In case you haven't caught them yet, a reminder that tonight is the last night for you to see/hear the best bass lines and harmonies in the city (oh no dial613 di'n't!) over at Irene's Pub, as local alt-country/rockers Department Of Foreign Affairs finish up their month-long Sunday night residency.

Infinite numbers of bands list The Beatles and The Beach Boys as influences, but DOFA is one of the few where you would actually guess it without them having to spell it out for you.

They'll be playing 2 sets featuring old songs, new songs from their recently released and dandyfun album Northern Living Northern Lights, and some covers (hopefully a certain Beach Boys one..).

One set at 9PM and another at 10PM, $5 cover.

No word on whether or not Calvin Broadus Snoop Dogg will bring BFF Taylor Hicks on stage Friday at the Civic Centre.

F - 01.26.07
The Besnard Lakes with Amos The Transparent*, at Zaphod's
-->The Besnard Lakes - And You Lied To Me (website, myspace)
Lily Frost with J.F. Robitaille, at The Black Sheep Inn
The Nads* (cd release) with Doug Hell & The Junkie Murderers*, Travolta Sings*, Dr. Wily & The Robot Masters*, and more, at Club Saw
Snoop Dogg with Ice Cube, at the Civic Centre
-->Snoop Doggy Dogg - Who Am I (What's My Name) (website, myspace)
-->Snoop Dogg ft. Justin Timberlake - Signs
Tradition with Xian and Saint Bernard Of Love*, at 59 Argyle
-->Saint Bernard Of Love - For The Horse Riders (myspace)

Sa - 01.27.07
Caledonia with The Murder Plans* and Kris Ward*, at Café Dekcuf
Caridad Cruz, at Zaphod's
Venus Envy's 6th Anniversary, featuring The Cliks, Les Allumettes, and The Banditas, at The Legion on Kent St.
Crowded Skies* (CD release) with Jupiter Ray Project*, at Irene's Pub
-->Crowded Skies - Fire Off The Hill (stream)
Goldsword Champion* with Weapons Of Mass Seduction* and Captain Foxy*, at 59 Argyle
Jacquie In The Kitchen* (last show) with The Watters Brothers,* The Coggs*, and Brad Sucks*, at Maverick's
-->Brad Sucks - Making Me Nervous (website, myspace)
Steve Forbert with Ron Leary, at The Black Sheep Inn
--> (website, myspace)
See Joe Smile*, at Holy Redeemer Church (Kanata)

Su - 01.28.07
Department Of Foreign Affairs*, at Irene's Pub
-->Department Of Foreign Affairs - Burning Eyes (website, myspace)

* denotes local act

(Reminder: Deadline for entering the Camera Obscura contest below is 11:59 PM on the 26th.)

This week in Ottawa will be up later in the week. Or we'll just keep going one day at a time.

On Wednesday, Zaphod's is holding a "For Flag And Country" fundraiser. to help restore the Union Jack flag that was rescued from Parliament from a fire in 1916.
Three dandy local alt-country bands are taking part: Lefty McRighty & The Boxcar Cadavers, Sunbleached Skulls, and Evil Farm Children.
You can read more about the cause here.

Until then, all there is to know about is no-cover Monday at Zaphod's, featuring Graven with locals Johlen and That's The Spirit.

Also, dial613 is still waiting for someone more readers to re-create that photo for the Camera Obscura contest..

Would you like 2 free tickets to see Camera Obscura in Ottawa?

The Scottish sextet plays Barrymore's on January 30, along with tourmates The Essex Green and local Glenn Nuotio, as part of the 2nd leg of a North American tour in support of their 3rd album, Let's Get Out Of This Country.

And what do you know, dial613 has a pair of tickets to give away (~$35-40 value), courtesy of the fine folk over at Mocking Music.

To enter: Simply e-mail dial613 (dial613[AT]gmail[DOT]com) with the subpar subject line, "May I take a photo of you with my Camera Obscura? ;)" (awkward emoticon included). And...

For one bonus entry: With your e-mail, include a picture of what the nice lady in the photo above might possibly be looking at. Here's one idea.
For TWO bonus entries: Send in a picture of your best re-creation of the photo above, with you as the star. Come on, everybody's doing it. (oh, and dial613 would really like it if you gave permission for it to be posted on the site, too)

The contest closes at 11:59 PM on January 26, 2007, and the winner will be contacted through e-mail on January 27, 2007. Should the winner not respond in a reasonable amount of time, the tickets will be drawn for again.
Good luck!

To get you giddy:
-->Camera Obscura - Lloyd (Cole), I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken (website, myspace)
-->Camera Obscura - Roman Holiday

note: tickets = guestlist spots; no physical tickets involved!

Don't forget to pack your nice clothes to bring to Camp Radio on Saturday at Babylon.

This week in Ottawa, local trio Camp Radio (fronted by singer-songwriter Chris Page) finally get around to celebrating their debut LP, which was originally released back in May. It's been getting some attention from a few different places, including CBC Radio 3's recent bestof2006 podcast, as well as confused parents looking to start their children on early broadcasting careers.

Passing through the outskirts of Ottawa is Joel Plaskett, who plays 2 shows at the Black Sheep Inn. But they're both sold out, so that'll learn you for dawdling.

At another local show, dial613endorsed jazzy/electro/something ensemble Antizario play a benefit for The Independent Filmmakers Cooperative of Ottawa, along with a number of other local musical and nonmusical artists.
And do you remember Dominic D'Arcy coming to your school way back? Of course you do; it's hard to forget a singing policeman. But you may have forgotten Cierra Campeau, who accompanied him for a number of shows as a kid who you were probably supposed to relate to. Anyway, you can go see her doing her own thing now, headlining Saturday at Zaphod's. And while you're there, thank her for helping to keep you off the drugs (or at least for trying?).

What are you looking forward to this week?

M - 01.15.07
IFCO 15th Anniversary Party, featuring Antizario* and more, at Barrymore's
The Queers with The Heart Attacks, The Riptides*, and The Suicide Pilots, at Maverick's

W - 01.17.07
Brian Downey*, at Avant-Garde
Matt Mays with Museum Pieces and Alanna Stuart*, at Barrymore's
The Vanity Of Human Wishes* with The October Sky*, at Zaphod's

Th - 01.18.07
Joel Plaskett with Melissa Ferrick, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Joel Plaskett - Happen Now (website, myspace)
-->Joel Plaskett - Natural Disaster
Priestess with Mad Parish, at Maverick's
Radar, at Avant-Garde

F - 01.19.07
Students For A Free Tibet fundraiser, featuring All Is Lost*, Stoic Kid*, Clepto*, and The Red Light Saints*, at Babylon
Fortycentfix* with Roadbones and Down On Bedford*, at Zaphod's
Marie-Josee Houle* with Sacha Gabriel*, at Avant-Garde
Joel Plaskett with Melissa Ferrick, at The Black Sheep Inn
Tugnut with Seething and Dr. Wily & The Robot Masters*, at End Hits

Sa - 01.20.07
Adam Carrol with Roger Marrin and The Undesirables, at The Black Sheep Inn
Camp Radio* (CD release) with Flecton Big Sky & The Dreamcatchers* and Micarza Camaro*, at Babylon
-->Camp Radio - On The Landing Strip (website, myspace)
-->Camp Radio - Cons At The New Moon
Cierra Campeau* with Amanda Rheaume* and Sarah DeLuca*, at Zaphod's
Lyna Cob with Mica Hamerson*, at Avant-Garde
Iconoclast*, at Barrymore's
The Jimmy Swift Band, at Maverick's

Su - 01.21.07
Department Of Foreign Affairs*, at Irene's Pub
-->Department Of Foreign Affairs - First They Hit Manhattan (website, myspace)

* denotes local act

Also note: the show listings on the right were massively updated today. Find better ones, and dial613 will call you a liar.
Don't forget that you can import them straight into your Google calendar for incredible convenience; just click that button right above the listings.

And, another ticket giveaway will be up later in the week.
(guessing from the hint = bonus entry)

Rock Plaza Central are, indeed, horses: gift horses for Ottawa's low wintertime touring band rate, hyuk hyuk.

This week in Ottawa, maybe some snow will come. It would be handy to serve as a reminder that there is a reason not many bands are coming through town right now, as opposed to just feeling left alone.
But it's not like things are all that desparate: Toronto band Rock Plaza Central play on Saturday as the nonlocal exception to a 2-night showcase of local music at Zaphod's, brought to you by the folk at Mocking Music.
They came around back in September to release their new album Are We Not Horses?, which apparently is about robotic horses who believe they are real horses. Between then and now, though, they've garnered all sorts of new and fun media, including a very nice review from Pitchfork. But that shouldn't be necessary to get you out; if you head over to their myspace (linked below), you can decide for yourself.
And, as a bonus, there will be two dandy local openers in As The Poets Affirm and My Dad vs. Yours.

2 local CD releases from very different ends of the spectrum are also scheduled this week:
Antizario release their debut LP Saturday Night at The Mercury Lounge. The album, It's Great To Be Fine, should have all sorts of neat jazzy sounds with electronica influences; have a listen on their myspace for some really interesting stuff.
Punk-rock quartet The Bella Bombs will also be putting out their debut record, which you can celebrate at Babylon on Saturday.

Also worth noting is Colombian folk music ensemble Folklore Urbano, who play Zaphod's on Wednesday. There should probably be some comment about melting away the winter chills. Probably.

What are you looking forward to this week?

W - 01.10.07
Capital Slam event featuring Rob McLennan, at Café Dekcuf
Folklore Urbano, at Zaphod's

Th. - 01.11.07
Million Dollar Marxists* with CPC Gangbangs, at Babylon

F - 01.12.07
Daiquiri* with Black Actors* and Fucked Corpse*, at Zaphod's
The Reverb Syndicate* with Evil Farm Children*, at The Black Sheep Inn

Sa. - 01.13.07
Antizario* (CD release), at Mercury Lounge
Rock Plaza Central with As The Poets Affirm* and My Dad vs. Yours*, at Zaphod's
-->Rock Plaza Central - My Children, Be Joyful (website, myspace)
-->As The Poets Affirm - Awake Chaos (website, myspace)
-->My Dad vs. Yours - Habla Paisane (website, myspace)
The Bella Bombs* (CD release) with The Shifters*, The Fucking Machines*, and Muffler Crunch*, at Babylon
Nero* with Dave Lauzon*, at Maverick's
North Of Summer, at Avant-Garde Bar

Su. - 01.14.07
Department Of Foreign Affairs*, at Irene's Pub
Natalia Zukerman* with Melissa Laveaux*, at The Black Sheep Inn
Nero* with Elbeejay*, at Maverick's
Octoberman w/ Poorfolk* and Design Of Cities*, at The Rainbow

* denotes local act

Congratulations to reader K.P., who won tickets to see Emily Haines and her Soft Skeleton.

This week in Ottawa is all-local, with the exception of Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, who will come through town playing the 2nd date of a North American tour in support of the debut release Knives Don't Have Your Back. Reviews from her set at cbcradio3's See Vous Play show came back positive, and dial613 assumes she'll have plenty left for her first solo show in Ottawa.

If that's not your thing, you may want to go over to Zaphod's and see Brock Zeman. He's also just starting out on a tour in support of his new album Welcome Home Ivy Jane, which features the same country grit that the Carleton Place native has been making his name on through his other 3 releases in the past 4 years.

Sunday night, dial613endorsed Department Of Foreign Affairs begin a month-long residency at Irene's Pub. The band, whose genre changes every time dial613 writes about them (alt-country/countryaltrock/poppyrocknroll), will be playing 2 sets every Sunday in January at 9 and 10 PM. It would probably do you some good to go; their CD release was a blast, and their harmonies are more fun than a barrel of made-up genre classifications.

Another option this Sunday night, if you're up for the drive, is to head down to the Black Sheep Inn for a showcase of 4 promising local singing-songwriting talents, including Marc Charron, who you may already know as the front for Lure.

So, where are you planning on going this week?

01.05.07
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, at The Bronson Centre
-->Emily Haines - The Lottery (website, myspace)
Brock Zeman* with Joshua Morin* and Ball 'n Chain*, at Zaphod's
-->Brock Zeman & The Dirty Hands - Sweet Charlotte (website, myspace)

01.06.07
Souljazz Orchestra*, at Babylon
Sojourn* with Addison*, Acres*, at Maverick's
Twelve34* with Sindication* and Lady Milk*, at Barrymore's

01.07.07
Department Of Foreign Affairs*, at Irene's Pub
-->Department Of Foreign Affairs - Burning Eyes (website, myspace)
Meredith Luce* with Marc Charron*, Derek Olive* and Dave Gaudet*, at The Black Sheep Inn

* denotes local act

Note: dial613Factory will resume operation in time for the first week of shows in January.
Show listings will continue to update in the meantime (and a whole bunch of new ones have just been added, including the Winterlude lineup and-- wait for it-- Snoop Dogg!).

And, as if you don't know already, the contest below's deadline is Dec. 31, so if you'd still like to enter, read below and be sure to do it by then.

There are 4 localmusic-ish New Year's parties going on tomorrow night, check the sidebar on your right for details.

Until next year:
-->AfroFly
-->The Great Flying Mintini

Would you like free tickets to see Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton?

On Friday, January 5, Metric front and Broken Social Scene member Emily Haines will travel through Ottawa, playing the 2nd show of a 19-date North American tour in support of her recently released debut solo album Knives Don't Have Your Back.

Lucky for you, it just so happens that dial613 has a pair of tickets to give away ($45-$56 value), courtesy of her Toronto-based label Last Gang Records.

To enter: just e-mail dial613 (dial613[AT]gmail[DOT]com) with the hilarious subject line, "I'd like to get my Haines on Emily's tickets" (variations welcome).
Everyone who sends an e-mail will receive one entry into a random draw for 2 tickets to see Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton at The Bronson Centre on January 5, 2007, and will also be automatically added to Emily's e-mailing list to get updates on news/shows in the future.

The contest closes at 11:59 December 31, 2006, and the winner will be contacted through e-mail by January 1, 2007. Should the winner not respond in a reasonable amount of time, the tickets will be drawn for again.
Good luck!

To whet your appetite:
-->Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - The Lottery (website, myspace)
-->Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - Our Hell (live video) (from cbcradio3's SeeVousPlay)

Maybe this year, Lure's stocking will be stuffed with a renewed sense of dignity.

Wednesday night, Giant Sand frontperson Howe Gelb plays at the library. Though born in Tucson, his Ottawa connections are extensive, as dial613 has discussed previously. You really should start paying attention.

Thursday, The Fully Down, the biggest Ottawa band in all of Japan, pop some punks at Maverick's in an all-local line-up, including the recently reannointed Travel By Owl (ex-The Architects). It's all ages, so make sure to have your condescending glares handy.

And the yuletide highlight of the week is brought to you courtesy of wetsuit-loving local band Lure, who will play all sorts of carols at a Barrymore's Xmas Xtravaganza (or Christmas Christravaganza, for all you purists out there). They'll have some friends from around town on hand to help party it up, like Ana Miura and Amanda Rheaume, but most importantly, Santa and his elves will be there (not to mention the grinch and some guy named Anti-Claus).
Best of all, you can be a good person at the same time, as donations of canned food (for the Ottawa Food Bank) and winter clothes (for The Snowsuit Fund) will be being taken in exchange for $2 off cover. So go for it; rumour has it you'll get to watch yourself some Charlie Brown too.

Where will you be this week?

12.20.06
Howe Gelb at The National Library
-->Howe Gelb - But I Did Not (website, myspace)
-->Howe Gelb - Nail In The Sky

12.21.06
The Fully Down* w/ Travel By Owl*, No Other Way*, Red October*, at Maverick's
-->Travel By Owl - I Am Listening So Close (myspace)

12.22.06
Lure* (Stuff Some Rockin' In Yer Stockin' Xmas Party) with special guests, at Barrymore's

12.23.06
The Watters Brothers* (CD release) with Jacquie In The Kitchen* and Dave Norris*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

Cheesy joke about NASCAR to tie in with Auto Racing.

Monday night, any fans of Primus should have a good time at Zaphod's no-cover-Monday with local headliners Auto Racing.
Or, you can see local band Relief Maps open for South Carolina rock band The Nein at the final End Hits basement show of 2005.

The rest of 'this week', as well as a dial613 special announcement, will be posted by Wednesday. This mysterious announcement, which is in your best interests, involves a 'lottery' of sorts. And that lame hint is the only one you'll be getting.

M - 12.18.06
Auto Racing* with Pelt, The Ether*, and Andrea Simms-Karp*, at Zaphod's
-->Auto Racing - (myspace)
The Nein with Relief Maps*, at End Hits

* denotes local act

Malajube will hopefully have more than a bicycle as means of transportation.

Text may or may not be filled in soon, enjoy the mp3s in the meantime.

What shows are you set on seeing this week?

M - 12.11.06
My Canvas* with Raein* and Susan File*, at Zaphod's

W - 12.13.06
The Krugger Brothers with Casey Comeau & The Centretown Wilderness Club*, at Maverick's
Malajube with Melissa Laveaux*, at Zaphod's
-->Malajube - Le Métronome (website, myspace)
Mr. Plow with Four-Stroke*, Valveenus, and This Girl Fights!, at Café Dekcuf

Th - 12.14.06
Jon-Rae & The River, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Jon-Rae & The River - Just One More (website, myspace)
Patrick Watson with Stephen St.-Pierre*, at Zaphod's

F - 12.15.06
The Bush Pilots* with The Town Cryers* and The Semantics*, at Zaphod's
Gentleman Reg with Amos The Transparent*, at The Black Sheep Inn (CANCELLED, oops)
-->Gentleman Reg - The Boyfriend Song (website, myspace)
The Slip (CD release) with Land Of Talk and The Lovely Feathers, at Barrymore's
-->The Slip - Children Of December (website, myspace)

Sa - 12.16.06
Books On Books* with Poorfolk* and Mit City, at Barrymore's
Fiftymen* with Brock Zeman* and Joel Williams, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Fiftymen - Whiskey & Lulu (website)
The Reverb Syndicate* with The Solid Senders* and Havoc, at Irene's Pub
The Lovely Feathers with Jetplanes Of Abraham*, Baron & Lengthy, Bangkok*, Good Night Knights, at Maverick's
-->The Lovely Feathers - In The Valley (website, myspace)
-->Jetplanes Of Abraham - Not Tonight (website, myspace)

* denotes local act

The viewfinder is not even big enough to capture all of Jim Bryson's ego-bloated head.

This latter-half-of-the-week in Ottawa is highlighted by local Jim Bryson's two-night stand at the Black Sheep Inn.
He's just been voted in by the ever-knowledgeable readers of the Ottawa Xpress as this city's best folk-type person; and while dial613 was really hoping it wouldn't go to Mr. Bryson's head, it appears as though it already has.
So go see him on either Friday (with the nationally broadcasted for 30 seconds at a time Andrew Vincent) or Saturday (with Kelp honcho JD Bartlett), before he moves to Iceland and plays only private performances with instruments built by the native peoples of that land (...or something to that effect).
(note: there is a bus going up to Wakefield for the Saturday show, check here for details)

Also this week, Cornwall alt-rock vets Barstool Prophets stop by the city on their mini-reunion tour, playing their first shows since they broke up back last millenia. Ottawa's Joshua Morin Band takes care of warming up the crowd.
Other out-of-town highlights include allgirl alt-rockers Magneta Lane and the slightly freaky Les Georges Leningrad.

What shows are you looking forward to this week?

Th - 12.07.06
Idle Sons with Marianas Trench and Tweak*, at Maverick's
The Soirée* with Flotilla and Acres*, at Zaphod's
-->The Soireé - Clear And Colourblind (website, myspace)

F - 12.08.06
Dear Judah* with Male Nurse* and Stepehen J. Adamyk*, at The Manx
-->Dear Judah - With Skycraper Fists (myspace)
Jim Bryson* with Andrew Vincent*, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Jim Bryson - The Wishes Pile Up (website, myspace)
-->Andrew Vincent - Snow Shake (website, myspace)
Magneta Lane with Die Mannequin, at Zaphod's
Sick Fits* with Sweet Janes* and Jet Five, at Babylon

Sa - 12.09.06
Barstool Prophets with The Joshua Morin Band*, at Barrymore's
Donkeypunch* with Rocketface*, at The Thirsty Toad
Dynasty with Dopamine*, at Zaphod's
Jim Bryson* with J.D. Bartlett* and John Higney*, at The Black Sheep Inn

Su - 12.10.06
Akpopli with Baobab Tree, at The Black Sheep Inn
For The Mathematics* with Money Money*, at Café Dekcuf
-->For The Mathematics - This Transient (website, myspace)
Les Georges Leningrad with Duchess Says, at Babylon

* denotes local act

That's a pretty sweet shirt Sarah Hallman's got there.

Monday night, think about taking in local chanteuse Sarah Hallman's CD release show, happening at The Black Tomato in the Byward Market (11 George Street).
The self-titled album, released on Kitchener label Busted Flat Records, has Hallman playing with a number of local namesyoumayknow, including Jeremy Gara (Arcade Fire), Mike Feuerstack (Wooden Stars/Kepler/Snailhouse), and John Tielli (Clark).

If you haven't actually heard a song of hers, you may still already know Sarah Hallman as the sweet and kindofhaunting female voice in the Hilotrons track Oh My; if not, you can go have a looksee and listen over at YouTube to get an idea of what she's all about.
And, to get even more of an idea, you can grab a 30-second sample of every track on the record from Sarah Hallman's website, which dial613 thinks should be enough to convince you to go see the show.

There's also been a bit of Blogslob™: Largehearted Boy featured one of her songs back in September, so you can take that for what it's worth, which is probably at least a little in terms of having a beyond-local listener base. High-five!

This Monday:

M - 12.04.06
Sarah Hallman* (CD release) with Lessons* (aka Jeremy Gara), at The Black Tomato
-->Sarah Hallman - Grey Jubilee (from The Hollowings) (website, myspace)
The City Above* with Pointing At Airplanes*, Elephantoms*, and Smoke Judo*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

note: 'this week' will be up by Thursday morning.

As The Poets Affirm, they're pretty good. (photo credit: amfraser)

2 local album releases kick off the weekend:

• As The Poets Affirm release their new album, Awake, at Barrymore's, with dial613-approved openers SunParlour Players. Word on the street is that Josh Groban was a huge influence for the new APTA album. But that street is located right outside dial613Factory, so take that for what it's worth.

• En Garde!, a duo who've each had their hands in the Ottawa scene cookie jar as part of acts like Organized Rhyme and Ignition, put out their debut record at Zaphod's. dial613 strongly recommends you go on over to their myspace to have a listen to I'm Gonna Love You.