Sultry, folk-rock singer/songwriter Shelby Lamb could be Toronto's next Joni Mitchell. That's what I've heard people say about her at shows. Her velvety voice can create a soothing atmosphere in any bar, club, car or living room.

Shelby is originally from Collingwood and is part of the Toronto-based Familiar Music collective. Last year she released a lovely EP entitled Suburban Cowboy, and tonight she plays the Savannah Room as part of NXNE. I spoke with Shelby about her life in Toronto, her plans for the future, and the dream of playing with an upright bass player.

Keep reading for the complete interview.

For indie music supporters like me who aren't drawn to the major label fodder that iTunes pushes upon the masses, eMusic was a welcome change. According to its website, it is "a digital entertainment retailer focused on serving customers aged 25 and older" that "offers a vast selection of independent music and audio books in a universally compatible file format at great value".

Swedish disco sensation Sally Shapiro, along with writer/producer Johan Agebjorn released their debut record Disco Romance last year on Toronto's Paper Bag Records.

People liked it a lot so they released Remix Romance Vol. 1 in April. People liked that a lot as well and the remixes kept pouring in from around the world. That resulted in the recently released
Remix Romance Vol. 2.

Since Paper Bag is based here in TO, there are a solid group of remixes made by local producers that deserve to be heard. Let's take a look at each of them.

The sweet sounds of Toronto's Seedy Ease have been echoing in my head since I first saw them play at the Mod Club back in March. They are an atmospheric pop rock trio that can melt your heart just as easily as they can get your feet moving.

Aftering playing together in a previous band, Seedy Ease was formed by singer/guitarist Daniel Brooks and drummer Robbie Butcher (who also plays in local garage rockers Tin Bangs). Bass player Hollie Stevenett completes what the band refers to as "the charismatic triangle".

If you weren't watching them perform, your ears would tell you that two guitar players were creating all those layers. Dan does a great job of working his pedals and his parts while his smooth, earnest vocals make you want to watch him sing them. If that weren't intriguing enough, Robbie is one of the best drummer/vocalists in the city.

Seedy Ease play the Drake this Thursday night. I spoke with Dan and Robbie about cover songs, New York City and Phil Collins.

Keep reading for the complete interview.

Islands are a six-piece indie pop band from Montreal. They are led by former Unicorns member Nick Thorburn - the talented singer/songwriter/visual artist formerly known as Nick Diamonds. They just released their second album called Arm's Way on high profile label ANTI- (owned by Epitaph Records) and are playing tomorrow night at the Phoenix as part of a non-stop tour schedule even larger than the one they had for their debut full-length Return to the Sea.

I spoke to Islands member and former-Torontonian Patrick Gregoire about the making of the new record, what he thinks of Toronto, and the promise of sweet smelling hydrangeas.

Keep reading for the complete interview.

Toronto-based soul/hip hop sensation Zaki Ibrahim recently released her official debut record Eclectica (Episodes in Purple) to a capacity crowd at the Mod Club. Since I didn't get my Q&A back from her people prior to the show, this is my first post-event Call & Response.

The show was great. DJ Nana, Candy Coated Killahz and Kamau warmed the eager crowd up nicely, and Zaki enthralled everyone in the place with her beautiful voice and passionate charisma. I heard a girl gush about Zaki behind me on the streetcar ride home. People love her music and they love her performances even more.

I have to admit that Zaki's music was new to me but I got into it right away. Her record - just as the title suggests - is an eclectic mix of beats and moods. I found more out about Zaki when we talked about her multi-continental upbringing, her undescribable attraction to Toronto, and her feelings toward technology.

Keep reading for the complete Q&A.