Hayes CarllWho: Hayes Carll
What: Texan singer-songwriter who found success with 2008’s Trouble In Mind and seeks to follow it up with this year’s KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) (which is US military slang for “Kiss My Ass Guys, You’re On Your Own”).
Why: Put out a record, tour it. Put out a record, tour it. That’s how it works.
When: Sunday, April 10, 2011
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (19+)
Who else: North Carolina’s Shovels & Rope – aka Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent – are opening up on this tour.
How: Tickets for the show are $13 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Hayes Carll” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, April 7.
What else: The Oklahoman has a feature piece on Carll.

Video: Hayes Carll – “She Left Me For Jesus”

Frank YangWho: PS I Love You
What: Kingston-based, ’90s-college-rock-worshipping shred-tacular duo who continue to tour the hell out of their 2010 debut Meet Me At The Muster Station.
Why: As many shows as they’ve played around town, it’s usually been in a support capacity – this time they’re headlining.
When: Thursday, April 7, 2011
Where: The Garrison in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Though it’s PSILY’s show, they risk being upstaged by the debut of Matters, formerly The D’Urbervilles.
How: Tickets for the show are $12.50 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to win PS I Love You” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Don’t worry, I won’t take the sentiment literally. Entries due before midnight, April 4.
What else: There’s features on the band at The Gateway and The Georgia Straight.

MP3: PS I Love You – “Get Over”
MP3: PS I Love You – “2012”

Ben SaundersWho: Cut Copy
What: Australian dance-rock who busted out big with their 2008 debut In Ghost Colours are now following up with Zonoscope, released back in January.
Why: Seeing as how the arrival of Spring in the northern hemisphere means the arrival of Fall in the southern, it’s as good a time as any to hop the equator and play some shows.
When: Thursday, April 7, 2011
Where: The Sound Academy in Toronto (19+)
Who else: New York up and comers Holy Ghost open things up.
How: Tickets for the show are $31.50 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to Cut Copy” in the subject line and your full name in the body and have that in to me before midnight, April 4.
What else: DCist talks to bassist Ben Browning while Esquire gets frontman Dan Whitford’s thoughts on the end of LCD Soundsystem.

MP3: Cut Copy – “Blink And You’ll Miss A Revolution”
Video: Cut Copy – “Need You Now”