Live music picks for MONDAY JULY 9 through SATURDAY JULY 14, 2012.

MONDAY JULY 9 / OWL CITY / THE MOD CLUB / 722 COLLEGE / $22.50 / ALL AGES

When it comes to electro-pop, there tends to be no middle ground - you either love it, or you hate it. Owl City (the stage name of Adam Young), out of the bustling metropolis of Owatonna, Minnesota, is himself a polarizing artist. However, at the end of the day, there's no denying the guy's talent when it comes to composing nifty, catchy little tunes. The lyrics are simplistic, yes, but there's an audience for this kind of thing, and Young fits his niche perfectly. Jayme Dee will open.

THURSDAY JULY 12 / YOUTH LAGOON / THE OPERA HOUSE / 735 QUEEN E / $19.38 / 19+

Youth Lagoon is the stage name of American musician Trevor Powers, and if you're looking for music that is extremely introspective and haunting, look no further. Powers released the debut album under his Youth Lagoon moniker, The Year of Hibernation, to much acclaim in 2011, and Pitchfork even named it one of the top 50 albums of the year--if that kind of thing is important to you. Father John Misty will offer support.

FRIDAY JULY 13 / THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $18.75 / 19+

If you're going to see only one show this week, might I suggest this slice of deliciously bizarre Canadiana. The King Khan & BBQ Show is comprised, obviously, of Montreal musicians King Khan and BBQ. Both are former members of the awesomely named Spaceshits, and formed this duo in 2002. Specializing in completely stripped down, grungy garage punk/rock, the pair recently reunited after a year apart. Don't miss your chance to see them live--this is fantastic stuff.

SATURDAY JULY 14 / SHADOWY MEN ON A SHADOWY PLANET / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $15 - $18 / 19+

Lee's Palace is the place to be this week if you're looking for acts that tend to go against the grain. You may not think that you've heard of Canadian instrumental legends Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, but if you've ever watched Kids in the Hall, you have--the show's theme song, "Having an Average Weekend," was performed by the band. The group disbanded in 1996, but they've reunited to play two shows to release the reissues of their albums. In other words, this is probably your last opportunity to see them live.

SATURDAY JULY 14 / AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $10.50 - $12 / 19+

When I first heard about math rock a few years ago, I really had no idea what to make of it. Technically, it's often astounding, but musically, I didn't feel it was anything to write home about. And then I came across And So I Watch You From Afar, a three-piece out of Belfast, Ireland. Now, I get it. These guys are extraordinarily talented at what they do, and many of their compositions are downright jaw-dropping. Zechs Marquise will open.

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Photo of The King Khan & BBQ Show courtesy of sevres-babylone in the blogTO Flickr pool.