Ground ControlWho: Woods
What: Californian rustic psych-pop outfit and namesake of the Woodsist label.
Why: They released their latest Sun & Shade back in May and were already here in July to support, but this is their first headlining date for it.
When: Thursday, December 8, 2011
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Wet Hair open. I don’t know anything about Wet Hair, sorry.
How: Tickets for the show are $13.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got three pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want Woods” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, December 6.
What else: To mark the holidays, the band have released a cover of Vince Guaraldi’s composition from the A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack – grab it below.

MP3: Woods – “To Clean”
MP3: Woods – “Rain On”
MP3: Woods – “Christmas Time Is Here”
Video: Woods – “To Clean”

Frank YangWho: Nicole Atkins
What: Jersey girl singer-songwriter who released her terrific second album (and second terrific album) Mondo Amore back in January
Why: Though the toured through in support of the record with her band The Black Sea back in February, she’s doing an intimate solo tour to close out the year.
When: Saturday, December 3, 2011
Where: The Drake Underground in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Local singer-songwriter Megan Bonnell opens things up.
How: Tickets for the show are $15 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 Nicole Atkins” in the subject line and your full name in the body, and have that in to me before midnight, December 1.
What else: Nicole just released a holiday single cover of “Little Drummer Boy” and her free live EP …’Til Dawn is still available to download.

MP3: Nicole Atkins – “Vultures”
Video: Nicole Atkins – “Vultures”

Frank YangWho: White Rabbits
What: Brooklyn indie-rockers who made a splash a few years back with their Britt Daniel-produced and -influenced album It’s Frightening
Why: That album title might also reflect their state of mind in trying to follow it up, hence their opting to tour rather than put out a new record. Maybe they’re road-testing new material. Yeah, that’s it.
When: Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern (19+)
Who else: Fellow New Yorkers Arms are along for the ride.
How: Tickets for the show are $15 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 White Rabbits” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, November 28.

MP3: White Rabbits – “Percussion Gun”
Video: White Rabbits – “Percussion Gun”

FacebookWho: Find The Others
What: Musical project built around CBC radio personality Andy Sheppard’s virtuostic acoustic guitar that incorporates sound collage and contributions from guest artists ranging from Snowblink to Isabella Rossellini. Yes, that Isabella Rossellini.
Why: Their self-titled debut was released at the start of the month and the multi-sensory live experience has been touring eastern Canada.
When: Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Where: Hugh’s Room in Toronto (all-ages)
How: Tickets for the show are $17 in advance but courtesy of Webster Media Consulting, I’ve got a pair of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to Find The Others” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, November 28.
What else: Uptown, The StarPhoenix, and The Montreal Gazette talk to Sheppard about the project

Video: Find The Others – “In Time”
Video: Find The Others – “And The Bells They Rang”
Video: Find The Others – “Sons And Daughters”
Stream: Find The Others / Find The Others

Frank YangWho: Austra
What: Latest and greatest electro-infused, divinely-named incarnation of Toronto scene fixture Katie Stelmanis.
Why: The Polaris-shortlisted Feel It Break has won fans internationally and kept her on the road for most of the year, without a hometown performance since the record release show back in May. This fixes that.
When: Thursday, December 1, 2011
Where: The Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Austra labelmates Young Galaxy and Austra bandmates Tasseomancy fill out the bill.
How: Tickets for the show are $18 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 see Austra” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, November 27.
What else: The Vancouver Sun, The Star Phoenix and Planet S have profiles of Austra.

MP3: Austra – “Lose It”
MP3: Austra – “Beat & The Pulse”
Video: Austra – “Lose It”
Video: Austra – “Beat & The Pulse”