Live music picks for MONDAY OCTOBER 22 through SATURDAY OCTOBER 27, 2012.

MONDAY OCTOBER 22 / BLITZEN TRAPPER / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $17.50 - $20 / 19+

In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm an absolutely huge fan of Blitzen Trapper. So when I say that this is a must-see show, you may want to take it with a grain of salt. But if you do decide to check these guys out, I just know you won't come away disappointed. For the uninformed, this Portland-based quintet specializes in a unique brand of alt-country with a bit of an experimental twist. It's fantastic stuff, and well worth your time.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 23 / THE XX / MASSEY HALL / 178 VICTORIA / $39.50 - $59.50 / ALL AGES

The xx is one of the most-talked about bands out there at the moment, and while I'm not the biggest fan of their moody and minimalist indie-pop stylings, it's not difficult to see why they've gotten so popular. Since their formation in 2008, they've garnered very consistent critical acclaim, and their latest album, Coexist, has kept everyone mostly happy.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24 / HEARTLESS BASTARDS / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $18 - $20 / 19+

If you're a fan of stripped-down, bluesy garage rock, this isn't a show that you'll want to miss. The Heartless Bastards are led by frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom, and it's her strong, raspy voice that drives the band's sound. They got their big break when Patrick Carney of the Black Keys passed along their demo, so it's probably not a coincidence that their sound is compared to that of the Keys. And believe me, that's some of the highest praise that a band can get. Futurebirds and Dana Falconberry will offer support.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 25 / DAN MANGAN / THE DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / 147 DANFORTH AVE / $32.50 - $39.50 / ALL AGES

Folk singer/songwriter Dan Mangan absolutely brought the ruckus to this year's Festival Music House, and I can say without hesitation that it was one of the finest sets of live music that I've ever seen. The man's stage presence is absolutely ridiculous - he breezes through his music with an air of confidence the likes of which you'll rarely see, and he backs it up with a catalogue that is damn near flawless. And the ladies absolutely love the guy, so this is a show that is perfect for couples. If you need another reason to go, The Rural Alberta Advantage will open. That's a hell of a bill, right there.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 27 / FATHER JOHN MISTY / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $19 / 19+

Joshua Tillman, formerly of Fleet Foxes, now goes by Father John Misty. He released his debut album under this moniker back in May, and by all accounts it's a beautiful piece of work. He apparently put it together while driving cross-country and munching on shrooms, so, yeah. Whatever floats your boat, right? Le Sera will open.

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Photo of Blitzen Trapper courtesy of joshc on Flickr.