Here’s an update for you: If you haven’t yet seen Royal Wood in concert, do yourself a huge favour and make sure to be at Hugh’s Room on August 14th (that’s Thursday, folks) or at the Peterborough Folk Festival on August 22nd. If you missed my glowing recommendation of Royal Wood the first time around, be sure to check it out. And, as further convincing – check out the video above. How can you resist that voice? (…and that pretty face? Heh.)

Upcoming shows:
14 Aug 2008 20:00 Hugh’s Room with Laura Barrett Toronto
22 Aug 2008 12:00 Peterborough Folk Festival Peterborough

Toronto based band Tokyo Police Club have made their cover of The Rentals’ “Friends Of P” available to stream and download at friendsofp.org. The song was previously only available on the bonus disc to the U.K. version of Elephant Shell, but the band have teamed up with the Lupus Foundation Of America to give more people a chance to hear it. All money raised from donations made on the site will go to lupus research. The first 50 people who donate $15 or more will receive a free “Friends Of P” tote bag.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body attacks and destroys its own tissue and cells. It has no cure, can be fatal, and can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, skin, lungs, brain and other body parts.

Tokyo Police Club recently remixed The Coast’s “Tightrope” for a seven-inch single that’s out now on Toronto’s Magnificent Sevens Records.

Tokyo Police Club are currently in Europe, but will return to Canada for these July festival dates:

July 8 Ottawa, ON @ Lebreton Flats (Ottawa Bluesfest)
July 9 Quebec City, QC @ Espace 400 — La Grande Scene
July 19 Halifax, NS @ Garrison Grounds on Citadel Hill (Summersonic Festival)
July 20 Toronto, ON @ Fort York (Rogers Picnic)
(ChartAttack, June 2008)