New Music West has officially begun. I enjoyed a great show last night and am hoping for another tonight. The first half of this week's CB is dominated by NMW so I thought I should throw in a link to the festival's schedule. Video and more dates after the jump (included non-NMWers).

Thursday, May 15
Here are tonight's concerts.

Friday, May 16
♦ Brasstronaut @ Media Club (NMW): You may have seen Jon mention these guys, or you may have seen them here on CB. An offshoot of a group called The Clips!, this band mixes modern indie pop with jazz. They'll be on with Pete Samples,Chantel Upshaw, Jason Crocker, Winston, and Aaron Nazrul.
♦ Anna Vandas @ Backstage Lounge (NMW): A local singer-songwriter, Anna will be joined by Aeroplane, GhostBrothers, Eileen Rothe and My Dearest Friends.
♦ Jarimba @ Fairview (NMW): A Mix of world music and jazz will be featured at the Fairview this Friday. Jarimba (as you might have guessed) is a local African world-music group. You can expect Dilvog, Diano Garcia, Fur Bearing Animals, Sinistrio and Dirty Bottom to play as well.
♦ FreeFlow @ Penthouse (NMW): These six locals play a mix of reggae and pop. Also on: Arkells, Kuba Oms, Redeye Empire and St. Alvia Cartel
♦ Missing Starla @ Purple Crab (NMW): There's upbeat folk-pop going on at the Purple Crab. You can mingle with Caroline Spence Band, Paul Filek, Jupiter Sunrise and Honey & the Money.
♦ Nat Jay @ The Libra Room (NMW): This local songstress has claimed minor success of late. She can be seen with Ali Milner, Dani Jean and Cindy Davis
♦ Kay Kay and his Weathered Undergound @ Royal Unicorn (NMW): This talented and eclectic Seattle group will be joined by fellow Americans: Chicane Theory, Stuporhero, The Color Bars and Portugal The Man.
♦ Tokyo Police Club @ The Plaza (NMW): Part two of the Vancouver segment of their tour.

Last night, I was lucky enough to be a part of Beyond Robson's staff meeting at the Cambie. I had a great time, and am pleased to know we all have heads larger than 1cm tall!
...and with that, I bring you (a New Music West infused) Concert BReak.

Thursday, May 8
Here are tonight's concerts.

Friday, May 9
♦ NOFX @ Commodore: These satirical punks have been at it since the early 80's.
♦ You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Astoria: Abbotsford's dance-punksters unite with Better Friends than Lovers and Wintermitts for a Vancouver indie extravaganza.
♦ Dawntreader @ Railway Club: This bunch of locals are celebrating their album release with Cinderpop, The Top Drawers and Empire Alley.

Another Thursday means a new Concert BReak, where you can find Vancouver's best local and imported live music. Hit me in the comments with your thoughts, suggestions and additions.

Thursday, May 1
Tonight's listings.

Friday, May 2
♦ Yoav @ Plaza: You may remember Yoav from a previous CB. Check there for his video of "Club Thing".
♦ Devotchka @ Richard's: A mix of world music (i.e. Greek and Mariachi) with North American indie. Each member of this four-piece is a multi-instrumentalist, and songs include trumpets, stand-up basses, violins and sousaphones.
♦ Better Friends than Lovers @ Little Mountain Studios (Day One): This local group play indie rock with a youthful spark. They will be joined by Doers.
♦ The Martyr Index @ Cobalt: Punks out of Calgary.
♦ Doug Hoyer @ Hoko's: Doug Hoyer is a singer-songwriter from Edmonton. He often plays the ukulele or the accordion.
♦ Amy Honey @ Railway Club: This country-folk songstress' song "Old Reliable Death" can often be heard on the waves of CBC Radio 3. It has a way of making me want to sing along in joyful misery.
♦ Kensington Prairie @ Media Club: Meet Aldergrove's Rebecca Rowan and listen to live renditions of songs from her new album "Captured in Still Life".
♦ Steve Aoki @ Celebrities: DJ Steve Aoki Kid Millionaire is one of the people responsible for jump-starting Bloc Party's success. The Cobrasnake and Paul Devro’ll join him.
♦ Rye Rye @ Richard's: It's 1/2 Alive night at Richard's and Rye Rye is going to "shake it to the ground".

Don't worry, it's here!

Friday, Apr 25
♦ Hardstock '08 @ Commodore: A benefit for Vancouver guitarist/producer Scott Harding featuring many of local musicians.
♦ Shelby Lynne @ Richards: Pop, jazz and folk fuse into one with California's Shelby Lynne
♦ Christian Hansen and The Autistics @ Hoko's: This Edmonton dance-pop group are joined by their Vancouver rivals equivalents, The Sessions. I went to elementary school with Martin from The Sessions and have had the pleasure of going to several of their shows—I'd recommend you check them out!
♦ Adaline @ Biltmore: Vancouver's Adaline is the Hush Sound meets Fiona Apple. Join her for her CD release party before she takes off for her first tour.
♦ Run Chico Run @ Backstage Lounge: Experimental and independent musicians from Victoria.
♦ Language-Arts @ Cafe Deux Soliels: More hip-hop meets indie-folk and classical guitars.

Last week a BR reader commented saying that Concert BReak is lacking local artists. I took a little extra time this week to find some more local talent that eager to perform. This one's for you Vanessa.

Thursday, Apr 17
Check last week's Concert BReak.

Friday, Apr 18
♦ Caribou @ Biltmore: Daniel Snaith is a math Ph.D from Ontario (living in London, England). Apparently he chose his name while tripping out on LSD in the woods—needless to say his music has a psychedelic feel to it.
♦ De La Soul @ Commodore Ballroom: De La Soul are old-school. They've been together since their high school days and have collaborated with Tribe Called Quests, Mase and many more.
♦ The Teenagers @ Richard's on Richards: This French synth-pop group originally formed as a joke...then they realized people like them.
♦ The Wind Whistles @ Railway Club: This is the last local show these fun-loving Vancouver folksters will play before embarking on a Canadian and European tour.
♦ Aaron Leaney @ Rime (Day One): Aaron Leaney is an improvisational jazz saxophonist from Calgary.
♦ Mahogany Frog @ Peanut Gallery (Day One): An experimental instrumental group based in Manitoba.

Jose Gonzalez is a Swede with low expectations. In an interview with Mania TV he states that he doesn't know why people like his music, and that he doesn't expect to gain success in North America. I'm guessing that filling up concert halls this side of the Pacific was beyond his humble imaginings. On March 31 Gonzalez filled both the halls and the pews of St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church. The high ceilings and dramatic atmosphere was the perfect environment for the unassuming artist, and the natural acoustics of the venue suited the haunting qualities of his music.