MERCURY LOUNGE OTTAWA Thursday May 28th 22:00pm with DJ Trevor Walker

Kathleen Edwards played for the troops in Afghanistan recently. “Troops on the base enjoyed a festive celebration and in addition to receiving treats from the man in the red suit, they were entertained by Canadian comedian Mike Macdonald and Ottawa singer Kathleen Edwards.” Whoa. That girl must have balls the size of China to go down there. I guess she was well protected though. Much respect to her. Don’t forget the following shows and venues:

CKUT Montreal and The Goods are holding a New Years Eve bash at La Sala Rossa. The GOODS, started in August of 2002 by Scott C and Andy Williams to provide a warm alternative to the average Montreal night out. The GOODS only mandate is great music, whether it’s known, forgotten, or yet to be discovered. With one foot planted firmly in the past, and the other moving forward to the future, some guests have included Keb Darge, Mr. Scruff, DJ Spinna, A Man Called Warwick, Quantic, Moonstarr, Tom Thump, Jason Palma, DJ Kobal, Philarmonix, Mr. Attic, Heavyweight Art Installations, Mark de Clive Lowe, Bembe Segue, Specifics, Kahil El Zabar, Russ Dewbury, DJ Format, Robert Strauss, Mad Mats, DJ Nu-Mark, Afrodizz, Josh Deep, Karsten John, Nickodemus, Domu, and Bugz in the Attic. With the help of the unique atmosphere and no frills charm of La Sala Rossa, soulful dancefloor movements and the musically diverse party have definitely found a home in Montreal. Join the FaceBook group and support the scene.

Title: Christmas With Caridad
Location: Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa
Link out: Click here
Date: 2008-12-19

Zaphod Beeblebrox is holding “Christmas with Caridad,” featuring Cubano Son and starring salsa diva Caridad Cruz. Since immigrating to Canada in 2003 from her native Cuba, where she sang professionally for 10 years, Caridad Cruz has attracted a lot of attention. Her debut Canadian performance with Jane Bunnett’s Spirits of Havana was broadcast nationally on CBC’s ‘Global Village’ and inspired a Globe and Mail reviewer to applaud her “warm ocean of a voice.” Caridad’s performance has also been described as “best heard live,” so it should be a good time at Zaphod’s. Also, I know a lot of the strippers from Barefax are into Latino music, so maybe they’ll also stop by.

Here are the event details:
Friday, December 19, 2008
Zaphod Beeblebrox
27 York Street, Ottawa
Age 19+/ General Admission
ADVANCE TICKETS: $10.00 at TicketWeb.

Click here for the flyer.

Title: Rudely Interrupted
Location: Sneaky Dees, Toronto
Link out: Click here
Date: 2008-12-09

Inspiring is a word that gets tossed around all too often in music journalism. But in the case of Rudely Interrupted, it’s the most fitting adjective possible. Arguably Australia’s most unique group of musicians, five out of six band members share a range of physical and intellectual disabilities – blindness, deafness, Aspergers, Autism and Down Syndrome. But you’d have no way of knowing listening to pop gems like “Don’t Break My Heart,” because, as Time Out suggested, “their music is some of the most energetic and genuine to emerge from the Australian rock ‘n’ roll underground in recent times.” The band will be making a Canadian appearance before heading off to the UK. Check them out at Sneaky Dee’s in Toronto tomorrow, December 9th.

Teknobrat is from Montreal and currently lives in Ottawa. He’s a huge fan of Chicago acid House and Ghetto Trax sounds from the end of the 80’s early 90’s. He also has an almost OCD approach to collecting albums with a library of over 5,000 albums. Teknobrat has had a huge Ottawa radio presence with La Teknosphere on CHUO 89.1 FM and Planet Rave, which aired on CKCU 93.1 FM. His latest EP, Reborn, is having a release party tour starting December 12th 2008 and will hit most major Canadian and US Cities in the first quarter of 2009. Check out the flyers!

[Click here for the Ottawa Mercury Lounge show flyer]

[Click here for the Quebec City show flyer]

TCR contributor Mike Plante just sent us video of elodieO’s performace at the Mercury Lounge on November 20th 2008. elodieO is the super cute New York City LES/Nublu electro scene girl who was originally from Paris. Her sound is a mix of 60’s Nico-esque pop and 90’s golden era trip-hop. Thanks for the vid Mike!

Title: The VooDooMonx
Location: Brutopia, Montreal
Link out: Click here
Date: 2008-12-20

How about the dude on keyboard in this video? I guarantee his fingers were bleeding and reduced to bloody stumps by the end of the set. The VooDooMonx blend funk and rock into something that’s soul oriented but funk driven. The band has been playing together for 12 years now and the three have worked really hard on making a name for themselves. They’ve opened for a variety of shows and have played for crowds ranging from 100 to 15,000. Featured on the French Much Music, Musique Plus, as well as CKMF 94.3 in Montreal, their hard work has really paid off. Enjoy the soulful singing of Martin Joly, the passionate drumming of Leo Paul-Hus and the bass of Maxime Tremblay at Brutopia. The’ll be playing there on the 20th of December so check them out and try one of Brutopia’s many cheap and great tasting house brews.

Title: Moses Mayes
Location: Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg
Link out: Click here
Date: 2008-12-27

Moses Mayes has a funk sound that reminds me a little of 70s mixed with a martini lounge vibe. Since 1999, Mayes has been touring with one of the best jazz/funk live performances out there. Mayes has shared the stage with legends Herbie Hancock and James Brown and his CDs have sold thousands. His most recent stuff combines jazz, house and pop into something you can dance to regardless of the nightclub you’re in. With an album that has won the 2007 WCMA for Best Instrumental, Moses is sure to continue pumping out great music. Check him out in Winnipeg on December 27th at the Pyramid Cabaret.

Title: Rachelle Jeanty
Location: Kola Note, Montreal
Link out: Click here
Date: 2008-12-04

Rachelle Jeanty is a soulful francophone jazz musician whose been playing the St Lawrence region for a long time now. She was the winner of Rhytme FM’s – The most beautiful rhythm in Quebec. She’s also played a number of jazz festivals such as The Montreal International Jazz Festival where she did a duo with Bob Walsh. Born in New York, her family quickly moved to Montreal where she grew up and fell in love with the local culture and scene. Since her career has taken off, she has played New York, Paris, Tokyo and other international cultural hot spots. On the 4th of December she’ll be playing at Kola Note in Montreal. Maybe check her out?