So, I went to Austin for the first time taking in the annual SXSW experience. Having been to Sled Island last year partying it up with Vancouver peeps, it just made natural sense to go for another round -- but this time Texas-style. Canadian music was represented well, with the Canadian Blast & BBQ showcase featuring Plants & Animals, Born Ruffians, Justin Rutledge, Radio Radio, The Beauties and Abbotsford's very own You Say Party! We Say Die! (on Paper Bag Records out of Toronto which also did a showcase).

Fake Jazz is back. The Wednesday weekly exhibit that took place at the Cobalt since 2006 has a new home at Lick @ 455 Abbott Street. First night featured experimental stalwarts Ahna, Stamina Mantis, Yellowthief and Shearing Pinx. It looks to be a steady and exciting buildup each Wednesday night with new and regular bands/artists/musicians eager to improvise and perform. It's been a long time coming.

Vancouver's contribution to all things twee pop just got a little better. Enter the Thee Ahs. Twee as fuck. Last night at the Zoo Zhop the comic-loving pop piece performed welcoming pop chords -- a fitting welcome for the early Vancouver spring.

So we embark on a new decade in music. We've made our top lists for songs and albums for the past year and past decade. We'll see what's in store to see who's the next Death Cab, or next Broken Social Scene, or next Decemberists, or next (insert your most influential favourite of the decade artist) for '10' to '19. As for 2010, what I am looking forward to for album releases? For starters, how about a throwback to 60's pop? ah, nostalgia.

Gigi is the recording project of Vancouver-based songwriter Nick Krgovich and producer/engineer Colin Stewart. In the spring of 2005 Stewart acquired two huge vintage plate reverbs and, eager to use them in a way that befit their history, he asked Krgovich to come up with a couple songs in the vein of classic Phil Spector/Brill Building pop hits and invited a large group of musician friends into the Hive Studios to record the songs live-off-the-floor. The results of that night were amazing, inspiring a string of recording sessions that took place over the following 3 years, collected here on Gigi's debut album Maintenant.

A SPEAKEASY show celebrating the CD release of Make Love w/ Unreliable Narrator and Holzkopf/Hutzulak

Vegan desserts by Secret Supper
{http://www.vegansecretsupper.com}
Drinks crafted with love by Ludzu
-Friday January 8th, 8-11pm @ The Toast Collective - 648 Kingsway

Suggested Pairings:
-Lemon Cashew Cake + Kiwitini
-Chocolate Hazelnut Tart + Cinnamon Whiskey
-Pear, Maple and Hazelnut Tart + Pear and Ginger Liqueur
-Creme Brulee Coffee Flambé + Coconut 'Nog

By Donation!
Music at 9pm

SATURDAY AUGUST 15th
FREE OUTDOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL ON THE ZULU RECORDS STAGE

-Outside Zulu Records, 1972 West 4th Avenue
-Part of 4th Avenue's "Summer of Love revisited" festivities that day.

www.zulurecords.com
http://www.kitsilano4thavenue.com/Events

SCHEDULED TO PERFORM
4PM NO HORSES
http://www.myspace.com/nohorses
3PM ROSE MELBERG
http://www.myspace.com/rosemelberg
2PM THE EVAPORATORS
http://www.myspace.com/nardwuar
1PM ORA CORGAN
http://www.myspace.com/oracogan
12PM APOLLO GHOSTS
http://www.myspace.com/adrianteacher