Coif the long hair and break out the plaid shirt: Canadian Music Week invades Toronto today, bringing hundreds of under-the-radar bands looking for a break. Here are some up-and-comers we’ll be watching:
Mansion
This blog-famous duo plays banging 4/4 beats, rave synths and epic melodic breakdowns, creating a sound as big as their name. Tonight, 1 a.m., Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., $10.
Chad VanGaalen
This Calgary native’s imaginative, lo-fi folk pop songs have won a Polaris Music Prize nomination and, more recently, this fawning description from Pitchfork: “intimate, intelligent, and always transporting.” Tomorrow, 12:10 a.m., Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. West, 416-598-4753, wristband required.
We Are Wolves
These guys are busy this week, playing in the Montreal showcase and then opening for Bloc Party. They deserve it: their frenetic, driving dance tunes get crowds moving. Tomorrow, 11 p.m., El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Ave., $15; Friday, 9 p.m., Kool Haus, 132 Queens Quay E., 416-869-0045 , $35.
Radio Radio
Radio Radio sounds like what you’d expect of French electro-rap from New Brunswick: quirky, irreverent and ultimately, celebratory. Tomorrow, 10 p.m., El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Ave., $15.
Ting Tings
They don’t meet the Canadian criteria – the Ting Tings are from Manchester – but we’ll forgive them because we love their brash, stompy tunes like the iPod anthem, Shut Up and Let Me Go. Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Mod Club Theatre, 720 College St., $20.
Photo of “Radio Radio” courtesy of bonsound.com.
I am brasilian to looking forward make canadian friends. Specially those commited with the supporting of music and arts.
Have a great day!