Live music picks for WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20 through TUESDAY JANUARY 26, 2010.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20 / AN HORSE / CRIMINAL RECORDS / 493 QUEEN ST W / FREE / ALL AGES
Australian duo AN HORSE will stop by Criminal Records for a free in-store session tonight, just a few hours before they play the Kool Haus as the primary support act for Tegan and Sara. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Kate Cooper and drummer Damon Cox, An Horse released their debut to widespread critical acclaim in March of 2009. Wednesday's session will offer an intimate glimpse of the duo outside of their most recent tour dates alongside artists like The Sliversun Pickups and Death Cab for Cutie.
anhorse.com

THURSDAY JANUARY 21 / DINOSAUR JR / SONIC BOOM / 512 BLOOR ST W / FREE / ALL AGES
The prospect of witnessing J Mascis tear through melodic guitar solos in the basement of my favourite record stores has rendered me utterly speechless. The long-haired legend will be joined by bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph for the in-store set before the trio headline a sold out show at the Phoenix Concert Theatre later in the evening. The session is free, but make sure you bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Daily Bread Food Bank.
myspace.com/dinosaurjr

THURSDAY JANUARY 21 / WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA / THE GARRISON / 1197 DUNDAS ST W / $8 / 19+
No Shame presents an evening of beautiful, delicate folk music at the Garrison on Thursday, culminating with a headline performance from local five-piece The Wilderness of Manitoba. Casey Mecija of Ohbijou will start the night off with a rare solo set, followed by a performance from Ghost Bees, a duo comprised of twin sisters Romy and Sari Lightman. For those looking to bask in gentle, ethereal folk sounds, this show will satisfy like no other.
myspace.com/thewildernessofmanitoba
ohbijou.com
myspace.com/ghostbees

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 / OUT OF THIS SPARK 3RD ANNIVERSARY / THE GARRISON / 1197 DUNDAS ST W / $8 / 19+
Local indie label Out of This Spark celebrate their third anniversary with a showcase at the Garrison on Friday night, featuring performances from The D'Urbervilles, Forest City Lovers, Evening Hymns and Jenny Omnichord. It's fantastic to see an independent record label survive given the current state of the music industry, and well deserved in the case of Out of This Spark, whose artist-focused founders strive "to ensure stability and long-term sustainability" while releasing the music of people within the local community.
myspace.com/thedurbervilles
myspace.com/forestcitylovers
myspace.com/eveninghymns
myspace.com/jennyomnichord

SATURDAY JANUARY 23 / OH NO FOREST FIRES (LAST SHOW EVER) / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN ST W / $7 / 19+
OH NO FOREST FIRES recently announced that Saturday night's show at the Shoe will be their last ever, adding that "sometimes, good things come to an end." The unsigned band is survived by The War On Geometry, an endlessly energetic seven-song EP that was produced by Kenny Bridges of Moneen. If you haven't seen them before, take this last opportunity as a calling to check out one of the city's most intense live acts. Joining in on the farewell festivities are The Darcys, Songs From A Room and Arietta.
myspace.com/ohnoforestfires
myspace.com/arietta
myspace.com/fromtheroom
myspace.com/itsthedarcys

SUNDAY JANUARY 24 / WAVELENGTH 497: LULLABYE ARKESTRA / THE GARRISON / 1197 DUNDAS ST W / PWYC / 19+
Wavelength 497 features a headlining performance from Lullabye Arkestra, the raw and uncompromising duo of Justin Small on drums and Katia Taylor on bass guitar. They'll be joined by a pair of bands from Montreal - psychedelic trio Black Feelings and low-fi experimentalist duo Tonstartssbandht.
lullabyearkestra.com
myspace.com/bfeelings
myspace.com/tonstartssbandht

MONDAY JANUARY 25 / GZA/GENIUS & SKRATCH BASTID / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON ST / $20 / ALL AGES
W-Tang Clan founding member GZA stops by the Kool Haus with Skratch Bastid on Monday night. The Genius is finishing up a collaborative album that boasts appearances from Devandra Banhart, The Black Lips, King Khan, Weezer and more. With another solo album in the works as well as a potential new Wu record and tour on his mind, it's obvious that GZA likes to keep himself busy. While no other guests for the show have been announced, I'm betting he won't be travelling alone so expect a few special appearances throughout the night.
myspace.com/gza
skratchbastid.com

TUESDAY JANUARY 26 / FRANK TURNER / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN ST W / FREE / 19+
Former Million Dead frontman Frank Turner stops by the Horseshoe Tavern for Bookie's Nu Music Night on Tuesday, touring in support of his recent Epitaph Records release Poetry of the Deed. The Cavaliers will start the night off, followed by Frank, The Treasures and The Night Below. Turner will play a solo set, with his full band joining him on Wednesday night for a show with Ian Blurton at the Dakota Tavern.
frank-turner.com
myspace.com/thecavaliersmusic
myspace.com/thenightsbelow
myspace.com/thetreasuresband

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Lead Photo: "NXNE 2009 - GZA @ Yonge & Dundas Square. Sunday, June 21, 2009" by ryanophoto, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.