Show Review: Up a Creek With Royal Canoe

The progression of popular music, or the lack of, has been a topic hotly debated on the CBC Radio 3 blog, and at N2D central as well. We're of the opinion that either through nature or nurture, our brains expect and desire certain conventions in music (the resolution, the major and minor modes, the 4/4 time signature, for example), and as long as music is held hostage by these structures (and the listeners that demand it), it leaves few places for composers of popular music to go.















That's why, as predicted, Winnipeg's Royal Canoe did indeed blow our minds at their show on May 12 at the Majestic's Garden Bowl in Detroit, for their ability to beautifully straddle (or paddle, as the case may be), the line between adventurous music and music that is eminently satisfying to both the ear and the brain. Founder Matt Peters (vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar) and the rest of the band-- Matt Schellenberg (vocals, keyboards), Bucky Driedger (vocals, electric guitar, percussion), Brendan Berg (vocals, bass, keyboards) and drummers Derek Allard and Michael Jordon (on both conventional and electronic drums)-- all came from other groups, but Royal Canoe "is our baby," says Driedger.












If you guessed that vocals play a significant role, you'd be right, from Schellenberg's angelic Vienna Boys Choir falsetto to Peters' tenor, but they're used more as additional instruments instead of the usual simple harmony. Songs on their (oddly unimaginatively-named) EP, Extended Play come with five beats to a measure, and even 15; it's a tribute to their talent (and their collective skill at hitting all the complicated rhythms) that such time signatures feel completely natural and never forced. That's the best part about Royal Canoe: they're writing and performing progressive music that appeals to our Pavlovian brains, like putting zucchini in brownies, or applesauce in chocolate cake. And the captivated crowd at the Garden Bowl ate it up, demanding an encore: the lovely "Dear June" from the first Royal Canoe incarnation, Co-Op Mode.   

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Handsome Furs Cannot Get, Stopped

The first half of 2012 has been a sad year for music, as we've lost several great artists, and bands as well, including Edmonton's The Wheat Pool. Regretfully, you can now add Montreal's Handsome Furs to the list, who for reasons yet to be revealed, recently announced the band's dissolution. From their website:

"With a heavy heart the time has come to let all of you know that Handsome Furs are no more. The most important thing that needs to be said right now is how extremely grateful we are to all the fans all over the world that showered us with love and support over the years. Thank you for everything! It's been an incredible 6 years and we owe it all to you."
xoxo
HF

In addition to making a lot of much-loved great music, Handsome Furs toured and played in places few bands venture to, and supported bands in countries where simply playing could result in arrest. Alexei recorded those in experiences in their tour journals. We highly recommend spending some time reading them. Here are our own fond memories of Handsome Furs' show at PJ's Lager House in Detroit last summer.

Thanks, Dan and Alexei, and we wish you the best in the future.

NXNE 2012 announces additional bands

NORTH BY NORTHEAST (NXNE) announces the next wave of programming for the 18th edition of the festival, including five-piece prog-metal maniacs PROTEST THE HERO, psychedelic-rockers PORTUGAL. THE MAN, surging Canadian singer-songwriter MATT MAYS, noise rock trio A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, minimalist pop duo ETERNAL SUMMERS, and DUSTED, the latest project from Holy Fuck’s Brian Borcherdt and Bruce Peninsula’s Leon Taheny.  NXNE takes place June 11-17 across Toronto. Tickets are now available online at www.nxne.com/tickets.

Launching today is the NXNE Schedulizer on nxne.com, where fans can choose their must-see NXNE events and create a personalized schedule. For fans on the move, NXNE will launch brand new apps for iPhone and android users on May 28th with mobile access to festival info and a searchable schedule for NXNE Music, Film and Interactive.

New this year is The NXNE Magazine, a free publication highlighting programming from NXNE Music, Film and Interactive. Key features include interviews with music acts such as Purity Ring, Phedré and YAMANTAKA//SONIC TITAN. The NXNE Magazine will hit the streets with 10,000 copies through the city this week.

Coming soon: N2DS2W's list of bands we'll be seeing at NXNE.

Show Alert: Royal Canoe

Sat., May 12, 10:00 p.m.
The Garden Bowl (Majestic Theater Complex), Detroit
FREE SHOW!

"They will blow your mind."

That's been the universal response from everyone we've talked to at shows this week that's seen Royal Canoe, yet another of the great bands coming out of Winnipeg, MB. What more do you need to know?

Listen: "Hold On To The Metal" from their new EP, Extended Play.

Show Alert: Hurricanes, Plants and Animals, Royal Canoe, Country French

After a bit of a break following our Said the Whale/Chains of Love doubleheader last month, this week there are not one, not two, not three, but four great Canadian indie bands playing the Windsor/Detroit area, and we're hitting every one, beginning with...

My Son The Hurricane - Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Weds., May 9
My Son the Hurricane (w/ Theatre Crisp)
The Dugout, Windsor
If you see what looks like part of a marching band brassing their way through downtown Windsor, follow them. It's probably My Son the Hurricane (St. Catharines). We liked their unique fusion of brass band and hip hop so much when we saw them last year, they made our list of top shows for 2011.

 Thurs., May 10
Plants and Animals (w/ Wavvy Hands)
The Pike Room (The Crofoot), Pontiac
With songs like "The End of That"-- which features one of our favourite lyrics of the year so far, "With your bee sting lips and your pepper grinder hips"-- it's hard to believe Montreal's alt rock/progressive pop trio Plants and Animals started out as an instrumental group.

Sat., May 12
Royal Canoe
The Garden Bowl (Majestic Theater Complex), Detroit
A good reminder not to judge a band by one song, Winnipeg's Royal Canoe got a lot of love on CBC Radio 3 for their ode to Kasparov, but their progressive electronic pop is so much more than that. This is a FREE show, so you've got nothing to lose by coming down to check them out.








Sat., May 12
Will Currie and The Country French
w/ Dance Movie, Quiet Parade and Years of Ernest

Phog Lounge, Windsor
With four bands on the bill, we're hoping to have time to run over to Windsor after Royal Canoe to catch Will Currie and The Country French (Waterloo) and their unique brand of piano-driven, intelligent alt pop. Read our show review from the last time they were at Phog here.

Show Review: All Aboard for Shred Kelly

Have you ever gone to a party with a date and left with someone else?

That's the way we felt last Nov. 23 when we went to Windsor's Phog Lounge to meet up with our good friend and fellow CBC Radio 3 blogger StephRamsahai. We were there to support her friends, The Creekside Strays from London, opening for Shred Kelly of Fernie, B.C. We'd never heard of Shred Kelly, but that's who we ended up taking home. (Their debut CD, Goodbye July; what did you think we meant?)

 Nic Cavaliere

Led by Nic Cavaliere's heavy, funk-infused bass and James Vinyard's working man's growl on the guitar and vox, The Strays mine the meaty end of classic and '90s rock. We think what keeps them out of the retro-tribute band camp and on campus radio charts, and puts the "alt" into their rock, is Justin Shorey's smart, finessed drumming. The band was only eight months old when we saw them; they've been working hard ever since playing non-stop shows in London and Toronto, and just released their second EP, Honour Amongst Thieves, the follow-up to last year's Tiger Waltz.

Justin Shorey

James Vinyard

We called 2011 the Year of the Dirge, because it seemed like so many new albums from bands we like were more down-tempo and/or somber. "Be happy," we wanted to tell them, especially since they were really good albums embraced by listeners and critics. But still dirge-y. Which might explain why Shred Kelly's "stoke folk" proved to be the perfect antidote. Fun, high-energy, blistering banjo, anthems like "I Hate Work"? Shred Kelly made us very happy, and our list of top shows for 2011.

Jordan Vlasshaert

Ian Page Shiner

Tim Newton

Sage McBride

Tim Newton (l) and Steve Polit

Congratulations to Shred Kelly, who will be one of the bands playing Tracks on Tracks, the epic rock 'n' roll train adventure being sponsored by Green Couch Productions, CBC Radio 3 and VIA Rail. The train pulls out of Vancouver on Jun. 8 and rolls into Toronto on Jun. 12 in time for NXNE. If you can't take the train, there will be a Tracks on Tracks showcase featuring the bands from the train on Jun. 13.

Photos by Russ Gordon/N2D Images
Tracks On Tracks image courtesy of CBC Radio 3

PAT ROBITAILLE RELEASES VIDEO FOR “WE WON’T CHANGE”

WINDSOR, ON - Windsor-based singer-songwriter Pat Robitaille has released his second single and video entitled “We Won’t Change” from his fourth album, Change.

The video was shot in Toronto, Ont.with the support of a grant from MuchFACT. Director Sean McLeod had this to say about the grant, “It’s a really great program they have set up to assist Canadian talent with everything from music videos to websites. The music industry has completely changed and continues to evolve, and unfortunately there’s just not enough money to go around. Without programs like MuchFACT and FACTOR in place it would be very difficult for artists to make things like music videos happen.”

Change is Pat's fourth studio album and has been well received since its release. "It's an album about love lost," says Pat. "Lyrically, it reflects on some major relationships that have failed in my life. Musically, it reflects on the song writing and instrumentation I was exposed to during my time in Nashville. I was hanging around with a crew of insanely talented and successful people, and I soaked it all up like a sponge."

Pat is already beginning work on his next album. “I’m excited because I’ve received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council to work on my fifth album," he says. "I’m really looking forward to getting back in the studio after spending the past two years promoting and touring my latest record. I’ve been getting anxious to explore some new musical ideas that have been floating around in my head for the past year or so.”

This video marks the second collaboration between Pat and director Sean McLeod, who had previously worked together on the album's first video, “Going As Planned." Sean has recently been added to the roster at 235 Films, joining such industry heavyweights as Harv Glazer, Director X, and Davin Black. Seans’s previous video was for Canadian icon Ashley MacIsaac’s “Poka Rokin”. He has a full slate of upcoming projects including videos for local favorites Years Of Ernest and Efan (Stefan Cvetkovic of Michou’s solo project).





The video can also be seen in rotation on Much Music.

Hello, North By

We were always surprised when we asked bands if they were playing at N-X-N-E and they gave us a blank look. Then we would clarify: "North by North East," and the light would dawn.

Well, it finally dawned on us. Nobody says S-X-S-W. They say "South by." Apparently, the same holds true for North by. Now if we can only get out of the habit of referring to it as N-X-N-E.

However you pronounce it, we have a special affinity for this music/film/interactive extravaganza in Toronto. N2DS2W was born on the drive home from NXNE 2010; we did this at NXNE in 2011. So we're looking forward to NXNE 2012, scheduled for Jun. 11-17: more music, more Radio 3 bloggers and this year, we're attending some of the interactive sessions.

While the schedule isn't up yet for the interactive sessions, NXNE has released an initial list of performers. Canadian indie bands include those listed below; Hollerado will definitely be at the top of our list. Other bands we know are performing, but not yet listed, that we're excited to see: Vancouver's Brasstronaut, Montreal's Parlovr and Windsor's The Unquiet Dead. Stay tuned as more details are released.

MATTHEW GOOD
PURITY RING
METZ
PLANTS AND ANIMALS
ANDRE WILLIAMS & THE SADIES
BRAN VAN 3000
WE WERE LOVERS
EIGHT AND A HALF
MAC DEMARCO
ODONIS ODONIS
YAMANTAKA//SONIC TITAN
PHEDRE
HOLLERADO
CATL 

Somebody Wasn't Nice To Michou.

Photo by Russ Gordon/N2D Images

We hate writing these posts. Another sickening story of musicians having their equipment stolen. This is sad and disturbing as these are the tools that people use to earn their living. This time it was Windsor's Michou.

From the band's Facebook page today:

"Last night we had the unfortunate luck of having our car broken 
into and gear stolen. We had some gear in the trunk that was not 
visible from the outside. We have reason to believe someone has 
been watching us come and go with gear and has been planning the 
sting for some time. Please share this post and keep an eye out 
for the following gear. Attached are the serial numbers. We've made 
a police report and every pawn shop has to check serial numbers with 
the police before putting an item to sell. To get this gear back in the 
next week is critical. These pieces are our livelihood. Thanks for your help."

UPDATE: The Windsor Star

ITEMS STOLEN


Stefan:


Iron Coba Kick Pedal - Serial number 004


Sabian AA Rock Crash - Serial number 002


Sabian Rock Ride 18" - No serial number


Ziljian Light K Hi-Hat - Serial number 64 2388299647


Mike:


Pedal Pad Case - Serial number 007


Boss DD7 Digital Delay Pedal - Serial number CX76639


Boss BD2 Blues Driver Pedal - Serial number ZY26562


Boss RE20 Roland Space Echo - Serial number OO8


Boss TU2 Chromatic Tuner Pedal - Serial number OO9


MXR Micro Amp - Serial number O11


Roland EV5 Expression Pedal - Serial number O12



Please keep your eyes and ears open. If you run across any of this equipment, contact the Windsor Police Dept. (519) 258-6111.

Show Alert: Whales sighted crossing the Detroit River

Tues., Apr. 17
PJ's Lager House, Detroit - $8
Said the Whale with Chains of Love and Sam Bradley

If for some reason you couldn't cross the border last night for their Capitol Theatre show, the Whales are coming to you. If you like your alt pop with strong hooks, harmonies and earnest, clever lyrics, then you'll love Vancouver's Said the Whale, as they return to the Detroit area, this time with a new album, Little Mountain in tow. See if you hear a nod to an 1980s Detroit favourite in one of Little Mountain's singles, "Heavy Ceiling."


You'll hear more than a nod to Detroit from fellow Vancouverites Chains of Love. Led by singer Nathalia Pizzaro, the sextet have perfected an authentic, yet contemporary take on the 1960s Motown sound. They've already had three tracks in rotation on CBC Radio 3, including "In Between," from their Dec. 2011 7-inch record.

Photo by Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: A Whale of a Show

Mon., Apr. 16
Capitol Theatre, Windsor
Said the Whale with Chains of Love
Tickets available through the Phog Lounge; $15 advance, $20 at the door
Early show; doors at 7 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m.

Said The Whale      Photo by Russ Gordon

Juno award-winning Said the Whale return to the area after their October show in Pontiac. Touring in support of their new album, Little Mountain, the Vancouver band are known for immensely likeable harmony-driven alt pop.

Chains Of Love    Photo by Patrick Fraser

Chains of Love are at the forefront of the retro trend coming out of Vancouver with their 60s soul revival.

Working Blue: an N2DS2W special edition featuring Toronto's catl.

 Purchase catl.'s new full-length record, Soon This Will All Be Gone, and you'll get 39 minutes of vintage blues filtered through 21st century Detroit and Toronto. But just like their albums are the pilot flame that ignites the band's scorching live shows, those 39 minutes represent a fraction of the sweat and tears, trials and tribulations that brought Soon This Will All Be Gone to fruition.

In conjunction with its release, we are pleased to bring you Working Blue: lifting the lid on catl.'s new album. Many thanks to catl. for generously allowing us to attend one of their sessions at Detroit's Ghetto Recorders last May, so that we could experience the creative process and share it with you.

Photo by Russ Gordon

The 'Keet Tweets for the week of Apr. 9

Wondering what Bob the Budgie has been tweeting to lately? Molly Rankin's "Way Home" remains a favourite, but here are some other songs on CBC Radio 3 he's been enjoying. By the way, Bob now has his own press kit.

"Narcisse"-- Duchess Says

"Hallways"-- Islands

"Replace Me"-- Chad VanGaalen

"Stairway"-- Yukon Blonde

"I Won't Try To Break Your Heart"-- Crissi Cochrane

the unquiet dead CD Release Party wsg The Schomberg Fair & Pat Robitaille

On Saturday April 7th, the unquiet dead proudly release their full length debut album, Tales of the unquiet dead: Book One. Recorded in Windsor, Ontario and produced by Mark Plancke at Shark Tank Productions, the 11-song CD will be available publicly for the first time at this special showcase at Windsor's historic Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre, in the heart of downtown Windsor.

Doors are at 6 p.m. and the show will commence at 7 p.m. with a beautiful solo set by Windsor's own Pat Robitaille. Pat has been wowing audiences and music fans for years, all across North America, with his gorgeous songwriting.

the unquiet dead will take the stage at 8 p.m. and will play every song from Tales of the unquiet dead: Book One as well as a few fun covers and perhaps a few preview songs from Book Two.

Closing out the night at 10 p.m. will be the amazing Toronto trio The Schomberg Fair. These high octane folk-blues superstars have sold out shows all across Windsor and have played some of the country's finest venues and festivals, including 2012 Canadian Music Week with the unquiet dead.

Following the show, there will be a CD listening of Tales of the unquiet dead: Book One and after party at Phog Lounge, located next door to the Capitol Theatre. Merchandise from all three acts will also be available and entrance will be FREE for all ticket holders or $4 for non-ticket holders.

Pricing as follows:

Advance Ticket (Admission Only): $10
Advance Ticket (with CD Redemption): $20
Ticket at the Door: $12
CD at the Event: $15

This is an ALL-AGES show, but it is also licensed. If you are 19+, you can purchase alcoholic beverages at the venue, but you must have valid photo ID.

This is a joint presentation of Phog Lounge, Jam Space and Artcite.

Via the unquiet dead

Photo: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Winning America: CBC Radio 3's first documentary - National debut

What does it take for a Canadian indie band to make it in the States? That's the topic addressed by Winning America, the first documentary produced by CBC Radio 3. Airing Sat., Apr. 7 on CBC-TV (9 a.m. PST/noon EST), it follows the ups and downs of Vancouver band Said the Whale as they look for the elusive recipe to success in the U.S. Directed by Brent Hodge, the documentary is funny, poignant and has a message for any band, anywhere, hoping to beat the odds and make it big. If you missed them last October when they played Pontiac, it's also a great way to "meet" the band before they play Windsor's Capitol Theatre on Mon., Apr. 16 and PJ's Lager House on Tues., Apr. 17, with fellow Vancouverites Chains of Love.

Imaginary Cities Announce U.S. Tour + Show Review

If you're lucky-- and in the U.S.-- Imaginary Cities will soon be coming to a city near you.

They stopped by Windsor last November for a show at the Phog Lounge, along with Windsor's Menos Mal, and improbably, Ferndale, Michigan's Child Bite. Not your average punk band, Child Bite's progressive, complex rock was an interesting segue to Imaginary Cities' alt pop.

"Motown" is an adjective frequently associated with the band's sound (read about their adventures at Detroit's Fox Theatre when they toured with The Pixies last year) but Winnipeg is a long way from Detroit. You'll hear some Motown inflections in lead singer Marti Sarbit's distinctive voice-- think of an oboe with chops-- and some R&B/soul influences in the music, yet it's a mistake to pigeonhole Imaginary Cities into the current retro trend. Teamed with the talented Rusty Matyas, and backed by Ryan Voth on drums and David Landreth on bass on tour, the past for Imaginary Cities isn't a crutch, but a creative launch. Their first album is called Temporary Resident; if their early success is any indication (and even if they never make another album), they'll be taking up permanent residency in Canadian indie.
















Dates for their upcoming, and first, U.S. tour. Lansing on Jun. 8 is their only Michigan stop:

5.15, 2012 New York – Mercury Lounge
5.16, 2012 Philadelphia – North Star Bar
5.17, 2012 Washington, DC – Black Cat*
5.18, 2012 Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend*
5.19, 2012 Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern*
5.21, 2012 Birmingham, AL – WorkPlay Theatre*
5.22, 2012 Nashville, TN    Rocketown*
5.24, 2012 Oklahoma City, OK – ACM@UCO*
5.25, 2012 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit *
5.26, 2012 Dallas, TX – The Door*
5.28, 2012 Little Rock, AR – Downtown Music Hall*
5.29, 2012 Springfield, MO – Outland Ballroom*
5.30, 2012 Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room*

6.01, 2012 Columbia, MO – The Blue Note*
6.02, 2012 Iowa City, IA – Blue Moose Tap House*
6.04, 2012 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock*
6.05, 2012 Milwaukee, WI     – Turner Hall Ballroom*
6.06, 2012 Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe at Old National Centre*
6.07, 2012 Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theatre*
6.08, 2012 Lansing, MI – The Loft at Harem Urban Lounge*
6.09, 2012 Toronto, ON – The Mod Club    *
6.11, 2012 Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall*
6.12, 2012 So. Burlington, VT – Higher Ground*
6.13, 2012 Northampton, MA – Pearl Street*
6.14, 2012 Pawtucket, RI – The Met*
6.15, 2012 Hoboken, NJ – Maxwell’s*
6.16, 2012 Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony*

* w/ MewithoutYou & Buried Beds

Summer Festival Preview

Dan Mangan at Home County Folk Fest 2011

Canadian folk festivals are announcing their lineups (we're still waiting on NXNE), including the Home County Folk Festival in London-- Jul. 20-22-- which N2D will be attending along with a robust group of CBC Radio 3 bloggers. Suggested donation per day is only $5, and CBC Radio 3 host Craig Norris will be on hand as a main stage announcer. Which band are we most looking forward to hearing? The Kramdens. The lineup thus far is listed below.

Hawksley Workman at Home County Folk Fest 2011

Sarnia's Artwalk (Jun. 2-3) has also announced their initial performer lineup. They're introducing ticketed evening shows this year, and making it well worth your money: Hawksley Workman and Regina's Rah Rah. Also scheduled to play: Sunparlour Players, who easily became one of our top shows of 2011 after seeing them at Windsor's Capitol Theatre.

Sunparlour Players at the Capitol Theatre

Home County Folk Festival
scheduled performers
(a few more to come):

Anabelle Chvostek http://www.annabelle.org

Bahamas  http://www.bahamasmusic.net

Carlos del Junco http://www.carlosdeljunco.com

Cuff The Duke http://cufftheduke.ca/info.htm

Dave Gunning http://www.davegunning.com

Eve Goldberg http://www.evegoldberg.com

Ian Thomas http://www.ianthomas.ca

Jayme Stone http://jaymestone.com

Jim Bryson http://www.jimbryson.org

Joel Plaskett http://www.joelplaskett.com

Kathleen Edwards http://www.kathleenedwards.com

Kinnie Starr http://www.kinniestarr.net

The Kramdens http://www.thekramdens.com

Liam Titcomb http://www.liamtitcomb.com

Maz http://www.espacemaz.ca

Olenka & the Autumn Lovers http://www.olenkalovers.com

Paul Langille http://www.execulink.com/~langill1/

Peter Katz http://www.peterkatz.com

Prydwen website under reconstruction

Quartette http://www.quartette.com

Sarah Smith http://www.sarahsmithmusic.com

The Woody Allens http://www.myspace.com/thewoodyallens



Photos: Russ Gordon//N2D Images

Show Alert: Rococode @ Phog Lounge

Sun., Mar. 25
Phog Lounge, Windsor
With Sea + Air (Germany) and Benjamin Winter (San Francisco)

The last time we saw Andrew Braun, he was wearing a dress. Not just anyone's dress. Hannah Georgas' dress.

That was Halloween 2010; now Braun is wearing a co-producer's hat and multiple instruments as a member of pop-rock quartet Rococode of Vancouver/Victoria. One of the top 20 bands in the 2011 Peak Performance Project, Rococode also includes Laura Smith (vocals/keyboard), and Shaun Huberts (vocals/bass) and Johnny Andrews (drums) of Tegan & Sara. Braun shared production credit with Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother on Rococode's debut album, Guns, Sex & Glory. Two singles have been in rotation on CBC Radio 3: "Empire" and "Weapon."

The Unquiet Dead ~ Parlovr

Three days. Three shows. Saturday with Parlovr. 

Parlovr

The Unquiet Dead

Windsor Music Scene 101 workshop for bands

Workshop presenter Murad Erzinclioglu has been there.

He's not only music director at CJAM 99.1 FM and co-creator of the Harvesting the FAM Festival in Windsor, he's been making music in a band for eight years, and writing about it for even longer. "I wrote a column on music for our school newspaper in fourth grade," says Erzinclioglu.

Over the course of his own musical career, "People told me things to do, but they don't tell you why," he notes. Bands attending the workshop will definitely not only get the why, but the who, what, where and when, as well as guidelines, contact sheets, and "What I think is a decent tracking guide," says Erzinclioglu.

Topics will include strategies for sending your music out, how to run a radio campaign, proper CD packaging for press and more. "Attendees are going to walk away with tangible things, certain steps they can take and use to make their band more successful," Erzinclioglu explains.

Solo acts and bands are both encouraged to apply. For more information and to register online, visit: http://acwr.net/news/

Workshop presenter Murad Erzinclioglu
(with the Windsor Rock Wall)

Show Alert: Bend Sinister

Thu., Mar. 8 @ Call the Office, London
w/ Teenage Kicks

Fri., Mar. 9 @ The Dugout, Windsor
w/ James O-L and the Villains and LEARNING

We have Bend Sinister (Vancouver) to thank for adding one of our favourite words to our vocabulary: flummoxoned. We think you will be flummoxoned too by Dan Moxon and Bend Sinister's 88-key powered indie pop/rock. Check out their CBC Radio 3 artist's page for a list of influences; but their sound is more ode than old. They're touring now in support of their just-released EP, On My Mind. Whatever you're doing tonight or tomorrow, give it a rest and go to one of these shows-- $5 in London, free in Windsor. (More tour dates below)




Mar 10 Toronto at Cherry Cola’s
Mar 13 Winnipeg, MB at The Pyramid Cabaret
Mar 14 Regina at The Exchange
Mar 15 Saskatoon, SK at Amigos
Mar 16 Calgary at The Gateway
Mar 17 Edmonton, AB at The Starlite Room
Mar 18 Banff at Wild Bill’s
Mar 19 Jasper at The Horseshoe Club
Mar 20 Fernie at The Northern
Mar 21 Nelson at Hume Hotel
Mar 22 Kamloops at Cactus Jack’s
Mar 23 Vancouver, BC at Venue Nightclub
Mar 24 Victoria at Club 9One9 

Show Alert: Dave Russell & The Precious Stones

Fri., Mar. 2 @ The Room, Windsor

Can't make it across the border for Arkells tonight? Don't stay home. There's no shortage of talent and budget-friendly shows in Windsor.

• Dave Russell (Windsor), with the Precious Stones, brings his heartfelt, easy-going and engaging singer-songwriter catalog to the Room.
• SixtyFirstSecond, Leighton Bain and Ravenscode play the Phog Lounge.
• The FM Lounge hosts a missing child benefit for the family of Bianca Jones.

• Free show at Villain's Beastro with  Sophist, Bleach, and Acousticfire.

Show Alert: Arkells take a Michigan Left

Arkells @ The Shelter
Detroit
Fri., March 2


Arkells leave "Jackson Square," take a Michigan Left and accelerate their trademark harmonies to well above the limit. Never asking "Where U Going," the Hamilton, Ont. rockers sound more mature, and not just "On Paper." On stage they never have "One Foot Out The Door," according to all the CBC Radio 3 listeners who voted them Best Live Act. Their new record will open the eyes and ears of the nascent Arkells fan, and further strengthen the band's "Bloodlines." Take that and a strong "Coffee" to your next "Book Club."