I usually love living in Toronto but every year there are a few events that just made me wish I was elsewhere – Lollapalooza, South By Southwest, any European festival…and Coachella.

As you may all know by now (by the various news reports from Stereogum and Pitchfork) that Coachella has officially announced their line-up for the 3-day festival held in Indio, California. I’m not even going to bother naming them all, so here’s the list! Damn you, California! It’s bad enough that you have unlimited sunny weather, but now this?!

Pitchfork also reports that Edmonton rapper/ex-Pitchfork writer, Cadence Weapon (a.k.a. Rollie Pemberton) has released his new album Separation Anxiety on his website as a pay-what-you-can deal, a la Radiohead. The album is basically comprised of remixes of other bands’ songs and a live cover of Chad Vangaalen’s “Mini TV’s” with the help of Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy (fantastic track; was originally released/played on a CBC Radio performance a while back). To download it either for free or for a charge, go here!

Speaking of Final Fantasy, Owen Pallett has a new video out for the fantastical track, “Horsetail Feathers” from his latest release, Plays to Please. Watch the official video here! And for an unofficial, but awesome live performance of it, click here!!

The Arcade Fire has a new song out called “Lenin” that will be part of the already amazing compilation, Dark Was The Knight. Stream the song here and read more about the compilation here.

Lenka and Meghan Hamilton will be at the Drake Hotel on Monday February 2nd. I knew about this show for a while now but had failed to mention it because I hadn’t listened to Lenka till last night…I love her now. Sorry for the late announcement! To listen to the Australian songstress yourself, check out her MySpace!

Andrew Bird was on Letterman recently. If you missed it, watch the clip here! His new album, Noble Beast is out now and he’ll be in town at the Elizabeth Theatre on April 3rd. Tickets are still on sale!

DJ extraordinaire, Steve Aoki will be stopping by as part of his tour, but not necessarily in Toronto. His two Ontario stops will include Richmond Hill on March 4th (Nava) and London on March 5th (Club Mansion).

Jon Rae Fletcher will be playing an in-store at Criminal Records on March 14th during CMW. Time is TBA though. I’ll keep you posted!

The Ting Tings’ show, as part of CMW, will be at the Mod Club on March 14th as well.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will be at The Air Canada Centre on May 7th. Prices are yet to be announced but it won’t be cheap.

Just a reminder that Neko Case tickets for her pair of April shows in Toronto are gradually selling out, so hurry up if you want to go! Opening for Case on both nights will be Crooked Fingers.

That’s it for now!

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody