Interviewing Oxbow was one of the most intense things I've done in recent memory. Even knowing the back story of the group, I was unprepared for how fierce, how sharp, and how full of fire these artists are.

Oxbow formed in 1989 and have never been interested in settling on a genre. In over two decades they've only released six full length records: a search for perfection that defies the demands of modern hype as much as their sound itself. Vocalist Eugene Robinson collages blues freak outs, guttural Birthday Party-esque gothic swagger and spoken word muttering over music that rises and falls between minimalist avant jazz to roaring, aggressive hardcore, metal, and noise - and everything imaginable in between.

If you weren't at the Garrison on Tuesday, you missed the most surreal performance of the season: go ahead and berate yourselves accordingly. Japan's Hikashu freaked me out like the best possible good natured psychedelic carnival haunted house: avant-garde vocalist Makigami Koichi has - I swear this to be true - at least seven people living inside of him: including a guttural voiced wizard of darkness, a small child, a beautiful lady, and - get this, I found him, he's alive - Elvis, the golden voiced King himself. Plus Makigami has a few more small people hidden in his theremin. Creepy.

Thanks Drake. Our summer festival round up goes up, and later that day you announce the line up for your OVO Fest. Thanking you right now for showing us who runs this city. It's you, Drake.

Find out what's new and hot with our our bi-weekly local music roundup

DECADES / DECADES / MAY 16
When I was a teen my oldest brother bought me The Cure's Staring at the Sea singles collection, I really responded to its upbeat tempo, playful instrumentation and fun lyrics about love cats, caterpillars and Camus, who was the first real manifestation of my adult pretension. I listened to that sucker all the time, happy as a clam bobbing my head on the school bus, grinning and feeling great.

And then a few years later I gave Pornography a go. My world collapsed. Why would anyone listen to something that made you feel SO SAD. What I'm trying to say is that I have no critical capacity to judge Decades beyond the fact they sound like The Cure and I like this tune. I'm weary, however, about listening to their full lenth album for fear of the same crushing blow. And I certainly won't be at the record release at the Garrison this Thursday. As a boy, I don't like to cry in public...

The top summer music festivals in Toronto for 2013 should factor into your cottage plans — as in, be careful not to book away dates during the biggest events. Dock time can wait. With everything from punk to indie to electro and bluegrass, you're bound surely find a show worth going to whatever your taste. In addition to major festivals like NXNE and the much touted Field Trip, smaller gatherings like the Sound in Motion Festival ensure that a level of variety that's crucial.

Here are 12 summer music festivals in Toronto to have on your radar.

Lights is a beautiful angel sent here from godknowswhere (Timmins) with a voice that's able to resonate with parts of us we thought long lost to cynicism, disappointment and failure. I suspected this was the case before I had the blessing of seeing her live. Now, having seen her perform at the opulent Wintergarden Theatre, this suspicion has been confirmed a thousand fold.