In this edition: Brian Borcherdt releases free digital double-LP and sampler via his own label Hand Drawn Dracula, Polaris long-listed D-Sisive drops new album for free download, By Divine Right to release first album in five years, Sloan release digital EP, Hawksley Workman to release two albums with two different marketing strategies, and on a much more serious note: Jacksoul singer Haydain Neale loses battle to cancer.

Plus: videos from Brian Borcherdt, The Wilderness of Manitoba and Colin Munroe live from the Revival Bar, as well as CBC Radio 3 podcases from Basia Bulat and Great Lake Swimmers.

Brian Borcherdt - While I Was Asleep
Brian Borcherdt, By Divine Right & Hand Drawn Dracula Records
Last week when I checked out Brian Borcherdt as he opened for the Wooden Sky at Lee's, he announced to the crowd that he'd be offering up some new material for free digital download. He's followed through in more ways than one.

First, his label Hand Drawn Dracula dropped a free mixtape featuring Borcherdt, By Divine Right, Bishop Morocco, Julie Fader, Contrived (members of Holy Fuck + Wintersleep) and an Off The International Radar vs. Holy Fuck mash-up (SENDSPACE).

More recently, he's posted a 17-song collection for free download, split into two chunks: Torches and the Ward Colorado Demos. In my opinion, this is an absolute must download (MEDIAFIRE).

In related news, Hand Drawn Dracula will release By Divine Right's first full-length album in over five years on December 8. Mutant Message features ten new tracks, described to Exclaim! by frontman Jose Contreras as "perfect pop songs."

D-Sisive
Welcome to Jonestown is the latest offering from the Polaris long-listed rapper D-Sisive, a twelve track album featuring a guest appearance from fellow Torontonian Slim Twig. He put it up for free download in 8 different formats early last week via his website.

Colin Munroe - City Sonic Sessions at the Revival Bar

Sloan
Sloan take a more proprietary approach to releasing their latest batch of songs, the five-song Hit & Run EP. The collection is available now via iTunes or their website. Furthermore, they plan on using this model to release new songs more frequently in the future.

Haydain Neale
39 year-old jacksoul member Haydain Neale passed away on Sunday after a seven month battle with lung cancer. This comes as a shock, as Neale was steadily recovering from a traffic accident that left him in a coma in August of 2007. He elected to keep his battle with cancer out of the media spotlight, passing away peacefully in the company of close friends and family.

The Wilderness of Manitoba - Bluebirds

Hawksley Workman
Workman will be touring across Canada in March and April, culminating with a performance at Massey Hall on April 24. He plans to release two albums prior to that, with Meat being released as a full package on January 19, and Milk dropping single-by-single via iTunes, starting on November 24.

Downloads / Audio
- Basia Bulat is featured in a recent CBC Radio 3 Artist Series podcast, offering a mixtape featuring tracks from Shad, Final Fantasy, Katie Stelmanis, Diamond Rings & more (MP3, OGG).
- Another CBC Radio 3 podcast, this time featuring Great Lake Swimmers live from First Baptist church in Ottawa (MP3, OGG).

On blogTO last week
- The Cameron House is up for sale, as previously mentioned in Derek's Saturday Brew.
- Gary caught up with Toronto-based DJ/producer Nitin.
- I checked out the Rural Alberta Advantage, Bahamas and Fox Jaws at Lee's on Friday, and Brand New & Glassjaw at the Kool Haus on Saturday & Sunday.
- Ivy reviewed the Reigning Sound's Sunday night show at the Horseshoe.

Writing by Matthew McAndrew. Lead photo by Roger Cullman.