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

Being from Manitoba, I have a real soft spot in my music listening heart for Manitoba performers.  Winnipeg's Christine Fellows is one of those that fall in to my soft spot.  (Reading that, that sounds pretty gross.)
She is such a talented song writer.
Fellows (touring as a trio featuring cellists Leanne Zacharias and Alex McMaster)and her touring mate Shotgun Jimmie started their tour last month and will be bringing the show to Guelph Thursday April 28.  It's a house show, which will make this show doubly awesome.
The Georgia Straight in Vancouver recently referred to Christine as a "National Treasure", so do yourself a huge favour and get to this show if you can.  You won't be disappointed.

Thursday April 28
32 Edinburgh Road South (this is a House show!!)
Doors 8pm $8-$10 suggested cover
Set times: 8:30pm - Shotgun Jimmie
9:30pm - Christine Fellows Trio

Originally hailing from Guelph, King Cobb Steelie are celebrating 20 years together this year.  The band hasn't played together since 2004's Destroy All Codes.  They're reuniting for some shows this year, including headlining Kazoo! Fest tonight at Van Gogh's in Guelph.
KCS were very influential in the 90s and in to the 2000's in Southern Ontario.  They started off as a punk band, but soon moved in to other genres like dub, world, pop and rock & roll.  Needless to say it's a very unique sound.

King Cobb Steelie will be taking the stage at 11:30PM tonight at Van Gogh's first floor.
Opening are Guelph brothers Geordie & Evan Gordon as M.A.G.I.C.
Doors at 10PM
19+
$12 at the door

Kazoo! Festival – April 13-17th 2011
5 Days of Music & Art in Downtown Guelph

Press release:

GUELPH, March 29th - We are excited to announce the 4th annual Kazoo! Festival will be taking place April 13-17th 2011 in downtown Guelph. Over 5 days the festival will feature 27 musical performances, multimedia art, film screenings, Zine & Comic Expo, and a Kid's Disco. Kazoo! Festival is entirely organized and run by volunteers who are active in Guelph's vibrant arts scene.

This years festival will showcase some of Canada's best emerging artists at 14 events at various locations across downtown Guelph. In the past the festival has seen approximately 1,500 attendees and we are expecting more this year with expanded programming and city-wide collaborations with other arts organizations and festivals.

When:
  * Kazoo! Festival happens April 13-17th 2011.
What:
 * Legendary Guelph band King Cobb Steelie playing a 20th anniversary set with special guests.
 * Juno Award-nominated rapper D-Sisive to headline a show on Thursday April 14th at Bookshelf eBar.
 * A selection of Canada's best emerging artists including Bonjay, Evening Hymns, Rich Aucoin, Kidstreet, and many more.
 * A showcase for some of Guelph's best local bands: The Skeletones Four, Lowlands, Harbourcoats (Bry Webb of the Constantines), and The Magic.
 * A number of all ages and family-friendly events including Jenny Omnichord's Video Feedback Disco, a psychedelic nightclub designed for kids 12 and under co-presented with Ed Video.
 * Guelph's only Zine & Comic Expo, an annual small press comic and literary fair that will feature over 40 different creators and publishers. After the event we will be hosting our keynote speaker, Jennifer Haines of the Dragon Comic Book store, who will be discussing 'Women in Comics'.
 * Film screening co-presented with the Festival of Moving Media.
 * Opening Night Party featuring a Video Game based installation, a drawing collaboration from Guelph Drink & Draw, and a Kazoo! Poster artwork display.

Where:
 * Venues include: Bookshelf eBar, Ed Video Gallery, The Synnema, The Cornerstone, Jimmy Jazz, Van Gogh's Ear, Norfolk United Church and more.

How:
 * Kazoo! Is a non-profit organization run by a dedicated group of artists and volunteers who program events year-round at a monthly music showcase and at special events.
 * This year's sponsors include: The Bookshelf, Wellington Brewery, The Cornerstone, Salsateria, Atmosphere Cafe, Red Brick Cafe, Ed Video, CFRU 93.3, City of Guelph, Downtown Guelph Business Association, Synn Studios, Festival of Moving Media, and more.
 * Kazoo! Festival aims to keep events financially accessible by charging very reasonable cover charges (no show is more than $12) and many events are entirely free or by donation. More information about the festival including a full schedule, location details and more can be found at www.kazookazoo.ca.

Guleph based powerpop trio Texting Mackenzie are celebrating the release of their latest CD Karateka with a house show this Thursday March 31.
House shows really seem to be gaining popularity these days in Guelph.
When asked about their upcoming house show, Robin from TM had this to offer: "Our band really feels that with the sketchiness of night clubs and the promised intimacy for the sake of art (rather than sell product - aka booze) the house show is really the saving grace of the music scene."
Truer words have never been said in this blog..
You can catch Texting Mackenzie this Thursday March 31 at 20 Hales Crescent in Guelph.  Show starts at 8PM.

To celebrate the release of My Divider from Dinosaur Bones, Royal City Scene has multiple copies of the CD to give away.  The band will be playing a show at the University of Guelph Peter Clark Hall Friday April 1 along with Hollerado and Tokyo Police Club.  Tickets available from Ticketpro.ca.


CONTEST IS OVER
To enter: send an email to contests@royalcityscene.com with "My Divider" in the subject.  The winners will be asked to provide a mailing address so that the CD can be sent. Contest closes Friday, April 1 at 11:00am.
If you don't win, you can always purchase a copy from the band itself when they're in town next week!

This Thursday March 10 marks the first Guelph and Area Independent and New Music Festival (GAIN Music Fest).  It's being held at Van Gogh's downtown Guelph and will showcase 13 bands over 3 floors!
I have to say this sounds very ambitious!  I love the goals the organizers of this festival are trying to achieve:
Our first goal is to help strengthen the local music community by giving Guelph musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents in a festival setting.
Our second goal is to help promote local businesses such as the Salsateria, Wellington Brewery, Milkcrate Media, Audio Access, and others who repeatedly support local arts and music in Guelph.
Our final goal is to build an affordable festival experience for the people of Guelph and to unite music fans with Guelph bands at an event which we intend to develop and expand over the next 5 years.

This show -- rather, event -- is $10(!!) and doors are at 7PM.  Head out there and support the artists and the organizers of GAIN!

For more information, check out their Facebook page or http://www.gainmusicfestival.ca

Acclaimed Toronto-based artist Peter Elkas is playing in Guelph every Thursday night in March. The shows feature an impressive list of opening artists and guests (most of whom have their own brand new records coming out soon) and the first four will take place at the Ebar.
The final show will be a completely acoustic, no P.A. performance at Folkway Music.
These shows are presented by KYEO & CFRU 93.3 FM in Support of Out on the Shelf.
The first show is tonight! Hope to see you there!

CONTEST IS NOW OVER
I've got a pair of tickets courtesy of XM The Verge, to The Verge Music Awards happening March 1 in Toronto!
The Verge Music Awards, hosted by XM's Jeff Leake, will feature full sets performed by Gord Downie and The Country Miracles, Tokyo Police Club and The Acorn. The Verge is an XM Radio channel exclusively dedicated to new and emerging Canadian rock bands.
If you're in Toronto, or can be in Toronto the evening of March 1 feel free to enter the contest!
To enter: I'm not asking you to retweet this, or forward to 5 friends.  All I ask is that you promise to take in some live music in Guelph, or where ever you may be and support the artists!  Deal?
Send an email to contests@royalcityscene.com with "The Verge" as the subject.  1 entry per person.

CONTEST IS NOW OVER