I'm always on the lookout for new music, especially anything with a hint of folk. During a conversation with singer/songwriter Donna Orchard, I was invited to check out her band, the Billie Hollies, at the Rivoli on Thursday night. The show was a mix of contemporary and classical influences, and that good kind of folk I always rave about.

The Billie Hollies are Coralie Martens (piano, vocals, French horn), Julia Hambleton (clarinet, bass clarinet, vocals), Janet Morassutti (guitar, vocals), and Donna (lead vocals, autoharp). Toronto-based, and still relatively new, they're currently working on a full length album, tentatively to be released before the end of 2009. (Girls, let me know when it's out and where I can get it, because I WANT IT.)

I don't quite dress like a metalhead. Never was this more apparent than at Opeth's show at the Sound Academy this week. I showed up wearing heels and flowers in my hair when I should have worn leather. And more black. But you don't have to have long hair and sport a raggedy band tee to appreciate the amount of energy, theatrics and crowd fanaticism involved in any good metal show.

Opeth is the definition of a truly progressive metal act. Frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt joined the band during its formation back in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden. He remains the only original Opeth member, as members Fredrik Åkesson, Martin Mendez, Per Wiberg and Martin Axenrot eventually joined the roster over the following years. I had the chance to sit down in the sun with lead guitarist Fredrik on the day of the show for a rundown of things to come.

I've had Barzin's newest album, Notes to an Absent Lover, stuck in my head for the past month. I can't get enough of it - especially the last track, The Dream Song. I've actually got it on repeat right now.

When I got the chance to finally see him play live at the Rivoli on Friday night, I was super-stoked. Mellow, sweeping tunes are the best way to end a rotten week (dentists and biking in rain storms make me cranky).

I've been laid up with the flu since last week. (No, not that flu.) I'd avoided it all season, but my number finally came up just a day or two before I was supposed to see Bell Orchestre performing at the Courthouse downtown. I went anyway, so if anyone else at that show is feeling like crap this week, you can blame it on me. And possibly that sneezing little baby on the streetcar last Tuesday.

Neko Case's performance at the Trinity St. Paul's United Church this past weekend came pretty close to being an otherworldly experience. I'm going to reveal my unhip-ness right now and say that I wasn't too familiar with her brand of alt-country previously, but after catching Saturday's sold out show, I've been converted. This was easily one of the best shows I've seen all year.

Neko has a long history of collaboration: she's worked with the Sadies, the New Pornographers, Carolyn Mark and Calexico. (FYI - my heart belongs to Calexico.) Her voice has that rare ability to lull you away from reality - to pull you into her strange, creative little world. Her lyrics suggest elements of nature and fantasy; tornadoes, critters and man-eating tigers run wild through the newest album, Middle Cyclone.

The Constantines come pretty close to being the kings of the Canadian indie scene. In the eyes of their fans, at least - who are devoted and many, according to the turnout at the Phoenix on Tuesday night. The band were the openers for three sold out shows in Toronto with the Weakerthans, playing a set both dynamic and raw.

These guys have been doing their thing for a while now. The quintet includes frontman Bryan Webb, guitarist Steve Lambke, bassist Dallas Wehrle, drummer Doug MacGregor and keyboardist Will Kidman. The band formed in Guelph in 1999 and released their self-titled debut album a year later. Shine a Light and Tournament of Hearts followed in 2002 and 2005, respectively, and the band's newest release, Kensington Heights, is currently on the receiving end of a whole lot of critical acclaim. And for good reason.