Live music picks for TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7 through SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2012.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7 / THE KILLS / THE KOOL HAUS / 132 QUEENS QUAY E / $34.50 / ALL AGES

Critically acclaimed indie-rock duo The Kills will be making a stop at the Kool Haus as part of a two-month trek throughout North America. The group, made up of singer Alison Mosshart and guitarist Jamie Hince, have released four albums, the most recent being last year's Blood Pressures. It's a unique sound that harkens back to bands like the Velvet Underground, and that's some seriously high praise.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8 / DJ PAULY D / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON / $41 - $145 / ALL AGES, 19+ AREA

I may get some serious, serious flack for including Jersey Shore alum DJ Pauly D in this week's Hot Ticket, but I stand by my choice. Sure, he has next to no original music, with the exception of the fun, if rather generic, "Beat Dat Beat (It's Time To)." And yes, his DJ skills are less than stellar. But if you're looking for a night of top 40 hits and house music, you could do worse. Just go in with lowered expectations, have a few drinks, and fist pump the night away.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9 / A-TRAK / THE HOXTON / 69 BATHURST / $20 / 19+

Montreal-born DJ Alain Macklovitch, better known by his handle, A-Trak, has accomplished more in the last 15 years than most DJs will in their entire careers. Aside from being the first DJ to win five World Championships, he's also the first to win the three major DJ competitions — DMC, ITF and Vestax. He's also had a hand in Kanye West's career since 2004, when West made him his personal tour DJ. No small feat, that. In all honesty, if you're going to see only one of the DJs on this list, this is the one you'll want to see.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10 / WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS / THE GREAT HALL / 1087 QUEEN W / $17.50 / 19+

Let's move away from electronic music for one night. American folk-rocker William Fitzsimmons, who rose to prominence due in large part to his music being featured in episodes of Grey's Anatomy, will bring his multi-instrumental talents to the Great Hall. Expect to hear a varied setlist drawing from his extensive discography, and here's hoping he plays some tracks from his brilliant 2008 offering The Sparrow And The Crow. Denison Witmer will offer support.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11 / KATHLEEN EDWARDS / THE PHOENIX / $29.50 / 19

In the almost four years since Kathleen Edward's third album, Asking for Flowers, the Canadian songstress has seen her life undergo an array of drastic changes. Most significantly, Edwards divorced her longtime collaborator Colin Cripps, and started a new relationship with Justin Vernon -- coincidently, Vernon also helped co-produce her latest album, Voyageur. Edwards, for her part, has used the turmoil of the past four years to craft what some critics are calling her best album yet. On Saturday night, Edwards takes the Phoenix stage in what's likely to be a powerful set.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11 / CHARLES BRADLEY / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $22.50 / 19+

Everyone needs a little soul in their life, and if you're looking for some, this is the show for you. Charles Bradley's style is reminiscent of soul and funk artists of the 1960s and 1970s, and his style has been compared to the great Otis Redding. This is a genre of music that doesn't get nearly enough love these days, and when an artist like Bradley comes along, he should be celebrated. For something a little different, and very funky, check this show out.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12 / LOCK UP / ANNEX WRECK ROOM / 794 BATHURST / $20 / 19+

Music doesn't get much harder than this. Lock Up is a supergroup comprised of members from bands such as Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, and Napalm Death. The band plays something called "grindcore," and, well, it's safe to say that it's an acquired taste. But if you're a fan of metal, or any of the aforementioned bands, chances are you'll dig it. Just be prepared, because it's safe to say that it's going to be a rough crowd.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS

February

• Lucian Ban and John Hebert at the Glenn Gould Studio on February 17. $20

March

• The Walkmen at the Phoenix on March 2. $25.
• Atlas Sound at Lee's Palace on March 6. $16.50.
• Emeli Sandé at the Drake Hotel on March 7. $15.
• OFWGKTA at the Sound Academy on March 15. $48.
• I Mother Earth at the Sound Academy on March 23. $32.50.
• Andrew W.K. at the Phoenix on March 27. $22.50.
• The Psychedelic Furs at Lee's Palace on March 29. $36.

Beyond

• Ingrid Michaelson at the Phoenix on April 10. $27.50.
• Shabazz Palaces at Lee's Palace on April 10. $15.
• Of Monsters and Men at the Mod Club on April 12. $16.
• Trampled by Turtles at Lee's Palace on April 15. $20.
• Good Old War at the Horseshoe on April 20. $12.50.
• Kina Grannis at the Phoenix on April 29. $18.50 - $23.50.
• Bryan Adams at the Air Canada Centre on May 3. $20 - $95.
• Spiritualized at the Phoenix on May 5. $27.
• Behemoth at the Opera House on May 8. $25.
• Rusko at the Sound Academy on May 8. $27.50.
• Active Child at Lee's Palace on May 15. $15.
• Ron Sexsmith at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on May 17. $29.50.
• Mogwai at the Phoenix on June 18. $29.50

For more music listings, head on over to our events calendar.

Looking for tickets? Check out Rotate This or Soundscapes to avoid Ticketmaster robbery.

Have an event you'd like us to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO events calendar.

With contributions from Igor Bonifacic.

Photo of The Kills courtesy of Jeremy M. Farmer on Flickr.