Scene It! – The Usual Suspects Pick it Up

Now that’s what I am talking about! After a few weeks of having slim pickings to write about, four venues are kicking it up a notch with shows this coming weekend. Good to see a great range of music and atmosphere heading into (what we hope will be a warmer) spring.

The usual players are all making a splash this weekend. The Upstairs Club follows up this past weekend’s festivities with some of the best in local songwriters on Saturday night. From touted performers like Ken Chisholm and Alicia Penney to criminally under the radar performers like Carolyn Lionais, the nine acts make up a beautiful stew of folk music. The early start, 7pm, sounds beautiful to my old fella ears and should give the event enough time to unfold beautifully.

Governors Pub has a full weekend of plans ready to go. Thursday sees more songwriters, including Carleton Stone, Slowcoaster’s Mike LeLievre, and the outstanding Steve Fifield, getting some tunes on the go. Friday night is CBU’s Caper Radio kick off–a two floor party headlined by The Roots and Rhythm Remain and Static in Action. Saturday is Charlottetown’s The Sidewalks who last had their dancy ska machine in town during ECMAs, with local punk rockers Ricochet.

Maxwell’s closes the weekend with youting punk rock groups Winslow and Everyone Everywhere. Winslow makes their way from Montreal while Everyone Everywhere comes in from Philadelphia PA, making the trek as part of their sping tour. They are joined by And Here We Go, a local indie rock band in the vein of The Weakerthans, who I cannot endorse enough.

Taking a trip from the ordinary, the hip hop scene is making a splash on Friday night with a full blown hotel party at the Quality Inn. With some of the best local talent in Nokes, Initial, and ECMA nominees Mista Mack and Mischif, the party is going to be pumpin’ til the very early morning. Officially going from 9pm-2am, you can even arrive in style with limo service ready to pick you up and deliver you to the festivities for an extra $5.

Not as much news on the record front this week, but it’s definitely quality over quantity. Carmen Townsend has spent the last week or so in the USA at Carriage House Studios finishing the mixes on her long awaited debut. It’s been a long time coming, but I am eagerly awaiting hearing these tunes–as are many the world over. Townsend is a star in waiting.

Shows coming up? Looks like Alicia Penney (Static in Action, ex-Tom Fun) is starting a bi-weekly songwriter’s circle at Maxwell’s. Greg MacPherson dates are closing in, with more information ready to roll in the next week or so. Lots of bands are starting to book shows for the summer as well, with Maxwell’s being touring band central. Already heard from Woodbridge ON’s Permanent Bastards, who are a fantastic punk rock group, about hitting the Maxwell’s stage in July.

Til next week!