This year's Bluesfest (July 5-15) lineup was released today, and at a glance, its heavy-hitters include:

• Bob Dylan
• The White Stripes
• Kanye West
• Cat Power
• Final Fantasy
• Built To Spill (thanks, Kevin)

Also, Bluesfest regulars Blue Rodeo, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Elmer Ferrer, and Xavier Rudd will all be taking part again this year.

Some other neat names on the bill which dial613 noticed scanning through the 4 stages include Manu Chao, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Kid Koala, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Steve Miller Band, and nationals SunParlour Players and Tokyo Police Club.
Constantly-touring Canadians Joel Plaskett, Hawksley Workman, and Jon-Rae & The River will also be performing.

And local content seems higher this year (so thinks dial613's foggy memory): Jetplanes Of Abraham, Hilotrons, Jim Bryson, Sarah Hallman, and The Empiricals are among the 25 hometown acts to be featured over the 10 days.

dial613 will again be putting together a guide to the festival, so keep coming back every day between now and July 4 to see when it shows up.

But hey, what's with the name? "Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes Bluesfest"? dial613 don't get it; anybody care to take a stab (har-har)?

What name on the bill catches your eye/makes you salivate the most?
Is the line-up worth the $145 wristband to you?

-->The White Stripes - My Doorbell

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dial613 hates hyperbole (more than anything else in the entire world), but it's entirely legitimate to say that Jim Bryson could be one of the best folksongwriters in Canada.

The Ottawa scene mainstay has always been good at straddling the line between playful and serious. It's hard to tell exactly when you should be taking his words at face value and when there could be something deeper: just when you might be starting to think a little too much about what you're hearing, out bleats "Haaey, haaey, toro!" from a conspicuously placed toy matador.

Despite the jostling, sincerity is one of Jim Bryson's strongest points. On Where The Bungalows Roam, his freshly-released 3rd record (and first on local independent Kelp Records), the trait rings clearer than Jim's voice, which might only be because sometimes it seems like he hasn't taken the time to clear his throat. But it's okay, as it only adds to the up-front and honest effect: the focus of a good chunk of the record is on the shakes and breaks in his voice, backed up by what always sounds like just the right amount of banjo, guitar, organ, and message machine playback.

Also, Jim Bryson was one of the two Ottawans at this year's SXSW (along with Lynn Miles), has toured the UK, gets frequent play on CBC Radio 3, and is one of the only known locals (or wearers-of-Expos-hats?) to be photographed with the world's greatest doctor.

The CD release party for the heartily dial613endorsed Where The Bungalows Roam spans 2 sets at the Black Sheep Inn, each with a local opener:

1) Saturday April 14, 9 PM, $15 advance (with The Soirée).
2) Sunday April 15, 4 PM, $15 advance (with Male Nurse).

On Saturday night, there is a bus to Wakefield leaving from the Dominion Tavern at 8pm; if you'd like a ride, e-mail Jon at Kelp Records for more details.


From Where The Bungalows Roam (2007):
-->Pissing On Everything
-->The Wishes Pile Up
-->Stream the entire album.

Jim Bryson on:
the internet
kelp records
cbc radio 3
myspace

the issues

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Fun fact: Jim Bryson is actually lying down in this picture.

Hey, did you know Interpol is coming this week? Too bad if you didn't, because tickets sold out faster than you can say "I always thought they were from the UK." dial613 is still kind of surprised at the speed considering the uncharacteristically low publicity for it; didn't really come across any announcements other than this at the time the dates were released. Yet within a week and a half, desperation was kicking in for those out of the loop.
The show should be good, but dial613 is less curious about the sound of their new material than about whether or not this guy is going to make it in.

Perennial local favourites The Acorn finish Tin Fisting Canada by wrapping up their tour back where it started, except in a different venue, so it's not really as poetic as it could be. But they kept a nice (b)log of their touring experiences, you can read it here if you'd like.

Another notable show is The Books, who play music that is way over your head, and so can you please just admit it and stop pretending to understand songs that are called "The Lemon Of Pink." Ok but really, this is a pretty neat show to come to town, so you should --- oh wait, what, Final Fantasy is at the Black Sheep the same night? Oh.. gosh. Tough choice (ticket availability aside?); good thing dial613 is already busy and won't have to decide.

Finally, Jim Bryson's new album, Where The Bungalows Roam, is so grand that it needs to be released over two days; the deed will be done proper over the course of shows on Saturday and Sunday at the Black Sheep Inn. Come back later in the week to read a little bit about Jim Bryson and get some mp3s from the record (which you probably will really enjoy). In the meantime, you can stream the whole thing over here, wow!

Which shows are you most looking forward to this week?

M 04.09
Sin Kickers* with Jacko* and Boom Creek*, at Zaphod's

W 04.11
Handsome Furs with Hank & Lily and Apples*, at Zaphod's

Th 04.12
The Books, at Babylon
Final Fantasy, at The Black Sheep Inn

F 04.13
The Acorn* with Orillia Opry and Sarah Hallman*, at Babylon
Forty Cent Fix* with Arietta, Saturday Night Heroes and Motorcycle Drive-By*, at Zaphod's
The Jupiter Ray Project* with Casey Comeau & The Centretown Wilderness Club*, at Irene's Pub
The Mighty Popo* with Mansa Sissoko, at The Black Sheep Inn

Sa 04.14
Andy White Trio, at Irene's Pub
Apostle Of Hustle with Jetplanes Of Abraham*, at Zaphod's
Jim Bryson* (record release) with The Soirée*, at The Black Sheep Inn
Do Make Say Think, at Barrymore's
My Tiny Circus*, at Avant-Garde Bar
Souljazz Orchestra*, at Babylon

Su 04.15
Jim Bryson* (record release) with Male Nurse* (4pm), at The Black Sheep Inn
Ora Cogan with Anni Rossi (8pm), at The Black Sheep Inn
Harvee with Sadie Hell*, at Zaphod's
Interpol, at Capital Music Hall
The Murder Plans with Form One, at Irene's Pub

* denotes local act

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There's something about Matthew Barber that you might want to go see on Friday at the Black Sheep Inn.

It would have been the easy route to just post that Nelly Furtado picture from the Junos where she's in that shiny black thing with the swimcap and stuff coming out of it, but dial613 has one-upped that by typing three words into a YouTube search box in order to bring you more. Apparently things got messed up during that entrance; anybody feel like watching it and letting me know?

So this weekend, Happy Easter and Passover to some, and happy nothing to everyone else. Celebrate by hearing some pure singingsongwriting from Matthew Barber, who paid his Union Dues and told them to take a break so that he could tour with colleague Julie Fader (myspace).

Also, Black Sheep fave Craig Cardiff has two sets in there, as you can see below. He sounds good, lots of people like him, maybe you will too. And it would be far too conspicuous if The Two Koreas was the only band playing this weekend but not mentioned in this quick blurb, so there it is, alright.

Show listings will get a thorough update this weekend.
What shows are you thinking of getting to in the next few days?

04.06
Matthew Barber with Julie Fader, at The Black Sheep Inn
Nelly Furtado with Saukrates and Divine Brown, at Scotiabank Place

04.07
Craig Cardiff with Mike Evin, at The Black Sheep Inn
The Two Koreas, at Zaphod's

04.08
Craig Cardiff with Anique Granger and Jacob & Lily , at The Black Sheep Inn (4pm show)

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Will be up later in the week..
But FYI, Tokyo Police Club and Cold War Kids show is sold out.

If you still want somewhere to hear music on Tuesday the 3rd, you can go rock out.. against poverty! At Hooley's on Elgin, 7PM, The Eric Eggleston Band and Liquid Sound will provide the ammo for your rock-out weaponry. The event is hosted as a fundraiser by the Carleton University chapter of Engineers Without Borders Canada, and it's only $5.
Poverty won't know what hit it after it is rocked out on so hard.

Finally, just passing along some word for your Ottawa Senators, maybe this will keep you busy for the next couple days. Anyone going to take a stab?
(Thanks to OttawaStart for the heads up)

----

Ottawa Senators 2007 Playoff Song Contest

http://www2.ottawasenators.com/eng/contests/index.cfm

Get our fans pumped by composing & performing an original song. You could win 8 tickets to a playoff game in Round One

Deadline: Thursday, April 5 at 12:00 noon EDT.

Visit OttawaSenators.com for full details and the official contest entry form.

* Submit a 90-second original song, with music and lyrics incorporating our “Be
red” theme.
* Submit song by mail or in person on CD in WAV or MP3 format.
* Any musical genre can be entered – rock, hip hop, dance, country, etc.
* Bands or soloists are welcome to enter the contest.
* Song should be upbeat and will be used to pump up fans at our playoff games
* Music and lyrics must be original and written and performed by contest entrant.
* A panel of judges will review all submissions and pick one winner. The Ottawa Senators will produce a music video with the winner to show at the 2007 playoff games at Scotiabank Place and for promotional use.


----

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Duck and cover, Carolyn Mark is throwing a Hootenanny at the Black Sheep on Sunday afternoon.

This week in Ottawa might be a little easier on your wallet than usual, as three of the neater shows are all free of charge.
Monday night, Zaphod's hosts its weekly free music showcase with Lions In The Street, who fittingly first got attention by distributing their EP for free online. You can still get bits and pieces of the rocknroll here. Speaking of rocknroll, few do blues-rock in the city as well as The Watters Brothers (Rebellion), who open up on that bill along with other locals Elie Smith & The Mainprize.
On the same night, The Empiricals provide their "Southeast Asia a go-go" surf-rock free of charge at the Manx, but maybe you'd like to use the would-be-cover money to buy a dessert there, because they taste pretty good.

And finally, Jim Bryson releases his lovely new album, Where The Bungalows Roam, with a lunchtime in-store performance on Tuesday at Compact Music. Compact Music, unfortunately, does not serve dessert.. but picking up the new record while you're there might be an experience that is just as sweet. As long as you don't try to eat it. Mmmk.

There are some people who want you to pay to see them play, though, and goshdarnit, isn't it only fair? It's especially fair if you were to get tickets to see The Constantines with tourmates Jon-Rae & The River and Shotgun & Jaybird on Wednesday night, which is a wonderfully solid bill from open to close: you've got your rock, your rock, and then... your rock. But each in their own vein, of course, so it's very much all-right.

Which shows are you hoping to get out to this week?

M 03.26
The Empiricals, at The Manx
-->The Empiricals - Golden Beat (website)
Lions In The Street with The Watters Brothers Rebellion* and Elie Smith & The Mainprize*, at Zaphod's
Sebastien Grainger et les Montagnes, at Maverick's

Tu 03.27
Jim Bryson* (~12:30PM), at Compact Music
Embassies Of Denmark* with The Great Plains and Rebekah Higgs, at Café Dekcuf

W 03.28
The Constantines with Jon-Rae & The River and Shotgun & Jaybird, at Barrymore's
Mary Gauthier with Lynn Miles* and Eliza Gilkyson, at Library & Archives Canada
Twelve 34* with Circuit and Scarlet Fever, at Zaphod's

F 03.30
The Dunn Project*, at Irene's Pub
Eric Vieweg & The Silver Lining* with Their Majesties and Famous Lovers, at The Black Sheep Inn
The Polytones* with General Electrik*, at Zaphod's

Sa 03.31
Good2Go* with Muffler Crunch*, at The Dominion Tavern
The Coggs* with Autobahn* and The Mighty Eagle Band*, at Zaphod's
King Sunshine, with The Black Sheep Inn
Trevor Alguire* with The Jason Kent Band*, at Irene's Pub

Su 04.01
Michael Weston King with Steve Fai*, at Irene's Pub
Kelly Joe Phelps, at The Black Sheep Inn (4pm show)
Carolyn Mark with Jenny Whiteley, Luther Wright, and Jim Bryson*, at The Black Sheep Inn (9pm show)
Say Hi To Your Mom with Travel By Owl* and Relief Maps*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

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Born Ruffians, died on a couch watching Search For The Next Pussycat Doll.

This weekend, Born Ruffians appear to be the main attraction in town with their pixy-like stage behaviour and tight pants that would probably be tucked into socks if they reached that far down. They've been through town a couple times recently, including a great-sounding (heavenly?) show at the First Baptist Church, where they also first made their self-titled EP available. For those who haven't heard it, maybe you should consider; you can grab an mp3 of the opening track below. This time around they'll be playing at Zaphod's with local noisemakers Fucked Corpse and tourmates We're Marching On, who kind of sound like every trick in indie-rock smushed together into a pasty somethingorother. That's either a good or a bad thing, but that's up to you to decide.. dial613 will only do so much of the legwork for you.

Also on Friday, locals Casey Comeau & The Centretown Wilderness Club anchor a neat night of country/roots/rock at Babylon, with other dial613endorsed locals Crowded Skies and Guelph's Violet Lyal.
Also of note, VJ Daisy will be there to provide some visual accompaniment in the form of "live video mixing" to the music; how this will go down, dial613 is completely unaware, but it's probably worth a looksee even out of curiousity. Even if it doesn't work out, the bands should be good enough to keep your feets a-stomping and toes a-tapping, which is either a good or a bad thing, but that's up to you to decide.. dial613 will only do so much of the legwork for you.

Two bands hot on the indienet circuit also stop by this weekend. On Saturday, (phe)Menomena come around, whose album Wet And Rusting kind of sounds like a punchline without a joke, or a dirty euphemism, although those could be one and the same. As well, West-coasting Canadians (and Asthmatic Kitty labelled) Shapes & Sizes play Sunday, and they sound pretty good. And if you're not all legworked out by now, you can decide yourself whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Where will you be wearing your hippest clothes this weekend?
To what joke is Wet And Rusting the punchline? Did the chicken cross the road because he was Wet And Rusting? Or maybe it's cheese that isn't yours?..

W 03.21
As The Poets Affirm* with The Dudes, at Zaphod's
-->As The Poets Affirm - Awake Chaos (website, myspace)
-->The Dudes - Dropkick Queen Of The Weekend (hheyyy!) (website, myspace)
Jason Collett, at Bar 1848 (at University of Ottawa)

Th 03.22
David Usher with NLX, at Zaphod's
-->David Usher - If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next (Manic Street Preachers cover, who knew?) (website)
Starvin Hungry with The Phantom Shifters*, at Babylon

F 03.23
Amos The Transparent* with Hoodlum, at The Black Sheep Inn
Born Ruffians with We're Marching On and Fucked Corpse*, at Zaphod's
-->Born Ruffians - This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life (website, myspace)
-->4 tracks from a session at KEXP via i(heart)music
Casey Comeau & The Centretown Wilderness Club with VJ Daisy, Crowded Skies*, and Violet Lyal, at Babylon
The Country Boys, at Irene's Pub

Sa 03.24
Big Jeezus Truck* with The Shifters, at Barrymore's
Bloodshot Bill, at Irene's Pub
Caridad Cruz & Kubacua, at The Black Sheep Inn
Hilotrons* with Great Aunt Ida, at Babylon
Mackenzie MacBride & The Supermodel Syndrome*, at Avant-Garde Bar
Menomena with Land Of Talk and Field Music, at Zaphod's
-->Field Music - House Is Not A Home (website, myspace)
The Mighty Popo with Mansa Sissoko, at The Black Sheep Inn
Simply Saucer with Weapons Of Mass Seduction* and Four 'n' Giver*, at Babylon

Su 03.25
Meredith Luce* with Mail Nurse*, James Farr*, and Erika Werry (4pm), at The Black Sheep Inn
Shapes and Sizes with Castanets and Books On Books*, at Zaphod's
-->Books On Books - One Page At A Time (website, myspace)

* denotes local act

BONUS!
-->Moist - Resurrection (those lyrics don't actually mean anything, right?)

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With ice melting, Great Lake Swimmers will be able to further indulge in their pastime.

The city is thawing out and signs of spring are starting to show up, and there isn't a much better soundtrack to the feelings that go with it than music from Great Lake Swimmers; then again, their lazy folk sound would also work perfectly on a scorching August afternoon. dial613 posits that the band is like Ducks: multi-purpose, for all sorts of weather, and your mother would be delighted to know you're into them.
Opening is London, Ontario's vocally-gifted Basia Bulat.

Also visiting is Peterborough's James McKenty & The Spades, who release their new record Let It Grow at Maverick's with locals The John Henrys. If you like rock and roll the same way that dial613 likes leather pants (tight and packed, that is), this is something you will likely enjoy.
The same night, Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer plays at Zaphod's; no word on whether Zolof destroys rock & roll, or if he affiliates himself with it while destroying some other entity. Though if it's the former, James McKenty & The Spades better be keeping an eye out...

dial613 can also recommend Man Man based completely on hearsay of their raucous live show (pics of the last time they were through at National Capital Rock).

Which shows do you plan on heading out to this week?
What ovious Meat Loaf barb did dial613 gloss right over?

M 03.12
Jon McKiel* with The Sleepless Nights*, at Zaphod's

W 03.14
Tara Slone with The Tender Box and Dolls, at Zaphod's

Th 03.15
Buck Brothers with Turn Off The Stars, at Zaphod's
Jetplanes Of Abraham* with Relief Maps*, at The National Gallery
-->Jetplanes Of Abraham - Tunnels/Terminals (website, myspace)
-->Relief Maps - Pattersickle (myspace)
Slowcoaster with Acres*, at Maverick's
Melissa Stylianou with Jason Bajada, at The Black Sheep Inn

F 03.16
Ball & Chain, at Irene's Pub
Great Lake Swimmers with Basia Bulat, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Great Lake Swimmers - Your Rocky Spine (website, myspace)
-->Great Lake Swimmers - Moving Pictures Silent Films
-->Basia Bulat - Snakes And Ladders (website, myspace)
Meat Loaf, at Scotiabank Place
James McKenty & The Spades (CD release) with The John Henrys*, at Maverick's
Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer with Bad Flirt, at Zaphod's

Sa 03.17
The Ana Miura Band* with Dave Gaudet* and Royal Wood, at The Black Sheep Inn
Garaga* with Tokyo Sex Whale* and Manpower*, at Irene's Pub
Man Man with Icy Demons, at Zaphod's

Su 03.18
The Alex Cuba Band with David Myles* (4pm), at The Black Sheep Inn
Switch with Jokers of the Scene*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

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Oy gevault, the Barmitzvah Brothers could look a little happier, don't you think they should look a little happier?

This week in Ottawa, local independent record store End Hits celebrates its first year of records, Ventrex, and basement shows on Saturday afternoon. The party gets started at 1 PM, at which point begins a series of 4 local bands playing on the hour. dial613-endorsed Sadie Hell, playing the role of Pink, will be getting the party started.
Also, some local band called The Acorn plays Zaphod's on Sunday to kick off a month-long tour across Canada to promote their new EP, Tin Fist. You should probably go say hello, and then goodbye, and then come back soon, I baked you some cookies for the road, do I not even get a hug goodbye, no I don't want a hug anymore, yeah ok fine I'll see you whenever.

If you've got a (friend with a) car and a full tank of gas, be sure to get the junk in your trunk over to the Black Sheep Inn this weekend for a pair of dandy shows. Saturday night features unrelated non-Jews the Barmitzvah Brothers (myspace), who've made their name instigating indie-folk hoe-downs. With them, dial613 heartily suggests opener The Burning Hell, who feature impressively melancholic use of the ukelele, melodica, and accordion. Even Kim-Jong Il is a fan, so who The Burning Hell are you to disagree?! Oh, Snnnnaap.

Sunday afternoon, The Forest City Lovers and The D'Urbervilles gaze longingly into each others' eyes and say their goodbyes on the last date of a brief March tour together. dial613 was fortunate enough to catch The D'Urbervilles play in that other 6-1-3 just recently, and very much encourages you to follow suit.

Even if you don't have car access, there's still plenty of hope for your OCtranspo-warmed bottom, since The Black Sheep Inn has started up a Carpool Board to help you find rides. Maybe you can use it to pick up chicks/studs... in your car! And take them to the Black Sheep Inn! And then drive them home! And smell your car's seat cushions once they leave!

Where will you be dragging the junk in your trunk this week?

Tu 03.06
Ottawa Jazz Collective* (open jam), at Avant-Garde Bar
Shaun Verreault with North Easton, at Zaphod's

W 03.07
Against Me! with Riverboat Gamblers and Fake Problems, at Capital Music Hall
Universal Habit* with Salted and Titan Rain, at Zaphod's

Th 03.08
Moses Mayes, at Maverick's
Projet Orange with Les Hellcats and Colour Surrond, at Zaphod's
Leeroy Stagger with Matt Hopper and Templo Diez, at The Black Sheep Inn
Ember Swift*, at The Rainbow

F 03.09
Comeback Kid with This Is Hell, at Babylon
four-stroke*, at Café Dekcuf
The Most Serene Republic with The Junction and The Love Machine*, at Zaphod's
Ndidi Onukwulu with Mihirangi, at The Black Sheep Inn
The Soirée* with SunBleached Skulls*, Dave Gaudet*, Lynne Hanson*, and Neil Gerster*, at Irene's Pub
-->The Soirée - Turn This Car Around (1st version) (website, myspace)
Wassabi Collective, at Maverick's

Sa 03.10
Barmitzvah Brothers with The Burning Hell, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->The Burning Hell - The Things That People Make (myspace)
End Hits 1st Anniversary, ft. Sadie Hell*, Dear Judah*, Last Communion*, F!ghtF!ghtF!ght* (1-5pm), at End Hits
-->Dear Judah - With Skyscraper Fists (myspace)
Go Sumo with Good Night Knights, at Zaphod's
My Tiny Circus*, at Avant-Garde Bar8
Rev Engine* with The Moon Movement*, at Irene's Pub
Souljazz Orchestra* with Kobotown and Jokko*, at Barrymore's
The Sweet Janes* with Arson Eagle and Dave Kerr*, at Babylon

Su 03.11
The Acorn* with Missing Children, at Zaphod's
-->The Acorn - Spring Thaw (website, myspace)
The Forest City Lovers with The D'Urbervilles, at The Black Sheep Inn (4pm show)
-->The D'Urbervilles - We Are The Hunters (website, myspace)
Gym Class Heroes with RX Bandits and P.O.S, at Babylon

* denotes local act

And oh, err.. if anyone has any idea why the show listings have suddenly turned all bold, please get in touch.

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dial613 wonders if The Zoobombs have any trouble clearing customs.

It's relatively quiet this week in town, unless you're standing anywhere in the vicinity of the speakers at The Zoobombs show. From Tokyo, they've gained notoriety for their wild live show, which is precisely what you'd expect from a band named after Sunday bicycle rides to the zoo. dial613 has seen many words used to describe The Zoobombs's sound, a number of which may or may not exist/make sense (kraut-rock anybody?), and thus won't make any attempt to pigeonhole them here; hear them for yourself at their myspace.

Also, Jim Bryson headlines a Lung Cancer Benefit at the Black Sheep on Saturday night, where he'll likely be playing a handful of new material of his cleverly titled upcoming release, Where The Bungalows Roam. You can get a taste from the mp3 down below, which sounds great.
Opening will be fellow Kelpers Camp Radio, as well as Two Dollar Bash, a folk band based in Berlin that sometimes sings in French. Naturally!

Other shows you may be interested in include the spy-fi sounds of locals The Reverb Syndicate on Wednesday, and East Coast Music Award-winners In-Flight Safety, who share the stage with PEI's Two Hours Traffic on Friday night.

What shows are you interested in checking out this week?

W 02.28
The Reverb Syndicate* with The Lipstick Machine, at Zaphod's

Th 03.01
No Other Way* with Radiodazed* and Sadie Hell*, at The Live Lounge
Shout Out Out Out Out with 120 Days, at Zaphod's
Chris Velan with Joshua Morin*, at The Black Sheep Inn
Mike Yates & The Candidates* with John Allaire*, at Avant-Garde Bar

F 03.02
Atherton & The Throw Ups* with Mic Lords, Dead Beat Dads, and Ryan MacIntyre, at Babylon
Cara Luft with Rob Szabo and Ox, at The Black Sheep Inn
Germans with VKNGS, The Soft Disaster*, and Tallships*, at Maverick's
In-Flight Safety with Two Hours Traffic, at Zaphod's

Sa 03.03
The Bloody Hollies with The Double Pumpers*, at Babylon
-->The Double Pumpers - Dyin' To Smile (website, myspace)
Jim Bryson* with Camp Radio* and Two Dollar Bash, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Jim Bryson - Clear The Crowds (website, myspace)
-->Camp Radio - Cons At The New Moon (website, myspace)
The Zoobombs with Sweet Thing and Good2Go*, at Zaphod's

Su 03.04
Young Galaxy with Acres*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

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United Steel Workers of Montreal, clearly slacking on the job.

First off: look on the sidebar for a whhhack of new show listings, including... meh, dial613 isn't going to say. But suffice it to say that you may be asking somebody to (ahem) please please please get you tickets. Oh geez, dial613 went there.

This week in Ottawa, Geoff Berner returns. dial613 wrote a little about him before his last visit about 6 months ago, which turned out to be a really great show. Shouldn't be any less great this time around, and if that past write-up interests you even in the least, you are as likely to enjoy it as he is to be drunk on stage; and that is pretty much a sure thing.
Maybe there'll be an mp3 up below once dial613 finds its copy of 2005's Whiskey Rabbi there is an mp3 up now; also, you can get a bootleg of an Edmonton show (shortly after his previous Ottawa visit) at B(oot)log. And how convenient, you can also enter to win his new album, The Wedding Dance of the Widow Bride over at local blog i(heart)music this week.

As intriguing as Geoff Berner was to dial613 back in August, the same sort of curiousity is piqued by the United Steel Workers of Montreal and their "citygrass" music. While the former claims to punk up klezmer, the latter proports to punk up country. dial613 has yet to figure out the new New Music Canada layout, but you should be able to hear some stuff by clicking here, and then the song titles after that. If not: website, myspace.

Also this week, there is a show at The Live Lounge, which is run by the evil mass media empire of radio conglomeracy, live 88.5. If anybody goes, e-mail dial613 to let us know how great/good/awful/smutty the venue is, and the extent to which it robs your soul and replaces the remaining empty shell of your body with vast amounts of commercialism.

What are you looking forward to this week?
Any shows that dial613 isn't aware of?

02.21.07
Travel By Owl* with The Harlots, at Zaphod's
-->Travel By Owl - I Am Listening So Close (myspace)

02.22.07
The Beautiful Unkown, at The Live Lounge
Jupiter Ray Project*, at The Black Sheep Inn

02.23.07
Geoff Berner with Bob Wiseman and Male Nurse*, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Geoff Berner - Song Written In A Romanian Hospital (website, myspace)
Valery Gore with Sarah Hallman*, at Zaphod's
-->Sarah Hallman - Shovel (myspace)
Crush Luther with Mugshot and Arm Your Desires, at Babylon
Marc Victor, at Avant-Garde Bar
Souljazz Orchestra* with Jokko*, at Maverick's

02.24.07
Blake, at Avant-Garde Bar
The Phantom Shifters* with The Solid Senders* and Garaga*, at Irene's Pub
The Postage Stamps with Design Of Cities*, at Zaphod's
United Steel Workers Of Montreal with Trevor Alguire, at The Black Sheep Inn
White Cowbell Oklahoma*, at Barrymore's

02.25.07
StopDieResuscitate with Jokers Of The Scene*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

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Flecton sets the mood like no other at The Manx on Wednesday.

Ok, so dial613 is going to go ahead and acknowledge the elephant in the room right away: this Wednesday is a pretty special day.

And, if you do by chance choose to celebrate, your options are certainly open.
The most typically romantic idea would be to head over to The Black Sheep Inn in the wonderful setting of Wakefield, where you can get lost in the atmospheric songwriting of Josh Ritter and the lovely voice of Jill Barber.
For the more adventurous, and those who'd like to be especially close to a certain someone (and just as close most others in attendance), feel the love with local charmer Flecton and the debut(?) of Lover's Lane, featuring the duo of Mike Dubue (Hilotrons, Double Pumpers, ..) and Jim Bryson.

Speaking of Hilotrons, they'll play their first show of 2007 on Saturday. What took so long, dial613 don't know; but My Dad vs. Yours also plays this week, and so it appears as though the race to be 2007's most frequently-performing non-residency band in the city is clearly on. Anybody wanna put down some early money?

Also of note, one-time Manx regular Danny Michel comes back home to play a two-night stand in Wakefield, and the newly-recordreleased Crowded Skies (myspace) open at Zaphod's on Saturday. If country rock is your thing, then this show should be your thang. Because that's what country rock-type people say, right?

What shows are you planning to head out to this week?
Any anti-Feb.14 parties dial613 should be aware of (y'know, the ones typically held by those sad, bitter people)?

M 02.12.07
Clepto* with Contrabandit* and Stoic Kid*, at Zaphod's
Guy Major*, at The Rainbow

Tu 02.13.07
Josh Ritter with Jill Barber, at The Black Sheep Inn
Secret Star* with Look Toward The Sky and The Scenery, at Avant-Garde Bar

W 02.14.07
Busboyeez* (CD Release) with Ladymilk* and The Rumbelinas, at Zaphod's
Flecton* w/ Lover's Lane*, at The Manx
-->Flecton - Truce Is Stranger Than Fiction
For The Mathematics* with F!ghtF!ghtF!ght*, Elephantoms*, and Sleeping Pilot*, at Babylon
-->For The Mathematics - This Transient
Josh Ritter with Jill Barber, at The Black Sheep Inn

Th 02.15.07
The City Above with Once Past Silver and Auto Racing*, at Zaphod's
Danny Michel, at The Black Sheep Inn
-->Danny Michel - The Invisible Man

F 02.16.07
Danny Michel, at The Black Sheep Inn
Kiss Me Deadly with Crystal Clyffs and My Dad vs. Yours*, at Zaphod's

Sa 02.17.07
Trevor Dunn & Shelley Burgon with Adam Saikaley* and Parade, at Club SAW
Hilotrons* with The American Devices and Mackenzie MacBride*, at Barrymore's
-->Hilotrons - Born A Dancer
North Of Summer with The Jason Kent Band, at Avant-Garde Bar
Eric Vieweg & The Silver Lining* with Crowded Skies*, at Zaphod's

Su 02.18.07
"Music & Art 5" featuring The Rude Dudes*, Hellbros*, Goddam Goddams*, and Sadie Hell*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

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Think About Life, thinkin' about life.

This will be it for now; more important things to attend to this week.

And remember, the Winterlude shows are free and outdoors, for those willing to brave the cold for the Arts & Crafts party on Saturday and the Francophone showcase on Sunday.
If you'd rather be inside on Saturday, consider some neat free-jazz from the Vandermark 5 at Zaphod's.

W 02.07.07
Econoline Crush with Autobahn @MVK
Ndidi Onukwulu*, at The Glebe Community Centre
Six Weeks with Tweak* and Headbounce*, at Zaphod's
Slayer with Unearth, at Scotiabank Place

F 02.09.07
The Empiricals* with Ukrainia!*, at Babylon
Jason Collett with Amy Millan, Apostle Of Hustle, and Young Galaxy, at Winterlude
Mile Over Mecca*, at Avant-Garde Bar

Sa 02.10.07
The Golden Dogs with Lure*, at Maverick's
The Murder Plans*, at Avant-Garde Bar
Ohbijou with Jetplanes Of Abaraham* and Habitat, at The Black Sheep Inn
Les Trois Accords, at Winterlude
-->Les Trois Accords - Grand Champion (stream) (website)
Vandermark 5, at Zaphod's

Su 02.11.07
Po Girl (4pm), at The Black Sheep Inn
Think About Life with Quebexico and Fucked Corpse*, at 59 Argyle
The Winks with Glenn Nuotio* and Famous Lovers, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act

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Will be up later in the week.

Meantime, congratulations to reader K.B. for grabbing the 2 tickets to see Grizzly Bear tonight.

If you were counting on the free tickets for a night out, remember that it's free cover tonight at Zaphod's.
It's like dial613 has another contest for tickets to see locals Jen Militia, and everybody wins. dial613 is generous like that.

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Be aware: Entry deadline is February 2.

Would you like 2 free tickets to see Grizzly Bear in Ottawa?

The widely adored Brooklyn band plays Barrymore's on February 5 along with tourmates The Dirty Projectors, as well as local acts As The Poets Affirm and Crush Buildings, in support of one of the internet's favourite albums (reviews courtesy of Stagefright Publicity) of 2006, Yellow House.

And gee willikers, dial613 has a pair of tickets to give away (~$25-30 value), courtesy of the wonderful people at locally-based blog Mocking Music.

To enter: Simply e-mail dial613 (dial613[AT]gmail[DOT]com) with the subject line, I want to get mauled ... by Grizzly Bear. Because that's what bears do sometimes.
For one bonus entry: Use a subject line that is funnier or clevererer than the one above (shouldn't be too hard). dial613 will be the judge. (Hint: it's hard to go wrong with an Aqua reference.)

The contest closes at 11:59 PM on February 2, 2007, and the winner will be contacted through e-mail on February 3. Should the winner not respond in a reasonable amount of time, the tickets will be drawn for again.
Good luck (and hurry)!

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

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