Montrealer’s Arcade Fire posted a cheeky postcard giving clues to a new song being released.  It states the following:

Howdy yall- Just finishing up pressing our new 12″. Should be in stores in the next couple weeks. God willing. Good luck with finals. See you this summer!”

It should be part of their upcoming release that’s scheduled to be coming out this year.

Broken Social Scene is giving back to their fans yet again.  In support of their new album, Forgiveness Rock Record, Toronto’s favourite indie mega-band returns with 4 in-store performances in the 4 top Toronto indie record stores tomorrow.

What a great way to recognize some of the best record stores in the city, and show the fans how a accessible such a behemoth-sized orchestral indie band can really be.

Sunday May 9th
2pm – Criminal Records (493 Queen Street West) - crimedoesntpay.ca
4pm – Rotate This (801 Queen Street West) - rotate.com
6pm – Soundscapes (572 College Street) - soundscapesmusic.com
8pm – Sonic Boom (512 Bloor Street West) - sonicboommusic.com

5 BANDS. 5 NIGHTS. 5 BUCKS.

Starting yesterday (apologies for the delay – the onslaught of holiday turkey, stuffing and apple pies kept me weighed town), The Drake Hotel is holding their 4th annual What’s In the Box event, showcasing electronic/DJs the week before the new year.  Given that most artists are taking some time off before kicking off their 2010 tour, or spending time hibernating to record, it’s a great place to head for some great beats and company.

There are some great bands doing sets this year, with highlights that include Holy Fuck, Air France and OPOPO.  At $5 per night, how can you go wrong?

SATURDAY DECEMBER 26 / NIGHT ONE
myspace.com/thecarps
myspace.com/styrofoamones
myspace.com/the8485
myspace.com/youngflux
myspace.com/youngempires
skratchbastid.com

SUNDAY DECEMBER 27 / NIGHT TWO
holyfuckmusic.com/
handdrawndracula.com/hdd-bishopmorocco
handdrawndracula.com/hdd-bydivineright
myspace.com/holycobras
myspace.com/dougieboom

MONDAY DECEMBER 28 / NIGHT THREE
myspace.com/theairfrance
myspace.com/thedurbervilles
myspace.com/greatbloomers
myspace.com/spookeyruben
todor.ca

TUESDAY DECEMBER 29 / NIGHT FOUR
myspace.com/nosajthing
myspace.com/mymanhenri
myspace.com/opopotunes
myspace.com/organmood
myspace.com/pickapiper
todor.ca
jaime-sin.com

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 30 / NIGHT FIVE
myspace.com/alexsmoke1
pheek.com
myspace.com/djstefny
noahpred.com
todor.ca/site
johnnyhockin.com

The 5th Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash is here, raising vital funds for charity.  This year’s charity if choice is Yonge St. Mission and its food bank.  The legendary reggae icon’s birthday is officially Feb. 6th, the night of the event.   If you’ve ever been to Jamaica, you’ll know how colossal an event Marley’s birthday is.

Indie Reggae bands will be entertaining everyone throughout the evening, with raffles for prizes.  One other reason will be seeing some b/w photos of Bob Marley in the 70s, from the Analogue Gallery.

Bob Marley Birthday
The Great Hall (1087 Queen St. West)
Saturday, Feb 6th
Doors 9pm
Saturday, February 6th
$15 at the door w/non-perishable food item

DJ Champion w/Madrid
Mod Club
11.27.09
Doors @7pm | $15

DJ Champion and his G-strings (guitar strings) from Montreal are making a triumphant return to the Mod Club on Friday.  Their highly entertaining blend of electro-beats and guitars, all orchestrated by master DJ Maxine Morin.  They hit the electronic dance scene when they released Chill ‘Em All in 2004, and a follow up remix in 2006.

So it’s really been 5 years since Morin has come up with a sophmore album – and you can definitely hear the evolution, most discernibly recruiting the talents of montreal raw-power singer Pilou Côté,  in replace of the signature soulful female vocals Betty Bonifassi that electrified their live show.  Let’s see how they do!

The Rural Alberta Advantage have exploded into the indie music scene after garnering some big thumbs up from CbcRadio 3, Exclaim! and X3 a few months ago.  I was lucky to see them at the Hillside Festival on July, instantly recognizing the insane drumming styling of Paul Banwatt from Woodhands.  They sing about (suprise) the life, love and laments of Alberta:  summers in the Rockies, oil boom, mine workers to name a few, in an indie-rock style that isn’t anything near Nickelback.

They have a completely SOLD OUT show at Lee’s Palace on Friday Nov 20, but here’s your chance to see them.  The band will be performing at Soundscapes (College and Manning) playing a FREE SHOW at 7pm tonight. Go early since the place is the size of your (Toronto) living room.

Voting for the short list for the 2009 Bucky Awards from CbcRadio3 is now open.  Sure, some of the lists shed a bit MTV music awardsish (e.g. Sexist musician), but all in all the Canadian artists on deck are solid.

There are some emerging artists like Hey Rosetta! and Dan Mangan, plus some established acts including Metric and Joel Plaskett.  It’s also a great way to check out some new artists who’ve made it on the list.

VOTE!

Check out J. Tillman (from the critically acclaimed Seattle band Fleet Foxes, self described as “Baroque harmonic pop jams”).  He’s currently on tour promoting some of his solo folk work, performing at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern tomorrow.

I’ve yet to hear much of his work, but from what I’ve heard he has taken a very delicate, melodic and lyrical direction.  Check out some of his work:

http://www.myspace.com/jtillman

J.Tillman w/Pearly Gates Music
Horseshoe Tavern
$15 at the door
SETS: J.Tillman @10:30p, PGM @9:30p