This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.

IN THE NEWS

Prism Music Prize releases shortlist of nominees

Whereas the Polaris Music Prize recognized the best full-length Canadian album released in a given year, the brand-spanking new Prism Music Prize describes itself as "a national juried award recognizing the artistry of the modern music video in Canada." It's about time that an award like this was created - the music video, long thought to be a dead art form, has seen a resurgence over the last few years. Two Toronto-based artists have been nominated: Maylee Todd, for "Baby's Got It," and Drake (ugh), for "HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)." The winner will be announced on March 24, which is the last day of Canadian Music Week. A full list of nominees can be found here.

Patti Smith adds show at Queen Elizabeth Theatre

A few weeks ago, it was announced Patti Smith would be promoting her photography exhibition at the AGO on March 7 and 8. Last week, a third show was added for March 9 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Billed as "an evening of words of music," Smith will be joined by her children, Jackson and Jesse, as well as Tony Shanahan. Tickets are on sale today and range in price from $29.50 to $49.50 - very reasonable, I'd say.

THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20 / BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH / THE RIVOLI / 332-334 QUEEN W / $15 / 19+

If you haven't checked out the music of 23-year-old UK artist Benjamin Francis Leftwich, you owe it to yourself to give this kid a listen. While he's only released one full-length album in his young career, 2011's Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, he's released a number of EP's, including In the Open, which came out last October. What you'll notice above all else is Leftwich's voice - it's extremely beautiful and haunting, and lends itself well to the folky sound that he's adopted.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23 / BOSNIAN RAINBOWS / THE MOD CLUB / 722 COLLEGE / $20 / ALL AGES

When the Mars Volta officially broke up last month, frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala suggested that it was due to lead guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez devoting all of his time to his new project, Bosnian Rainbows. While it remains to be seen whether this project will even come close to the success and fame that the Volta achieved, the opportunity to see Rodriguez-Lopez, long considered to be one of the best guitarists in the world, should be reason enough to check this show out.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS

• THE SPHINXS / PARTS & LABOUR/THE SHOP / FEBRUARY 22 / 9 PM
• RAEKWON / SOUND ACADEMY / MARCH 20 / 8 PM
• TYLER, THE CREATOR / THE OPERA HOUSE / MARCH 22 / 8 PM
• MILK CARTON KIDS / THE DRAKE HOTEL / APRIL 27 / 8 PM
• JAYMAY / THE DRAKE HOTEL / APRIL 28 / 8 PM
• EMPTY MANSIONS / THE GARRISON / APRIL 30 / 8 PM

WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK

• New in Toronto Music: Orchards, Os Tropies, Fort York, Thomas D'arcy, Chloe Charles
• Wavelength 13 Night Three: Do Make Say Think, Evening Hymns, Sarah Neufeld, Doom Squad, Bernice
• Wavelength 13 Night Two: Doldrums, Cadence Weapon, Blue Hawaii, Blonde Elvis & Thighs
• Wavelength 13 Night One: This Mess, Fresh Snow, Ell V Gore, Lullabye Arkestra
• The Tragically Hip still put on one hell of a show
• Wavelength Music Festival 13 preview
• 5 reasons why Foundry will change Toronto's electronic scene
• Album Review: Hayden, Us Alone
• Advance Base wants to be your post-Valentine

Photo of Bosnian Rainbows courtesy of badjonni on Flickr.