In this edition: Paper Bag Records give away a free digital covers compilation, Zeus announce debut album details, Feist collaborates with Beck and Wilco, details about Bookie's free Arts & Crafts special tonight at the Shoe, the Meligrove Band catch the swine flu, Constantines add a third date at Lee's, the partial line-up for the 3rd annual Hillside Inside is announced, and info on a slew of upcoming vinyl releases from Fucked Up.

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.

Free Arts & Crafts Showcase at the Horseshoe Tonight
Dave Bookman's free weekly series at the Shoe turns sixteen today, and to celebrate he's throwing an Arts & Crafts special featuring Zeus, Still Life Still and The Most Serene Republic. Zeus will start the night off around 9:30, but make sure to get there early enough to beat the crowd.

Zeus Announce Debut Album Details
Arts & Crafts will release the debut full length from Zeus on February 23, 2010. They previously performed together on the road and in the studio as Jason Collett's backing band, but branched out on their own with the release of the Sounds Like Zeus EP this past June. Prior to the album's official release, it will be available exclusively on 12" starting on February 9.

k-os - 'I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman' (feat. Saukrates)

Feist Collaborates with Beck for Cover Album
Feist, Wilco and Jamie Lidell are the most recent contributors to Beck's ongoing Record Club, teaming up to cover one-time Jefferson Airplane member Skip Spence's 1969 album Oar. Beck is posting the tracks one at a time via his blog, the archives of which feature an additional pair of collaborative cover albums and much more.

Constantines
Constantines have announced a third Toronto date for their tenth anniversary celebrations, scheduled for Saturday December 19 at Lee's - a week after the first two dates. Vancouver's Ladyhawk and Moncton's Julie Doiron will open this time, leaving me with no option but to complete the hat trick and attend all three shows.

Born Ruffians - 'What To Say' (New Song) - Live at Warp20 in NYC

Paper Bag Records Celebrate Anniversary
To celebrate their seventh birthday, Toronto's Paper Bag Records are offering up The Seven Year Itch, an anniversary covers compilation, for free download (ZIP). The collection features twelve bizarre pairings like Winter Gloves/Nirvana, Woodhands/Eddy Grant, Little Girls/Artery and Slim Twig/Outkast. This is totally worth the download.

Hillside Inside 2009
A partial line-up has been announced for Hillside Inside 2010, schedules to take place at the Sleeman Center in Guelph on February 12. So far, the bill includes Final Fantasy, Hawksley Workman, Basia Bulat, Ani DiFranco, Martin Sexton, Bahamas, Woodhands, Delhi 2 Dublin, Elisapie Isaac and Socalled. More artists are still to be announced, but tickets are already on sale for $75 and can be picked up downtown at Soundscapes.

The Wilderness of Manitoba - 'Orono Park'

Blue Rodeo - Live from the Rooftop of the Diesel Playhouse

Meligrove Band Battle H1N1
Half of the Meligrove Band contracted swine flu early last week, forcing them to bail on their four remaining tour dates with the Most Serene Republic. Drummer Darcy Rego and guitarist Brian O'Reilly are well on their way to recovery, and thus far the remaining two band members are asymptomatic. Hopefully they all get healthy soon, as Spinner. is reporting that they are scheduled to play the XM Christmas Show with Dinosaur Bones, Still Life Still and the Junction at Velvet Underground on December 18.

Fucked Up 7"
Fucked Up continue to add to their massive back catalogue at an unparalleled rate. In addition to the previously mentioned Christmas cover, they plan to release a Year of the Ox 12" and a pair of 7" including a split with Sareena Maneesh. Exclaim! reports that they will also be releasing a series of split seven inches with some of their favourite artists, including punk rockers NOFX and Montreal's King Khan & BBQ Show. In related news, Khan was arrested in Kentucky earlier this week for possessing magic mushrooms and had to cancel a few dates.

Pick a Piper (feat. Members of Caribou, Tenth of May) - 'Dene Sled' (Live)

The Diableros - 'Old Story, Fresh Road'

Downloads
- Justin Rutledge - 'Don't Be So Mean Jellybean' (MP3)
- The Most Serene Republic live on Kingston's CFRC radio, featuring a few tracks and an interview. (MP3 or OGG)
- Starting today, Peterborough native Mike Duguay (The Burning Hell) will be giving away his debut solo EP Lion's Share for free exclusively through Zunior for one week only.

On blogTO last week:
- Gary's weekly Call & Response featured Montreal four-piece Young Galaxy.
- I reviewed the Wooden Sky, Hooded Fang and Brian Borcherdt show at Lee's, which featured a small army of local guest musicians and a stunning stage installation.
- Joe interviewed Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF) as he begins his one month residency at the Supermarket.

Lead photo: "Still Life Still..." by ryanophoto, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.