Indie Music 73 (16-22 Mar 2009).

Canadian Music Fest is over, but as you all know that doesn't mean the music stops. (I think some other people don't realize we have amazing music every night in this city, and for cheap!) Last week I did some hibernating, but still managed to see some quality stuff. The Happiness Project (Charles Spearin's new project) at The Music Gallery was brilliant; nice to see Muskox in that lovely space, too. Saturday I saw a couple new-to-me bands: Eliott Brood (!) and Herman Dune (!), plus Basia Bulat, Jon-Rae Fletcher, and Cuff the Duke, a band I will love always and forever. As you can see, I didn't get out to the festival other than that Saturday Lee's Palace show, but no biggie since I see great bands all the time.

Speaking of great bands, this week's Wombat Wednesday at Tranzac features the aforementioned Muskox, the quiet folk loveliness of The Weather Station, and the mesmerizing The Owle Bird. A great, varied bill. Some touring bands are still in town, picking up gigs the week after Canadian Musicfest; from Ireland, FRED and Walter Mitty & the Realists; Liverpool's Familiar Looking Strangers; and Australia's Forgiven Rival. You've got a couple chances this week to catch Alistair Christl's Swingin' Chandeliers, a fantastic rockabilly act. The Drake Hotel's playing host to good lineups on Wednesday and Thursday. A handful of young bands who've made a name for themselves in the indie scene in the last year are playing at Lee's Palace this Saturday (Dinosaur Bones, Oh No Forest Fires, Still Life Still, and Arietta, who've got an album coming out this spring). Local electro-pop dance band Beth in Battle Mode celebrate the release of their second album on Friday at the El Mo. Wavelength promises to be good and very Wavelength: from country to in-sa-ni-ty all on the same bill. Lots more to see and hear . . . check below!

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