In a musical era where there exists a plethora of easily likeable indie pop bands with an extensive collection of catchy, hook-laden songs, London’s Ivory Hours is a genuine standout. The most surprising thing about this band is that they are somehow still unsigned. However, they’ve benefitted by receiving professional production help from seasoned veterans João Carvalho (mastering) and Dan Brodbeck (producing) on their recent full-length Morning Light. Ivory Hours is a rather young band exhibiting the confidence of experienced musicians through bright, poppy guitar and vocal melodies. Lead single “Warpaint” is chock-full of delicate staccato guitar and tempo changes that mask the lovesick lyrics with lively hooks. Ivory Hours is both figuratively and literally making noise in Canadian indie rock, and are a can’t-miss act at the upcoming Turtle Music Festival on August 1st in Parry Sound. Could be worth the trip, me thinks. - Chris PJ D

This one’s just plain fun y’all. Opposite Day is a staple of the Austin scene that plays some of the most technical and pure fun music in Austin, a combo you don’t often get. This vid is their new track “AI IOU,” and it’s a series of shots that cut between the band doing their hard-playing, wild-beat thing and then a buncha robot shots that feel very MST3K. That’s a pretty good touchstone in terms of era as well, as this track feels quite outta the 90s though all beefed up with some heavier, mathrockier shit, and the idea of a wilder, more indie Barenaked Ladies that plays faster and punkier isn’t far off. It's fun too to get great tracks that aren't really about love or social issues or something pretty, but instead just about a cool ass concept that the musicians like; in this case a mufucking robot made from parts of other robots! Check the lyrics: "I am rememebering what happened to the parts that make me/I am a conscious agent assembled from other machines." That's the good scifi shit. Tune your robot ears and focus your android eyes on this thing below, and let the AI tell you all about its weird ol' self!

This 4 piece blues rock group hails from Burlington/Hamilton, Pete Van Dyk & The Second Hand Band are known for throwing down a nice boogie indie rock combo around town. They have just released a new self-titled album (engineered and mixed by bass player JD Norwood) with a music video for the lead single "Talk of the Town". This track has a bluesy banger of a verse that settles into a laid-back stoner groove chorus "Bad Scene" from this record is pure story-telling blues delight with the swaying rhythm being held down smoothly by JD and drummer Scott Carruthers. Pete leads the group with his howlin' vocals and sweet rhythm guitar. Meanwhle his younger brother (Shr)Ed.is lighting his Strat on fire shredding the blues away...literally. These guys play @Homegrown Hamilton 07/31 -Kris Gies

Besides being an excellent name for a roller derby team, Toronto’s Lipstick Junkies exist solely to blend the yesteryear sound of funk with modern indie rock, all the while soaking it that neon-district downtown vibe. The rhythms are an appealing combination of bouncy, smooth and grooving. As evident in tracks such as Desire and Lighthouse, the melodies are infectious, and the sexual spirit of funk is effectively captured and expressed through the music and lyrics. In an age where traditional genres are becoming more manufactured, The Lipstick Junkies have retained the essence of funk-rock, and have achieved their own genuine sound. In a nutshell, The Lipstick Junkies are a band perfectly suited to the small-club-in-a- big-city environment. If you feel like getting your groove on, you can satisfy those urges by taking in The Lipstick Junkies @ The Cavern Bar on July 30th. - Chris PJ D

The popular San Francisco based beach rock band, The She's have announced the dates for their summer west coast tour. The string of shows does, of course include a local San Francisco gig at The Chapel on August 14th. If you're new to town or have just never had the chance to check out a live performance from The She's, we whole-heartedly recommend that you take the chance to see their upcoming show!

If you've got friends from out of town or are enjoying a vacation somewhere on the coast, you'll have the chance to see a great Bay Area band right in your vacation destination!

 
7.28 - Redwood Bar, Downtown LA, CA $
7.29 - Burger Records Hump Night, Grand Air, Fullerton, CA @
7.30 - Pappy and Harriet's, Pioneertown, CA
7.31 - Duffy's, Chico, CA %
8.01 - Corner Haus (House), Portland, OR **
8.02 - The Future (House), Seattle, WA $$
8.03 - The Hindenburg, Vancouver, BC Canada ##
8.05 - The National Hotel, Nevada City, CA ***
8.14 - The Chapel, San Francisco, CA *&

* w/ Pyromids, Emotional
^ w/ The Memories, The Lentils, & Grape Room
# w/ Growwing Pains
$ w/ Dripmen, Ugly Kids, deadpanzies
@ w/ June Holiday, Grand Air
% w/ The She Things + TBA
** w/ Ladywolf, Makeout
$$ w/ Mope Grooves + TBA
## w/ Jody Glenham + TBA
*** w/ Dazeys
*& w/ Swiftumz, Smiles, Air Surgeon