Canadian Music Week is back, with all of the bands performing, we thought we would put together a list of our favorites and MUST SEES for this year.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12th, 2009

AT 8pm – THE SUPERMARKET  Dan Mangan, The Painted Birds, Mani Khaira, We Are The City, Mother Mother – I met Dan Mangan a few years back at CMW while in line waiting for my pass. I had absolutely no idea that this young guy had one of the most soulful voices I’ve ever heard. On top of it, he’s playing with an amazing line-up – Mother Mother and We Are The City who’d miss it? This is probably one of the best CMW line-ups this year.  He’s young, He’s Canadian and He’s Indie go see him – and check out his new EP “Roboteering” released this month.

11PM – BOVINE SEX CLUB  Turbowolf from the UK is our FAV punk rock pick, check out “Seven Severed Heads”  and “Mystery” on their Myspace. They will rip you’re head off and you’ll like it! Really Really good stuff. Although they are followed by a band that makes our ears bleed, literally.

12 AM – BLACK BETTY Another band you need to check out from B.C. is Bend Sinister sweet dynamic pop mixed with arena rock, not the pretentious irritating kind;  we are talking Freddy Mercury vocals and sick guitar riffs.

9PM – 12AM CIRCA  If you’re into hip hop/rap Juno nominee  KID FAMOUSSS, w/ The legendary Naughty By Nature ARE A MUST SEE! The Kid Famous just released his “I RAP NOW” EP not too long ago, and had a recent MTV performance check out the music video for  “Ain’t No Use”

FRIDAY, MARCH 13th, 2009

STARTS AT 8:30 HORSESHOE -  If you want to shake-it indie style the ‘shoe line-ups look great, Handsome Furs, The Bicycles, Black Hat Brigade, Hot Panda from – Mint Recs – Edmonton needs to keep putting that shit out. All Great! You don’t have to go anywhere all night! Handsome Furs have a new CD out today on Sub Pop called “Face Control”, check it out!

10PM – KOOL HAUS – BLOC PARTY

SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH, 2009

8:30PM – MOD CLUB The Ting Tings

ROYAL YORK HOTEL – Don’t miss the Indie Awards in the Canadian Room at the Royal York Hotel Jon Lajoie, USS, Crystal Castles and Arkells ALL AWESOME!

12am KATHEDRAL – Canadian Punk Rock Legends SNFU. They have like 4354768768 albums. If you haven’t seen them yet, this would be your chance!

11pm OPERA HOUSE Eternia – that  girl grabs the mic by the horns, Juno nominated hip hop.

1am CENTRAL SKIBUNNY go see them out of curiosity at the least if you get the chance. They are highly acclaimed and are probably not going to be back in Toronto anytime soon. We like “Robot on Disguise” Remix

TIMA 2008 Nominees and Winner Shout-Outs:

Thurs. March 12th – TIMA 2008 “Best Live” Electric Winner Marshall Dane 9pm @ Hard Rock Live
Thurs. March 12th – Emma Lee TWICE 9pm @ Glenn Gould Studios prior to the Trews or Fri @ C’est What?, same time.
Fri. March 13th – JEFFERY STRAKER 8:20pm @ Library Bar (inside Royal York Hotel)
Fri, March 13th – Jamesking 11pm @ Revival
Sat. March 14th – MAGNOLIUS – 7pm @ CiRCA
Sat. March 14th – Secret Suburbia – 11am @ Clinton’s
Sat March 13th – TIMA 2006 “Best USA” Winners Peachcake 8pm @ Rancho Relaxo
Sat March 14th – TIMA 2008 “Best Blues” Winner Mike Celia 1am @Global Village Backpackers
Sat March 14th – TIMA 2008 “Best Out-Of-Province” Winner Empire Isis 11pm @ Poor Alex