Scott MunnWho: Wintersleep
What: Haligonian-bred rock outfit whom no less than The Junos declared to be Canada’s best new artist in 2008. Don’t hold that against them.
Why: They’ve been through town a few times in support of this year’s Hello Hum, but each time is in a bigger room so clearly, more and more people want to see them.
When: Sunday, October 21, 2012
Where: The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto (all-ages)
Who else: The cross-Canada tour is a co-headline with Elliott Brood
How: Tickets for the show are $25.50 in advance but courtesy of Webster Media Consulting, I’ve got prize pack consisting of a pair of passes to the show and a complete Wintersleep discography – Wintersleep, Untitled, Welcome To The Night Sky, New Inheritors, and Hello Hum – on CD, with their latest coming autographed by the band. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to Wintersleep” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body, and have that to me before midnight, October 17.
What else: PopMatters has an interview with the band, and they’ve just made a new b-side entitled “Martyr” available for download from their website.

MP3: Wintersleep – “Resuscitate”

ash-official.comWho: Ash
What: Northern Irish Britpop/power-pop trio who’ve outlived pretty much all of their peers and are marking their twentieth anniversary as a band.
Why: It’s been some seven years since Ash have been here, but the aforementioned anniversary and series of special releases – most notably a triple-vinyl release of their A-Z singles series from 2009/2010 – is a good enough reason to make a visit.
When: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Where: Lee’s Palace in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Halifax’s period-correct – at least in inspiration if not age – Kestrels will support.
How: Tickets for the show are $15 in advance and go on sale this Friday at 10AM, but courtesy of LiveNation, you can beat the box office: 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 Ash” in the subject line and your full name in the body, and have that in before midnight, October 11. Winners will be notified before tickets go on sale the next morning.
What Else: The band have just digitally released a covers EP entitled Little Infinity; you can stream the whole thing on their website.

MP3: Ash – “Burn Baby Burn”

Autumn de WildeWho: Ben Folds Five
What: Pithy, piano-pounding, power-pop trio last who’ve reunited after a twelve-year hiatus, because that is what bands from the late ’90s do in 2012.
Why: Though many of their reunited contemporaries are content to just do the live thing, Ben Folds Five have already released a new album in The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind – and of course, they’re doing the live thing.
When: Monday, October 15, 2012
Where: The Kool Haus in Toronto (all ages)
Who else: Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke opens up.
How: Tickets for the show are $37.50 in advance but courtesy of LiveNation, 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 Ben Folds Five” in the subject line and your full name in the body, and have that to me before midnight, October 11.
What else: Halifax Chronicle-Herald, Toronto Sun, and NPR have features on the band.

Video: Ben Folds Five – “Do It Anyway”

Ryan RussellWho: Benjamin Gibbard
What: Though you’d think that being frontman and songwriter for Washington state indie rock fixtures Death Cab For Cutie would provide sufficient creative outlet, apparently there are some songs that demand to be released under his full, given name. These must be the really personal, emotion-baring ones.
Why: His solo debut Former Lives is out October 16 but Gibbard will preview it at a special, one-off show in Toronto a couple days prior – the rest of the tour doesn’t start until November.
When: Sunday, October 14, 2012
Where: The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto (all-ages)
Who else: Local hero Julie Doiron opens up.
How: Tickets for the show are $25.50 to $35 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got a pair of tickets to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Benjamin Gibbard” in the subject line and your full name in the body, and have that to me by midnight, October 11.

MP3: Benjamin Gibbard – “Teardrop Windows”
Stream: Benjamin Gibbard – “Something’s Rattling (Cowpoke)”

Shervin LainezWho: Savoir Adore
What: New York synth-pop duo capable of crafting some of the more sublime moments of melody you’re likely to hear anywhere.
Why: They’re about to release their long-awaited second album Our Nature on October 16 and make their long-awaited return to Toronto as part a Fall tour in support of the aforementioned album.
When: Saturday, October 13, 2012
Where: Rancho Relaxo in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Royal Canoe, Philip James, and Santah round out the bill.
How: Admission for the show is $8 at the door but courtesy of the artist, I’ve got a prize pack consisting of a pair of guest list spots for the show and a copy of Our Nature on CD. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to Savoir Adore” in the subject line and your full name in the body, and have that to me before midnight, October 11.

MP3: Savoir Adore – “Sparrow”
MP3: Savoir Adore – “Dreamers”