In this edition: indie supergroup Novels give away debut EP for free download, Owen Pallett gears up for the release of Heartland with a show at the Mod Club and an abundance of good press, Rock Plaza Central announce they'll no longer be a touring band, and year-end lists from CBC Radio 3, D-Sisive, Cancer Bats and Aux.tv. Plus videos from Evening Hymns and The Wooden Sky.

Novels' Debut EP Finally Sees the Light of Day
A few months back I mentioned Novels, a local indie supergroup featuring Graham Wright of Tokyo Police Club, Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians, Will Currie and Ex-Po's Jay Sad and Dean Marino. Novels elected to give their debut EP away for free download as 2009 came to an end, and although it was recorded in a day flat and clocks in at just over a dozen minutes in length, it is well worth the download. What do they ask for in return? Only that you burn a few copies for friends, share the links via the internet and generally spread the word about the burgeoning collaborative project. (MP3s in ZIP).

Owen Pallett Gears Up for Heartland Release
After a quick name change, Owen Pallett is starting fresh in 2010. Heartland, his debut album under his own name, hits shelves next Tuesday - an event which he will be celebrating with a sold out show at the Mod Club Theatre. There are a series of recent interviews online in which the enigmatic performer reveals his quick wit, his love for hash and his hatred for blow (via Exclaim! and The Guardian UK).

Third Floor Sessions presents: The Wooden Sky - 'Angels'
Grab the full MP3 pack from the session (MP3s in ZIP).

Rock Plaza Central Suspend Touring Plans Indefinitely
In a lengthy post on their myspace, Rock Plaza Central have announced that aside from a few festivals and weekend trips to Chicago or NYC, they will no longer act as a touring entity. Citing reasons both personal (frontman Chris Eaton is soon to become a father) and professional (the devaluation of recorded music, philosophical problems with touring itself), the band will no longer play "100+ shows per year". Their last show in the foreseeable future will be January 23 at the Garrison, with remaining merch being given away at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

Year-End Lists
- CBC Radio 3's Top 103 Songs of 2009.
- D-Sisive's Top 5 Albums of 2009.
- Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats Top 5 Albums of 2009.
- Aux.tv's Top 10 Albums of 2009.

Southern Souls presents: Evening Hymns - 'History Books'

On blogTO last week
- Ivy checked out The D'Urbervilles and Great Bloomers at the Drake's What's in the Box festival.
- Jennifer profiled TTC busker and clarinetist John Williams.

Lead photo 'Dan Goldman | Recording session @ CBC' by sylvaindumais, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.