Frank YangWho: Johnny Flynn
What: English folker from the same scene as Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling who’s set to achieve the same heights of superstardom as either of them, thus making the triple-bill of the three of them at The Rivoli in October 2008 a true thing of legend. Or that’s the plan, anyways.
Why: His second album Been Listening finally got a North American release last month he’s conducting a solo tour – his band The Sussex Wit are apparently staying home this time out – to promote.
When: Sunday, November 14, 2010
Where: Lee’s Palace in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Jonas and Sylvie from Evening Hymns will open up.
How: Tickets for the show are $12.50 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 Johnny Flynn” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, November 10.
What else: Mother Jones and The Dallas Observer have interviews.

MP3: Johnny Flynn – “Kentucky Pill”
Video: Johnny Flynn with Laura Marling – “The Water”
Video: Johnny Flynn – “Barnacled Warship”
Video: Johnny Flynn – “Kentucky Pill”

Timothy MurrayWho: Glasser
What: Los Angeles-based purveyor of dreamy, tribal electro-pop, solo artist Cameron Mesirow’s RIYL’s unabashedly include Bat For Lashes and Kate Bush
Why: Having released her debut album Ring back in September, she’s now ready to take her show on the road.
When: Thursday, November 11, 2010
Where: The Drake Underground in Toronto (19+)
Who else: The equally if not more-buzzy Twin Shadow is also on the bill.
How: Tickets for the show are $13 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, 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 to see Glasser” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, November 9.

MP3: Glasser – “Mirrorage”
MP3: Glasser – “Home”
Video: Glasser – “Apply”

A Drummer’s DreamFilmed in Ontario’s cottage country, A Drummer’s Dream is a documentary that gathers seven of the best drummers in the world from all musical styles and a Summer camp’s worth of students and explores the art, spirituality and joy of hitting things to a rhythm. Anyone who’s ever played with a really good drummer – or a really bad one – knows how they can make or break a musical ensemble, and even though they do make for good joke fodder their craft deserves to be celebrated.

The film screened at Hot Docs earlier this year to great reviews and has a week-long run at The Royal in Toronto starting this weekend and courtesy of the film, I’ve got a pair of passes to give away for each of four of the screenings. If you’d like to attend any of the showings on:

Nov. 7th – 7:00 PM
Nov. 7th – 9:00 PM
Nov. 9th – 9:15 PM
Nov. 11th – 7:00 PM

Then shoot me an email at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want A Drummer’s Dream” in the subject and your full name and preferred times in order in the body, I’ll give away a pair of passes in first-come, first-serve fashion.

The Globe & Mail has a review of the film.

Trailer: A Drummer’s Dream

Matt JacobyWho: Dawes
What: Los Angeles quartet whose jangly, melodic pop-rock comes with distinctly rustic overtones. Assuming that they hail from the Laurel Canyon is not unjustified, and not just because they do.
Why: Their debut album North Hills was released in August of last year and a second album is already in the can, targeted for a Spring 2011 release. So in the meantime, they may as well tour. Which is what they’re doing.
When: Monday, November 8, 2010
Where: The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto
Who else: Also on the bill are Peter Wolf Crier and Vetiver
How: Tickets are $13.50 in advance, but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got two pairs of passes to the show to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Dawes” in the subject line and your full name in the body. The contest will close at midnight, November 4.
What else: Charleston City Paper has an interview

MP3: Dawes – “Love Is All I Am”
MP3: Dawes – “When My Time Comes”

Frank YangWho: The Morning Benders
What: Bay Area power-poppers who are enjoying a pretty good year on the strength of their breakout record Big Echo.
Why: Not believing in such a thing as market saturation, they’re returning to Toronto for their sixth show of 2010 which included opening stints for Broken Bells and The Black Keys (a two-fer) and an in-store at an ice cream parlour sandwiched between headlining gigs.
When: Friday, November 5, 2010
Where: The Mod Club in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Twin Sister and Oberhofer will open things up
How: Tickets are $15 in advance, but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got two pairs of passes to the show to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want my Morning Bent” in the subject line and your full name in the body. The contest will close at midnight, November 2.
What else: The band talks to The San Jose Mercury News about their name and to eater.com about the joys of eating on the road.

MP3: The Morning Benders – “Promises”
Video: The Morning Benders – “Promises”