Nitin is part of an amazing underground tech house movement going on in the city right now. Quality events are being put on by people dedicated to making every night count - and top international talent are pouring into this scene.

Nitin is DJing three big events this week alongside M.A.N.D.Y. (last night), Audion (aka Matthew Dear from Detroit), and Cassy (from Berlin). I spoke to Nitin about these big gigs, his influences, and his neighbourhood.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 / PEACHES / PHOENIX / 410 SHERBOURNE ST / $24.50 / 19+
Toronto's own Merrill Nisker has been releasing unabashedly eclectic albums under the name PEACHES for almost a decade now, coupling her electroclash music with a fearless stage persona and plenty of vulgarity and spontaneity. Her most recent effort I Feel Cream features production help from some huge names in electronic music including SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO, SOULWAX and DIGITALISM. Philly native and frequent SPANK ROCK collaborator AMANDA BLANK will open, touring in support of her debut album I Love You, which features additional production from DIPLO and DAVE SITEK of TV ON THE RADIO.
peachesrocks.com
myspace.com/amandablank

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19 / ANDRE WILLIAMS & THE SADIES / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN ST W / $15 / 19+
THE SADIES have released a dozen albums in the past decade, often branching out on their own but just as frequently playing as the backing band for an array of artists including NEKO CASE, JOHN DOE and Alabama blues legend ANDRE WILLIAMS. It's been ten years since the release of the WILLIAMS/SADIES Red Dirt LP, but the pairing will reunite at the Shoe on Thursday for what's sure to be a night of soulful country and blues. Montreal's BLOODSHOT BILL and local blues rockers CATL will open.
thesadies.net
bloodshotrecords.com/andre-williams
bloodshotbill.com
myspace.com/catlmusic

Plus: free downloads from Justin Rutledge, the Most Serene Republic and Mike Duguay, as well as a mixture of new music videos and recent live footage from k-os, Pick a Piper, Blue Rodeo, the Diableros, Born Ruffians (new song), and the Wilderness of Manitoba.

The Calgarian has become a staple in his hometown, playing the last two Virgin Festivals in his hometown, and selling out a 1800-person capacity hall for the release of the Love LP back in June.

But he's left Calgary, and as of two weeks ago he now lives in Toronto. I figured there were at least two good reasons to give him a call.
1) He is playing a one month residency at Supermarket starting November 18th.
2) With no long distance fees to deal with, it's a totally affordable call.

The night started with Holy Fuck's Brian Borcherdt strumming and singing into the microphone from a distance. His laid back brand of electric folk is quiet and unassuming, and he managed to silence the crowd for the better part of his set. Julie Fader made an appearance, lending her voice to a pair of songs.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11 / PETER, BJORN & JOHN / PHOENIX / 410 SHERBOURNE ST / $20 / 19+
Swedish breakout act PETER BJORN AND JOHN bring their melodic brand of indie-pop to the Phoenix in support of their latest full length Living Things. In the last year, they've been sampled by Kanye, collaborated with Toronto's own Drake and released a remix album featuring the likes of Wale, GZA and 88 Keys. Joining them is fellow Swede Sarah Assbring, who has been releasing lo-fi indie-pop records under the moniker EL PERRO DEL MAR since late 2003.
peterbjornandjohn.com
myspace.com/elperrodelmar

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11 / J. TILLMAN / HORSESHOE / 368 QUEEN ST W / $13.50 / 19+
Seattle-based folk singer/songwriter JOSHUA TILLMAN steps aside from his day job as a member of FLEET FOXES to embark on a solo tour in support of his most recent album, Year in the Kingdom. Joining Josh is his brother ZACH TILLMAN with his indie-folk band PEARLY GATE MUSIC.
myspace.com/jtillman
myspace.com/pearlygatemusic

I was surprised to hear recently that their second album Invisible Republic was self-released (with help from distributor Fontana North). Even without A&C backing, Young Galaxy will surely turn heads once again with a wider variety of sounds and moods on the new set of songs.

Their cross-Canada tour ends Friday with a show at the Horseshoe. I spoke with singer/guitarist Stephen Ramsay about their new album, the break from A&C, and I get his opinion on the Montreal vs Toronto thing. There's also a contest!

Plus: new music videos from Grand Analog and The Most Serene Republic, a video of Elliott Brood performing live from Texas and free downloads from Shad K, Slim Twig, The Wooden Sky, & more...

Auerbach can usually be found on stage with Patrick Carney performing as The Black Keys. Taking some time apart after 2008's Danger Mouse produced Attack & Release, Carney and Auerbach have been keeping busy both together and independently of one another.

Although the vocal stylings of the two bands are very different, their music is easily comparable to Pilot Speed, so the two bands should complement each other quite nicely and it'll definitely be beneficial for Elias to be on the bill.

I got on the horn with Rob Tornroos (lead guitar), who was just taking his lunch break to get serious about what's doin' in his life.

He's caught the attention of Craig Hill, head honcho of local label YYZ Records (home to great Toronto acts like TMDP and Madrid). VLSONN headline's Craig's Rollin' & Scratchin' party tonight at Supermarket.

I spoke with VLSONN about his productions, his dream remix project and the simple things in life.

The band played Tuesday night at the El Mocambo.

Monsters of Folk (MOF) is made up of four prominent US musicians - Jim James (of My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, Mystic Valley Band), Matt Ward (She & Him, M. Ward) and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Lullaby For the Working Class). Several decades of accumulated experience and creativity coming together to form one supergroup brings a classic debate to the forefront of my mind: the whole versus the sum of its parts. Having seen each of the parts individually before, I was brimming with anticipation for a glimpse of the whole.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4 / DAN DEACON / THE GREAT HALL / 1087 QUEEN ST W / $10 / 19+
P4K-approved experimental indie-electronic artist DAN DEACON plays the Great Hall on November 4, joined by spastic experimental rockers NUCLEAR POWER PANTS. Deacon is a classically trained composer that serves up a high-energy mix of eclectic sounds using an array of keyboards, mixers and effects pedals. His live performances offer an up-and-close, sweat-soaked glimpse at his massive back-catalogue.
myspace.com/dandeacon
myspace.com/nuclearpowerpants

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6 / STEAM WHISTLE UNSIGNED SHOWCASE #12 / STEAM WHISTLE BREWERY / 255 BREMNER BLVD / $5 / 19+
Steam Whistle Brewery hosts the twelfth edition of their unsigned showcase, featuring some great local talent and culminating in a headline set from THE COAST. In support of his recently released 7" with KING KHAN, BLOODSHOT BILL will start things off right. GREAT BLOOMERS round out the line-up, with guest DJs spinning in between sets. 100% of proceeds from this dirt cheap show are donated to the Artists' Health Centre Foundation.
thecoastmusic.com
greatbloomers.com
bloodshotbill.com

With two upcoming Toronto shows -- November 5th at Kensington's Teranga and November 7th at the Mod Club -- with the Islands, I decided to give Gregory (which is not his real name) a inquisitive phone call...