When it comes to attracting new listeners, Toronto band The Darcys have shown no shortage of conviction, ambition and ingenuity - whether it be by releasing their debut Arts & Crafts LP for free download last October, subsequently devoting countless hours to press and promo, or embarking on a lengthy tour across North America, the UK and Europe with British act Bombay Bicycle Club.

"Our objective is always to capture new fans," explains drummer Wes Marskell, "not just to please old ones. There is something really rewarding about playing a show in Dublin or even Vancouver and selling records to kids who had no idea they like your band an hour before."

I checked in with DD/MM/YYYY in Glasgow on the tail end of their European summer tour, which has featured dates with Les Savy Fav, solo headlining gigs and culminates this weekend with appearances at the Portishead and ATP curated festival I'll Be Your Mirror London and the Off the Cuff festival in Birmingham.

Their return to Europe marks their fourth visit since their first overseas trip in 2008, and DD/MM/YYYY are on the road in support of their split 12" with BEAK> and the upcoming European re-release of their 2009 LP Black Square through Portishead mastermind Geoff Barrow's Invada Records.

A critically acclaimed third LP released in North America and Europe, a trio of well-produced and well-received music videos, his second Polaris Prize nod in as many albums, the title of Canada's best rapper (as awarded by the National Post) plus opening slots on North American tours with K'naan and K-os are just a few of the highlights from the illustrious year that Shadrach Kabango has had in 2010.

Top that off with his first ever European gigs in December alongside renowned acts like Herbaliser, DJ Premier and Tony Touch, it becomes obvious that Shad has fulfilled his own TSOL prophecy and is well on his way to seeing "the world off of rapping these bars."

The Canadian music scene took over Vevey this past weekend for the Heartland Music Festival, infusing the Swiss town with an eclectic mix of independent rock, hip hop, folk, experimental and pop sounds. 2010 marks the inaugural year for Heartland, and the Swiss-hosted leg of a home-and-home series of intercontinental music festivals attracted some of the biggest names in Canadian indie music to the historic Swiss town, with the return leg taking place in Toronto in early 2011.

The Salle del Castillo played host to four consecutive nights of independent Canadian talent, showcasing 14 groups both on an individual basis, and as an overarching national collective eager to mix, mingle, collaborate and create. With renowned acts like Broken Social Scene, Buck 65, Owen Pallett, Do Make Say Think and The Hidden Cameras sharing the stage with the likes of Snowblink, Timber Timbre, Zeus, Andre Ethier, Destroyer and Daniel, Fred & Julie, Heartland delivered the essence of independent Canadian music to an awestruck European crowd.

Belle and Sebastian headlined a sold out gig at Massey Hall on Tuesday night, where the Glaswegian indie pop veterans effortlessly charmed the Toronto crowd with their endearing stage personas and a near two-hour set of 60s-influenced Scotpop gems.

Los Campesinos! kicked off a lengthy North American tour on Friday night at Wrongbar, making their long-awaited return to Toronto after volcanic ash hampered their attempts to venture across the Atlantic earlier this year. With all eight members and dozens of instruments crammed onto the tiny stage at Wrongbar, Los Camp's set was a sweaty and intimate affair that showcased their latest LP Romance is Boring alongside a few tracks from their previous releases.

Former tour manager and roadie Jason Campesinos! joined the band just a few months ago following the departure of drummer and founding member Ollie Camp! And he didn't miss a beat on Friday night, delivering a powerful concoction of electronic and organic percussion work that had the crowd bouncing around despite the rising temperatures inside the venue.