Stephan has done a great job of analyzing this years Hillside schedule.
Have a look!
I'd pretty much agree with everything he's outlined except for the final Friday night slot.  I'd give Chali 2Na the green light.  A must see.  You may recognize his baritone voice from the American hip hop group Jurassic 5.
Real hip hop!
See you at Hillside!

We're two days away from another Hillside Festival.  I'm not going to explain Hillside.  You all know.
On a personal note, this will be our first Hillside with child.  No doubt this will be a much, much different Hillside for us than years past!
On a Royal City Scene note, (I refrained from "professional note" - as there's nothing professional about this site!) Ally will be out at Hillside too doing some band interviews!  Stay tuned, and we'll get them posted asap.
Happy Hillsiding, and say hi if you see me!

Waterloo's Kidstreet song aptly titled "Song" is my song of the day.  I'm sure you've heard the song before.  Ford Motor Company has licensed their songs for use in Ford commercials.
Have a listen.  You can catch Kidstreet next in Guelph, Friday night of Hillside!

Connect: MySpace, Facebook, Twitter

I'm not sure how I came across The Coppertone.  Likely just piqued my interest while adding the show to the calendar of upcoming shows.  It has been one of those musical discoveries where I just can't hear enough of the band.  I bounce from MySpace to Facebook, to their website to Grooveshark.  All to hear more.  Amanda Zelina aka The Coppertone has this voice that just draws me in.  She lists influences of Howlin' Wolf, ZZ Top, Junior Kimbrough, The Black Keys and others.  I hear it too.
Listening to Amanda/The Coppertone puts a smile on my face every time.
Give them a listen.
The Coppertone are playing Guelph this Thursday at The Ebar.  Come check them out.
I'm hoping to arrange an interview with Amanda that will be posted prior to her show.  So stay tuned!

Donkey Day?  File this one under the "ah, that's kind of weird" category.  It looks like some notable Guelph musicians are performing at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada just outside of Guelph this Sunday.
Performers include:

• Jenny Omnichord (The Barmitzvah Brothers, The Burning Hell)
• Bry Webb (The Constantines, Harbour Coats)
• Jessy Bell-Smith (Beautiful Senseless, The Skydiggers)
• 
  

So grab the family and head out to the Donkey Sanctuary this Sunday and catch some great local talent.  Oh, and donkeys.  How random.

I'm excited to announce today that Royal City Scene has its first Chief Correspondent!  Help me in welcoming Allyson Cooper!
Ally will be using her superior word skillz to interview local and visiting artists just for you!  Yay!
Look for her first post on Royal City Scene very soon!
You can also find the Twitter version of Ally here.

Toronto Alt-country artist Doug Paisley (not to be confused with American country music star Brad Paisley..) will be making a tour stop this Saturday evening at Folkway Music in Guelph in support of his new album Constant Companion.
Paisley, signed to small US label No Quarter, is NOT signed to any Canadian label.  Seriously.  Although I have not seen Paisley in concert, I have listened to his new album many times over the past year.  Doug Paisley will not be a secret for much longer.  This is easily one of the best singer/songwriter albums of the last year.
You may have seen Paisley in Guelph late in 2010 when he was touring with Bahamas and if you miss him this week, he will be back later this Summer for the Hillside Festival.

Advance tickets $20 (plus HST) / $25 at the door.
Doors open at 8PM, showtime 8:30
Folkway Music
163 Suffolk St.

I'm getting more and more requests these days to interview bands that are coming to Guelph.  I don't have a whole lot of spare time anymore, so I thought I'd see if anyone in Guelph was interested?
What's in it for you?  The chance to interview bands & musicians as the requests come in, and a chance to share in my non existent revenue.  Oh.  So really just the opportunity to crack out your pencils  and have some chats with musicians.
Does this sound like something you'd love to do?  Do you know someone that would love to do this?  Lets talk!
(To be clear, this is an unpaid gig. Maybe free admittance to shows.  Clear?)

St. Catharines based hip-hop/jazz/funk 13 piece (boing-oing-oing!) My son The Hurricane will be playing the eBar Thursday May 12.
Yes you read that correctly. 13 piece.  8 horns (3 sax, 2 trombones, 2 trumpets & sousahpone) and a veteran rhythm section.
These guys pack a giant sound onto a tiny stage.
I first witnessed the awesomeness of MSTH at last Summers Hillside festival where they marched into the Island stage and had everyone fully engaged for their full 40 minute set.  I've been wanted to see them again ever since that thoroughly entertaining Hillside performance.
MSTH was in Guelph last month opening up for Shad at Vinyl.  Rumor has it they were the stars of that show...
Regardless.  That was then, this is now.  I guarantee you'll be impressed and entertained by this band.
My Son the Hurricane play with Friendliness and the Human Rights and Rundown Royalty at the eBar.
Thursday May 12.
AA/Lic.
Doors at 9:30
$7

Hawksley Workman is playing the River Run Centre this Friday night in Guelph.  Tickets for the show are still available.
There are not many performers out there like Hawksley.  He has this special ability to draw in his listeners and have them hanging off his every word.
I've seen him perform with his band and just him & Mr. Lonely on piano.  Both shows are great.
I think so highly of Hawksley that my wife and I chose his song Safe and Sound as our wedding song.
Ok, enough about me.  If you're looking for something to do this Friday night, go see Hawksley.  You will not