Toronto band The Darcys are kicking off their Canada wide tour at Jimmy Jazz on Friday April 30th.  Name sound familiar to you?  The Darcys were in the press recently when they pulled out on a show in Toronto that turned out to be in support of Toronto Councilor Giorgio Mammoliti’s campaign for mayor claiming they were mislead.
Good for them.  That sounds like a pretty boring show...  Finger sandwiches anyone?
I'm pretty sure there will be no politicians in attendance on Friday, and definitely no finger sandwiches.
From a press release:
"Three yeas ago The Darcys were on fire.
The Toronto Star called them the city's "next great guitar band," and their first album, Endless Water, was hailed by Exclaim! as "a stunning collection of songs."
In the space that followed, though, The Darcys turned inward, deliberately crafting the sort of complex, rangy and atmospheric music that warranted the sort of praise already bestowed.
However, internal struggle and dissatisfaction left band at a stand still and ultimately, in the winter of 2010, resulted in singer Kirby Best leaving the group. 
Yet from the ashes of that first incarnation we have a band redeemed. A quartet truer to form, with its principal create voices freed and its sense of purpose renewed. 
Proof is in the soaring, atmospheric tones that make up the group's latest offering, a 7-inch bridge to their second full length, Young Believers, which was produced by The Dears frontman Murray Lightburn and features guest appearances by members of Broken Social Scene, Stars and Islands. Young Believers is set for release this fall. 
In the meantime, "House Built Around Your Voice” and “Edmonton To Purgatory,” represent a bold declaration of growth for the band as a whole as well as from guitarist-turned-frontman Jason Couse, whose quietly confident yet wavering voice leaves eerie, feverish imagery lingering in the ether of these masterful tracks."

Video of Bruce Peninsula playing Kazoo! Fest Friday April 23 in Guelph at the Dublin Street United Church.

I'm not referring to the crown jewel of the Niagara Escarpment.  No I'm referring to the Toronto experimental folk ensemble Bruce Peninsula.  Kazoo!, Kaleidoscope Promotions & the CSA are bringing in Bruce Peninsula, Flowers of Hell & Katie Stelmanis to the Dublin Street United Church tonight Friday April 23.  I urge you, if you're in the neighborhood to come check out this show.  The venue alone is worth a visit.
Tickets for the show tonight are still available at Ground Floor Music and at the door.  $13 for students, $15.

As part of Guelph's Kazoo! Festival in conjunction with Kaleidoscope Promotions & the CSA, Toronto's Katie Stelmanis will be playing a set at the gorgeous Dublin Street United Church.  If you have not been to a show at the church, it truly is a wonderful venue.
Here's a link to a intimate live CBC Radio 3 session.  Listen here.
Tickets for the show tonight are still available at Ground Floor Music and at the door.

Well it has finally arrived.  This week marks the third Kazoo! Festival here in Guelph. 
"Kazoo! festival is a five day arts festival happening April 21-25th 2010 in the heart of downtown Guelph. The festival will feature over 30 bands at venues across town. Kazoo! festival is way more than just music and will include a zine fair, art exhibitions, a bike in film screening, a basketball tournament and workshops. Our schedule is online with full details, so check it out!"
Some of my highlights this week include The D'urbervilles, Gregory Pepper & His Problems & Ben Gunning show Wednesday night at the eBar and the Bruce Peninsula, Flowers Of Hell & Katie Stelmanis show at the Dublin St. United Church Friday night.
Oh, and Richard Laviolette Sunday night at the eBar. 
Fine.  If I had my druthers I'd make it to every show this week.
Although I don't know the organizers of this event, I can't thank them enough for putting on this event.  No where else in Canada will you find a city the size of Guelph with this much live music this week, or any week for that matter.
I hope to see you out this week.