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, as I watched Texas rockers White Denim effortlessly win over an audience who had clearly gathered to see Tapes N' Tapes (watch this video and kick yourself for missing it). I was reminded of the greatest in indie-music highs: seeing an unknown band for the first time and being completely blown away. From a regular concert-goer's perspective, theres nothing nicer than coming home with a new disc and trying to match each track to the songs you heard live, rather than mumbling now nonsensical lyrics to a melody you and every undergrad in Vancouver has listened to online...

29 Productions will try and recreate this elusive feeling for fans once again this year, as from May 14th-19th they present the latest incarnation of the annual New Music West festival; a celebration of up-and-coming, often unsigned local talent. With 265 bands spread out over the next four days, including a plethora of local unknowns and a few international showcases, the schedule is pretty overwhelming. There'll also be free pre and post-show "networking parties," with a festival-covering wristband running you $30.

However... with a list of acts that will leave temples scratched (and beer flowing?), a clear focus on the commercial side of things, and Music Waste just around the corner... for the local gig-lover is this 'festival' really all for naught?

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.

People in Planes, the five piece indie rock band from Cardiff Wales, are in Vancouver this Thursday for a show at the Biltmore. With a new album - Beyond the Horizon - scheduled for release later this summer, expect to hear new tracks like Pretty Buildings as well as slightly older faves like If You Talk Too Much (video directed by Joaqin Phoenix).

Thanks to their new label, Wind-up records, we've found ourselves with seven pairs of tickets to give away to the show. Want to go? Keep reading for contest details.

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".

Buck 65 is currently on a cross-Canada tour. (Check out the review of the Toronto show on blogTO) He's visiting 18 cities in 30 days including Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom on Wednesday May 7th. Also on the ticket is Cadence Weapon. As luck would have it we've found ourselves with a bunch of copies of his latest album Situation as well as a pair of tickets to the show. Want some Buck 65 for yourself? Keep reading for contest details.