Bil ZelmanWho: Rogue Wave and Midlake
What: Rangy Californian power-pop merchants and dusty Texan folk-rock throwbacks team up for a bill that’s all about value.
Why: Rogue Wave are working the peppy, electronically-enhanced Permalight from this past Spring and Midlake released the determinedly mid-tempo The Courage Of Others back in February
When: Friday, September 24, 2010
Where: The Opera House in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Minnesotan up-and-comers Peter Wolf Crier round out the bill
How: Tickets are $19.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got five pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see a Rogue Wave on the Midlake” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 21.
What else: Revue interviews Tim Smith of Midlake, who just rolled out a new video over at Stereogum.

MP3: Rogue Wave – “Good Morning”
MP3: Midlake – “Acts Of Man”

Abbey DruckerWho: School Of Seven Bells
What: New York outfit working the time-honoured two-twin-sister and one boyfriend formula to create heady and gorgeous dream-pop
Why: Having toured their debut Alpinisms relentlessly but not having been back to Toronto since last October, their sophomore effort Disconnect From Desire finally gives them the excuse to return
When: Wendesday, September 15, 2010
Where: The Mod Club in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Highly-touted locals Bishop Morocco and highly-touted Los Angelenos Active Child round out the bill
How: Tickets for the show are $20 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, I have two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to attend School Of Seven Bells” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 12.
What else: The Fader has got videos from an acoustic session with the band

MP3: School Of Seven Bells – “Windstorm”
MP3: School Of Seven Bells – “Babelonia”

FacebookWho: Dirty Projectors
What: Critically-acclaimed but polarizing Brooklyn collective known for their musical and vocal prowess and willingness to show it off
Why: If the impending September 26 re-release of 2009’s Bitte Orca in double-disc deluxe form isn’t reason enough to tour, then I don’t know what is
When: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Where: The Opera House in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Vermont-based, Sub Pop-signed Happy Birthday support
How: Tickets for the show are $24.50 in advance but courtesy of Domino Records and Union Events, I have a grand prize consisting of a pair of passes to the show and a copy of the deluxe edition Bitte Orca on CD and two additional pairs of passes to the show to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to be a Dirty Projection” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 12.
What else: The Washington Post talks to Dirty Projectors main man David Longstreth.

MP3: Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move”
MP3: Dirty Projectors – “Useful Chamber”

Nacho AlegreWho: Mystery Jets
What: British five-piece known partly for having frontman Blaine Harrison’s dad in the band and partly for putting out catchy rock that’s a little bit psych, a little bit new wave and a whole lot catchy
Why: They’re making a very short visit to North America in support of this year’s new album Serotonin with dates in just Los Angeles, New York and Toronto
When: Monday, September 13, 2010
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Up-and-coming Kingston, Ontario noisemakers PS I Love You
How: Tickets for the show are $17.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts I have two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to ride the Mystery Jets” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 9.

MP3: Mystery Jets – “Dreaming Of Another World”
MP3: Mystery Jets – “Flash A Hungry Smile”

Frank Yang
Who: The Dø
What: French-Finnish duo covered hereabouts back in May who are impossible to pigeonhole and just as hard to resist
Why: Released in France to wide acclaim in 2008, their debut A Mouthful was released in North America this past May – they are touring to support
When: Saturday, September 11, 2010
Where: The Mod Club in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Local singer-songwriter Allie Hughes previews songs from her debut album, due out next year
How: Tickets for the show are $15.00 in advance, but courtesy of Embrace and The Musebox, I have one grand prize consisting of a pair of passes to the show, a copy of The Dø’s A Mouthful on CD and a copy of Allie Hughes’ self-titled EP and two secondary prizes of a pair of passes each to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to do The Do” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body, and have that in to me before midnight, September 8.

MP3: The Dø – “At Last”
Video: The Dø – “At Last”