Distracted. Entertained.

I still haven't written my conference paper! Eeek. I have to do it soon.

I keep getting distracted by errands and the internet and talking with CS and then going out. Tonight I went down to the Horseshoe to catch The Human Statues. They were pretty fun, energetic, and highly entertaining; I'm glad that I went to see them perform. A new friend of mine (JW) was in the audience, right up at the front where I like to be. Clearly, we are meant to be friends. During the last band's set---Woodward Company---I spotted a friend from school in the crowd. Fun. After the show JW and I talked to some of the musicians and each other and some random older guy at the bar. The hour got later. I had hoped to be home by 12:30. Instead, I got home after 2am. Oops. And it's now approaching 3am.

I rather enjoyed Woodward Company. They seem young and I think they've got something. At times the music was a bit too standard rock, but there were moments of interest and variety. Reminded me of Tokyo Police Club at times. They are talented and not bad looking. I wish them well; maybe they'll evolve into something slightly better and go somewhere. That'd be cool.

Not especially productive.

I have not been especially productive today, and I wasn't yesterday either. I generally don't want to do my work. But I love doing the indie stuff. This is not what I've been paid to do. And not what I must do. I wish I was better able to concentrate on the work I have to do. But it's my own fault for basically just not doing it.

It's always easier to do the small, quick things than it is to do the big, long-term, difficult things. Checking websites, answering e-mails, and running errands tends to take priority over the important stuff. Ah well. I'll get my act together at some point.

I better.

It was raining today. Maybe that can be my excuse for not feeling overly motivated. Laundry and a few other things was all I could handle, right?

Podcast 2 is up!

http://www.zygiella.com/historyjen

You have to choose Podcast 2 from the player by clicking the next song icon at the top of the page.

Tell me what you think.

Musical Sunday.

Ouff. I've had quite the weekend of being out and about, usually at shows. But including lots of eating with friends. I had a few hours of feeling not fabulous, but snapped out of it. I've realized that I can't be left alone in my apartment for too long. I start to go crazy.

Last night I went to Wavelength at Sneaky Dee's, and had a great time. The two bands that played were both good/great, and The Youngest was lovely. I especially liked No Gold---wow, so much fun! Oh, and Tyler Wade and I recorded our podcast Sunday afternoon, after my brunch with a couple of lovely historians, and before I dashed off to the Tranzac to see/hear Michael Holt and friends.

Greg MacDonald and Jay Ferguson from Sloan were there; Greg joined International Falls up on stage, playing guitar for their first song. (I've seen Jay out at shows before, so this wasn't a total surprise. It took me seeing Greg with Jay to realize why I recognized him [Greg].) IF's set involved a lot of switching of instruments between band members. They were pretty fun, like standard young indie pop, but not in a bad way. Actually, in a way that you rarely hear. I enjoyed them.

I'm a bit sore all over. Nothing serious. I think just my being out and about, dancing, standing, biking, walking . . . it's taking a toll.

Indie Music 38.

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

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

You know that I update these listings throughout the week, eh? If you get this by e-mail, feel free to check the website later in the week for more up-to-date listings.

Listen to the accompanying podcast (the second one). It should be up soon!

Summer festivals are getting underway, and lots of them have a musical component even if they are not focused on music. Luminato gets started this week, and includes some free events; soundaXis has free musical happenings; and the Waterfront Blues Festival has free shows too, 6-8 June.

Last week I spent a nice Sunday night with Hamilton Trading Co., saw a couple acts at the Nu Music Nite at the Horseshoe (The i Spies, and Les Gars), and went to Zygiella 4, which featured four more bands I'd yet to see. All goods shows. And Friday night I saw a play and went to Yacht Rock at the Boat. That was awesome. I heart the Boat. So I went again on Saturday for Fun'Real, a new dance party. Sunday saw me at the Dakota Tavern (Bluegrass Brunch), Tranzac (Michael Holt et al.), and Wavelength. So much goodness.

This week Thursday looks like the best night to go out, or stay home because you can't decide. As usual, there's something good to do every night. I'll probably hit up the Drake and Wrongbar on Thursday. Otherwise, I haven't decided yet what I'm doing all week.

MONDAY (2 jun)

Reiner Schwarz ("public practice") w/ Steve Whitehouse, Paul Teglas, and others @ The Gladstone Art Bar, 7:30pm, pwyc.

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

Shoeless Monday presents The Lesson @ 11:15, Jay Monara @ 10:15, and Theta State @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Elvis Mondays presents Purr, Boxes & Bags, Weather Making Challenge, The People of Canada, and The Synaesthetic @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, free.

Groovy Mondays feat. Mark Perak and The Heartbroken Souls @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Glass Tomb, Braiincloud, and Toddler Body (debut) @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, pwyc.

Marsupial Mondays presents Mantler and Andy Swan @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, $5.

Eyes on Toronto (live taping) feat. The Sunparlour Players @ The Gladstone, 8pm, $10.

TUESDAY (3 jun)

Ivy Mairi and The Paper Makers @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7pm, pwyc.

Noise Tuesdays presents Hunting Rituals, Michael Keith, and Jack Vorvis w/ DJ Heavywater @ Not My Dog, 9:30pm, pwyc.

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Sean Ashby @ 11:40, Hey Rosetta (CD release) @ 10:50, The Painted Birds @ 10:00, and Motion Picture Ending @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Ronley Teper & Her Lipliners and Krista Hartman @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Pink and Black presents Corporation and Happy Accidents @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

Kristin Lagasse and others @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Plastics Inc. w/ The Spooky ScareCrows and tba @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Spires That In The Sunset Rise and Barnyard Drama @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.

GoodSoundsGood presents Moulann, The Human Statues, and Sachin Sharma @ Supermarket, 9pm, $6.

Seawolf and The Jealous Girlfriends @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $10.

WEDNESDAY (4 jun)

The Saffron Sect, Prince Rama Of Ayodhya, and Teeth Mountain @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Harvest Chant and Justin Chee @ Renaissance Cafe, 8pm, pwyc.

Saint Dirt Elementary School @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc. The band is also playing the Tranzac during the Festival on Bloor on Sunday at 6:30pm.

PWYC Weds feat. Alanna Brown, Carnival Moon, and The Printing Press @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc.

Local Alternative feat. Woodward Company @ 11:40, The Human Statues @ 10:50, Hawthorne @ 10:00, and Marta Paceck @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $4.

Steve Singh, Allie Hughes, and Fait Dormi @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, $5.

The Mike Erb Trio (CD release) w/ Brian MacMillan @ C'est What, 9pm, $6.

New Music Night feat. Falling Trees, Minus the Royals, and Shoot the Camera Man @ Clinton's, 7:30pm, $5.

Carney, Lesley Pike, and Melissa Dalton @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, free w/ CD ($12) or $5/pwyc. Carney will also be playing at Graffiti's on the 5th, $5/pwyc.

TIMA Showcase feat. Dave Borins, Layah Jane, Shelly Rastin, Patrick Dune (band), Marshall Dane (band), and Arlene Bishop @ The Annex Wreck Room, 7pm, $7.

Snorri Iceland Benefit feat Infighter, Lindy, Deathstyle, Sigrun Stella, more @ The Mod Club, 9pm, $8.

THURSDAY (5 jun)

Michael Laderoute and Rob Fenton @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 6pm.

Paul Metcalfe Trio @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 7pm, free.

Michelle Rumball's Beauty Saloon w/ Michael Holt and Ben Sures @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc.

Sandro Perri, Party Time, and Church & State @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 10pm, pwyc.

Foxfire, Boxes & Bags, and DJ Shit la Merde @ Wrongbar, 9pm, free. Foxfire will be recording a live EP. I'm ending my evening here.

Brock Simpson @ Clinton's, 8:30pm, $7.

Jim Armstrong & Sonic Deli Band w/ Amer Diab @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, $5.

HotBoxxx presents Deuterium @ 11:30, Vicious Fishes @ 10:45, Sope @ 10:00, Artful Vandelays @ 9:15, and A Self @ 8:30. Lee's Palace, 8pm, $5.

* Great Bloomers, Spookey Ruben, and Black Hat Brigade @ The Boat, 8:30pm (start time), $5. Apparently, "Spookey's Live band performance will be preempted by a world premiere video screening of 2 new episodes from [ExclaimTV presents:] Spookey Ruben's Dizzy Playground." And "alcoholic sno-cones (courtesy of Kensington Market Organic Ice Cream) will be on sale at this show too!"

Antler, $100, and Lisa Bozikovic @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm, pwyc. Also good.

Proposterous, NikkisTrick, Fake Reality, and tba @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm.

These Electric Lives (Remix album release) w/ Seedy Ease, DJ Jr-Flo, and Vitaminsforyou @ The Drake Underground, $8. I'm starting my evening here.

Clara Lofaro w/ Peirson Ross @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $10.

Black Collar Thursdays feat. Chasing Mercury and Futures Past w/ DJ Stu Dead of Playdead @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Numbers & Figures (final show), Sprinter, Five Blank Pages, and Ryan Karam @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

The Shout, The Low Heroes (debut), and Revolvers @ The Silver Dollar, 9pm, $5.

The Low Tides and The Handsome Devils @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm.

FRIDAY (6 jun)

Ronley Teper and Christine Bougie @ The Music Gallery (Outdoor Courtyard), 5pm, free.

The Gypsy Rebels @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 7pm, free.

Mossman's Rud, The Flying Eyes, Fire & Black, and The Ethers @ The Savannah Room, 9pm, pwyc. Proceeds to charity.

Mary Kastle and Christa Couture @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

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

Dave Rave and Bill Culp & The Memphis Cats @ Cadillac Lounge, 9pm.

Ape, Non-Existent, All But Over, and Poisonous Glass @ Clinton's, 9pm, $5.

Room Party feat. DJ Hi Mom w/ Pants & Tie (11pm set) and DJ Shit la Merde @ The Boat, 10pm, $5. They will be "giving away 'Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hi Mom'---A Room Party mixtape! Free at the door until they run out."

Must Stash Hat, Sweet As Today, and Tin Roof Rusted @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, free (before 10pm; $5 after).

James Clark Institute, Lauren Best & The Renegade Company, and Shaun Devlin @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $5 or pwyc.

End Program (CD release), 68pornomags, and Clusterbombs @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10 (incl. CD).

"The American Boogie Down" CD release party feat. Jerome Derradji, Paul E. Lopes, Patrick Paredes, and Lab.our Union @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5 (before 11pm; $10 after).

The Northwest Division w/ The Salarymen @ Silver Dollar, 9pm, $6.

* 3rd Annual Great Lakes Surf Battle (Night 1) feat. The Blue Demons, The Treblemakers, The Robots, The Calrizians, and The Aquaholics @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Hatchetmen and tba @ C'est What, 10pm, $7.

The Harold Wartooth, The Synaesthetic, and Mercy Now @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $5.

Mastermind Productions presents Jane's Party and Jay Spectre @ The Annex Wreck Room, 7:30pm, $7.

Ash Lee Blade, Mad Parish, and Metalian w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

TO Afro World Music Dance Party! feat. Mr. Something Something @ 12:00, Kobotown @ 11:00, and Maracatu Nunco Antes @ 10:00. The Horseshoe Tavern, $10.

SATURDAY (7 jun)

Healing Power Picnic feat. HeavyWater, Misha Bower, All Under Heaven, Woolly Leaves, Almost Blueshine, The Element Choir, Isla Craig, Allison P/Linsay G/Amy L, Hoover Party, Louis Calabro, and Bruce Trail @ Coronation Park, 2pm, free.

Kensington Hillbillys @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 7pm, free.

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

John Tielli Band and Paul Linklater @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Dave Mansell, Alison Burkett, and Sushiboy @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm.

Bellevue (CD release), Music Maul, and Jewelry Rat w/ DJs Jewels and Broken Arrow @ Smiling Buddha, $5 w/ CD.

* TWM 18 presents The Darcys, The Dress Whites, and An Offhand Rebellion @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Matt Epp (CD release) w/ Kathryn Rose @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 8:30pm, $10.

Scotty Campbell & The Wardinaires and The Backstabbers Country Stringband @ Silver Dollar, 9:30pm, $10.

Zuku and The Hits w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

High Art for the Low Down presents The Suicide Pilots, Please Stand By, Thrashards, and Snot Rohmit @ Siesta Nouveaux (15 Lower Sherbourne), 9pm, $5.

* 3rd Annual Great Lakes Surf Battle (Night 2) feat. The Von Drats, The Treblemakers, The Eradicators, The Amino Acids, and Tabernacos Surfers, @ The Cadillac Lounge, 9pm, $5.

Bernie Senensky Trio and John Kameel Farah @ The Trane Studio, $10.

The Forgotten Rebels, The 3tards, The Drug Dealers, The Fudge Packers, BS101, and Awlt.Dig.Fuar @ The Kathedral, 6pm, $10. All ages show.

SUNDAY (8 jun)

SoundaXis in the Street (Pedestrian Sunday in Mirvish Village) feat. Basement Arms, Grant Hart (ex-Hüsker Dü), Sandro Perri & friends, Kingdom Shore, The Don Scott Quartet, The Allison Cameron Band, Eiyn Sof, Ayal Senior, and Nilan Perera @ Mirvish Village (Markham Street), noon-7pm, free. Fun!

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

High Art for the Low Down Hardcore Matinee feat. Cross and U.T.I. @ Siesta Nouveaux (15 Lower Sherbourne), 3pm, $5.

Prodigal Sundays feat. The Backstabbers @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 5pm, free.

* Michael Holt presents I Love Music! (Jazz theme) feat. The H. M. Blea Jazz Combo (Michael Holt, Reade Olivier, Chris Banks, Christine Bougie, and Drew Jurecka) w/ Elizabeth Shepherd and Ben Gunning @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc. Music by Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Miles Davis, and more. This is a cool series.

Josh Van Tassell and friends @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Gather Round feat. Hamilton Trading Co. w/ tba @ The Boat, 9pm, pwyc.

* Wavelength 416 feat. Darkroom Theatre Project and Nifty, and AlphaBaby @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc. All the Wavelength shows look great this month.

Michael Louis Johnson @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:30pm, pwyc.

Angel Pier (acoustic), Darryl (from Sunriser; acoustic), and MJ Cyr (from The Hots; solo) @ Neutral, 8:30pm, $tba.

Two Scoops, The Away Game, The Class Riot, and The Coconuts @ Smiling Buddha, 8pm, $5.

Styrofoam and Broken Spindles @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 8pm, $8.50.

Is summer here now?

I realized this morning that the landlord got white paint on the artwork in the bathroom. As in, when he was painting the walls, instead of taking the artwork (plaqued pieces) off the walls, he's just painted around them . . . and on them. What an asshole. I can't even believe it. He really is not a nice man. No wonder this place is falling apart. He just doesn't care.

Shitty.

But there wasn't time to dwell on how disappointed I am with him, since I had a lovely brunch with SA at Kilgour's, probably my favourite spot for breakfast. The day's been bright and warm so far, and the place wasn't crowded, and people are out enjoying themselves.

Last night was a blast. I met up with BC for a quick drink, then we went off and attempted to find a theatre, the address of which he'd neglected to write down/remember, nor did he even know the name of the place. We eventually found it, but were late. The sign of the door read "Absolutely no latecomers admitted." Oops. But we were brought in during a scene change by one of the actors. I don't know what the play was called, but it was just fine. I hadn't been to the theatre in Toronto, so it was cool to go.

This blog post is a bit disjointed.

After the play, since it was still early, we biked to the Embassy for a beer---which turned into two beers for me---and, well, I ended up drunk. Embarrassing, but I think probably entertaining for BC, and MB and JH who showed up there too. As I sobered up (on lots of water) we went to the Boat for Yacht Rock. That was a blast and a half. Ridiculous fun. Dance historian EW was there too, and she had a great time.

I need to write a conference paper today. It probably won't get done. Meh.

Chapter submitted!

I finally e-mailed a my first chapter to my supervisor. It's a draft, and I know there are some problems with it, but I decided it was done (enough) and I was going to stop obsessing over it. So yay!

Wednesday involved a late lunch to celebrate JH's big presentation. MB and I took her to Thai Basil, and had a great time! The food was excellent. (For what you pay.) Afterwards, I came home, only to have CS return home a few minutes later and announce that we were going to the Victory Cafe for drinks with historians. And so doing that took up many more hours of my day. It was great fun, though. But this is how I manage to not get any work done during the day. When we finally made it home (not too late---it was 10:30pm), I ended up finishing reading my supervisor's latest book. It was thus not until Thursday that I finished the chapter.

And after I did that, I figured I needed a break (ha! not so much), and went for dinner with CS, LS, and a prof of ours. Lovely time; I ate a ton. Then it was off to Rancho Relaxo for Zygiella 4. The show was good fun. All the performers/bands were entertaining. I especially liked Fleece Elves. It was a bit of a different crowd: a couple of the bands had drawn somewhat of a frat-boy/girl audience. [The photo of me watching Fleece Elves was taken by Pete Nema.]

The bathroom ceiling is now fixed and painted. It only took the landlord two days (including 5 hours yesterday) to do it. I was annoyed with him yesterday. He gave me attitude when, after nearly 5 hours of him being in there, I had to ask him to leave so I could go pee. What a jerk.

But I'm over that now. It's Friday and I'm in a good mood.

Ok, so I no longer dislike the Horseshoe Tavern.

I've been doing some work, and running some errands, and meeting up with friends for the past few days. Sunday night I went to Gather Round at the Boat. HTC was entertaining as usual. Monday, dim sum with RN. Tuesday, lunch with EW, and at night I went to the Horseshoe to see/hear The i Spies and Les Gars. Glad to have seen them both . . . but especially Les Gars. Wow, what an awesome band. And this was their first show, apparently. The threesome was excellent. The i Spies are an attractive bunch, and put on a good show. Their music doesn't blow my mind, but it was a good set, and I enjoyed myself. And although I've been down on the Horseshoe before, last night I rather liked the venue, I've gotta say. The crowd wasn't too big, it was easy to get there on my bike, the show was free, and although I didn't expect to see anyone I knew, there were a handful of friends there to talk to. So, fun!

This morning I felt dreadful and threw up I don't know what. But went back to bed and am feeling much better. I have no idea what the problem was. But it meant I had to miss out on a reading group meeting, which is unfortunate. The papers were interesting, and I would have benefited from the discussion, I'm sure. Sigh.

Today I'm going to finish my chapter. This is it: I'm sick of the thing not being done.

The podcast is up!

Find the podcast I did with Tyler from Zygiella here.

Let me know what you think . . . it's the first one . . . eeeep.

Indie Music 37.

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

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

I had a calm week, for the most part, music-wise. Went to the Tranzac front room Tuesday evening to hear Keith Hamilton and Brad Casey. 'twas lovely. On Friday some friends and I checked out dance parties at College and Bathurst. Come Saturday, my bathroom ceiling and leaking, and the landlord kept not coming. I was annoyed and not feeling like going out, not knowing what I'd come home to.

This week there's lots to do, as always. Although I've been going to shows twice a week (often more) for many months now, I'm still finding new, fun, interesting, inspiring things to hear and see on a regular basis. To celebrate this, Tyler Wade and I are starting a podcast to accompany these listings each week. You can take a listen to it here. (It might not be there yet.)

MONDAY (26 may)

Reiner Schwarz ("public practice") w/ Steve Whitehouse, Paul Teglas, and others @ The Gladstone Art Bar, 7:30pm, pwyc.

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

Elvis Mondays presents Purr, Allie Hughes, My Flea Circus, National Exit Strategy, Synthetic Folk Hero, and The People of Canada @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, free.

Groovy Mondays feat. Doug MacEachern and Ben Sures @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc.

Marsupial Mondays presents Michael Laderoute and Jack Marks @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, $5.

Deadbeat Dads, That's What He Said, The Flyboys, and Sara Labadie @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $3.

Action City Blackout, The Blacknines, and Diemonds @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Talent Mondays hosted by Linsday Ferguson, feat. Dave Carmichael, Amy Campbell, and Andrew Vincent @ Supermarket, 9pm, $10.

Helio Sequence @ 10:30 w/ Gravity Wave @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, $10 (adv, or $12 door). (Yes, this listing breaks my own rules.)

TUESDAY (27 may)

Jenny Allen & friends @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 7pm, free.

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

Ken Macdonald Quartet and From Downtown @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Antler and Nicole Christian @ Not My Dog, 10pm, pwyc.

* The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Hue @ 11:40, Les Gars @ 10:50, The i Spies @ 10:00, and Everything All the Time @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

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

Charlotte Cornfield and Beth Moore @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Pink and Black presents Hollywood Swank, Rehab for Quitters, Worst Case Ontario @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

Sketch Songwriters Series @ Free Times Cafe.

WEDNESDAY (28 may)

Several good, interesting shows on tonight. Depending on your mood, go to Czehoski, Tranzac, Sneaks, or the Boat, and probably other places. But I have no opinions on the other things happening.

Baby Eagle @ Czehoski, 10pm, free.

Chris Warren & Band @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Andre Ethier, Adam Cotton, and Wyrd Visions @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Rock for Renewables presents Key Witness, Still Life Still, Harvest Chant, and Honest I's @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc. Cool.

LAUGHstock presents Tonnn, Whiskey Priest, and The Veil @ Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Metz, Women, and Mt. Royal @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. If you missed Wavelength last week, you can catch most of the same bands here.

New Music Night feat. Animal Clinic, Di Thomas, and Miss Scarlett @ Clinton's, 7:30pm, $5.

Make Your Exit w/ Minotaur @ The Rivoli, 10pm, $5.

Friends of the Family @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm, pwyc.

Diana Z w/ Brian Moniz and Jeremy Smith @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm, pwyc.

Elana Harte (of VSH) and Jacob & Lily @ C'est What, 10pm, $7.

Toronto Independent Music Awards Showcase feat. Noella Choi w/ Emma Cook, Signe Miranda, Mike Celia, whosarmy, and W!islow @ Annex Wreck Room, 7pm, $7.

Birds of Wales, These Three Cities, and the Last True Gentleman @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 8pm, $8.

THURSDAY (29 may)

Chris Assaad @ Yonge-Dundas Square, noon, free. This is a kick-off thing for the Street Kids International charity event.

Laura Hubert Trio @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 7pm, free.

Stalingrad (CD release) w/ Surefire Machine and Antitheory @ Velvet Underground, 8pm, free.

The Lucas Stagg Band, Guitar Bomb, and Miwa Gemini @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

John Russon Quintet @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

The Kate Rogers Band @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Tamara Miller and tba @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm.

Justin Plet w/ Lara Martin and Patrick Ballantyne @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $5.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Maniac, Sailboats Are White, and CATL @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

High Art for the Low Down presents Bad Skin, Disgusting Body, U.T.I., and Shit Reign @ Tiger Bar, 8pm, $5.

Loud & Heavy feat. Azenith @ 11:15, Amarith @ 10:15, and Ghost Of Calico @ 9:15. Lee's Palace, $5.

Adam Faux & the Exploding Band w/ Jacob Moon @ The Central, 9:30pm.

National Tragedy, ep. 1 feat. Brown Bird, St. Clair, The Youngest, Wolfcow @ Renaissance Cafe, pwyc. This is a new live music series.

Black Collar Thursdays feat. Steve Hill and Chameleonize w/ DJ Stu Dead of Playdead @ The Bovine, 9pm, $6.

Zygiella.com IV presents w/ Howl, Hungry Lake, Fleece Elves, and The Paint Movement @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5. I'll be here to see bands I have yet to see.

Machetes w/ Shitt Hottt, Dead Sexy Sheila and DJ Dougie Boom @ The Silver Dollar, $7. Machetes' debut show saw them open for Woodhands a while back, and they impressed us. Shitt Hottt is another (mostly) female band that knows how to rock out. This should be a good party.

Jon Rae Fletcher @ 11:15, Great Bloomers @ 10:15, and Alphabday @ 9:15. $8. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $8.

Bigideas w/ In Its Wakes, October Sky, and Turn Off The Stars @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5.

Ken Tizzard (CD release) w/ NLX @ Supermarket, 9pm.

Hammersmith: Forgers of Metal (CD release) w/ tba @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm.

Meg-A-Music and IndieCan Radio Birthday Bash II feat. Photocell, The Jon Cohen Experimental, and Drowning Girl @ Tattoo Rock Parlour, 8pm, $8.

No Bra w/ Bruce Labruce (films) @ The Beaver, 11pm, $10/pwyc.

The Northdale Concert Band @ El Mocambo, 7:30pm, $10.

elZOO presents Pre-NXNE Bash feat. Brown Brigade, The Isosceles Project, and ADA @ El Mocambo (both levels), 9pm, $10 (or free with NXNE wristband). There will be art on display, and you can buy a wristband for $29 at the venue. NXNE is happening 12-14 June at lots of venues around town.

Eric Chenaux (CD release) and Ryan Driver (CD release) @ Wrongbar, 9:30pm, $10. I saw these guys do a parred-down in-store at Soundscapes last Friday. It was good. I especially liked Eric Chenaux's folky-funky-electro sound. It made me smile.

FRIDAY (30 may)

Golden Girls w/ TMDP and Mr. Furious @ 751 Queen W., free. The Foolish Things @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, free.

Arlene Bishop and The Book of Gnomes @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

Bob Snider and Erika Werry @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Purple Hill and Andy Swan @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

The Lower Town Trio, The Goddamn Goddamns, and R.I.P. @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, $7.

Aitch, Jordan Faye, and tba @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $5.

Raclones @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm.

Film Jam 9 feat. Automatic City, Oriana, Two Scoops, The Lovely Killbots, and Robert Desmond Band w/ DJ Melo @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 8pm, $10 (or $8 w/ canned food).

* Steam Whistle Unsigned 6 presents Gravity Wave, Bocce, and Hexes & Ohs w/ DJs OPOPO @ Steam Whistle Brewing, 9pm, $5. Dance, drink Steam Whistle, and have lots of fun. It's worth the trek out to 255 Bremner Blvd.

My Shaky Jane, Black Hat Brigade (EP release), Oh No Forest Fires, and The Darcys @ Silver Dollar, 9pm, $6. Good indie rock lineup! ONFF is a newish band that's been getting some good press and playing great shows over the past several months.

Tripping Hazard 3rd Anniversary Show w/ Cursed Arrows, Personal Circus, and The Micronite Filters @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6 or pwyc. Another good rock show, I'd bet.

Ground Level and Days Left w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Ben Sures, Rhonda Stakich, and Kerri Ough @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 7pm.

The Edge 102.1 Next Big Thing presents Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker w/ Rebel Emergency, Ruby Coast, and The Mission District @ Sound Academy, 8pm, free if you "win" tickets. Get them here. I have no opinions on the first two bands listed, but the last two are good. Especially Ruby Coast. Those kids are great.

Random Order w/ John Wayne, Tres, The Hobo Homos, and Coco La Creme @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.

SATURDAY (31 may)

Bill Colgate et al. @ The Dominion on Queen, 4pm, pwyc.

New Music Arts Projects presents Music for 6008 Spokes @ Track field, King Edward PS (112 Lippincott), 3pm. More info here. Cool. Got a bike?

Alex Lukashevsky w/ Aki Takahashi & Jessica Stuart @ The Music Gallery (Outdoor Courtyard), 3:30-7pm, free.

Extermination Music Night VII feat. Lullabye Arkestra, The Walter Haul, Tropics, LSDoubleDCup w/ arty stuff and performances @ Symes Transfer Station (kinda), midnight, pwyc. Bring a flashlight.

Cindy Doire, Ryan Bishops, and Andrea Ramolo (w/ Sean Pinchin) @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc.

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

Max Woolaver @ Free Times Cafe.

Saint Dirt Elementary School @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc. These guys will be playing here 4 times in June too, so lots of chances to see them.

Skull Fist, Sonic Shock, and The Dead Hookers @ Baby Dolls (the stripclub), 10pm, $5.

Vincat w/ PDF Format and Great Lenin's Ghost @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $6. For something a bit indie-different.

Kensington Station feat. Put the Rifle Down (10:30pm set) and DJs Lawrence and Shit la Merde @ Neutral, 10pm, $6.

ARC, Holoscene, Tunturia, Proeliis Fere, and Thee 9am Social @ Siesta Nouveaux (15 Lower Sherbourne), 7pm, $6. Also for something a bit indie-different, but in a different way.

Five Star Trailer Park (CD release) w/ Beth in Battle Mode and Adam Faux @ The Rivoli, 8:30pm, $8. I kinda love BiBM a lot. They are playing second; don't miss them!

Karen Kosowski w/ Rozalind MacPhail and Danielle French @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 10pm, $7. The three of them are also doing an in-store at the Chapters on John St. on Friday at 7pm, free.

Never More Than Less and Minority w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Barn Burner, Our Father, Great Bloomers (?) and Deloro @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

SUNDAY (1 jun)

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

Prodigal Sundays feat. The Backstabbers @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 5pm, free.

Annabelle Chvostek (Wailin' Jennys) @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, 9pm, free.

Liam Parker @ Free Times Cafe.

* Michael Holt presents I Love Music! feat. The Michael Holt Ensemble @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 5pm, pwyc. This sounds amazing.

Gather Round feat. Hamilton Trading Co. w/ Play Guitar, Todd Aalgaard, and Miles Kennedy @ The Boat, 9pm, pwyc.

Brad Casey, Yawd Sylvester, and Jack Marks @ Mitzi's Sister, 10pm, pwyc.

* Wavelength 415 feat. No Gold, The Youngest, and International Falls @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

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

New Music Arts Projects presents Acoustic Gambol: Chamber Music for Found Objects @ The Music Gallery, 4:30pm, $10 (students, more for others).

My bathroom ceiling is dripping.

The ceiling of my bathroom has water dripping through it. It's been dripping through since about 4am on Saturday. It's now 20 hours later. I called the landlord Saturday afternoon and left a message. He was definitely around today, but for some reason never came (when I was home, at least). So here I sit, hearing water drip into various buckets and bowls, and hope the ceiling doesn't fall on my head the next time I have to go. There wasn't anything I particularly wanted to do tonight, so I probably would have stayed in no matter what. But I had hoped the landlord would show up and attempt to do something about the problem.

I'll have to call him Sunday morning and make him understand that he need to come. It's really hard to communicate with him because his English is not good. He can hardly speak, and I don't know that he really understands me all that well. I generally like him, but the ceiling in the bathroom has been a problem for months, and now this. I don't know what's happening up there, but it can't be good. In the meantime, I've had to warn my Sunday brunch-mate that I might have to cancel on her.

Damn landlord! I need to move.

Last night MB, JH, and I checked out a couple dance parties at College/Bathurst. Sneaky Dee's was packed and full of characters, but when Shit la Merde wasn't DJing, there was really no point being there. Tiger Bar was mostly uninspiring. There needed to be a different crowd out. Meh, we had a good time. There were good people about.

Today I went to Kensington Market to hang out with KH and BC. Had a lovely time. Rode my bike. And came home and took a nap. To dripping water.

Aaarrrgggghhhhhh.

Biker Jen.

Today I picked up my new (used) bike and rode it home from Kensington. It was fun! I'm not sure where I'm going to store the thing at home, but hopefully that will get sorted out soon. It's not feasible to bring it up to my balcony at night, since it's kinda large and there are lots of doors and stairs and twists and turns to deal with. But other than that, everything's good.

This evening CS and I along with LS had a lovely dinner at Sushi on Bloor . . . which is totally a better place than New Gen. We lingered and shopped at BMV Books, then walked home. Since then I've been working a bit on my listings, but mostly thinking about which bands and artists I would like to feature on the podcast. Crazy.

And now I'm making progress on the dissertation. I want to finish my first chapter (for now) and send it to my supervisor by the end of the weekend. I need to get to work on my conference paper due in about a week.

Life's good, as usual.

I bought a bike!

Yeah, I didn't have one up to now. (Actually, I pick it up Thursday afternoon.) It's been about 9 and a half years since I've been on a bike, so Wednesday afternoon was a bit iffy . . . but I tried out three, and it was easy. I ended up getting a second-hand bicycle at Bikes on Wheels in Kensington. It's a nice blue French city bike that should do the trick. With the legally-required lights and a bell, a new helmet, and a basket, it cost me nearly $350. But this will make life better, and will save me a bunch on transit over the course of the next few months. Assuming I use the thing, which I imagine I will. I don't know yet where I'll store it when I'm not riding it, though. Hmm.

I got home in the early evening and was tired so decided not to go to Lee's Palace to hear The Diableros. I'd wanted to, but there will be other chances. On better nights. Instead I stayed in and didn't get much accomplished. I talked with TW about our upcoming podcast, with a Masseyite who's taking over the lecture series, organized some stuff for a meeting Thursday afternoon, and did a bit of dissertating in the wee hours.

While I was waiting for MB in Kensington---he helped me a whole lot in my bike-purchasing---I went to the record store across the street from Bikes on Wheels. The day before I'd spotted a Michael Holt album, but didn't buy it then. Today I went back and bought it. (It being "Pilot Single," 2003.) What a lovely set of songs! I saw Michael perform one song at the El Mo before SSLYBY took the stage that evening. And then I saw him a few days later at Tranzac and we got to talking. I'll have to see him perform a proper set . . . and my chance is coming soon. His "I Love Music!" series is happening at the Tranzac Sunday afternoons in June.

Have I mentioned the podcast yet? I'm gonna do the first one on Sunday afternoon with TW from Zygiella. We'll see how it goes. It'll take off from my listings, and will feature a few tunes from bands playing shows in the coming week.

Tomorrow, the meeting, the bike, and hopefully the dissertation. Plus a sushi dinner with CS to celebrate her birthday.

Where have I been?

It's been a few days since I updated this blog.

Quickly: On Saturday, I went to Goin' Steady at the Boat, which was super fun. Lots of friends were there. On Sunday I had fajitas at Sneaks for dinner, and then headed upstairs for Wavelength, which was fantastic. I wore my new/old sweater. "There's a party on your sweater," commented one of my friends. Indeed. I'll have to post a photo of this thing at some point. On Monday I worked on my dissertation. I had every intention of working on it Tuesday too, but somehow that didn't happen. Instead, I skipped out on a meeting (but contributed my two cents by e-mail), went to look at bikes with MB, then we had dinner at Mount Everest Restaurant (yummy). Afterward we parted ways and I got to Tranzac in time to catch most of Keith Hamilton's solo set. It was lovely, but his songs are so sad! And then Brad Casey played, and I really liked his stuff too. A bit varied, and interesting, and beautiful at times. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and even had a glass of wine. I got to chat with RM too, whom I'd seen around before, but had never really had a chance to speak much to. So that was good. Finally, I joined some historian friends at the Victory Cafe, and got home past midnight.

I am now pretty tired. Yawn.

Indie Music 36.

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

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

I had a busy weekend. Thursday night was a No Shame show at the Drake, which was lovely; Friday saw me unexpectedly at the 84.85 show at Tiger Bar (electro hip hop), which was all kinds of fun; Saturday I went to Goin' Steady at the Boat; and then on Sunday did Wavelength. This coming week there are lots of good options. I'm finding myself going to too many of the same things, so I'm gonna try to mix it up a bit. Friday was totally different. I should do more things like that.

There's an open house at the Dundas West Arts Building (2466 Dundas St W) this week, Friday (6-10pm), Saturday (12-7pm), and Sunday (12-5pm). Admission is pwyc. From the website: "various artists living and working in the historic Dundas West Arts Building [will] open their personal studios to share their work with the public. This rare and exciting opportunity brings a casual atmosphere, which fosters a relationship between patrons and artists.

"The event features talented visual artists, musicians, and crafts persons, who showcase and sell their work, invite the audience to join in collaborations and provide free mini classes. Bring your friends and family, meet fellow artists, see great work and learn something new."

MONDAY (19 may)

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

* Elvis Mondays presents Purr, May-Jun, Atlas Eyes, and Dead Sexy Sheila @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, free. Go early and eat for free.

Shoeless Monday feat. Phil Divine @ 11:15, The Wrong Crowd @ 10:15, and Riverside @ 9:15. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Groovy Mondays feat. Eric Mattei (acoustic) and tba @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc.

Marsupial Mondays presents Tania Gill (The Music of Carla Bley) and The Draperies @ Tranzac (Tiki Room), 9pm, $5.

Allie Hughes @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 7pm, and @ The Concord Cafe, 8pm.

Vapid w/ Reprobates, Disgusting Body (debut), and Critical Convictions @ Teranga.

Ben Kunder and The Careless (CD release) w/ Trevor Campbell, Matt Campbell, and Allie Hughes @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $5.

Subtle w/ Laser Killenium and Atherton @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10.

TUESDAY (20 may)

* Brad Casey and Keith Hamilton @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite feat. Harm @ 11:40, The Spies @ 10:50, Craig Smith & The Saints @ 10:00, and Shiloh @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, free.

Paisley Jura and Romney Getty @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc.

Pink and Black presents Downsview and The Labour Of @ The Bovine, 9pm, free.

Heather Chapelle and Howie Kislowicz @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, free.

Jewish Legend, Huckleberry Friends, and The Creeping Nobodies w/ DJ Mikey Apples @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

Thrones, Orcilim, Wyrd Visions, and Women In Tragedy @ The Boat, 9pm, $8 (adv, $10 door).

Killing For Friday w/ Assemble Me and tba @ Lee's Palace, 8pm, $5.

Nudie & the Turks (CD release) w/ The Brothers Cosmoline @ The Dakota Tavern, 10pm, $tba.

WEDNESDAY (21 may)

Toronto Blues Society presents Shakura S'Aida @ Yonge-Dundas Square, 12:30 pm, free.

Chris Warren & Band @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc.

Music for Spring presents Amy Honey and Selina Martin @ Czehoski, 9:30pm, free.

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

Local Alternative feat. Dead Etiquette @ 11:40, Lust @ 10:50, Mass Conception @ 10:00, and Shannon Rose & The Thorns @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $4.

Melanie Peterson, Deb Whalen, and Stamp Alive! @ Free Times Cafe, 8:30pm, $5. Melanie Peterson also plays at Slacks Thursday night at 9pm, free.

LAUGHstock presents Revolution Love, The Dank, and Left Of Zero @ Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Arctic, Secret Japanese Girlfriend, and The City @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.

Jackfish River w/ A Fourth World and Japhy Rider @ The Rivoli, 8:30pm, $7.

aHigh Society, Johnny Dumptrucks, The Daily Times, and AMD @ Smiling Buddha, 8pm, $5.

Pants & Tie and Women @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, $5.

Rory Hinchey, Helen Carlson, Wolfcow, Anamorphic Heat, DJ Bong Jovi, and Zack Kouns @ The Gladstone Art Bar, 8pm, $5.

Michael Reinhart w/ Lee Whalen @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 8:30pm, $7.

I Refuse, Unrestrained, Rah, Hopeless Nation, and Against Our Will @ Rancho Relaxo, 8:30pm, $8.

Snowden, Colour Revolt, and The Diableros @ Lee's Palace, 8pm, $10.50.

Legion: DCLXIV, Busted Dawn, and Excarnation @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.

THURSDAY (22 may)

There's a lot of stuff to do tonight, stuff that I would do, if I could do more than one thing. Sometimes, when I can't decide between shows, I just take the night off. This could be one of those times.

The Harold Wartooth, The Big City Nights, The Flying Museum Band, and Andrew Fisher @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc. Not necessarily my event of choice, but good.

Michael Holt w/ Tanya Philipovich @ Not My Dog, 9pm, pwyc. I gotta see Michael perform again.

Hundred Pound Head @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.

Broken Bricks (acoustic), Luke James (Dirty Page), and Sintia @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, $3.

The Midway State and We Are The Take @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.

* Pitter Patter Nights presents Jason Kent & The Crystal Lake and David Picco & Jetset Motel @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. This looks interesting, and probably what I'd go to if I go out.

Collette Savard (CD release) w/ William & Polly, Richard Underhill, and Eve Goldberg @ The Cameron House (Back Room), 9pm, $tba.

Born to Busk (CD release) w/ Thee 9am Social and Proof of Ghosts @ Clinton's, 9pm, $5.

Local Alternative feat. Opus Road @ 11:40, Wax Mannequin @ 10:50, Square Root Of Margaret @ 10:00, Telegram @ 9:10. The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $7. Also looks interesting.

After the Weather, Monster America, Seven North, and Mechatema @ Smiling Buddha.

Donovan Woods & Band w/ Andrew Austin @ The Central, 8pm, $10.

The Skulls w/ Oklahoma Bomb Squad, Rik Cardiff (Daisy Face), and Dead Starlets @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $10.

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

TWM presents Nightwood, The Books Elusive, and Tomboyfriend @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

In Memory of David presents Toronto Party 4 Heart feat. Melissa Larkin, The Assistants, and Proxy Set w/ DJ Stretch & Glow @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 8pm, $7 (or $5 w/ canned good). Proceeds to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

The B.A.D. Ride Kick Off Party w/ The Gary Kendall Band @ Silver Dollar 7pm.

Annelise Norhona, NLX, and Winhara @ C'est What, 10:30pm, $7.

FRIDAY (23 may)

* Eric Chenaux and Ryan Driver & the Skins (in-store) @ Soundscapes, 7pm, free.

Alun Piggins & The Quitters and Stephen Stanley & Carla MacNeil @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, pwyc. The Quitters also play Thursday at the Dakota Tavern.

Jeff Alan Greenway and Tempting Murphy @ Free Times Cafe, 9pm, $7.

Joel Elliot (from Sailboats Are White; CD release) w/ Terror Lake, Ghost Hands, and Dwarf Star w/ DJ Senior Beatboxx @ The Press Club, 9pm, $5.

The Hunting Horns (CD release) w/ Rattlesnake Choir and Dan Gordon & The Sure Things @ Silver Dollar, 9pm, $tba.

TWM presents First Person Shooter, Organical, and Streetlight Light @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5.

Ride to Rock: Benefit Concert to Help Fight Childhood Cancers feat. Playdeaf, Dutch Loving', and 3 Point One 4, w/ DJ Simmer Down @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 9pm, $5.

Thundercats Launch Party w/ live set by Marienband @ Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5.

Place Hands (CD release) w/ Etaoin Shrdlu and Ancestors @ The Savannah Room, 9pm, $5. Bring earplugs! I recommend these: http://www.earlove.net.

Teenage X and The Weirdies w/ DJ sets by the Darth Virgos AL911 & Billy Geek @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

Arkana Music and Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra @ Concord Cafe, 9pm, $7.

The Dress Whites, Young Flux, and Red Yellow Green @ The Drake Underground, 8pm (early show), $5. The Dress Whites have been recommended to me.

* Pop with Brains 15 w/ Fox Jaws, The Miles, Pink Dead Whale, Invasions, and The Schomberg Fair @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5. Proceeds to the CAMH. Several good bands. The last time I went to the Rivoli, it was incredibly loud. So make sure to bring earplugs to this, too. In fact, always bring earplugs, just in case.

The State of Things, The Disraelis, and Black Night Crash @ Clinton's, 9:30pm, $5.

Alternative Rock N Roll feat. Scobo @ 12:30, King Clancy @ 11:30 (CD release), The Strugglefish @ 10:30, and Secret Suburbia @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.

SATURDAY (24 may)

Another night will lots of decent events. Hard to choose. Depending on my mood, I could be happy at any of them.

The DoneFors w/ Miss Emily Brown @ Not My Dog, 9pm, pwyc.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Carlos Antenna @ Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5.

Nastymix presents Paul Devro w/ St Mandrew and Nasty Nav @ Wrongbar, 10pm, $5 (before 11pm).

Maximum RnR, Diablo Redd, and Kill Sid @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $6.66

Tradition, Prints Nifty (Nif-D, etc.), Broken Tree Fort, and Invisibles @ Keep Six Gallery, 9pm, $8.

CaMp CoMbO w/ mentalist Mysterion and Alistair Christl & his Swingin' Chandeliers @ Cameron House (Back Room), $10.

Alternative Rock N Roll feat. Virtue & Vice @ 12:30, Hello Beautiful @ 11:30, Rockafellers @ 10:30, and Stone River @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $6.

The Jerome Godboo Band @ Silver Dollar, 9:30pm, $10.

Fidget and The First Time w/ DJ Vania @ The Bovine, 9pm, $5.

8th Annual Bob Dylan Tribute feat. Noah Zacharin, Soles Mojo,Brooke Harris, Alistair Christl, Shawn Clarke, and special guests @ Free Times Cafe, 8pm, $5.

Laura Veirs w/ Liam Finn @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9pm, $10.

Karma Coop & Welobike Fundraiser feat. The Bag Ladies, Falling Trees, The Flying Museum Band, Barn Owl, Michael L. Johnson, and Basement Arms @ El Mocambo (Upstairs), 9pm, $8. Basement Arms is something else.

Hotboxxx presents The Alco Beat, Joel Lightman Band, William The Conqueror, and These Three Cities @ The Rivoli, 8pm, $10.

SUNDAY (25 may)

This is the first Pedestrian Sunday of the year in Kensington Market. There will be music, including a matinee (3-6pm) @ Graffiti's by The Royal Crowns, and then bands playing on the northern part of Augusta at 7pm (GUH) and 9pm (tba).

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

Alicia Isenor, Lindsay Elvie, Nicki Wales, Haley Zalesky, and Rayelle Stainton, hosted by Bob Battams @ Free Times Café, 7:30pm, pwyc.

My Morning Jacket Listening Party w/ Hamilton Trading Co. @ The Boat, 9pm, pwyc.

Wavelength 414 feat. The Dead Science, Mt. Royal, and Women (from Alberta) w/ DJ Lidi @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc.

Steamboat w/ Emilie Mover @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10:30pm, pwyc.

Justin Townes Earle w/ Lindi Ortega @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 8:30pm, $9 (adv, $10 door).

The Music Gallery and zoilus.com present Concrete Toronto Music @ Polish Combatants Hall (206 Beverly St.), 7pm, $10 (for students, more for others).

Mid-weekend recap.

Lots of things to report.

Thursday afternoon/early evening MB and I had a ridiculously expensive and good meal at a Lebanese place on Yonge north of Davisville. Worth it . . . I think. Yummy. That night I went solo to the Drake for a No Shame show with banjos and guitars and singing and other good musical stuff. The performers were Nils Edenloff from the Rural Alberta Advantage (lovely, in a manly sort of way), the Weather Station, and Old Man Ludecke. The crowd was a good size and fairly varied, with everyone seemingly in a good mood. A nice evening, for sure.

Friday was taken up with errands and then an early dinner to celebrate some friends who passed their exams and leaving town. It was a great time with more good food. Afterward, MB and I eventually made our way to Tiger Bar, but with brief stops at Sweaty Betty's, the Boat (lined up for a bit), Sneaky Dee's (looked lame), and Rancho Relaxo beforehand. We were promised electro hip hop at Tiger Bar, and were no disappointed by 84.85. It was high energy and the place had a really good vibe to it by 1am when everyone showed up. KH stopped by for a bit---we hadn't seen each other in a few weeks---and then I was home just past 2am.

Finished (almost)!

Geez, Louise. What a crappy bunch. Anyways, grading is done and summer is now pretty much here! Now all I have to is go to a few meetings next week, do a report (with some other people), and dance for joy that the academic year 2007-08 is done. FINALLY.

I don't think I'm gonna TA next year. This will mean more dipping into the savings than planned, but fuck it I HATE the idea of TAing. I now have plenty of non-school things to keep myself busy when I don't feel like dissertating.

Oh, dissertating. Right, that. Should get on that too. Have a chapter to finish.

3 to go, and 4 nights of fun ahead.

Just three more exams to grade. And then it's all over. Thank goodness.

Thursday: dinner with some friends, then No Shame at the Drake.
Friday: maybe a show, and probably a party too.
Saturday: Goin' Steady at the Boat.
Sunday: Dinner and then Wavelength at Sneaks.

So much fun times ahead. I can hardly wait!

Grading is making me stoopit.

I have about 20 more final exams to grade. They are absolutely dreadful. The worst I've ever seen. I blame the kids for not coming prepared, but I also blame the professor for clearly not teaching them a damn thing and writing an exam question that makes it easy for students to not do the right thing. I have been doing this for a day, and I just don't know what else to say. Terrible.

Rancho is the best place.

I spent the majority of my weekend out at Rancho Relaxo. And what fun I had! Rancho Relaxo is most definitely the best place to consistently see live indie bands on weekend nights. The venue has a great vibe, in large part due to the crowd Dan Wolovick brings out to check out the great bands he books. (The women's bathroom is in need of an overhaul, but it's generally clean, so I'll deal.)

On Saturday I started off at the Drake, for a No Shame show featuring The Sleepless Nights (from Halifax) and The Details (Winnipeg). I'd heard really good things about the first act, and they were just fine. Some songs I got into more than others. But not bad at all for an opening act. I wouldn't mind seeing them again the next time they're in town. The second band on the bill was one I've seen a few times before, and I still think they are great. The Details put on a heart-felt set and have a great sound and good intensity on stage. There weren't that many people paying attention, but those of us who were got treated to something special, IMHO. I stupidly did not have enough cash with me to get a CD from them, though MB loaned me enough for a T-shirt. (And as well he should have: it was his suggestion that I get one.)

It was then time for LS and I to taxi it over to Rancho, leaving MB to bike over to Wrongbar to check out the dance party happening there. We came in time to catch most of Mark Berube & the Patriotic Few's amazing set. Whoa. What a find that group is. I would have been happy no matter the music on offer---lots of people for me to talk to---but Berube was an awesome bonus. Next up, The Schomberg Fair, followed by Tin Bangs. Both bands rocked it hard, as usual. MB walked in partway through the Fair's set, and he and I along with BS occupied the front row. That's the dancin' row. Fun times. These guys work so hard, and thought it was nearly 2am by the time Tin Bangs finished up, there was still a healthy crowd about. A successful evening!

But things weren't over. MB, BS, and SC walked to Sneaky Dee's to catch the last bit of the dance party going on there, and in hopes of seeing the members of The Details, who were indeed there. There was more chatting, and then pizza at Massimo's. Another epic Toronto night. I predict there will be more to come, especially now that the weather is good.

I think I need a bike. Thoughts?