Acres Of Lions is a catchy pop-rock band from the island city of Victoria, BC. FFWD Magazine called the band "the west coast's answer to Sloan."

Adam and the Amethysts are a band of scrappy kids and Adam Waito, their leader, is possibly the scrappiest. Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, he moved from the small town to the big city in 2003. That's the migration that still haunts his songs, but other changes stir there too: growing up, crashing down, losing friends, finding love, forgetting. While indie-rock chases chillwave, Adam is making a sibling hypnogogic pop: the whirrs of old VCRs, the gloss of old Polaroids, Sun Araw and Real Estate guesting on Paul McCartney's Ram.

If you scratch below the surface of this Montreal-based band, you'll hear more than the generic music etiquette that could describe their sound. Braised with punk upbringings, psychedelia, folk songwriting aesthetics and a longing for the youthful sadness of the early American Bluesmen, Amanita Bloom are a passionate marriage of melancholy and optimism, dipped in a dystopian love-story.

Ambition is set to lead the way for the next generation of conscious Hip Hop heads who respect the party element of the culture; Mix the two styles and this is the end result. A sense of lyricism as unique as it gets and a maturity beyond his years, he is ready to open eyes nationwide.

Amelia Curran could make an honest run at the title for most resilient singer-songwriter in Atlantic Canada. Once described as "a performer who can smoke, drink a beer, and sing at the same time...harmoniously", Curran has that dirty raspy "I've been there and felt it" conviction to her songs. There is no putting it on, she is real and she's here to sing about it. The audience is not left to wonder who these songs are about. It's her, but it is also everyone. The difference, however, is the crisp and melodic tone that leaves the song humming through your head as much as the lyrics echo through your conscience.

Animal Faces are a young math-rock trio from Toronto, combining angular melodies with driving rhythms to form emotive and hard-hitting anthems.

Hailing from Halifax, Audrey and the Agents are a hard-hitting foursome - the sound made if Courtney Love, Karen O and David Lynch had a child. Audrey's screams and whispered sweet nothings will linger in your thoughts making you think they're all about you, and you, and you...

Banded Stilts' are an up and coming 5 piece alternative-folk band that play unique singer-songwriter tunes backed by a folk ensemble of mandolin, banjo, violin, keys, guitars and drums. Banded Stilts made their live performance debut at Halifax's "In the Dead of Winter" Music Festival, followed shortly thereafter by an opening slot for BC native Pat LePoidevin at the CD release for his third album in Sackville, NB and a Discovery Stage showcase at the 2011 ECMA's. The band has a debut EP slated for release in June in accordance with a Canadian tour. The band are also currently recording material for their full album release, aimed at a late summer/early fall release.

The band has a diverse style ranging from folky ballads to frenetic gypsy anthems, but even their roughest of bar room stomps has a surprising depth. Expressive percussion, unique instrumentation, and jaw dropping vocal prowess all help these guys stand out from the masses influenced by the same sounds.

With a sound that has been described as everything from George Harrison or Graham Parsons influenced to "cocaine seventies alt rock" and Van Morrison-esque, the explosive theatre filling Bend the River sound moves from singer to singer around the stage, from decade to decade musically, with hints of everything from 1920's burlesque to David Bowie to Wilco. With a dynamic stage show that highlights these transformations, Bend the River offer something unique and very musical.

'60s rock & roll, '70s punk, '80s scissor kicks,'90s flannel...each of these crucial elements are represented in Bike Rodeo, a sweaty, heart-felt high five of a band. With two full length albums released within the last year (check out the brand new Oh Blah Duh), Bike Rodeo are lookin' to kick out the jams...and then slap high fives, of course.

Born out of long winters and short summers, who ever thunk such evil thoughts could be said so sweetly. Bloodhouse reeks of busted up foundations and basement shows.

Toronto based duo mixing up Soul, Electronica, Art-Pop and Dancehall in a very unique fashion, which has gained them acknowledgment as one of the buzzing, up-and-coming talents in today's Canadian scene.With Alanna on the mic and Pho on beats & effects, their live performance is a high-energy sound system of bass and soul.

Born Gold is the high-energy, futuristic noise-pop project of San Francisco via Canada pop experimentalist Cecil Frena. Caught in a highly idiosyncratic dialogue between harsh noise, future-leaning electronic music, indie rock signifiers and mainstream pop, Born Gold (formerly Gobble Gobble) conjures stuttering, blown-out and chopped guitar peals, erratic, bubbling synth arpeggios, crunked-out, sparkling 808 hats and bursts of meticulously processed digital noise. Oh, and hooks, hooks, hooks. Born Gold's debut LP/mixtape Bodysongs, arriving September 20th, 2011 on Hovercraft / Crash Symbols, is a selected singles compilation of uncompromising and infectious danceable pop anthems. In the live context, Born Gold's highly danceable pop songs are transformed into something like an ecstatic, surreal dream sequence: bandmates bash away on pots and pans, smash shovels together, percuss on hockey helmets and generally get a party started unlike any other. Born Gold runs with Canada's shadowy futurepop collective Hovercraft (Purity Ring, Kuhrye-oo).

Signed to Kanine Records with their debut LP out in February, the New York Times has raved about them and Spin made them Top 5 New Bands for 2011. BRAIDS are getting nothing but RAVE reviews for their live show, it's as good as the record.... Maybe even a little bit better, make up your own mind.

A large choir of voices meets an adventurous rock quartet to create a sort of modern progressive gospel music. Full of fervor and fire, Bruce Peninsula's collective throat is open wide and calling.

Bugs in the Dark is an energetic art-rock-indie band from Brooklyn, NY. With dueling male/female vocals, inter-weaving guitars, and heavy beats BITD is a force on stage blasting out dark melodies and powerful rhythm.

Four piece hardcore band from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fast, experimental, and energetic.

Cailean Lewis is without hyperbole the greatest songwriter in this country today. Perhaps the world.

You can call Carmen Townsend's music many things, but reserved isn't one of them. Townsend's sound is a vast one, with stretching riffs that give birth to a fierce sonic motion.

Cat Bag plays industrial lounge shapes.

Self-recording and playing almost every instrument – including many hand-crafted ones – Chad VanGaalen has become one of Canada's most celebrated musicians and visual artists. A Juno and Polaris Prize nominated artist, Chad lives in a rickety house in Calgary and doesn't like to leave home more than he absolutely has to.

Montreal Mirror's "next it-girl of folk-rock" Charlotte Cornfield blends soulful vocals, stylish guitar playing and heart-wrenching lyrics. Her high-energy live performance is equal parts riveting, heartbreaking and hilarious.

Okay, quick history lesson: Chixdiggit! was originally conceived by four guys who couldn't play instruments after they made enough money selling tee shirts around their high school (for an at-the-time fictional band called Chixdiggit!) to purchase some drums. If that doesn't make sense, read on, because that's just how stuff works in Chixdiggit! land. That was in 1991. Since then, Chixdiggit! have toured the world, put out records on indie juggernaut Sub Pop, wacky Fat Wreck subsidiary Honest Dons, Bad Taste (where they re-recorded and re-released a new version of their very first album...Weird, right?) and most recently Fat Wreck Chords proper. They've got more releases than a minimum-security prison in Holland and they've been on hiatus at least once, or maybe even twice, depending on who you ask, or maybe they've just been up to other shit. Hell, who knows? Well, here's what we do know: they're back in 2011 with their first release in five years, Safeways, Here We Come, which is the culmination of their 20 years of friendship and buzzsaw pop-flavored punk rock mastery. Of course, over the span of two decades, the boys have also perfected the fine art of dicking around and as such Chixdiggit! manages to get a few pisstakes in on some lame ass hipster haircuts ('Swedish Rat') and devote a whole chorus to a buddy of singer KJ's shitty dog ('Since You Got a Dog') among other things. This record is more than sweet melodies and powerchords, folks. This is Canadian style pop, punk, comedy, social commentary, all rolled into one, and fuck, it's named after a place that sells rubbers and candy bars, so there's that too.

Known for his frantic power pop songs fronting acts like CAMP RADIO and THE STAND GT, Chris Page also crafts clever and poetic folk songs with punk sensibilities. The recently released "A Date With A Smoke Machine" is his 4th solo album on Kelp records/Saved By Vinyl and it has received critical acclaim internationally.

Brilliant AM radio power-pop poured through fuzz and played faster and louder. Simple songs, lo-fi production, sparse solos and raw-sugar harmonies. Absolutely nothing is spared; everything cleaned and sacrificed at the alter of the almighty hook. This is not intellectual rock, it's Joey Ramone beating Paul McCartney over the head with songs about science fiction, teenage apathy, and summer love. The fixed link between Halifax and Ottawa, Cold Warps are garage/power-pop at it's whatever-est.

The palm at the end of your mind.

In a few short years, Dan Mangan has gone from globetrotting folk crooner to one of independent music's most promising storytellers.

Dance Movie is an indie-pop outfit forged in the sea-salted winds of Halifax, where the '90s were good and will be again. On September 1, Dance Movie released a free concept EP, Ladycops. The full-length Interlopers will be released someday, maybe by you.

Daniel Ledwell is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Halifax, NS.

A mess of spastic, specially challenged art rock with jagged, diamondback guitars, '80s video game synthesizers, and drums that roll with all the punches of the discordant dreamy vocals

Deadhorse combines an assortment of friends, lovers and perfect strangers into an explosive psych-rock sextet. Their self-titled debut was produced by analogue magician Jay Crocker (Ghostkeeper, No More Shapes) and released early this year via Calgary's Saved By Radio label. Since first launching off into a world of Nuggets-inspired garage rock, heavy roots music and harmonically mind-warping jams, Deadhorse has touched down to remind you of one thing - if you've got nothing to flog then you've got nothing.

Like it's namesake, Death Valley Driver will leave you with a sore neck and a few bruises. Since forming in 2008, they have become one hardest gigging metal bands on the Island. In that time, they have played all over the Maritimes. The five-piece has shared the stage with Canadian rockers White Cowbell Oklahoma, Neuraxis, Fuck the Facts, Woods of Ypres as well as east coast heavyweights Iron Giant, The Motorleague, Black Moor and Orchid's Curse. They have just released their album "Choke The River" on Diminished Fifth records to great reviews.

Country , folk , punk , African based clown music. The show is a door way into a spiritual quest. re-discover your your inner child .

Haunted Hearts write a loose blend of music, most identified as Alt-Country or Americana, though a deeper look into their music reveals a much longer list of sounds, styles and influences. The songs ease and haunt with beauty, and might sound something like a cry from the dark side of the soul, an old time honky-tonk howler, a tear stained whiskey ballad, or straight ahead loose country groove. Whatever it is, it is captivating.

His Music is played frequently by heavy hitters like Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Sander Van Doorn, Paul Van Dyk & many others. This Halifax based producer has tunes and remixes signed to many respected labels within the Electronic music world (Spinnin' Rec, Enhanced, Plus39, Premier, Play Digital)

Greg lies to his father in order to go to the school dance. Stephanie experiments with liquor and gets sick. Mark and Lachie copy someone else's essay as an experiment in fooling the teacher. Everyone enjoys a big thing of timbits.

A young playa from around the (Halifax) way doin' disc-jockey thangs. Whether playing dirty-south rap classics, electronic dance jams, or jazz fusion, James Reid will have the audience goin' ham! You know the business.

DJ T-Woo is a multi-genre dj based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. T-Woo been part of the hip hop/dj scene getting his start playing shows late in 2006. Woo is interested in making you shake your rump plain and simple.

Halifax gloom popsters Dog Day have devolved. Partners Seth Smith and Nancy Urich have returned to the road, as a two piece, taking along a fresh batch of songs. The new sound is made up of guitar, drums and vocals, leaning back toward the bands earlier, minimal, pop-punk debut, Thank You. Live, they are known to incorporate a few of the Seth Smith 'New Problems' tracks into their set. They have a new self produced record due spring 2011. The Toronto Star hails the band as "...the most exciting Canadian act of the moment." After hearing the band's previous offering, Concentration (Outside Music), seminal music site Coke Machine Glow exclaimed, "Behold anew, motherfuckers, the future of indie rock..."

Dream Friends use 10 guitar strings in total, all tuned to different frequencies.

Intimate shows with many chords

Charlottetown was imprisoned in a sea of snow this winter. Perfect conditions for an artistic rebirth. English Words are back with an entire Sharpie's worth of new songs borrowing heavily from a fresh palate of dance rhythms, samples, melodic and sometimes cinematic pop. Think: Happy Mondays, Star Wars, Legend of Zelda, Abba, DJ Shadow, Kanye West, and Tom Waits. Call it "Electro-Something", both ridiculous and justified. Wild Technicolor blasting through frozen white waves piled high on houses.

Envision formed in 1998 with a mission to play fast simple hardcore punk with a positive message. The band suffered through many lineup changes until a few years ago. A new steady lineup allowed the band to record a demo and then release it on a 7" as well as tour eastern Canada and the US.

The broken pieces came together. The city lights faded. The sky opened. A forest. Snow. Find The Others is a mesmerizing new music and visual project by Andy Sheppard (CBC Radio's 'The Signal') with video by Matt Hilliard-Forde, Graydon Sheppard (Hidden Cameras, Feist) and featuring performances by Snowblink, Jorn Andersen and Isabella Rossellini.

Fucked Up have the most perfect name for any band in rock history. In two words it bluntly states the truth that lies at the heart of the white noise maelstrom – things are different from what you expect.

When she is not on the road, Canadian singer-songwriter Gabrielle Papillon hails from Montréal, QC and New Glasgow, NS. "Harrowing in its honesty and heartbreaking in its hope," the songs on The Wanderer (2010) and The Currency of Poetry (2011) combine haunting melodies, with her love of language. June 2011 will mark a year of touring almost non-stop across Canada.

Ghettosocks is a JUNO nominated, and ECMA Winning, Hip Hop Producer and MC. Strongly influenced by early '90s Golden Era Hip Hop, Socks delivers a tasty serving of Hip Hop goodness that will satisfy the most demanding of rap gourmands.

Gianna Lauren is a project of atmosphere, warm guitar tones and voice. She is a performer of the graceful kind. Her onstage aura and the charisma behind her recordings are impossible to forget. Having performed in music venues, living rooms, and train cars across Canada, with much support from campus-community radio, CBC Radio 3, and online music critics, people are following Gianna Lauren. Melodies breathe as if they pulse, sharing space with many layers of warming instrumentation and vocals. Ambient pop-rock keeps company with softer, more poignant material. You will never hear another artist like this.

"Giant Hand's songs pierced the audience with innocence, clarity and a vulnerability that lesser artists often fake." - Exclaim! Magazine

The music is psychedelia that's been dressed up, dressed down, twisted, broken and glued back together again. A soundtrack for a late night drive into the Canadian wild, alongside your worn out tape of Violator. And if you want to dance to trance-y, synth-y, dream-like goodness, Gigas serves that up too. With a good sized portion of powerful vocal wail for good measure.

Glory Glory Man United balance daring, spaced-out instrumentation with pop hooks and (often) spastic grooves, like a latter-day Q and Not U playing the Beatles. GGMU have been recording, and touring Eastern Canada since 2006, having released an EP and their brand-new full length debut, ZOMBIES!!! Exclaim! Magazine said "you get the feeling after a few spins of ZOMBIES!!! that this Halifax, NS-bred three-piece could write perfect, hook-driven pop songs in their sleep. The manner in which they crank out the ten classics on ZOMBIES!!! is so pure and seamless that it's a little disconcerting."

Rock. Two guitars, bass, drums. Songs with hooks. No Macs just stacks. The way it was, the way it should be. Whether they are sharing a stage in Toronto with Thin Lizzy or headlining The Seahorse Tavern in Halifax these boys from Fall River, Nova Scotia always deliver. In spades.

Graham Wright is primarily known as the keyboardist for Tokyo Police Club, but he is also the proud owner of a thriving solo career. In 2009, he released his EP, The Lakes of Alberta, as a free download. 2011 will see Graham setting out on tour with his crack team of rock and roll experts, The Good Times Band, as well as releasing his debut album: Shirts vs Skins. He is exceptionally handsome, and especially adept at writing his own biographies.

Greys are a loud rock band from Toronto.

Montreal's Hand Cream, brainchild of Halifax expat Meghan Merrigan (Divorce Record's Gilbert Switzer, Drunk Dial), Crystal McNorton (Drunk Dial) and Mark Sauner (The Pink Noise, Sacred Bones Records), have instantly staked their claim on the weird punk scene, bewitching audiences with their blend of gutsy, dark and haunting dual-vocaled songs.

Hind Legs write catchy garage rock, drawing inspiration from punk, surf rock, blues, noise and Uncle Billy's Drunken Bitter Guide to the Animal Kingdom. You want to see them live because they are attractive and charming. Hind Legs will make you want to dance.

Hip Club Groove were known as one of Nova Scotia's most unpredictable exports. Their debut album "Trailer Park Hip Hop" branded them with a unique style that paved the way for east coast mc's and Dj's, and after almost 15 years, and countless projects, they've reunited for a new album and new tour.

Honheehonhee is a five piece nearly nude frisbee game in the snow. Their energetic live show builds a wall of vocals upon which members bounce from instrument to instrument frequently throughout their set. Audiences are encouraged to where birthday suits and dancing shoes.

My name is Ian Kamau; I am an artist. I believe my ability to create is tied to my purpose. I was raised in Toronto to filmmaker parents who came from Trinidad in 1970. I believe in community. My creative life actively involves my community work. I make music.

This band's lemon-grass sound shrinks from the ground up. They're kids who fill (Hall)ways with pale white and pale blue and pale yellow. The shirt also comes in pale blue replaced with pale pink.

Ivy Mairi grew up on Ward's Island, which is a ten-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto. Her natural affinity for the music of Appalachia and the British Isles influences the contemporary songwriting of this heartfelt and joy-carrying young woman. Ivy has just released her sophomore album, produced by Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies.

Jake and Jamin Orrall, aka JEFF The Brotherhood, are seen by many to be latter-day pioneers of the Nashville rock scene, but they see themselves as brothers who can't remember not playing music together for fun. Their family-owned, vinyl-centered record label, Infinity Cat Recordings, has been a pillar of support for Nashville bands since 2002 (with 60 releases to date) and was named "Nashville's Best Record Label 2010" by the Nashville Scene. But their first love has always been the Brotherhood known as JEFF. Known for their relentless touring and their "we'll play anywhere" mentality, they have built a reputation for stripping rock music down to it's basics, and delivering mind-bending live shows with Jamin's three drums and three cymbals and Jake's three-string guitar and ferocious vocals. JEFF The Brotherhood's work ethic practically defines D.I.Y., from their simple but compelling videos to their self-produced and critically acclaimed albums, EP's and singles. The band clocked in over 230 shows in the past year and received critical acclaim for their Heavy Days album from the likes of Brooklyn Vegan, Spin, Nylon, Village Voice, the New Yorker, KEXP, Maximum Rock n' Roll, and MANY more. Now, JEFF is ready for 2011 (or as Nashville's Dead calls it "the year of the Brotherhood") with their finest album to date, We Are The Champions. Recorded by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Sleater Kinney, Velvet Underground ), the self-produced album takes their music to new heights, while continuing to dig into what Spin calls "the sweet spot between punk and hard rock." Their ultimately undefinable music has been described as psychedelic, classic rock, kraut-punk, garage pop, monster metal, scrungy, filthy, fizzy and fresh.

After a life of intensive musical training in classical and jazz idioms, Jeff Torbert emerged with pop sensibilities intact, taking his band through a Björk-like exploration of live sextet music in the full-length "Urban Poultry & Other Hopes". Torbert's music tells a story with a thoroughly optimistic vision, his band rallying behind the tunes with tight grooves, spirited solos, and joyful interplay. Following the release of multiple award nominee "This Weather Honest", Torbert has been busy performing regionally, organizing Musicians For Farmers benefit events, attending the Banff Centre, and growing garlic. The October 22nd POPX release of “Urban Poultry & Other Hopes” will feature mystery guest performers alongside Torbert’s touring quintet.

After lending her unmistakable voice to albums by The Constantines and Fucked Up, Jennifer Castle released her third solo record; the haunting and incomparable Castlemusic received great critical acclaim – with lauds from Spin, The Globe & Mail, and many others. One of Canada’s best kept secrets, Castle lives in Toronto.

Jenocide is electro/dreampop/once-described-as-chinese-lounge-pop solo artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Past releases e.g. Machines to Make us Wet, were based on queercore influences like Peaches and Le Tigre, while her most recent mixtape with DJ James Reid features swagwave mash-ups with dirty south rappers. Whatever the flavour, Jenocide works her way into the audience for an interactive concert experience to push and shove the crowd into a spontaneous party atmosphere - often leaving a trail of glitter and lipstick marks in her wake. Jenocide appears courtesy of North North Records.

Motown to Uptown, Soul Jazz to Nu Jazz, New Wave to No Wave: Jeremy Glenn personifies the contemporary music mentality with all of its forms and functions. His unique production style seeks to typify the elements that have always been appreciated by music lovers and inflects those elements not yet loved, but soon to be.

In Jesuslesfilles (« Jesusthegirls », let's say), there’s 4 boys and a girl. She can really shake that tambourine, y'know. Even if your understanding of French is so-so, their blend of moody post-punk and garage-y power pop (in French, bien sûr) will speak to you in the international language of riffs.

In his debut full length release "Calendar" travelling troubadour JF Robitaille tackles such themes as romantic discord and loss, existential malaise, and the perennial quest for love and personal redemption.  The album features both acoustic numbers recalling the early work of Leonard Cohen as well as full band numbers featuring a cross-section of seasoned Montreal musicians. The result is a raw-sounding folk record with temporary pop highs and raucous tangents. Equally adept as frontman and soloist, JF will embark on a cross Canada tour this Fall to promote the album which will feature performances at both small and medium size venues across the country.

Coming from the pop-rock leanings of his debut album, The Nature of Things (Wednesday Records, 2008), Jon McKiel has taken a decided step aside on his sophomore effort, Tonka Warcloud. The experimental nature of the album ranges from hushed minimalism to crashing dissonance. The combined result is McKiel delivering what the National Post calls, “a new sound that showcases harmonies and surprising beauty powering through a heavy sludge.”

Since the turn of the 21st century, DFA club music maestro Juan MacLean has been releasing killer singles and two epic albums. He's also released last year's very successful DJ Kicks Mix CD.

Kepi was the bassist and vocalist for Sacramento, California based pop-punk band the Groovie Ghoulies. He has been recording and touring both with a full band and as an acoustic soloist since the Ghoulies' break-up in mid 2007

WE RE-INVENTED THE REMIX!!! Simultaneously representing the raw soul of live instrumentation, manipulation of turntablism and the progressive technology of Electronic Music, KEYSNKRATES are officially here to bridge the gap. Previously having toured the globe on individual musical conquests Dj Jr. Flo, Matisse and Adam Tune formed KNK to collectively reinterpret and breathe new life into music.

Waterloo electro trio Kidstreet have barely started to make their mark in Toronto, but the three siblings who make up the synth-pop outfit have already inked a major licensing deal with Ford.  Rounded out by older brother Cliff on synths and guitar and younger sister Edna on piano and vocals, Kidstreet began with a different sound. They only decided on their present upbeat and uptempo direction last summer.  Kidstreet will release their debut album on Nettwerk Records this Fall.

Considered to be one of Australia’s most exciting young artists, Kim Churchill’s unique live “one-man show” will definitely blow your mind. The charming guitarist-singer-percussionist-harmonicist will bring you on a hypnotic musical journey and you will find yourself in a place where the waves are rolling and the sun is warm and shining.

KITE HILL is a string, drum, and winds band from Toronto, Canada.  It is a union of people wholly fascinated with the wonder of the world.  Songwriter and composer Ryan Carley takes active inspiration from old books, wildlife, and the rural landscape where he grew up.  Sonic inspiration is processed much more passively.  Songs, tunes, themes, drum lines, and voices of friends and family come together as a great and beautiful blended noise that continually washes over the writing of new works. Collaborators and composers Mika Posen, Steve Lappano, Anissa Hart, Tyler Belluz, and a host of friends, bring further elements to the table; causing songs to tilt and sway, and revealing surprising movements and patterns.  As such, Kite Hill wanders in and out of diverse musical territory, drawing lines through the borders of baroque pop, instrumental, and world music.

Having travelled across the country several times, the long silence of the Canadian wilderness resonates strongly in the music Klarka Weinwurm. Originally from the Greater Toronto Area, Weinwurm has been moving around the country sharing her songs on streets and stages before making her way to the Martimes. Klarka’s debut EP (Gooseberry Records)– labeled with the creative title EP – is full of the type of songs you’d expect to hear after a late night when the sun starts to creep over the horizon and only your closest friends are left around. From her simple pondering to her broaders strokes, each song bares an inherent loneliness at it's core. The honesty and fragility revealed over a few spare strums aren’t something you share with a stranger. Her Stripped down aproach adds another layer to this aesthetic as her voice is left to warmly resonate over the gently strummed chords of her ukulele...

Hi,We're a HipHop band from Taiwan. Our music is inspired by Taiwan traditional music elements. We bring samples of Taiwanese folk songs and traditional music elements and mix them in HipHop to create a very unique sound. Through our music, you can hear the voices of Taiwan.

Weaving together intricate movements, emotive melodies and subtle timbres of haunting aggression, Kuato crafts each song of their repertoire into an instrumental opus. Taking their cue from post-rock pioneers such as Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Pelican and Do Make Say Think, the Halifax-based band meticulously sculpts their music into life-life sonic narratives that pulsate and breathe with every note.

“Get out of bed now, it’s time to get going.” Lake Names’ debut EP, Echo, is music to make breakfast to. Its four glowing pop songs portray reverb soaked carefree vibes. With a suitcase full of white t-shirts, Lake Names provide the perfect soundtrack to your summer road trip.

Since their beginning in 1999, the Montreal rock band Les Breastfeeders never stopped surprising their crowds. Renowned for their intense and incredible live performance, this rock monster will prove to everyone, here and beyond, that rock’n’roll is still up and alive.

4 kids from the middle of the North American continent making modern music for people living in the past. Les Jupes' debut album Modern Myths is "as epic as it is primal and as stirring as it is sad and introverted".  (The National Post)

Library Voices is a seven piece pop collective from Regina, Saskatchewan. Blending tremolo soaked guitars with analog synths, vintage organs, circuit bent electronics, accordion, saxophone, strings, theremin, Tenori-on, and glockenspiel, their songs play out like an AM radio jingle; mixing the best of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and today.

Garage-rock on Valium. You can dance to it, but in that sloppy sort of way your mom was dancing towards the end of your sister's wedding reception.

Megan Bonnell is an impressionist. Her melodies and piano compositions create a dream-like image of moments that once were. Her lyrics are the warm, pastel colors of the scene itself that tell the listener that they too, were there. She unifies folk and pop with her catchy, yet honest songs about nature, relationships, and love.

Was I the Wave? is the long-awaited sophomore offering from Montreal musician and producer Miracle Fortress (Graham Van Pelt). Miracle Fortress gained international recognition in 2007 for his debut album Five Roses, a unique collection of psychedelic shoegazey-pop that garnered high praise from numerous outlets. The Guardian gave it five stars and called it “gorgeous from start to finish,” Spin proclaimed “Montreal’s latest revelation is a pure pop pick me up” with four stars; and the Montreal Gazette called it “an indie-rock / synth-pop masterpiece,” bestowing five stars. Indeed, it became a much-loved record with something of a cult-following, for those in the know. It was also short-listed for Canada’s Polaris Prize that year, alongside Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible and Feist’s The Reminder.

As a 20 year-old singer-songwriter from Waverley, Nova Scotia, Mo Kenney is already captivating audiences with songs enfolding thoughtful lyrics, delivered with an inviting and warm voice, accompanied by strong, compelling guitar work.

A young singer songwriter whose clear, uncluttered delivery draws  an audience in with carefully crafted lyrics and melodic maturity.  Her second CD, Beauty Queen will delight people who know her from her first award nominated album, Through The Static.  Molly, with unselfconscious directness,  reminds us eloquently of the bittersweet tug at the heart we've all felt.

With four critically-acclaimed releases, multiple music videos, North American and European touring under his belt, over a decade of performances and a feature on the latest album of UK Hip Hop band The Herbaliser, Toronto MC, Producer and DJ More Or Les is a Hip Hop triple threat.

They may call Bloomington, Indiana, home, but since their 2000 formation, Murder by Death have been a band without musical borders. Theirs is a world where Old West murder ballads mingle with rock-injected Western classicism; where an album’s sequencing can take listeners from a haunted back alley in rural Mexico to a raucous Irish pub. All of which is to say, Murder by Death albums don’t just string together songs; they create experiences. With their fifth album (and second for Vagrant), Good Morning, Magpie (04/06/10), Murder by Death continue the tradition of border expansion that drove career standouts like 2006’s In Bocca al Lupo and 2008’s Red of Tooth and Claw. The difference, however, is that this time, the band literally went off the map to get there.

Described by Halifax's music magazine The Coast as an “insanely likable trio” with “insanely catchy” songs, No Flyers Please makes you get down whether you want to or not. Live shows are a constant dripping sweat-fest of infectious bass, quirky hooks, and the danciest of beats. NFP's fans are known to rip off their tops in efforts to seduce the band into playing until sheer exhaustion. Following last summer's return from hiatus and the release of a 6-track self titled EP, No Flyers Please have quickly become the new mustard on the sandwich of life. Dale Boudreau plays guitar, Isaac Hansen plays bass, Michelle Skelding plays drums, and everybody sings.

No Joy met in a White Castle parking lot after chugging 40s of O.E. If you don't know what that is then you probably don't like No Joy. After discussing their love for Easy-E, NWA, and Sunn O))) these 4 rambunctious pre-teens decided to start a band. They soon realized they sucked but no one seemed to realize and now they're are famous! Contrary to popular belief, there are no women in No Joy - just four stinky dudes.

Bringing forth a unique blend of aggression and melody, Obsydian have smashed their way to the top of metal heap in the region. These young musicians have been very successful in combining the sounds that they grew up to and the natural talent they were born with, creating something urgent, powerful, and necessary.

Ohbijou return with their third album: Metal Meets. Their second release, Beacons, garnered international attention and chart-topping songs, and propelled headlining tours through Asia, Europe and North America. Metal Meets cements Ohbijou’s status as one of the most important bands at work in Canada. The album is the band’s most mature and creative offering. Conceptually, Ohbijou draws on geographies populated by rumbling volcanoes, deep lakes and haunted waterfalls, metals torn from damp earth, and dark desires usually uncommitted to words. Each song is housed in a matrix of experimental effects and timbres, and layered atop are Casey Mecija’s moody, tender vocals. Ohbijou has come of age, and their adulthood is more precocious and imaginative than their youth.

Old And Weird is a brand new pop-rock band in Halifax formed by Hannah Guinan (bass), Allison Higgins (guitar), Sandi Rankaduwa (drums), and Danika Vandersteen (guitar and main vocals). They are managed begrudgingly by a misogynistic and racist cat named Richard. They hope to record a full-length album soon.

O&AL are not your average folk band. Their unique brand of folk is part gypsy caravan, chamber ensemble, honky tonk jukebox, and baroque choir. Influenced by her memories of Communist Poland and by the country’s folklore, Olenka investigates themes of social injustice and personal responsibility.

With this deep scope of influences to their music Orchid’s Curse creates an intense and brutal music that at the same time sparks the imagination of the brain. Over the past few years Orchid’s Curse has had the pleasure of  sharing the stage with such artists as:   Martyr, Cancer Bats, Beneath the Massacre, Ion Dissonence, 3 Inches of Blood, Fuck the Facts, Vilipend,  Neuraxis, L’Espirit du Clan, Trigger Effect, Ninjaspy, Greber and many others.

OUTTACONTROLLER is a newly formed band from Halifax, N.S. that has been described as a hybrid between the Ramones and Weezer. Prior to playing their first show, the band released a three song demo “Power Out.” This demo caught the attention of P-trash records, which will release OUTTACONTROLLER’S debut LP in the winter of 2011.

The Paper Beat Scissors live show is an intense and intimate experience. Solo finger-picked laments are paired with live loops and a haunting voice that slips into the music, then darts back out to pull the listener in.

Papermaps (formerly EX~PO) blends elements of indie rock, art rock, experimental, shoegaze and electronica while maintaining strong pop sensibilities.  Based on their energetic live show, the band is often compared to acts as varied as the Shins, Big Star, Spoon, Radiohead, Roxy Music and MGMT.

Red Velvet Snow Ball was recorded in a much different setting than the festive full-length that came before it, however. Starting a few months prior to the fall 2010 release of Beauregard, Pepper Rabbit toured North America several times over—including legs with the likes of Passion Pit, Freelance Whales, Ra Ra Riot and Givers—and tracked new songs in two-week spurts at Ryan Hadlock’s secluded barnyard studio.

It’s not easy to label the kind of music Plants and Animals make, but it’s easy for it to feel instantly familiar. Maybe that’s because they record to tape, and their records sound like they could have been made in 1972. But for all their analog warmth, it’s also impossible to deny how raw and recent the songs sound, and harder still to find anything else that sounds quite the same. Plants and Animal have performed at countless festivals and circled the globe touring more than a few times. Anyone who has seen the trio perform live knows that their big sound isn’t some kind of studio wizardry. The band is just finishing up their third studio album, to be released in 2012. Halifax Pop Explosion will be one of their first performances after wrapping up in the studio so expect some new songs to bust out.

Kingston, Ontario's quick-rising duo, PS I Love You, delivers soaring rock anthems. A relentless listen that grips and pulls the listener through squalling Marshall feedback, searing solos, rising melodies and rock-steady beats.

Do you like punk? Do you like karaoke? If so we've got you covered. Muster up some courage and come sing your favourite punk songs backed by a live band. IF YOU DARE.

Three friends tying songs into tiny piles, trying to squeeze something out of a minute and a bit of melody, wanting to adopt you as an accepting member of their family.

Quivers can't speak french because of the flaws in the Canadian educational system but they do read Alfred Jarry, Comte de Lautreamont and Antonin Artaud so you will probably still like them.  Halifax guitar pop with lazy turns of phrases and slack theatrics that shine brighter than a burning couch up the street from your house.

Racoon Bandit are a folk-rock quartet quickly gaining steam in the non-steam era. With many accolades to their name these Island lads are recording their first full length record and planning an early winter tour.

Out of the foggy banks of Yarmouth, NS, Rain Over St. Ambrose emerges with powerful melodies, good old-fashioned rock n’ roll fun, and pop-rock anthems.

We all go through changes, from one beautiful dream to another - Rape Faction won't hurt you - unless you want them too. They belong to the lush and luxurious paradise that is fabricated by their own, Notre-Dame-du-Grace; of the romantic Montreal, QC. It is a sonic-ly balanced force that could charm or abraide, transcend or degrade. Rape Faction will polarize you.

RatTail are a three piece rock outfit from Toronto, Ontario Canada formed in the spring of 2009.  RatTail is Jasmyn Burke (Hot Monogamy) on guitar and vocals, backed by Jesse Matthews (the Strag) who plays the drums, and makes the visuals, and Tim Fagan (We're Marching On) on bass duties. Toronto's Unfamiliar Records released RatTail's limited edition (300 copies George Mounsey 7" in late spring 2010. Which was followed by a long summer tour all across Canada. Since then they have been hard at work writing new material and are set to release an album for October 2011.

Relic's live performance brings a soulful yet hard hitting dynamic to the stage. From melodic singing hooks to thought provoking wit in his rhyme schemes, Relic moves the crowd like an emcee should. With influences ranging from Big Daddy Kane to Black Thought, Relic is a refreshing dose of both old and new school hip hop.

Repartee’s music has been described as ‘the kind of music that allows you to let loose while dancing, without giving a f*** about how foolish you look’ (the Muse). They play keyboard-based pop with elements of gritty rock, and have been compared to You Say Party, In Flight Safety, and Handsome Furs.

Reversing Falls make explosive pop music. A Montreal based trio fueled by distorted guitars, anthemic melodies and the steady tick of an MPC 1000. File under: "Riffwave / Post-90's"

On a mission to create a euphoric communal experience, Rich Aucoin writes music with emphasis on the feelings and happiness that it creates. On his upcoming album, “We're All Dying To Live: Public Publication EP/Over The Top! LP”, Aucoin has created an anthemic pop record, breaking the barriers between audience and performers, inviting everyone to create this lush-yet simplistic, electro-pop music together.

Rituals sound can be described as lo-fi, psychedelic, 90's nostalgia, shoegaze, pop punk (aka "Dream Punk"). After graduating from art school in Halifax, NS, Canada Adam Seward moved to Toronto where he began recording, producing and writing his own material. He began stock piling songs on a four-track tape machine he decided that he had enough material to begin a new project. Rituals took it's current shape when Matt Bourassa ( Ex-Sailboats Are White) and Leon Tehany (Germans, ex- Sebastian Grainger and The Mountains, and Polaris Prize winner for production of Final Fantasy’s debut album He Poo’s Clouds) joined to help write and perform the new material as Rituals.

It's in spring 2007 that Rome Romeo was born from the ashes of the punk band Fifth Hour Hero, who's entire catalog was released under the very respected No Idea record label. Quickly, ex-members from renown Quebecois rock band such as Le Nombre, Les Marmottes Aplaties and Dirty Tricks joined the line-up to complete the group. In fall 2008, Rome Romeo recorded the entire material that would complete their first self-titled EP, out on the brand new Montreal Machette record label. Incorporing punk, soul and indie-rock, Rome Romeo is rising above the music genre their band members where previously associated with, only to show their undeniable talent to write catchy songs and to create an original new sound in today's Quebec music scene.

When most kids their age were riffling through college textbooks, the guys of Sandman Viper Command were riffling through their parents dusty record collections. Hailing from Hamilton, ON, these four best friends (Rob Janson, Aaron Harvey, Dan Reardon, Matt Meyer) isolated themselves for six months in a barn on the outskirts of town with producer, Dave King to make debut album, Everybody See This - a blend garage pop and guitar fuzz rock in one sonically moving album. Their tight performance chops have earned them opening spots for the likes of Holy Fuck, The Arkells, The Rural Alberta Advantage, and more. 2011 will see the band cross Canada touring their 7-inch release and cashing in on the many years of obsessive songwriting and compulsive jamming.

We’ll be bringing you some cool secret plays from Halifax Pop Explosion headliners in venues you wouldn’t normally get to see them in. Stay tuned to our social media channels for details or just show up - you won’t be let down.

Named by SPIN as one of "7 Undiscovered Bands Worth a Listen" to, Sex With Strangers has been gaining international momentum thanks to their feverish live shows and sophisticated dance anthems. They are performing at CMW and SXSW this Spring in advance of their upcoming album "Frontier Justice".

She Kills was a metal hardcore band from Halifax, Nova Scotia that was formed in the summer of 2003 after the break up of the bands Flesh Made To Suffer and Tomorrows Demise. The band played a style of metal and hardcore that now has been coined metalcore but the best comparisons would be to bands like At the Gates, Unearth and Darkest Hour. The bands first show was in December of 2003. She Kills became a big draw through out the Maritime provinces and ended up being the token local band for support of most international tours that would come through the area. The band self released 3 song CD to support a Canadian tour with Bleeding Through in the spring of 2004, as well as a the 5 song EP titled ‘The Beginning EP’ in the fall of 2005 before their attempt at a first full North American Tour that ended half way due to reoccurring van problems. The band played their final show on New Years day 2006 and a reunion show in December of 2006. The band had many member changes, which left only two original members Andrew Waite (guitar) and Ryan Greeley (vocals) at the end. The band has featured over 11 members from pretty much every band from the area during that time which included prominent Halifax bands Risky Business, Envision, and Useless Solution. The current line up consists of Adam Hawkins, Andrew Waite, Jesse Resk, Ryan Greeley and Ryan Waite.

Sheer Agony began as a recording project between the guitar-playing half of Play Guitar, Jackson MacIntosh and Christian Simmons. Along with Markus Lake on bass, they play eccentric guitar pop in the vein of the Soft Boys, the dB’s, Sell Out-era Who, Todd Rundgren, and the Homosexuals.

World traveler, collaborator, under-dog, hard-working man, Shotgun Jimmie stakes his claim for the hearts and minds of millions with Transistor Sister. A much anticipated addition to a growing discography, following the solo debut The Onlys (Delorean) in 2007 (featuring the CBC Radio 3 and college radio chart-topping single “Bedhead”), and the much loved Attack in Black backed Still Jimmie (You’ve Changed) in 2009, Transistor Sister sounds a new confidence in Shotgun Jimmie, a confidence earned by the mile, by train or by busted up mini-van, on countless Canadian crossings and a couple of recent tours overseas.

Skip Jensen (Scat Rag Boosters, Demon’s Claws, etc.) is a well respected contributer to the rockin’ garage scene in Montreal, known for his own unique brand of stripped down punky, blues soaked rock n’ roll. Skip started his recording career by forming the well-known Montreal garage rock trio Scat Rag Boosters. The band released a baker’s dozen of vinyl 7 »s on labels like Flying Bomb, Solid Sex Lovie Doll, Savage, Yakisakana and a host of others from Canada to France. Skip had also been recording himself at home for some years, but in 2001 while he was still releasing records with more established bands, he decided to start recording himself more seriously. He and fellow Booster Edouard Larocque had a couple of side projects going like the Stack O’ Lees and the Wrong Doers but there were still a bunch of songs he had written that just didn’t seem to fit in anywhere. And so, Skip Jensen was born… In the following years he never stopped playing, touring Europe, China, United States and Canada. He came back to Montreal with some new hot stuff and recorded The Sipirt Of The Ghost, one of his best and most achieved records.

Having rocked the bar many times, Skratch Bastid is now ready to raise it. The Bastid has become one of Canada’s most in-demand DJs and respected producers but don’t think it happened overnight.  From his humble beginnings a decade ago as a teenager in Halifax- pumping out mixtapes from his bedroom and earning a loyal following already back then- he slowly spread his skills first at DJ competitions like DMC, ITF, and Scribble Jam and now around Canada and the world as a widely recognized go-to guy for party-rocking. The illest redhead on turntables has since gone viral. Seriously, youtube that shit.

At once classic and inventive, the unique song-craft and sensibility listeners come to expect from Snailhouse takes genres both new and old and weaves them into something that can never be listened to the same way twice.

This seven person hip-hop band combines the best elements of 90’s era hip-hop with dance, disco and rock styles for an exciting genre-bending performance that is guaranteed to make you shake what your mother gave you.

Southern Shores live is an experiment in dynamics, an expansion of the sound presented on record. With the addition of Paul Conrod on guitar/keys and Seamus Dalton on drums, Southern Shores in concert will take your mind to far away places while keeping your feet planted firmly on the dance floor.

DX7, paper maché, rubberband guitar strings, Hall & Oates, My Bloody Valentine, Geddy Lee, piano forte and a pair of 3D contact lenses... "Welcome to the House of Food!"

Love and death have always been the twin engines of the popular song: the pursuit of love and the mourning of its passing; the havoc death wreaks upon love; love’s survival in the aftermath of death; death as metaphor for the loss of one’s identity to the consumptive power of love... Few bands of recent times have understood this as completely as Stars. And fewer bands still have so eloquently articulated, in words and in melodies, the seemingly countless ways love and death fill our days and rule our lives. Ten years after singer-lyricist Torquil Campbell and keyboardist Chris Seligman conceived of Stars in a decrepit New York apartment, one can listen back through the band’s discography and hear dozens of songs that find new ways to contemplate these ancient, ageless subjects

Suuns are a band from Montreal who play stark, restrained, minimal, and intensely loud music.  The live show can take you through a variety of different emotions and leave you either tearing the arm off your neighbor's shirt or dancing in circles to the motorik beat.

To be announced! Stay tuned to Website and Facebook for most recent schedule updates and changes.

A lot of things can happen in university; a degree, a career direction... Or a killer rock and roll band. Ditching classes for the big stage, former Ottawa University music students Jacquie Neville, Liam Jaeger and Neville’s kid brother, Stephen joined forces to form super trio, The Balconies. Fast forward to 2009 when the band released their self-titled debut album stuffed to the brim with adorable and painstakingly catchy pop rock and roll. In addition to numerous successes to-date, the band most recently received 2nd place at Ottawa’s reputable Big Money Shot contest earning them high fives from their hometown and funding for an upcoming 2011 album release. The Balconies have shared the stages with the likes of Mother Mother, Juliette Lewis, and Land of Talk and on festival stages including Ottawa Bluesfest, North by Northeast, Canadian Music Fest, and Pop Montreal.

Stadium, blood stirring, uplifting rock that weaves its way through sounds influenced by early U2 and Editors. A band hailed by NME, Hotpress and the BBC as one of Northern Irelands hardest working, rising acts.

Halifax/Fredericton based band The Belle Comedians' music can be hard to define; a hybrid sound encapsulating alt-country, folk and indie rock tendencies, whilst simultaneously adding an original sheen. Heartfelt yet intricate songwriting centers around singer Benjamin Ross, who carries strong melodies alongside the fury of Scott Mallory's guitar playing, the tight-as-a-whip intensity of Adam Guidry's drums, the eerie bounce of Dan Tweedie's keys and the throbbing backbone of Owen Steel's bass. Songs like "Stop to Rust" build from somber, intimate beginnings to huge, atmospheric finishes, "Without A Sound" and "Long Drive Home" showcase the band's keen pop sensibilities, and the drunken-like fray of "Loaded Bones" is in a category all its own. Combining the passion and total individuality of each member, together they create something truly unique.

As Kentucky’s The Black Shades tell it, they formed out of sheer necessity. In their own “wild minds” they like to reveal a little about their origins with this tale: “Jack White and David Bowie got together over a dinner of boiled goose (prepared by Julian Casablancas) and asked that fate bring Aaron Clark, Michael Dean, Michael Thomas, and Jerry Kessinger together in order to create the indie-dance-pop tunes that so many folks are pining for these days.” And thus, The Black Shades were formed, and lucky for us, they aren’t afraid of killer sideburns, healthy doses of pop rock swagger and some sexy prancing.

The Blackrats are here to put the fun back into rock n' roll. Formed 2004 but have only evolved into their current style 2 years ago. They transcend traditional rockabilly a by adding a mix of swing, jazz and garage rock guaranteed to make you move. With songs about all your favourite monsters and them oh so loveable zombies how can you go wrong. So get Ready for a bone shaking toe tapping good time!

The name The Crackling refers to songwriter Kenton Loewen's favorite sound, the sound of burning. From gentle taps of smoking wood, to violent sparks of exploding pine cones and falling branches, the sounds evoked from the idea of crackling set the tone of the album. This album is about the sounds of change, natural and flowing or sudden and vigorous, but above all haunting and honest.

The Darcys combine explosive, emotive indie rock with prog noise and dynamics. Cascading over audiences with layered vocals, feedback loops, Rhodes keys and shimmering shoe-gaze guitar, it’s easy to see why The Toronto Star insists their act is on its way to becoming “one of the best in the country.”

The Daredevil Christopher Wright are three modest dudes from the Midwest creating a sound that is wrapped in a beach towel on a warm summer day while still covered with the dust of Grandpa's old phonographs; a wayward version of The Beach Boys seated in the passenger's seat of Sufan Stevens' convertible.

The Deadly Hearts cram all the great music of the 20th century into one tequila-soaked rock n' roll dancin' party! Exotic blues, dirty R&B, desperate rockabilly, heartbroken country, garage, punk, I don't know, Hawaiian music? It's good, okay?

This Hip Hop duo brings a fresh blend of killer hip hop, jazz and soul to the stage, combining both live recordings, instruments, turntables, gnarly VST’s, and dusty sample-laden beats from the MPC. Toronto based producer extraordinaire, Fresh Kils, and Halifax Hip Hop megatron, Uncle Fester, are The Extremities.

Self loathing party animals sing garage punk songs about drinking too much, smoking too much, eating too much and aging too much. The Graboids live show is alcohol fueled and as chaotic as possible using all bodies in attendance as potential props. They have released 2 EP’s and continue to keep a close connection to the cult classic that is their namesake. Stealing as much as possible from their influences in The Ramones, The Dead Kennedy’s and Black Flag, The Graboids continue to write catchy songs that will be trapped inside your little head for years to come. The Graboids are a wild party.

Following the path of Canadian metal heroes Cryptopsy, Despised Icon, Gorguts, THE LAST FELONY are enhancing the technical side of extreme death metal since their formation in 2005.Combining the speed and catchiness of new school death, the grooves and brutality of old school death, the dark atmosphere of black metal and a dose of deathcore to complete their signature sound, THE LAST FELONY has created an uncompromising sound which will crush any doubts about them creating a new wave of Quebec-grown insanity.

Canadian fuzz pedal hoarders. UK press darlings/label victims. American mightabeens. Imagine the Beach Boys as Black Sabbath. Imagine your life dedicated to partying. Healthy living experts. New album available on the internet.

The Motorleague are simply put the anthem to every asshole boss, or shitty break up you've ever had. While straddling the line between Rock & Roll and punk rock - they've become the spokes-band of the call-centre generation.

The Nuclear a power pop punk rock rock'n'roll trio. On stage the band plows through songs about love, UFOs, Awkwardness and break-ups, all at steady speed and loud volume. If Tom Petty was a Ramone or if Aerosmith had sex with Paul McCartney, you'd get The Nuclear.

Imagine if The Ramones traded in their leather jackets for anoraks, or Stephen Pastel actually threw Aggi off the bridge and married Black Tambourine's Pam Berry and had four babies that formed a pop band in 2007. Meet The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, a New York five-piece who plays dreamy, noisy pop with boy/girl vocals, blissful melodies and blistering drums.

Mississauga's The Paint Movement mixes elements of rock, pop and soul and melds them into unique songs, which shift between male and female vocals, while steeped altogether in collective chants. With a recently released self-titled debut LP, this six-piece collective translates their music into a hauntingly energetic live show.

The Provincial Archive (Edmonton) is an folk-informed pop project. With a penchant for arrangement and an ever-growing collection of instruments, the archive overloads the stage and sings from tight quarters: be ready to hear banjos, upright bass, and synthesizers together at long last.

The Rural Alberta Advantage's percussive folk songs about hometowns and heartbreak, and relentless tradition of touring have taken the trio from humble recognition amongst indie rock die-hards as "Canada's best unsigned band" to devoted fans around the world.

The Shakedown Combo is an original, uptempo high energy Rockabilly/Rockin' Blues band with Hot Slappin', Beat Whackin' Twang for this century!  Put your cat clothes on and step out rockin' with Canada's Top Rockabilly Act!

Led by Andrew Collins the Skeletones Four are rooted in classic pop sensibilities, which turn out sounding rather weird in translation; at the end of some through line between the Beach Boys, Booker T. and the MGs, the Gories, and Giorgio Moroder, you’ll find the S4, quietly tuning up. When Collins brings his song ideas to band mates Evan Gordon, Jordan Howard, and John Merritt, things get fuzzy and explosive, with unusual time signatures, ping ponging guitars, and ghostly vocal harmonies bubbling together to form their idiosyncratic, startlingly super-charged sound.

The Spring Standards are an energetic force of three-part harmony circling over a rock n' roll sound with an old country aftertaste. From small towns to big cities, they explode on stage with spirit, spontaneity, and a style all their own. MTV's John Norris says "They willingly embrace dissonance, and their execution is impeccable, from their tight, CSN-worthy vocal harmonies to their wickedly intense percussive power."

"They're set up like single contact points, the full space between, arcing electricity. And the atmosphere is, electric. Lightness in the stomach, hair all stood on edge… This is good. And the synergy! Like opposite poles of a magnet, creating the aforementioned effect on the crowd. And symmetry, in every way; a complementariness which presents no matter by what facet you consider: Boy, girl. Guitar, drums. Standing, seated. Male, female. Mobility, stability. Melody, percussion. Lightening, thunder. Yin, yang. Rhythm & blues. Rock n' roll… Absolute symmetry. These two have somehow managed to create between them, and by extension, us, an experience. How rare. Only, whereas those would try, these two, do."

What the fuck is The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt? Think band meets Halloween, meets group therapy, meets gym class... and it rules!  An extremely audience-engulfing spectacle complete with massive light show, costumes for everyone, sing alongs, and the occasional light saber battle. An opportunity to prove to people that life is wonderful.

The Thermals are a post-pop-punk trio from Portland, Oregon.  They have released records on the two most classic indie labels of all time, Sub Pop and Kill Rock Stars.  Their live shows are joyous explosions of emotion and energy.  There are no beards or banjos in this band.

The Town Heroes have fully embraced the ideals of a 2- Piece rock band. Camaraderie shows in their musicianship, the song-writing highlights what they are: Two friends, playing music for the love of it, in it for the long haul.

The Trouble Shooters are a big rock 'n roll dance party with guitars, piano, and saxophones blasting vintage tone, and a rock-steady rhythm section. They have established themselves among Halifax's favorite acts with performances at The Seahorse Tavern, The Carleton, and The Paragon Theatre- as well as recent trips to Moncton, Charlottetown, Montreal, and Toronto.

The Weather Station is nothing more and nothing less than songs left to stand on their own two feet, small stories told truthfully and without pretence. Words of devastating detail and quiet wisdom – sung and played by friends – folk music that is true to itself from first to last note.

Have you reached that stage of your life when you're about 30 and have realized that things aren't really working out the way you had planned? You know what's on TV at 3:30pm, you really should take a shower and you found out you can balance a beer can on your stomach while sitting. But the thing is, you also know that the mayor must be fired, there's way too many homeless people and the radio sucks, so you head out the door. Yeah. Something like that.

Delicate tales of life masked beneath amped-up Canadiana; a songwriter's band, stirring the irreverent spirit of Neil Young in their sturdy indie-rock stride; evolved alt-country by four guys busting their ass.

Thee Oh Sees are the latest incarnation of songwriter, singer, and guitarist John Dwyer's ever-evolving pop-folk psychedelic group. Dwyer, who hails from Providence, RI, has been active on the San Francisco indie scene since the late '90s, working with several bands, including the Coachwhips, Pink & Brown, Yikes , Up Its Alive, and Swords & Sandals, among others, and he formed OCS (which is an acronym for Orinoka Crash Suite, Orange County Sound, or whatever Dwyer decided it was on any given day) initially as a vehicle for the experimental instrumentals he was producing in his home studio. In time OCS morphed into an actual band, and worked under the usual flurry of names, most notably as the Oh Sees or the Ohsees , and eventually as Thee Oh Sees, featuring Dwyer on guitar and vocals, Brigid Dawson on vocals and tambourine, Petey Dammit (sometimes listed as Petey Dammit! on bass, and Mike Shoun on drums.

Described as making music that bridges the gap between electro-pop/new wave and supercharged indie-rock, Toronto’s These Electric Lives play their own brand of “melodic dance rock”. TEL’s high energy live show consistently delivers uplifting and danceable anthems fueled by emotionally charged vocals reminiscent of The Cure’s Robert Smith.

Timber Timbre stops you. The elements are deceptively simple: a confident, but hushed voice, understated guitar, strings and keyboard flourishes, and a subtle percussive beat. Timber Timbre front man Taylor Kirk is haunted by the history of pop music.

Combining live drums, synth keys and electric guitar with soulful vocals and tight rapping TINY DANZA has a signature sound that unifies the best elements of both electronic and acoustic sounds. They hail from Toronto, Ontario and are a perfect blend of hip-hop, r&b, and party rock

Titus Andronicus sometimes disagree on what is the right thing to do. Titus Andronicus like to scream and carry on at excessive volume. Titus Andronicus like songs which are fast more than songs which are slow. Titus Andronicus think slow songs are okay sometimes. Titus Andronicus never sing about love, only hate. Titus Andronicus have no hope for the future. Titus Andronicus believe only in nothingness. Everyone in Titus Andronicus was born to die. Titus Andronicus crave your approval but will settle for your utter disdain.

Super catchy punk and powerpop cascading out of vintage fender amps. Tons of down strokes, harmonies, and guitar solos that run the gamut from Black Flag to Bakersfield country. The bands newest vinyl "Chula Vista" is out on top European garage label P Trash Records (Jay Reatard, Mean Jeans, Regulations).

Can Transfixed be trusted? Often rumored to work with unnamed collaborators, they are seldom seen in the public realm without being flanked by phalanx of technological terrors. Did they sell their souls to the machine god; or are they fighting for their vestiges of humanity? These questions are abstracted by our surreal and harsh reality. What we do know is that Transfixed is a group formed out of necessity - they hope you will join them in the voyage beyond their own minds, exploring the waning war between man kind and technology.

Listen to the Trouble Gang Mixtape by Trouble Andrew, aka Trevor Andrew, and try your hardest to find one consistent genre, either lyrically or musically. But don’t try too hard because, as Trevor “Trouble” Andrew will tell you himself, there isn’t just one. What you’re more likely to find are retro surf-metal guitar riffs, chopped ‘n’ screwed beats made famous in the streets of Houston and Andrew, the mixtape’s main vocalist/lyricist and producer, complaining about a problem the average 20-something faces daily: running out of blunts. “It offers variety,” he says over the phone from his New York City home. “I don’t expect anybody or everybody to agree on one genre or anything when they listen.”

The name might as well be a movie title: Twin Shadow in … Forget. Only it’s not a movie; it’s a panoramic LP that introduces us to the twilight zone tale of George Lewis Jr. The troubled son of a hairdresser and a “teacher who lived many lives” (semi-pro football, massage therapy, film maker and other things we’ll tell you about when you’re older), George was born in the Dominican Republic and spent his formative years in Florida. Not in a happening spot like Miami, though. Try an island that happened to be the winter home base of the Ringling Brothers’ Circus and palm tree-flanked old people.

UneXpecT is an avant-garde extreme metal band from Montreal, Canada featuring a unique amalgamation of different styles of music, including black metal, death metal, progressive metal, melodic heavy metal, classical music, dark cabaret, opera, medieval music, jazz, funk, electro, ambient, noise, gypsy music, and circus music.

Ugly old men playing ugly old music.

Dancey beats, swirling atmospheric guitars, and dynamic synths convey a wide array of moods and themes, as strong female vocals wrap stories of love and loss around catchy melodies. We Were Lovers masters a pop balance infusing electro, dreamy, rock and disco elements. Known for heart-pumping, high energy live show, this duos undeniable connection radiates from the stage pulling you straight to the dance floor.

We're Doomed is an explosive culmination of tempered skill and intelligent song-writing. A groovy yet heavy assault on progressive rock, the 4-piece Halifax-based band draws inspiration from the impending apocalypse and the human condition. With heavy riffs, syncopated rhythms, dynamic vocals, and a general disregard for the genre barriers between rock, pop and metal, We're Doomed will melt your face faster than a zombie outbreak would overrun civilization.

Whiskey Bent formed in 2008 with but 2 members (T.J Kavanaugh and Tasha Gobeil). Since then the band has grown to it full and current lineup of 5 members. Bringing together the best and worst of Punk, Country and Rock & Roll, Whiskey Bent & Hellbound have since made a strong name for themselves within the Halifax underground music scene.

WILDLIFE is five friends from Ontario - Five energetic, adventurous, youthful barbarians who held their first concert in a haunted ballroom on the Isle of Pines on the St. Lawrence River. As the name implies, Wildlife is very much a contingent of spirited Canadian mountain children.

Windom Earle is a collective of friends and musicians who play a mixture of instrumental new wave synth pop and indie rock. Currently based out of the North End in Halifax, NS, Windom Earle is comprised of Stephan MacLeod (guitar), Brad MacDougal (drums), Matt Pollard (bass), Nathan Pilon (sax), James O'Toole (guitar), and Jen Clarke (synth).

DC and Hooks are Zeds Dead. They first hooked up in 2004 and formed Mass Productions, catering to the digging in the crates sampling school of hip-hop. In the summer of 2009, the two launched their second collaboration - Zeds Dead - turning up the bpm and aiming the bass-lines at the dance-floor. Zeds Dead has since built a reputation as producers par excellence with only a handful of releases under their belt. By pulling from a vast array of source material (Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, The Moody Blues, Sublime), and molding it into their unique brand of dance-floor classics, They have established themselves as a dominant force in the EDM world and have received recognition and praise from tastemakers all over the globe. With a slew of originals and remixes set to be released in 2011, Hooks and DC show no signs of slowing down. Catch them live and you’ll know: Zeds Dead is here to stay.