, free.

The Gods @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, free.

Rattlesnake Choir (residency) @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, free.

Panic Density feat. See Through Trio @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

Bryan Arcand (residency) w/ Cody Elliott and Emmy Jones @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 9:30pm, pwyc.

Earsplitting Mondays feat. It Lies In Ruin and Elevator 22 @ Annies On Queen, 9pm, $5. This is a new hard rock and heavy metal night.

* Doug Tielli presents The Allison Cameron Band, Nicola Miller, and Eric Chenaux @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, pwyc ($10 sugg).

TUESDAY (24 feb)

nO.I.S.E. @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5:30pm, pwyc.

* Gentleman Reg (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 6pm, free. All ages.

Paul Linklater & His Murmurers (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 7-9pm, pwyc.

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

Drummers in Exile (weekly event) @ The Annex WreckRoom, 8pm, pwyc ($2-$5).

The Toronto Folk Singers Circle (monthly event) @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 8pm, pwyc.

Acousic Mardi Gras feat. Sheba, Jeff Barkman, Rosslyn Picton, and Jeff Scott @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

Erin McCallum (CD release) @ The Silver Dollar Room, 8pm (start time), free.

* The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Evil Genius @ 11:40, Inward Eye @ 10:50, Clothes Make The Man @ 10:00, and The Lovely Killbots @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Magnolia w/ tba @ C'est What, 9:30pm, $5.

The Pink & Black Attack presents The Blackouts Toronto and Freddy Fuckup @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, free.

Tumblin' Tuesdays (residency) feat. Lucas Stagg, Tanya Philipovich, and Mary Simon @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 9pm, pwyc.

The Human Statues presents feat. The Human Statues, Jeff Giles, David Ward, and Andrea Loren @ Bread & Circus, 9pm, pwyc.

Alexandra Ribera & band (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 10pm, free.

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

The Flying Bordelos (2 sets, residency) @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Stephanie Braganza w/ tba @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.

CR Avery w/ Corin Raymond (The Undesirables) @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $8.

WEDNESDAY (25 feb)

The Red Eyed Boys (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 6-8pm, pwyc.

Christina Maria w/ tba @ C'est What, 9:30pm, free.

High Lonesome Wednesdays w/ Crazy Strings (bluegrass music), 9:30pm, free.

Victor Bateman @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

See Spot Run, The Breakup Letter, and The Strange @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, pwyc.

The Annex WreckRoom & IndieCan Radio present IndieCan Wednesdays feat. The Compound, Grindstone, and Freedom Cage @ The Annex WreckRoom, 9pm, free.

Wednesdays Go Pop! feat. Benjamin Stevenson, Sean Jones, and Ko Kapches @ Supermarket, 9pm, pwyc.

* The Night Bazaar Series 2 feat. Ana, Simantov Orchestra, Neeraj Prem Masih @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Warped 45s (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 10pm, pwyc.

Hot White Whiskey Wednesdays w/ Brad Casey @ The Cloak & Dagger Pub, 10pm, pwyc.

The Vive Quebec Libres, The Western Dream, and Dirty Penny @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5?

John Lennon & George Harrison Tribute Night @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

* Zeus and The Golden Dogs @ The Dakota Tavern, 9pm, $5.

Hotboxxx presents Maletesta @ 10:30, Malefic Past @ 9:45, Odium @ 9:00, and Skorches @ 8:15. Lee's Palace, 8pm, $5.

Acoustic Evening feat. Hello Charlie, Leh-Lo, Ben Spivak, and Erin Hunt @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm.

* Special Noise, Braids, and Real Cops @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Wombat Wednesdays feat. HANK, Mister Nobu & the Mighty Sparrows, and PDF Format @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8-11pm, $6.

The Box Salon feat. Claudia Dey (words), Amer Diab (music), Steven McKay (music), Irene Loughlin (performance), Sharon English (words), Nick Fox-Geig (film), Fraser Stables (images), and Peter Venuto (music) @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $5-10 sugg donation.

Odradek perform the soundtrack to Lotte Reiniger's "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

Stokka, With Lust, The Good Times, and Ace Kinkaid @ Clinton's, 9pm, $7.

* No Bunny w/ The Smith Westerns, Deutshe Bank, and Invasions @ The Velvet Underground, $9 (or $7 adv).

THURSDAY (26 feb)

Bluegrass & Old Time Thursday feat. Rob Fenton, Nichol Roberts, James McKie, and Max Heineman @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Chris Banks and Chris Vale (residency) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Julie Mahendran @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 8-10pm, free.

* The Drake's 5th Anniversary Party feat. Gravity Wave, Boys Who Say No, and Great Bloomers @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, free.

Ancient Chinese Secret (residency) @ The Cadillac Lounge, 7:30pm, free.

Jessica Stuart (Koto) Few, Sarah Calvert, and Ida Maidstone @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

To Downcast Your Eyes, Red Trakpants, and Rotox Veterin @ Chelsea Room, 9pm, pwyc.

Nervous Wrecked, Nothing Shy, Om Tree Folk Collective, and Ivy Mairi @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc.

Live Jazz Thursdays feat. Malcolm Sinclair @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

Luxury Bob @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

* Megan Hamilton (residency) w/ Lisa Bozikovic @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Conconquidore Truidore, Circus School, Book, The Elizabeth Freakout Project, and MC Ghost of Helen Keller @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm.

The Priddle Concern, Whosarmy, and more @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $5.

Airheart, Kay Pettigrew Band, and Laura Aidanblaise @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 9pm, $7-5.

New Music Night feat. 7th Line, Andy Stedman, Broken Sons, and others @ Clinton's Tavern, 9pm, $5.

Clydesdale, Devil Eyes, and tba @ The Silver Dollar Room, 9pm, $7.

Ladies of The Canyon w/ Lindi Ortega @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

Jack D @ 12:30, Fourthwall Band (CD release) @ 11:40, The Stars Here @ 10:50, The Cunninghams @ 10:00, and tba @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $5.

Six Shooter Thursdays feat. The Cavaliers, Chris Cresswell (The Flatliners, acoustic), Chris Gray (The Black Maria, acoustic), and DJ Adam Kreeft @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.

* Hollerado, Black Names, and Earsz @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

The Ambient Ping presents Freeze Avoidance feat. Ortiz and quasiMODAL @ Renaissance Cafe, 8pm, $6.

Nice Cat @ 11:40, Second Pass @ 10:50, Cyanide @ 10:00, and Very Emergency @ 9:10. Lee's Palace, 9pm, $6. "hard/stoner/grunge rock." For a spot on the guestlist, send Nicole (from Nice Cat) a message through the Nice Cat MySpace page, with "historyjen guest list" in the subject line. (She'll be celebrating her birthday the night of the show.)

Nick Fraser and Drumheller @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

Urban Preacher w/ Dave Borins and Simon Walls @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm (start time), $8.

Vegan Rock feat. Hush Money, More Than Breathing, Dream Awake, and Jacqueline Rendell @ The Boat, 9pm, $10. This is a fundraiser for the Toronto Vegetarian Association. Also feat. "delicious desserts!"

FRIDAY (27 feb)

Masaisai @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 7-10pm, free. Traditional music and dance from Zimbabwe.

Greg Hobbs and Patrick Brealey @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, pwyc.

Flammable Friday No. 2 feat. Great Dane, International Turpentine, and Stregato @ Renaissance Cafe, 9pm, pwyc.

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

The Frotteurs and Run With The Kittens @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Hope in Folk! feat. Alex Unger, Maggie Cross, Pat Piper, Zach Cassidy, and Liam Sanagan (LUM) @ 1307 Bloor St. W., 8pm, $4/pwyc. All ages.

The Sherbourne Canons, Ashley Newall Band, and The Monitors @ Clinton's, 9pm, $5.

The Ireland Brothers Band @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

Medallions and Picturesound @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $5.

The Jet Trio, You Handsome Devil, and DJ Vania @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.

Llions and others @ The Velvet Underground, 9pm, $5.

Public City presents Public, Revival Dear, Spookey Ruben Trio, and Neil Kevin Quin (from Zeus, Major Grange) @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $5.

End Riot, Hollywood Swank, Dead City Citizens and El Riot @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 9pm, $5.

You & Me and Carly & Mark @ Renaissance Cafe, 9pm, $5.

* The D'Urbervilles, Still Life Still, and The Paint Movement @ The Silver Dollar Room, 9pm, $6. There's a contest for free tickets to this show up at http://itsnotthebandihateitstheirfans.blogspot.com/2009/02/contest-still-life-still-durbervilles.html.

Ashley w/ DJ Duncan @ Neutral, 10pm, $6.

The Speakeasies, These Three Cities, and Joe Macleod @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7.

The Monster Show (CD release) w/ tba @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, $7.

Hell Yeah Fuck Yeah, Spoiled Rotten, and Broadcast Zero @ Annies On Queen, 9pm, $7.

leftover daylight series presented by Evan Shaw feat. Alaniaris, June Pak w/ improvisers, and the aimtoronto Orchestra Workshop @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

Chaddy @ The Annex WreckRoom, 8pm, $10.

Hotboxxx presents Waitin on Pogey, Fridays Karma, Paul Clifford, Ryan Barwick, Gettysburg, Vedette, and Run Yellow @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $10.

SATURDAY (28 feb)

* Luxury Bob (3 sets) @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 4-7pm, pwyc.

Bill Colgate & the Urbane Guerillas feat. Cam MacInnes (residency) @ The Dominion on Queen, 4-7pm, pwyc ($10 sugg).

Ivy Mairi and Alex Whyte @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 6:30pm, pwyc.

Organic Funk @ Harmony Lounge, 8pm, free.

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

The Screwed (3 sets) @ The Cadillac Lounge, 10pm, pwyc.

Songwriters Unite! feat. Noah Zacharin, Blair Packham, D'Arcy Wickham, Heather Chappell, James Clark, Bri-Anne Swan, Ellie Avishai, Sarah Calvert, and your host Russell Leon @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 9pm, pwyc ($5 sugg).

Matthew de Zoete, Nina Nielsen, and The Done Fors @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:15pm, pwyc.

Will Fisher Quintet @ Tequila Bookwork, 9pm, pwyc.

Ed Vokurka Ensemble @ The Drake Hotel (Lounge), 8pm, $5.

* Katie DuTemple & the Staytoughs w/ Calie Staples @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $5.

TWM 35 feat. Rival Boys, Noisedive, and Bitter City @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

* Key Witness, Honest I's, and The Artful Vandelays @ The Silver Dollar Room, 10pm, $5.

The 3tards, The Groopies, and The Talliband, w/ DJ Billy Geek @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.

Joshua Cockerill @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

* Sadie May Crash and The Superstitions @ The Velvet Underground, 9pm, $5.

The Salem Sessions Vol. 1 feat. Golden Ghetto w/ The Poet Trials @ C'est What, 9:30pm, $7.

LAUGHstock presents Come Clean, Barrier, NoHawks, and After The Invasion @ Annies on Queen, 9pm, $7.

* Demon's Claws (record release), Teen Anger, Savage Crimes, and Rackshot @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $8.

Build to Suit: Alan Bloor, Matthew Poulakakis, Jim Bailey, and Arnd Jurgenson @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

Mitzi's Sister 6th Anniversary Party feat. Taxi Chain, Laura Hubert, and Laura Repo @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, $10.

* The Coast @ 12:30, The Diableros @ 11:30, Oh No Forest Fires @ 10:30, and Ryan Masters Band @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, $10. The Coast are back from their UK tour.

* No Bunny, The Smith Westerns, The Superstitions, Sadie May Crash, The Paper Makers, and La Casa Muerte @ The Velvet Underground, 4pm, $8. All ages.

* Anagram, Bush League feat. Jeremy Strachan, Katie Stelmanis, Animal Monster, and DJ Rob Gordon, w/ performance by Sebastian Butt & Bonny Poon @ Cinecycle, $10. This is a fundraiser for Jamie's Area.

Rise for Order @ 12:30, Affinity @ 11:30, A Match for the Curios @ 10:30, and Fancy Girls Market @ 9:30. Lee's Palace, 9pm, $10.

SUNDAY (1 mar)

Brunch w/ Ben and Dub music @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), noon, pwyc.

David Woodhead's Confabulations @ Tranzac (Souther Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

The Red Eyed Boys @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 5-8pm, free.

Michael Brennan, Steve Briggs, and Rob Clark (residency) @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 4-7pm, pwyc.

John Borra & Sam Ferrara (residency) @ The Communist's Daughter, 5pm, pwyc.

Cosima, Nick Zubeck, and Ross Budden @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, free.

Healing Power 1st Anniversary feat. Glass Tomb and Boner Jerusalem @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, pwyc,

Paul Reddick & the Recidivists w/ guests @ The Dakota Tavern, 9pm, 5?

* Wavelength 452 feat. Hopeful Monster, Pete Samples, and Evening Hymns, w/ DJ Lauren Schreiber, and visuals by General Chaos @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

The Woodchoppers Association @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:30pm, pwyc.

Women in Tragedy, Pants & Tie, and Nascent State @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 10pm, $5.

* Canaille (2 sets) @ Somewhere There, 6-8pm, $8.

John Oswald, Michelangelo, and Laurel MacDonald @ Somewhere There, 8pm, $8.

Futurepop! (Cdn premiere) w/ Theophilus London @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $10.

Truth Is...'s Merch. Release Party (poetry, music, and comedy) feat. Mumbles & the Dust, Made Wade, Alicia Murrin, Keisha-Monique, Dave Brennan, Truth Is..., and DJ Well Said @ The Boat, 7pm, $10.

Gracing the Stage.

My friend and fellow listings compiler and local music fan Steve Fisher has a new(ish) website. He's put together two fantastic evenings on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the launch of the website, and showcase some of the talent he's enjoyed over the past several years. [Check out Gracing the Stage.]

Steve started his Gracing the Stage weekly updates back in 2002, and has been doing so "pretty consistently" since 2004. At first a page posted to a Ryerson residence bulletin, then a small e-mailed newsletter, Steve new sends his update to a subscriber list of 1,000 people. The newsletter includes suggestions for all things performing arts, at an affordable price: live music, theatre, comedy, dance, and film. See the latest list here. An avid show-goer---catch him 5 or 6 nights a week supporting live comedy, theatre, music, or at the movies---Steve's gotta be the most knowledgeable person in this city when it comes to what's on, what's good, and who's working on what. His specialty is what's affordable and almost always local. For special events, like the Fringe, Steve puts together capsule reviews to help his subscribers navigate a dense schedule. It was thus only a matter of time before the e-mailed newsletter turned into a website with near-daily posts about the performing arts in Toronto. [Photo of Steve by Dahlia Katz.]

This weekend help celebrate the website's launch and enjoy top-notch local performers at Kensington Market's Bread & Circus (on Friday) and Bloor West's Comedy Bar (Saturday). Tickets for both nights are $12 in advance at their respective venues and Soundscapes (572 College St.), or $15 @ the door. The shows are fundraisers for the website. Here's who you'll get to see:

FRIDAY (20 feb)

gracingthestage.ca Launch Party Night 1 feat. Entire Cities, 10,000 to Flight, Gravity Wave, Tonka & Puma, The Williamson Playboys, Levi MacDougall, Maylee Todd, Convergence Theatre, and Carnegie Hall, with hosts Iron Cobra @ Bread & Circus (299 Augusta Ave), 8pm doors, 9pm showtime.

Entire Cities headline the Friday night show at Bread & Circus. Also performing are Gravity Wave, who I have still yet to see in its latest incarnation (Ken Farrell likes to mix things up), bass-drums duo Tonka & Puma (AKA April and Dan from Hooded Fang), and the hilarious Williamson Playboys.

Download: Entire Cities' "Cop Song" (Deep River, 2008).

Download: Gravity Wave's "Buffalo Jump" (Twin Prime Conjecture, 2008).

Watch: The Williamson Playboys perform "Hindenburg."

SATURDAY (21 feb)

gracingthestage.ca Launch Party Night 2 feat. Maylee & Slippers’ Sweatshop Hop, Pat Thornton, Peter Katz, Kathleen Phillips, The Remainders, Jehan Khoorshed, Melissa D'Agostino, Makesi Arthur, hosts the Flirts (Kurt Smeaton & Alana Johnston) @ Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.), 8pm doors, 9pm showtime.

Saturday is less music-focused, but there are a couple singer-songwriters on the bill, followed by the Sweatshop Hop, an insane workout show requiring audience participation. Jehan Khoorshed is an Ottawa singer-songwriter, and longtime friend of Steve's. He doesn't play outside his hometown very often, but has a new record he'd love to share with more people. Peter Katz comes highly recommended by Steve. A "masterful performer," says Steve, catch him here before his major headlining show at Hugh's Room in April.

Download: "These Are The Days" off Peter Katz's 2007 release, More Nights.

Download: Jehan Khoorshed's "Jodessa" (s/t, 2008).

Watch: Sweathop Hop video.

Hylozoists @ Soundscapes, 10 Feb.

Soundscapes was blogger central Tuesday evening for the Hylozoists in-store performance. Frank and Bob were there with their cameras, Paul filmed a few songs for Zunior TV, and even Mike showed up . . . albeit an hour late. Look for reviews and various kinds of film footage in the next few days. I, of course, did not bring my camera. But suffice to say that Hylozoists = love. Instrumental indie rock/classical! The play next in Toronto at the Mod Club on 21 Feb., opening for Jill Barber.

Here's the song from their latest release that's been making the rounds, and a bonus older track.

Download: The Hylozoists's "The Island of Seven Cities," L'Île de Sept Villes (2009).
Download: The Hylozoists's "Strait Is the Gate," La Fin Du Monde (2006).

The next Soundscapes in-store concert is Gentleman Reg on 24 Feb., 6pm. All shows are free and open to everyone. All these shows are great, relaxed, and happy, and you'll find yourself surrounded by, uh, us, and lots of local musicians. Yesterday's audience was composed of members of Key Witness, The Diableros, Hamilton Trading Co., Meligrove Band, Gentleman Reg, Sean MacDonald & the Astronauts, and others.

Shout out (and recap of my week in shows).

I saw some really good bands and solo acts last week. More proof that, to my mind at least, I've gotten pretty good at sussing out what I like!

On Wednesday at Rancho Relaxo, I caught The Kettle Black for the first time. This is an interesting, different musical project, and one that's definitely worth seeing. A one-man act, Nick had a couple guitars and a bass, a variety of electronic equipment all stacked up beside him, some percussion set up in front of him and to the side, which he used his feet to hit/play. There were high kicks involved in some of this. The stage lights were turned off and candles lit. The small audience, made up mostly of musicians in the other bands playing, it seemed, was forced to take note, and when Nick was done his set, we gave him a rousing---as rousing as maybe 25 people can do---and lengthy applause. Quality stuff, performed with intensity. His set up take a bit, but it's worth the wait.

Download: "Once Upon the Fence" from Was Wollen Sie Mehr? and then head over to The Kettle Black's website to donate money to download more songs.

The next day, Thursday, saw me at the Horseshoe Tavern, where Ruby Coast and Winter Gloves got people dancing . . . and, in the case of Ruby Coast, body-slamming. The latter was a bit unfortunate for me, but the band has this effect on its young fans. Crowd-surfind and moshing are standard, and if you're on the dancefloor, beware. (I learned the hard way before hightailing it to safer ground.) These are really fun bands. Montrealers Winter Gloves put on an energetic live show to complement their electro pop sound. Ruby Coast is poppier, but no less energetic. Check here for a couple song downloads.

A couple friends and I went to Tranzac on Friday to see Forest City Lovers and Geoff Berner. I'd seen Geoff Berner a year earlier, and I laughed so hard it hurt. This time around the set was more musically based than I remember---his band is made up of three performers on this tour---but there were still lots of laughs for his great banter and funny lyrics. He was keen to get a congo line going "in Toronto," and the large, appreciative crowd did not disappoint. There was indeed congo-ing. It was pretty silly. My personal favourite was his "Weep, Bride, Weep" song, which had me in stitches. It's an audience participation ditty, so here's another song that showcases Berner's social commentary / comedy / klezmer-folk style.

Download: "Luck in Exile," a song which I believe Geoff Berner both opened and closed with. Odd, that.

Forest City Lovers are one of my favourite Toronto bands of the quieter variety. (If you like Ohbijou, for example, you'll love this band too.) They are awkwardly charming on-stage, and their albums are stellar, showcasing top-notch songwriting and arrangements. Unfortunately, the band was plagued by sound issues for the first half of its set. (Geoff Berner was also beset with technology problems.) And, in fact, the three times that I've seen this band in the Tranzac's Main Hall have been disappointing because of sound issues! Damnit. I'm gonna hope to see this band perform elsewhere. In the meantime, I will spend lots more time with their recordings.

Download: "Monsters" from 2008's Haunting Moon Sinking.

Whale Tooth's EP release was on Saturday. I've already given shout outs to the two bands I saw that night, here and here (and also here). I missed most of The Balconies's set, but this Ottawa band definitely sounded like a group I need to check out. Sneaky Dee's was pretty packed all night long. Not as much dancing was happening as I would have liked, but Toronto can be like that sometimes. Great show. I like Whale Tooth quite a lot, in spite of my ever-so-slight musical pretension. Their version of pop is just so catchy and the vocals are awesome. Green Go is tops for a live band electro dance session. I look forward to seeing both bands again.

Finally, Sunday. It was my friend's birthday, and he was putting on the show that night at the Boat. The show was part of the Gather Round series, which is hosted / headlined each Sunday by Hamilton Trading Co., Keith Hamilton's choir project with 12 members this particular Sunday night. Preceding HTC was Diamong Rings, the solo project of John O'Regan, the frontman from The D'Urbervilles. What a talent that guy has. He performed a brilliant set that was entirely unassuming, on a borrowed acoustic guitar, sitting on piled-up milk crates. It was a wet night---just warm enough outside for roof snow to be melting and falling in drips into pots and a variety of other containers hanging from and stapled to the Boat's ceiling. Half-way through Diamond Rings' set, the container stapled to the ceiling just to the left of where he was playing collapsed suddenly, heavy with water. The water came crashing down. No harm done to either John (who had a cold) or Keith's baby-blue guitar. And it was thus completely hilarious. After a couple minutes of laughing, the show went on. John finished a song accompanied by occasional drips falling into a bucket. And then Keith stapled the container back to the ceiling, and John continued his set sans further interruption.

Brad Casey (performing as Cigarettes, and accompanied on a couple songs by Keith on saw [!] and on one by Mike Duffield on percussion) performed an intense, moving set of both new and old (for me) material. The choir helped out on the first song, too. This was my favourite time seeing Brad. He's recording new songs, and here's to hoping the finished products will showcase some of the interesting instrumentation we were treated to Sunday night.

And there you have it. My week in music! I should get back into the habit of bringing my camera with me when I go out. Bad lighting be damned, some of these events should really be documented.

Podcast 28 (12-15 Feb 2009).

The Wavelength Anniversary podcast, with guest Doc Pickles! Featuring Timber Timbre ("Demon Host"), The Magic ("No Sound"), Slim Twig ("Brothl Hunting"), The Luyas ("Tantamount"), and I am Robot & Proud ("Something to Write Home About").

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Indie Music 69 (9-15 Feb 2009).

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

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto, all for $10 or less. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though this list is not comprehensive. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, let me know.

I'm not going to do a list this week---needed a break from it this weekend---but here are a few suggestions to get you started (or completely overwhelmed and musically fulfilled). Of particular note are the Wavelength anniversary shows, Thursday through Sunday. See details below. There's also the Winterfolk Roots & Blues festival, Friday through Sunday. See http://www.winterfolk.com/ for more on that. All shows are free. There are a couple in-stores, too.

TUESDAY (10 feb)

The Hylozoists (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 6pm, free. All ages.

Michael Holt w/ Tanya and Todd Porter @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Weezer Tribute Night feat. The Surf Wax Americans (The Waking Eyes playing "The Blue Album" in its entirety), Cio Cio San & The Pink Eyes (playing "Pinkerton" in its entirety), and Serb Superb @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

WEDNESDAY (11 feb)

Wombats in Love: (Un)likely Duos on the Theme of Love hosted by Kathleen Phillips and Dawn Whitwell, feat. Reg Vermue / Jimmy Guthrie, Mary Margaret O'Hara / mystery guest, Jeremy Singer / Victoria Kent, Casey Mecija / Samir Khan, Tara Azzopardi / Paul Matthew, Bob Wiseman / Magali Meagher, Ian Russell / Julie Faught, Liz Hysen / Graeme Wilson, Katie Crown / Levi Macdougall, Liz Forsberg / Michael Armstrong, Erika Werry / Bob Wiseman, David Dineen-Porter / guest, and others @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8-11pm, $6. Benefit show.

THURSDAY (12 feb)

The Stages Concert Series presented by the Hart House Music Committee feat. Johnny Alexander & [Apple]box @ The Arbor Room (Hart House, U of T), 9pm, free. All ages.

Hollerado, Dinosaur Bones, and Barn Burner @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

Jon McKiel, Klarka Wienrum @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Doug Paisley (CD release) w/ The Pining @ The Dakota Tavern, 9pm, $5.

TWM presents Revolvers, The Easy Targets, A Northern Drawl, and The Vive Quebec Libres @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6.

Black Diamond Bay w/ Tiger Magik and Jason Bajada @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $8.

[WL 450] Timber Timbre (CD release), Ghost Bees, and Dorit Chrysler @ The Music Gallery (St. George The Martyr Church), 7pm, $10/pwyc.

[WL 450] The Diableros and Loitering Heroes @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10:30pm, $10/pwyc.

Birds of Wales w/ Amos the Transparent @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 8pm (early show), $10.

FRIDAY (13 feb)

The Von Bondies (in-store) @ Criminal Records, 5pm, free. All ages.

The Isosceles Project (CD release), Street Corner Skandal, and Reverse Mount Rushmore @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

The Little Millionaires, Horses, Junior Battles, and Yellow Giants @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 9pm, $5.

ina unt ina (CD release) w/ many special guests @ The Gladstone Hotel (Ballroom), 9pm, $6 (or $15 and you get the CD too).

Hi-Hat Compilation 3 Launch Party feat. These Electric Lives, Parlovr, The Rest, and Pants & Tie, w/ afterparty feat. B'MO Crazy & Bron Halpin @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7 (or $10 and you get the CD too).

Burn Down The Capital presents Extra Life, Little Women + Ghostlight + Not The Wind, Not The Flag @ The Boat, 9pm, $8.

[WL 450] Steamboat, Slim Twig, Bonjay, Child Bite, The Magic, and DJ Benjamin Boles @ Wrongbar, 9pm, $10/pwyc.

The Human Statues, Jon & Roy, and Chris Assaad @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

SATURDAY (14 feb)

Barzin, Olenka & the Autumn Lovers, and Nick Zubeck @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm (early show), $5.

Fox Jaws, Sonora Aero Club, and The Paint Movement @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $5.

Late Night Live feat. Sean MacDonald & the Astronauts (CD release), Shelby Lamb, and Neil Quin (The Golden Dogs) @ The Silver Dollar, 10:30pm, $5.

Revival Dear w/ Jetset Motel @ The Dakota Tavern, 9pm, $5.

Pirate/Rock, Young Flux, Heaven, and Dawn of Humans @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6.

[WL 450] $100, Brides, Hooded Fang, The Luyas, The Element Choir, and DJs Greg Ipp & Ian Worang @ Polish Combatants Hall, 8pm, $10/pwyc.

Matthew Barber w/ Emma-Lee @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

SUNDAY (15 feb)

Marcel Aucoin & Michael Holt present The Piano Salon (music & talk) feat. Mantler, Dalton Conley (talk), and Peter Cosbey & Mariko Kamachi @ 2035 Dundas St. W, 7pm, pwyc, BYOB.

Gather Round feat. Hamilton Trading Co. and others @ The Boat, 9pm, pwyc.

A Mountain Far presents The Smile, Siberia, We Were Former, and Braxton Clover @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 8pm, $5.

[WL 450] Foxfire, Vowls, I am Robot & Proud, Thank You, Mi Ami, and DJ Babylon Telecom @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10/pwyc.

Green Go remixes indie bands.

One of my favourite electro-pop acts around these parts is Green Go. I try to see them whenever I can, and especially when I'm in the mood for dancing! (Which is usually.) I'm seeing them tonight at Sneaky Dee's---and you can too, for only $7 cover!---but this post isn't about that.

Green Go's just released some new remixes over at their website. Head there to download dance-y versions of songs by The D'Urbervilles, Gentleman Reg, Women, The Rural Alberta Advantage, and Born Ruffians! How nice of them all, eh? These free tracks are bound to make your day. And the band will make your night . . . see you at Sneaky Dee's?

Podcast 27 (5-8 Feb 2009).

Featuring Winter Gloves ("Factories"), Vitaminsforyou ("B4U"), Forest City Lovers ("Two Hearts"), Whale Tooth ("Clever"), The Primordials ("Shout, Shake, & Go"), and Key Witness ("First Wave [unmastered]").

Lots of good music. The Whale Tooth track comes off their new EP, to be released at Sneaky Dee's on Saturday. And the Key Witness song will be featured on their upcoming album, with a 21 March release date. (And hence why I have an unmastered copy.)

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Shout out.

It's been a while since I did a "shout out" post. In the meantime I've heard some new bands and listened to some new records. So now's a good time for another post. Here are a few Toronto bands you may or may not know, but I think you should start to get to know. First up, Whale Tooth.

This Toronto band is less than a year old (if I can do math correctly). In that time they've gained lots of loyal fans and learned to put on energetic live shows to showcase their new pop sound. Boasting three vocalists, the main singing duties are handled by Elise LeGrow, an erstwhile jazz singer. I've seen Whale Tooth a couple times, the first time at Sneaky Dee's and then again not too long after at Rancho Relaxo, a venue that has welcomed them several times. The first time, I wasn't sure about what I thought---I enjoyed their set and was impressed with Elise's vocals and stage presence---but I wasn't totally sold. The second time around I got it, and now count myself among this band's local fans. Their EP release show is happening this Saturday (7 Feb.) at Sneaky Dee's, and also features Green Go (!) and an Ottawa band called The Balconies. Promises to be a fun night!

Download: "Hibernation Song" off Whale Tooth's new EP.

Timber Timbre is not a new project, but the band does have a new album, released in mid-January on the local indie label, Out of This Spark. The self-titled album is fantastic: soulful, moody, and with at times simple (yet powerful) arrangements. These songs fit singer/songwriter Taylor Kirk's vocal style perfectly, to my mind. Taylor and his occasional bandmate are currently singing with Bruce Peninsula. I've yet to catch the two of them perform together as Timber Timbre. The new record is making it hard for me to wait until I get the chance! And I will soon. TT's CD release show is next Thursday, 12 Feb., as part of the Wavelength Anniversary. More details about that here.

Download: "Demon's Host" is the first track off Timber Timbre.

One of the bands I'm most excited about these days is The O'Darling. This 6-piece (plus occasional drummer)---at least when I saw them play---performs quiet and a smidge jazzy tunes, but with a definite "indie" edge, if that makes any sense. This isn't a lounge act, though I'd love to have them play for me regularly at the Tranzac's front room, for example. The three women in the band share vocal duties, and each brings a different attitude to her performance. I saw them perform in a room with less-than-ideal acoustics for their sound, and was entranced. Can't wait to see and hear them again. (Feel free to ask me which bands you could play with, O'Darlings!) The band is recording a new album and planning a Canada-wide tour over the summer months. If all goes as it should/could, I'm expecting to put this group on my "hottest bands in Canada" list at the end of 2009.

Download: The O'Darling's "You're Directing."

Indie Music 68 (2-8 Feb 2009).

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

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto, all for $10 or less. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though this list is not comprehensive. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, let me know.

I have been to the Horseshoe a lot lately. But heck I have seen some great bands here! This past Saturday it was Bruce Peninsula and the Tom Fun Orchestra. It was, as Tyler predicted, "a real barnburner." BP was excellent, as expected, but Tom Fun... oh my, what a show! They played for nearly an hour and a half, including two encore sets. Wild. Loads of fun.

There's a nice piece about the Dakota Tavern here: http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/article/580263. The part about $5 cover being "a rare event" in Toronto is just not true, though. (See below, obv.)

MONDAY (2 feb)

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

Dustin & the Furniture and Big Spirit @ The Oxford Hotel (117 Oxford St.), 7-11pm, pwyc.

Shoeless Mondays feat. Kindred Skies @ 11:15, Battleship Ethel @ 10:15, and Binge Ninja @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Derek Downham & friends (residency) @ The Press Club, 9pm, free.

Panic Density feat. Nancy & Co. w/ Thomas @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

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

Rattlesnake Choir (residency) @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, free.

DJ Ya Ma Bzzz w/ My Divine Light @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, free.

TUESDAY (3 feb)

Paul Linklater & His Murmurers (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 7-9pm, pwyc.

Trish Robb and Elena Yeung @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Drummers in Exile (weekly event) @ The Annex WreckRoom, 8pm, pwyc ($2-$5).

* The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Sea Of Gold & Burgundy @ 11:40, Rikers @ 10:50, La Casa Muerte @10:00, and Sunlit Ambush @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

* Andrew DeVillers (birthday party) w/ Jerry Leger @ Not My Dog, 9pm, pwyc.

* Sunbear and Julie Fader w/ poetry by Damian Rogers @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 9:30pm, free/pwyc.

* The Human Statues presents feat. The Human Statues, A Hundred Magic Lions @ Bread & Circus, 9:30pm, pwyc.

Alexandra Ribera & band (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 10pm, free.

* Great Aunt Ida and Bramwell & The Left Overs @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

* CaMp CoMbO @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

GoodSoundsGood presents...Good Lovin' feat. Emma-Lee, Saidah Baba Talibah, Melissa Bathory, Sarah Shafey, blueVenus, and Moulann, hosted by Sara Hennessey @ Supermarket, 9pm (start time), $6. There's also a prix fixe dinner for $15, or $8 meals, at 7pm.

Helen Carlson w/ The Neil Young 'Uns (debut) @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, free.

The Sure Things (residency) @ Cock & Tail, 10pm, pwyc.

Hi-Hat Compilation 3 Art Party @ Rancho Relaxo, 8:30pm, free. Not music: you get to decorate the CD sleeves that the compilation disk will come in.

* Paul Collins' Beat, Gentleman Jesse & his Men, and ZRO4 @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.

ZAK: Mark Zurawinski, Ken Aldcroft, Michael Kaler with guests @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

Isle of Thieves, Manic Drive, and Marcio Novelli @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $5.

WEDNESDAY (4 feb)

The Red Eyed Boys (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 6-8pm, pwyc.

Acoustic Espionage @ Silver Dollar, 6-9pm, free. Weekly songwriters open stage event, hosted by Tim Harrison and Noah Zacharin. Followed by High Lonesome Wednesdays w/ Crazy Strings (bluegrass music), 9:30pm.

* Ice Cream Social feat. Gregory Pepper & His Problems, Gravity Wave, and Diamond Rings @ Habesha Club (875 Bloor St. W at Ossington), 9pm, pwyc. Crafts and "authors" early on to help you make and write Valentine's cards(starting 6:30pm), then bands at 9pm.

* Bruce Peninsula (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 7pm, free. All ages.

Victor Bateman @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

The Annex WreckRoom & IndieCan Radio present IndieCan Wednesdays feat Vercity and Patrizia @ The Annex WreckRoom, 9pm, free.

Bump It (weekly party) Birthday Bash feat. Egyptrixx, Lucie TIC, RIchie Dioniso, Splice, Yo-Ev, and So Soft @ Augusta House, 9pm, free.

Rock 'n Roll Pornography w/ Guitar Hero live on stage @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, free.

Wednesdays Go Pop! feat. Christina Maria, Lindi Ortega, and Alysha Brillinger @ Supermarket, 9pm, pwyc.

* Bramwell & The Left Overs @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm, pwyc.

* PWYC Weds feat. Skullians, John Milner Your So Boss (formerly Adopted Refugees), The Kettle Black, The Convenients, and Sleep for the Nightlife @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc ($5 sugg).

* Marcel Aucoin, Roar & the Wolf, and the Billie Hollies @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Sure Things (residency) @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, pwyc.

The Warped 45s (residency) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 10pm, pwyc.

Broken Sons @ 11:40, Jace P @ 10:50, Urban Monks @ 10:00, and Compound Band @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $4.

Acoustic Show feat. Justin Brooks, The Dream Company, Jake Chirico, Elijah Holt, and Dan White @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 7pm, $5.

No Official Capacity presents Serene Molestation, Maletesta, and Necrodios @ Kathedral, 8pm, $5. All ages.

* Wombat Wednesdays feat. Metal Kites, Betty Burke, and The Youngest @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8-11pm, $5. Presented by The Phonemes.

HotBoxxx presents Robb Johannes, Patrick Carneiro, Caitlin Burgess, Unknown Culprits, Intended, Creation @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $5.

The Dank, Bombs, The Skirt Chasers, R. Mirsky, and Clydesdale @ The Velvet Underground, 8:30pm, $5.

* Zeus, The Golden Dogs, and Major Grange @ The Dakota Tavern, 9pm, $5.

The Marksmen w/ The Ninja Funk Orchestra @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9:30pm, $5.

The Modest Cowboys @ Rok Boutique, 9pm, $?

Tyler Yarema and tba @ C'est What, 9pm, $7.

Odradek residency: "Odradek Concrète" and Meiko Ando (movement) @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

THURSDAY (5 feb)

Chris Banks and Chris Vale (residency) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Ancient Chinese Secret (residency) @ The Cadillac Lounge, 7:30pm, free.

The Vacant Project @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 8-11pm, free.

Bailey, David Henman Band, Gabriel Charette-Boily @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, pwyc.

Nathan Bishop @ Rearview Mirror, 9pm.

Live Jazz Thursdays feat. Everybody's Favourite Colour @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

Nude as the News feat. tba @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The New Kings (residency) w/ Tomboyfriend @ 751 Queen St. W. (basement), 10pm, pwyc.

The Mechanical Flowers (CD release) w/ Debbie Suede @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm, pwyc.

Seneca College's Social Service Worker Program fundraiser feat. Stop Drop 'n Skank, Demarbles, Earz, Elyse Simpson, and Blues in D @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 7pm, $5.

* Metz (7" release), Brides, and Wyrd Visions @ Trash Palace (89-B Niagara St.), 8pm, $5.

HotBoxxx presents Asleep Behind The Flames @ 11:15, Simple Mission @ 10:30, Days On Edge @ 9:45, and Unbound @ 9:00. Lee's Palace, $5.

Hopeful Monsters w/ My Divine Light @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, $5.

* Ruby Coast @ 11:30, Winter Gloves @ 10:30, and Everything All the Time @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, $5.

The Beat Lounge w/ resident DJs The Vinylkiller and Kato, hosted by Mantis (album release), a live set by Fresh Kils and DJ iRATE, and beat showcase feat. Mantis, Rich Kidd, Buttahfingaz, Gigz, Fresh Kils, and Marmalade @ The Silver Dollar Room, 9pm, $5.

Pray For The Monsters! w/ the art of Ghoulish Garry Pullin, feat. DJ Misty and live performance by Skulls (Misfits tribute) @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.

The Ryde w/ Monster America @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $5.

Rock the Boat: Funkasaurus feat. DJ Well Said and The Main Thing @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

* Hollerado (residency) w/ Young Rival and Atomic Division (formerly The Sweater Girls) @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5? Hollerado are headlining each Thursday in Feb at Sneaks as part of their all-residency tour schedule.

I Wear My Sunglasses At Night (dance party) w/ DJs DZ Cutz, Fathom, and W.E.R.K. @ Augusta House, 10pm, $5.

Mr. Rick & the Biscuits @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

* TWM presents The Robot Ate Me, Braxton Clover, Emperor X, and Your Volunteer @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6. This one comes highly recommended by Bob at http://itsnotthebandihateitstheirfans.blogspot.com.

Ashley @ Rok Boutique, 10pm, $6.

* Nick Fraser and Drumheller @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

Matt York w/ Scott Normandy @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $10.

* Entertainment By Demand presents The Human Statues and The Williamson Playboys @ Clinton's Tavern, 9pm, $10.

Burn Down The Capital presents Alessandro Cortini (of NIN), Fredric Fiteau, Random Transfer, and Women In Tragedy @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 8pm, $10.

Cuff the Duke @ The Dakota Tavern, 11pm. Holy shit! Really?

Red Handed Denial, Viscount Trematron (debut), A Sin For A Prayer, Fault of The Saviour, and Import/Export @ Kathedral, 7pm, $10. All ages.

* Canadian Reggae World Celebrates Bob Marley feat. ibadan Tréson, Jason Wilson, Belinda Brady, RaLion, Fergus (The Sattelites), and Mr. JoJo Bennett @ Originals (1660 Bayview Ave.), 9pm, $10.

FRIDAY (6 feb)

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

Willow Rutherford, Patrick Brealey, and Sara Genn @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Decades feat. Brendan Slyne & friends @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, $tba.

The Mercy Now, HotKid, and more @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 9pm.

Pacific Trash Vortex, Allie T, Picasio, and Doom Tickler @ Teranga, 9pm, $3.

Clara Engel / Ghost Fetish w/ Basket of Figs and Maria Kasstan @ Concord Cafe, 9pm, pwyc ($5 sugg).

Sheba Mojtahedi and Jeff Barkman @ Free Times Cafe, 7:30pm, $5.

Ashes Of Soma, Days Left, Ill Of Day, and DJ Vania @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.

BS101, Chachi On Acid, and Robocopp @ Annies on Queen, 9pm, $5.

The Disraelis, Give Us Daggers, Burn Planetarium, and tba @ The Silver Dollar Room, 9pm, $5.

Sweetback v. 7 (dance party) feat. DJs CutHowYaLike, The Jive Express, and Platform Shag @ Augusta House, 9:30pm, $5.

Rollin' & Scratchin' (dance party) Frost Bite Party w/ Vitaminsforyou (live set), R&S DJs, DJ Me, and DJ Tricky Cerrera @ Supermarket, 9:30pm, $5 (before 11:30pm).

Left Of Zero (EP release) @ 12:30, Hartford @ 11:30, Desperate Union @ 10:30, and Going Through The Motions @ 9:30. Lee's Palace, $6.

Scotty Campbell & His Wardenaires @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

* Room Party (dance party) w/ Foxfire and DJ Hard Dough @ The Boat, 10pm, $5.

Never Forgive Action (dance party) w/ DJ Dave Campbell @ The Drake Hotel (Underground), 11pm, $5.

Special Ops w/ Blood Runs Cold @ Rok Boutique, 9pm, $6.

Edgar Breau & Kevin Christoff (Simply Saucer) w/ The Saffron Sect @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, $6.

* TWM 34 feat. Ryan Masters Band, Five Blank Pages, and Tin Star Orphans @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7.

Hand Drawn Dracula Label Showcase feat. Contrived, Brian Borcherdt, Julie Fader, and Off the International Radar, w/ DJs Graham Walsh (Holy Fuck) and Shit La Merde @ WhipperSnapper Gallery, 9pm, $7.

* Loving In The Name Of feat. DJs Disappointment, Product Placement, and Strictly Commercial, and The Best (cover band incl. Andre Ethier, Matt Murphy, Nobu Adilman, James Sayce, Allie Hughes, and Katherine Bates) @ The Gladstone Hotel (Ballroom), 10pm, $7.

Leftover Daylight Series feat. Gaucher/ Lumley/ Shaw, N, and Rampersaud/ Rindone @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8. Full details: http://www.ovalwindowmusic.org/leftoverdaylight/february06.php.

* Geoff Berner (CD release) and Forest City Lovers @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8:30pm, $10. Saw Geoff last year and I laughed so hard it hurt. FCL are one of my favourites.

Dr. Payne & the Disease w/ Maya @ Clinton's, 9:30pm, $10.

SATURDAY (7 feb)

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

The Foggy Hogtown Boys (residency) @ The Dakota Tavern, 3-7pm, pwyc.

John Borra Band (residency) @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 4pm, pwyc.

Cadillac Ranch Country Matinee (weekly) @ Cadillac Lounge, 4-7pm.

Bill Colgate & the Urbane Guerillas feat. Cam MacInnes (residency) @ The Dominion on Queen, 4-7pm, pwyc.

Joe Hall and George Dobo @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 6:30pm, pwyc.

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

Rekha Patel @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm.

David Celia Trio w/ Derrick Brady and Cleave Anderson @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm.

Half Beat Mishap @ Tequila Bookworm, 9pm, pwyc.

* Mandibles and Miss Scarlett @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc ($5 sugg).

Girls! Girls! Girls! (singer-songwriter night) hosted by Melanie Peterson, feat. Elana Harte, Sue Breit and Amy Campbell @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 10pm, pwyc.

The Flyboys feat. Serb Superb, Carlo & his Sound Education (Toys Are Just), The Drunken Moon Sisters @ The Velvet Underground, 7pm (early show), $5.

Blood Runs Cold, Tijuana Crackwhore, and A Necessary Evil @ Annies on Queen, 9pm, $5.

* School Jerks, White Wires, The Bang Bangs, Mother's Children, and City Sweethearts (debut) @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Drunkula, You Call Yourselves Soldiers, and DJ Darrin Pfeiffer (Goldfinger, CFNY) @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.

Samantha Martin & the Haggard @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $5.

Shake A Tail (dance party) @ Clinton's, 10pm, $5.

Do Right! Saturdays (dance party) feat. DJs Fase, John Kong, Circle Research, and MC Abdominal @ Supermarket, 10pm, $5 (before 11pm).

Tenth Planet and Rise for Order @ Rok Boutique, 9pm, $6.

Russell Leon Band w/ Nate Daniels Band, and The Marcus Walker Quartet @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $6.

Donovan Woods w/ Jean Caffeine @ C'est What, 10pm, $6.

Superhero Masquerade feat. The Love & Wars, TreeStar, Polarity, and Sheba Mojtahedi @ Mitzi's Sister, 8:30pm, $7 (or $5 w/ superhero costume). Also featuring superhero and villain art on display and for purchase.

* TWM presents Whale Tooth (EP release) w/ Green Go and The Balconies @ Sneaky Dees, 9pm, $7. Pay $10, and you'll get a copy of the EP, too. (It's good.)

* Eating Glass, Our Father (record release), Crux of Aux, Indian Ocean, and Bastard Child Death Cult @ Adrift Clubhouse, 8pm, $8. All ages.

Philallistah, Ken Aldcroft Convergence Ensemble, and dysfunct @ Somewhere There, 8-10pm, $8.

Flash Lightnin' @ 12:00, The Knifings @ 11:00, and Dean Lickyer @ 10:00. The Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, $8.

No Name Dance feat. Aimée Dawn Robinson (dance), Eric Chenaux, Jennifer Castle, Nick Fraser, Allison Cameron @ The Music Gallery, 7pm, $10 ($5 members, of pwyc). Improv stuff.

* MV/EE & the Golden Road (2 sets) w/ Battleship Ethel and DJ Longhorn Grille @ Vintage By the Pound (1234 Bloor St.), 7:30pm, $10.

Rencontres en Chansons presents Serge Monette w/ Philippe Flahaut @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $10.

* Ainiké w/ Richard Underhill, Eric St. Laurent, Harmattan Road, and DJ General Eclectic (Footprints) @ The Silver Dollar Room, 8:30pm, $10.

Sensoria feat. DJG, Loetech, and Sidenote w/ Coi & Enlight, w/ video by Videocake and Quim @ Augusta House, 10pm, $10.

* The Primordials @ The Mod Club, 11pm (set time), $10. Contact the band to get on their unlimited guest list, and get in for free.

SUNDAY (8 feb)

David Woodhead & Friends (residency) @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

Michael Brennan, Steve Briggs, and Rob Clark (residency) @ Graffiti's Bar & Grill, 4-7pm, pwyc.

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

John Borra & Sam Ferrara (residency) @ The Communist's Daughter, 5pm, pwyc.

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

Elena Yeung @ The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 8-10pm, free.

* Wavelength 449 feat. Machetes, Sadie May Crash, and Key Witness, hosted by Doc Pickles, and with visuals by General Chaos @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

* Gather Round feat. Hamilton Trading Co., Brad Casey, Diamond Rings, and Amelia Goodlet @ The Boat, 9pm, pwyc.

* The Beauties (residency) @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, free.

The Lina Allemano Four @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:30pm, pwyc.

John Mayberry hosts The Bilge Rats @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 7pm, $5.

A Mountain Far presents The Chronic, Tonnn, Japanese Beaver Are Canadian, and No Alarms @ Smiling Buddha Bar, 8pm, $5.

TWM presents Roy Lieberman, Hi Red Center (CD release), The Paint Movement, The Ostrich Tuning @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6.

Christine Duncan's Element Choir (residency) @ Somewhere There, 6-8pm, $8.