Concert BReak: May 8 - 15

Last night, I was lucky enough to be a part of Beyond Robson's staff meeting at the Cambie. I had a great time, and am pleased to know we all have heads larger than 1cm tall!
...and with that, I bring you (a New Music West infused) Concert BReak.

Thursday, May 8
Here are tonight's concerts.

Friday, May 9
♦ NOFX @ Commodore: These satirical punks have been at it since the early 80's.
♦ You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Astoria: Abbotsford's dance-punksters unite with Better Friends than Lovers and Wintermitts for a Vancouver indie extravaganza.
♦ Dawntreader @ Railway Club: This bunch of locals are celebrating their album release with Cinderpop, The Top Drawers and Empire Alley.

Saturday, May 10
♦ The Dirtbombs @ Richard's: This Detroit-based band has a quasi-garage feel recently released an album called "We Have You Surrounded".
♦ The Proclaimers @ Commodore: Don't tell me you haven't done a jig on the sticky floors of the Blaneystone to the sound of "500 Miles". The fellas responsible for that jig have recently released a new single entitled "New Religion".
♦ Alpha-Baby @ Astoria: These 5 psych-pop players are on tour from Kelowna. Jon-Rae Fletcher will be along for the ride.
♦ The Orchid Highway @ Railway Club: This bunch of locals are surely Beatles fans.
♦ Baby Control @ Pub 340: These local garage-rockers will be joined by Certain Breeds and Hermatic.

Sunday, May 11
♦ KT Turnstall @ Commodore: This Scottish singer-songwriter is actually a regular Kate. She goes by KT to be different from the other rockstars.
♦ Chantel Upshaw @ The Penthouse: The Penthouse's (mostly local) Sunday selections are really quite impressive. I'm not talking about Lola or Kitty—I'm talking about singer-songwriters like the soulful Chantel Upshaw.

Tuesday, May 13
♦ CAKE @ Vogue: Did you ever want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket? Well these guys might have been the reason why.
♦ Tapes 'n Tapes @ Richard's: Minnesota's Tapes 'n Tapes are one of those band's who gained a lot their success from blogs. They have a new album out called "Walk It Off".
♦ Jesse Matheson @ Media Club: A creative and whimsical independent local.

Wednesday, May 14
♦ Atmosphere @ Commodore: Come meet MC Slug and DJ Ant. This isn't a hip-hop duo that got cut from "A Bugs Life". They have a new album out called "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S*** Gold".
♦ The Kills @ Richard's: Allison "VV" Mosshart and Jamie "Hotel" Hince are an Anglo-American indie-rock duo based out of London.
♦ NaRai @ Plaza Club: This is the second time I've had the opportunity to include NaRai in CB. A true R&B artist, NaRai is one of my new favourite local musicians.
♦ Illfit Outfit @ Bourbon: This pop group from Edmonton have some pretty interesting stuff (check out their song "Pink Bathwater"). This is their first time playing in Vancouver (they're here for New Music West), and they will be warmly welcomed by Curtis Santiago, The Kindness Kind, The No No Spots and Parachute Penguin.
♦ Jesse Dee @ Chapel Arts: Another musician from Edmonton in town for New Music West, Dee will bring Vancouver his Albertan folk.
♦ Benjamin Rogers @ Rime: It seems Ben has been pretty busy with shows right now. He'll be playing with Billy Manzik.
♦ El Perro del Mar @ Red Room: This Swedish indie-psych aritist will be joined by Lykke Li.

Thursday, May 15
♦ Tokyo Police Club @ Plaza Club: These youthful Ontario-based indie-rockers are bringing "Elephant Shells" to the west coast.
♦ Failing Esther @ Backstage Lounge: Pop-rockers from Edmonton in town for NMW.
♦ Rebekah Higgs @ TBAThe Penthouse: Another great artist you can hear floating on the online-waves of CBCr3. If you find out where this NMW show will be, share it!
♦ Grand Analog @ Crush Champagne Lounge: This is a hip-hop artist from Winnipeg. Check out the video above for one of my favourite Grand Analog tunes. Was that song in some sort of ad or something? I thought I'd seen it on TV but I can't remember where.
♦ Norah Rendell & Brian Miller @ St. James Hall: These Bowen Island-ers play Irish folk.
♦ Hot Little Rocket @ Biltmore: A rock'n'roll quartet out of Calgary.

Photo courtesy of NaRai's Myspace.