'Sup In February

Usually the winter months result in a bit of a live show drought here in the city, but February is actually looking pretty jam packed as far as I can tell. I'm not sure how many of these I'm going to be able to attend, but the possibilities are certainly enough to make me drool.

Wednesday February 4th is the first show that I'll be attending for sure, with my tickets sitting comfortably atop the shelf. Gary Louris and Mark Olson (pictured above) have finally settled their differences and will be performing songs from their new album Ready For The Flood, which was just released last Tuesday. I haven't heard it yet, but my sources (what sources?) say that this is not a Jayhawks reunion album, but a stripped down, laid back and casual affair, which helps to understand the logic behind having a seated show at The Mod Club. The fact that Louris sheepishly name drops Simon & Garfunkel in a recent interview for Now Magazine leads me to believe that the harmonies are going to be all kinds of uplifting. I'm thoroughly looking forward to this show. $22.50 [Myspace: Ready For The Flood]

Also on Wednesday February 4th, Bruce Peninsula are going to be playing a free in-store set at Soundscapes. They'll be back again on Sunday February 22nd to play the Polish Combatants Hall. The tickets for that are $10 adv/ $12 at the door. By the way, I finally got around to listening to A Mountain Is A Mouth. In a word, life-altering! [Myspace: Bruce Peninsula]

I will also be at Rancho Relaxo on Thursday February 5th to see Portland's Robert Bouchard as The Robot Ate Me. That's a pretty impressive draw. He'll be playing with Braxton Clover and Your Volunteer. The most exciting thing about the bill for me though, is seeing Ryland's touring partner Emperor X from Jacksonville, Fl. I just naturally assumed that I would never get to see him perform. See? Never say never. $6. [Myspaces: The Robot Ate Me, Braxton Clover, Your Volunteer]

For those who can't get enough of the 60's grage rock sound, I highly recommend checking out The Primordials at The Mod Club on Saturday February 7th. RSVP the band to get on the guest list. Free. [Myspace: The Primordials]

Also on Saturday February 7th is the Whale Tooth EP release show at Rancho Relaxo. The vocal abilites of Elise Legrow have to be experienced to be appreciated. Also on the bill are Green Go (whom I've heard a lot of good things about) and The Balconies. Tix are $10 w/EP, or $7 without. [Myspaces: Whale Tooth, Green Go, The Balconies]

The Hylozoists are doing the free in-store thang at Soundscapes on Tuesday February 10th. Free. [Myspace: The Hylozoists]

Thursday February 12th marks the third time Amos The Transparent will have played Toronto since the year began. This time they're at the Tattoo Rock Parlour with Birds Of Wales. Cost: TBA [Myspaces: Amos the Transparent, Birds Of Wales]

Also on Thursday February 12th is an early show at The Mod Club featuring Jenn Grant and Kevin Hearn. Tix are $14. [Myspaces: Jenn Grant, Kevin Hearn]

The Von Bondies are on tour to promote their Love, Hate and Then There's You release, which is out on February 3rd. They are playing The Horseshoe on Friday February 13th for $10. [Myspace: The Von Bondies]

Saturday February the 14th is absolutely loaded with stuff I'd like to do, although it looks like I'm probably doing none of these. First off, we've got a massive show at the Polish Combatants Hall featuring $100, Brides, Hooded Fang, The Luyas and The Element Choir. This is part of the much lauded Wavelength series and it's PWYC ($10 recommended) [Myspaces: $100, Brides, Hooded Fang, The Luyas, The Element Choir]

Also on Saturday February 14th, we've got the little band from Barrie that currently serves as my musical crush of high school proportions, Fox Jaws. They are playing El Mocambo. Cost: TBA [Myspace: Fox Jaws]

And also on Saturday February 14th, Toronto welcomes the return of the coolest band in the whole world, The Planet Smashers at the Opera House. They are playing with The Creepshow and The Snips and the tix are $13.50 adv. [Myspaces: The Planet Smashers, The Creepshow, The Snips]

Tuesday February 17th has the wild and crazy Antony and the Johnsons at Queen Elizabeth Theatre for $37. [Myspace: Antony and the Johnsons]

On Wednesday February 18th, I might finally get ther chance to see Olenka and the Autumn Lovers again, when they play The Tranzac. I'm definitely due. Cost: TBA [ Myspace: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers]

I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing Blitzen Trapper again when they play The Horseshoe on Saturday February 21st. The last time I saw them, they were in the unfortunate position ofhaving Fleet Foxes for them. This time they have Alela Diane opening, another artist who is also on the cusp of busting out. Should be a good show though. $10.50 adv/ $12 door [Myspace: Blitzen Trapper, Alela Diane]

Also on Saturday February 21, that cute little pop singing do-it-yourself-er sensation Lights is playing The Phoenix. Tix are $15. [Myspace: Lights]

Besides the aforementioned Bruce Peninsula show, Sunday February 22nd is showcasing a few other exciting bills in our fair city. First of all, Rural Alberta Advantage is playing a Wavelength show at Sneaky Dee's. PWYC. [Myspace: Rural Alberta Advantage]

Also, Ben Kweller is in town promoting Changing Horses which comes out on February 3rd. He is playing Sunday February 22nd at The Mod Club for $25. [Myspace: Ben Kweller]

On Tuesday February 24th, Arts & Crafts melodramatic popster Gentlemen Reg plays a free in-store at Soundscapes. [Myspace: Gentlemen Reg]

Jon Langford (formerly of the Mekons and the Waco Brothers) is playing The Horseshoe on Friday February 27th with The Sadies as his backing band. Tix are $12.50adv/ $14 door. [Myspace: Jon Langford]

And finally, there's a pretty awesome show at The Horseshoe on Saturday February 28th featuring the stadium rock sound of The Coast, the jangle rock goodness of The Diableros and the spazzy wondermint of Oh No Forest Fires. Tix are $10.50 adv/ $12 door [Myspaces: The Coast, The Diableros, Oh No Forest Fires]