Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From Kobo Town and Jacobus to TIMEKODE and Deep Therapy

The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) has a new General Manager, Nicole (Nik) Ives-Allison and the team invites you to meet her this Monday, May 15 at Bar Robo. True to the OMIC’s Music Monday format, there’s also going to be a live performance by Jessica Pearson.

This Monday, May 15, the Girls to the Front Songwriters Circle is being held at Irene’s Pub along Bank St. Hosted by local singer-songwriter and musician Julie Corrigan, the latest edition will feature live sets by Ottawa-Gatineau artists Lucila A l Mar (who just recently released her debut album) and Cynthia  Tauro.

British Columbia progressive metal/ska/reggae band Ninjaspy is making a triumphant return to Ottawa this Tuesday night at House of Targ. For the occasion, the group will be playing alongside Ottawa funk/metal/punks Criticull and Auto Racing.

The Viree Blues series is back at the Petit Chicago after a short pause, and they are now sponsored by Moosehead. The 5th show of the new series is happening this Wednesday,  May 17 and it’ll feature a live performance by the Kevin Mark Blues Band. It was initially scheduled for May 10, but due to the unprecedented flooding in the National Capital Region, the show was postponed.

Track 1 Side 1 is a new indie music night that’s kicking off at Bar Robo in Chinatown this Wednesday, May 17 at 9 p.m. DJs Hobo & Sweet Cheeks, of legendary Ottawa monthly Kitchen Party, will be taking care of music on the 1s and 2s.  

If you’re into punk/pop, you should head to Cafe Dekcuf this Thursday, May 18 to check out a stacked bill featuring Brantford pop punks Harbour, US pop punk project Keep Flying (PKA Survey Says!), Ottawa punks Free Refills, Gatineau punk rockers Splintered Fate and Ottawa punks Off Topic.

Toronto-based calypso/reggae-inspired band Kobo Town is back at the Mercury Lounge and this  time, it’s to celebrate the release of their new album “Where the Galleon Sank”. The Juno Award and Polaris Prize nominees will be performing live at the club this Thursday, May 18 and you can expect nothing but feel-good tropical vibes.

Tech metal fans will be happy to know that Australian tech death metal band Psychoptic will be in Ottawa this Thursday, May 18 to play Mavericks. The Prosthetic Records signees will be joined on stage by Vancouver death tech metal group Archspire, American death metal project Visceral Disgorge and American metal band Seeker.

Midnight Vesta’s Seconds Tour is making a stop at Pressed Cafe this Thursday night and this time around the Toronto-based four-piece will be sharing the stage with BToronto singer-songwriterrooklyn Doran and Ottawa indie folk trio The Artichoke Hearts.

Montreal’s Pouzza Fest is having a Pouzza Tour and it’s stopping at House of Targ this Friday. On the bill that night, you can expect to see Montreal punks Lost Love, Montpellier, France indie punk band Water Mane, as well as Ottawa punks NECK and Positive Charge.

London, Ontario’s Bodhi Jar will be playing at Live on Elgin this Thursday night as part of their How The East Was Won Tour. The progressive rock band will be performing alongside Ottawa dance grunge group Twisted Limbs and Ottawa hard rockers Kings Wake.

This Friday evening, Jackpine brings you another edition of Shoufen, this time with award-winning composer and educator Jesse Stewart who’ll be giving a talk on “Improvisation as Social Sculpture.” The night of art and conversation is being held at NICA in Chinatown and is free to attend.

Toronto world DMC champ Dopey will be touching down at Kinki Lounge this Friday night. For the occasion, he’ll be giving a live set at the Famalam jam alongside Ottawa’s DJ Illo.

TIMEKODE, Ottawa’s longest-running monthly dance party is back at it this Friday night inside D’Afrique. The popular funk, soul and hip hop dance party that has been keeping Ottawa funky fresh for 12-years strong will once again be held down by resident DJs Zattar and Memetic. Get your dancing shoes ready and see you on the TK dance floor!

Aarsen is having their Satellites EP release show at the Minotaure in the Vieux-Hull sector of Gatineau this Friday night and for the occasion, the Gatineau punk/rock/metal band will be playing with Montreal pop/punk/rockers Kamakazi, Rawdon pop/punks Third Place and Gatineau post-hardcore group Fractures & Outlines.

Metalheads are gonna want to head to Mavericks this Saturday night to catch Toronto epic death metal band Vesperia live with Winnipeg death metal group Entity, Quebec City death metal project The Flaying, Ottawa death metal formation Ominous Eclipse, Ottawa death metal outfit Misshapen and Ottawa death metal band Hatred Reigns.

Toronto indie-rocker Eamon McGrath will be performing live in Ottawa this Saturday night. For this show, he’ll be sharing the stage with Toronto indie project Wilderness of Manitoba, who’ll be giving an acoustic duo set for the occasion. The concert was initially scheduled to take place at Zaphods, but with the recent closure, the it was moved to the Rainbow Bistro.

Infinite Baffle// Glowed Up is a new party that showcases Ottawa’s niche local beat/hip-hop scene. The event is having its second incarnation this Saturday night at Happy Goat Coffee and it’ll feature some of Ottawa’s most eccentric MCs including WAVVY FROG, Los Ninos Flamingos, Eddie Quotez and more.

Halifax indie folk band Hillsburn will be playing at Live on Elgin this Saturday night and sharing new material as they prepare to release their sophomore record later this year. The group will be joined by country/roots/bluegrass/folk project the Jessica Pearson and the East Wind, who’ll open up the show.

Garage surf punks Bonnie Doon are celebrating the release of their debut album Dooner Nooner this Saturday, May 20 at Babylon Nightclub. The album is out on Record Centre Records (LPs) and Bruised Tongue (cassettes) as well as being available digitally. Rock out with the girls as well as Mannequin Pussy and Creep Wave who’ll also play live in support of Bonnie Doon.

If you’re in the mood for an intimate night of live music this Saturday, make your way over to Pressed Cafe to take in the beautiful sounds of local indie folk pop artist Isaac Vallentin and guests as well as Toronto indie folk project Giant Hand.

Ottawa singer-songwriter and pianist Megan Jerome will be performing live with the Together Ensemble this Saturday, May 20 at Kaffe 1870 in the lovely town of Wakefield. Join the charming musician and her band as they transport you through a night a music drawing from traditional gospel, stoner jazz and meditative classical sounds.

Also in Wakefield on Saturday night, at the Blacksheep Inn, you can catch The Balconies with special guest Joey Landreth. Should be fun!

If you want to dance this Saturday night, the Mercury Lounge brings you Equatorial House Vibes, a night focusing on afro, latin, brazilian and caribbean tribal house grooves brought to you by DJ Trevor Walker.

What’s cool about the Deep Therapy monthly is that it keeps happening at different locations and the organizers continuously strive for bigger and better. This Saturday, the party is going down in a warehouse with special guest DJ Gab Rhome. For those unfamiliar with the concept, Deep Therapy showcases the sounds of deep and cutting edge house music in a unique and inviting atmosphere that defies the ordinary.

Ottawa indie folk singer-songwriter Kaleigh Watts is celebrating the release of her second album “Hung Me Dry” this Sunday, May 21. For the occasion, she’ll be performing at Live on Elgin with opening act Mack and Ben (formerly of Monday I Retire).

Jacobus of Acadian hip hop group Radio Radio is marking the Gatineau release of his debut solo album “Le Retour de Jacobus” this Sunday night at the Minotaure. He’ll be joined by rockabilly/pop group Mort Rose and local DJ GloryHull.

Mike Frazier and the Dying Wild will be performing live at Cafe Dekcuf as part of their 2017 Canadian Tour. The show, going down this Sunday night, will also feature live sets by London heavy rock n’rollers Radio Caroline, Ottawa basement pop group Galapagos, Ottawa punks The Fly Downs and Ottawa-Gatineau punk band Bel Ann-Ana.

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Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From the Transistor Festival and The Yips to Voice of the People and Tropikombo

Brooklyn-based folk/dreampop project Wilsen will be performing live at the Minotaure in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Wednesday, April 26. The trio, who’ll be releasing its debut full-length album I Go Missing In My Sleep on Secret City Records later this week, will be sharing the stage with Gatineau folk pop darlings Chérie.  

After a short hiatus, the Viree Blues series is back at the Petit Chicago, and they are now sponsored by Moosehead. The fourth show of the new series is happening this Wednesday, April 26 and it’ll feature a live performance by Karen Lovely Band.

Mississauga indie-rock/post-punks Bike Thiefs are back in Ottawa this Thursday, April 27 to play The Record Centre. This time around, the band will be performing alongside Ottawa alt rockers Swim Team and Coveter.

Over at Flapjack’s this Thursday night, there’s an all-ages show featuring Calgary noise-makers Bad Animal, Calgary art-rock five-piece group 36?, and Ottawa power pop rockers Holy Christopher.

If you want to catch a garage rock show this Thursday, head to House of Targ to check out Calgary garage rock duo Miesha and the Spanks, Toronto garage-pop-psych trio HotKid and Ottawa garage punks Average Times.

Transistor, the festival that celebrates digital radio, is having its inaugural edition April 27-30 in the Vieux-Hull sector of Gatineau. Presented by Radio-Canada, the four-day event will feature roundtables on podcasts, live recordings in front of an audience, an improv show, a performance by Sèxe Illégal, and lots more.

The Strange People monthly dedicated to happiness, good times and curiosity is back this Friday night inside Mercury Lounge. Party people are invited to come as they are and enjoy the sounds of house, disco, techno and more. For the latest edition, resident DJs Mat Thibault and Teknobrat will be on the mix, taking you on an eclectic musical journey that’s bound to stimulate your imagination.

This Friday at the Minotaure, Cycle Outaouais invites you to join them as they celebrate the start of the biking season. There will be a free BBQ, skill-testing challenges, a bike show, BMX films, a prize draw and more.

If you’re in the mood for some reggae vibes this Friday night, check out Nile Groove at Kinki Lounge. The Ottawa-based band will be giving a funky reggae/r&b show with special guest Doressa.

Fresh off their Coachella appearance, Calgary post-punks Preoccupations will be live at Zaphods this Friday night. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Halifax indie rockers Walrus and Ottawa ouija rockers The Yips. The show is almost sold out so act quick if you want to go.

This Friday night, you can catch Ottawa funky soulsters Slack Bridges at Bar Robo for an intimate night of live music. For the first time, the guys will be performing 2 sets of original soul. Get there early if you plan on going, cause the place fills up quickly.

Montreal psychobilly band Gutter Demons are rocking House of Targ this Friday night alongside Ottawa psychobilly/punks A Staggering Pace and Ottawa rock n’roll duo Riishi Von Rex.

The April edition of Hip Hop Karaoke is going down this Friday night at the Elmdale with hosts DJ So Nice and Atherton. If you want to perform and impersonate your favourite hip hop artist by rapping that track you spent hours memorizing in front of the mirror, now’s your chance to show Ottawa what you got.

This Saturday, 613 Supply is bringing you one big pop-up market at the Bronson Centre. If you’re looking for an amazing shopping experience offering unique products from local vendors, be sure to hit this up!

Palooza, the world’s biggest beer pong “festival” is having its 5th annual edition in Ottawa this Saturday. The tournament, being held at Lansdowne’s Aberdeen Pavilion, is organized to raise funds for CHEO. It will feature DJs, a celebrity MC, celebrity judges, 2500 attendees, 1250 beer pong teams and 100+ beer pong tables.

If you’re up for a tasty nocturnal brunch this Saturday night, make your way over to Bridgehead on Anderson St for Night Brunch. The special event will feature an all-star line up of Ottawa’s best chefs pulling out all the stops for one magical night of breakfast delights paired with boundary-pushing beers. Proceeds will benefit the Ottawa School Breakfast Program.

Ottawa metal band Fumigation is celebrating the release of its Invasion split album this Saturday night at Mavericks/Cafe Dekcuf (probably the latter). For the occasion, they’ll be joined on stage by Ottawa tech metal band Deformatory, Cambridge progressive death metal group AEpoch and Ottawa death metal project Maou Mindu.

More metal madness happening on Saturday night at the Petit Chicago in the Hull sector of Gatineau. For this show, the bill features Morin-Heights band Requiormend, Ottawa melodic death metal group Whispers In The Maze, Terrebonne hardcore death metal formation Hexolyth and Ottawa-Gatineau metal project Peronicus.

At Happy Goat Coffee this Saturday night, Frequency Collective presents a Night of Music & Arts featuring live music, DJs, visual arts, live painting, jewelry and more. Sounds fun!

If you want to check out some live post-punk this weekend, Bar Robo is the place you’ll want to be on Saturday night. There, you can enjoy the sounds of Ottawa post punk/new wave band Potential Red, Ottawa experimental project Trees and Kingston indie rockers Paper Ladies.

Ottawa indie art rock band Pony Girl and Halifax pop artist Gianna Lauren are on the road together as part of their current East Coast tour and they’ll be giving a live show at the Blacksheep Inn in beautiful Wakefield this Saturday night.

Are you a fan of ska, reggae and rocksteady? If so, be sure to make your way over to House of Targ this Saturday night for the Voice Of The People Ska Night. This fun party will feature music selections courtesy of DJs Snappy and Judge Upstroke as well as a live performances by Streetlight, Suits & Toques, Manifesto, Operation Ivy, Brain Damage and a final appearance by The Taco Bandits.

If you enjoy the sounds of salsa, cumbia, disco and sambafunk, head over to the Petit Chicago on Saturday to check out a new collective called Tropikombo. The Ottawa-based 5-piece conjunto led by Phil Motion has given a few live performances around town since its inception, and although I haven’t caught their set yet, I’ve heard nothing but good things about this new project.

A monthly party dedicated to the 6 God? Drake fans, you read correct. The Drake Night dance party, at which you can expect to hear nothing but Drizzy jams and tracks from OVO affiliates courtesy of DJs Max Zims and Laocapone, is now a monthly and it’s going down this Saturday night inside Babylon.

Play Dead Vintage Collective and the Black Cat Bistro are hosting a pop-up this Sunday afternoon. From clothes, jewelry and visual arts to home decor, food, drinks and tarot card readings, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

If you’re up for a lazy Sunday afternoon sipping cheap caesars, head to Bar Robo this April 30 for Sunday Spins, a Sunday Afternoon DJ Series. This week will feature a live set by Ottawa artist Bucko.

Connecticut hip hop artist Celph Titled and Tampa rapper Apathy are hitting up the Bourbon Room this Sunday, April 30 as part of their Escape to Canada Tour. Joining them on stage will be Frank Blak, IKHVN, and Troubled Logic among others.

Tasseomancy is back in the National Capital Region and this time, the Toronto experimental synth project will be playing live at Pressed with Brooklyn experimental artist Mega Bog and Ottawa electronic duo RAAS.

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From Music Monday and Prestige to Fred Everything and the Mackenzie Rhythm Section

With the 4-day weekend ahead and great weather in the forecast, the world is yours, Ottawa-Gatineau. There’s so much happening this week you won’t know where to start, so here are some pointers to help you plan.

Interested in the music community? Check out the April edition of Music Monday at Bar Robo. This Monday’s discussion will look at how high tech can enhance and/or benefit the music industry. The event will feature a musical performance by Bucko and JUNO-inspired DJ set.

Contrast is a new event presented by NICA, a new creative space, to encourage creative conversation. Each event will feature two films, essays, or works of art for discussion. The first edition, called Abstract, will focus on the way we work.

If you’re into new hip hop, you may want to hit up the Bourbon Room this Tuesday night to catch Pouya and Fat Nick live. The Miami, Florida rappers will be performing live as part of the Drop Out Of School Tour and they’ll be joined on stage by Ghostmane, Flexatelli, Dillan Ponders and more.

This Wednesday, April 12 at Arts Court, check out ¡Fiesta Latina!, a launch party and fundraiser for the Latin American Film festival. The evening of music, dance, food and drinks will feature a live performance by musician Rommel Ribeiro, as well as a DJ set by Rodrigo.

The second Wednesday of every month at Bar Robo, DJ Trevor Walker aka Lifeboogie brings you Prestige, a new night that explores various grooves with jazz as the common thread. Expect jazz, funk, latin, afro, electronica and more, all on vinyl.

After a short hiatus, the Viree Blues series is back at the Petit Chicago, and they are now sponsored by Moosehead. The third show of the new series is happening this Wednesday, April 12 and it’ll feature a live performance by Guy Bélanger.

Ottawa emo/rock newcomers Castlefield are having their EP release show at House of Targ this Thursday night. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa rockers Nighttime in Kansas, Ottawa hardcore band RATS, playing Sum 41, Ottawa post-hardcore project Halfsleeper and Ottawa solo emo musician Silent Lovers.

Radiohead’s legendary album Ok Computer turns 20 years old this year so to mark the occasion, come hang at Bar Robo this Thursday night to experience the record in its entirety on vinyl and stick around for DJ Sweet Cheeks’ set after.

Music.Art.Ppl is back from a short hiatus and ready to celebrate the spring with co-founders Peter Albert and Nick Hebb as well as Montreal special guest Zepha for her first ever Ottawa appearance. Dubbed Jungle Jam, the part is going down this Thursday inside City and it’ll feature the visuals and live art of Paradiss and Coblou.

The best spot to find quality house music to dance to this Thursday night has got to be the Mercury Lounge hands down. Special guest DJ/Producer Fred Everything will be back in town to give an extended set filled with deep, soulful, electric & tech house.

If you’re feeling the bluegrass/folk/country vibes, make your way over to Bar Robo this Thursday night to check out Pleasant Goat, Big Big Wolf and special guest singer-songwriter Chloé Laberge.

If a psyche night sounds more like something you’d be down for, House of Targ is where you’ll want to be this Friday, April 14 to see USA Out of Vietnam, The Band Whose Name is a Symbol and Butterscotch Palace.

This Saturday, catch local collective JK3 live at the Atomic Rooster as part of their current residency. The rhythm section formed in Ottawa by members of Pony Girl will be giving three sets a night, the third one beginning around midnight and you can expect to hear instrumentals, improv, fusion and hip hop.

This Friday night, The Deep End is back at Bar Robo. Once again, the crew is bringing you a mixed bag of techno beats all through the night while also bringing a unique experience; intersecting music, lighting and video projections. This is an excellent party to check out if you’re into techno, house, and electronic music. 

When it comes to blues, Ottawa-based musician Lyle Odjick is certainly one to watch for. You can catch him live at the Atomic Rooster this Saturday as of 4 p.m. with The Northern Steam.

Ottawa/Montreal’s Future States are embarking on a Spring Mini Tour and they’ll be making a stop at The Record Centre this Saturday evening. This time around, they’ll be playing live with Montreal indie pop singer-songwriter Ada Lea (who’s really worth checking out) and Toronto alt folk artist Merival.

The 4th annual Indigenius art, music and fashion show is being held this Saturday at the Canadian Museum of History. The event is an opportunity to acknowledge, learn, and celebrate the contributions and creativity of our Indigenous people living across this land we call Canada.

If you want to check out an indie rock show this Saturday night, you should head over to Mavericks to see IllScarlett, Darenots, The Superlative, and Project Mantra live.

The Back To The Loudness Tour is stopping in Gatineau this Saturday night. Happening at the Petit Chicago, the show will feature live sets by Reset, Punchline 13, Sidelines, and MindAtWar. Bring earplugs.

Montreal rockers March of the Worm and Montreal alt rock band The Fiers are on a Spring Tour and they’ll be playing live at Avant-Garde Bar this Saturday with Ottawa dream pop/post rock project No Mistakes In Space and Ottawa ambient post-rock duo Novusolis.

The National Capital Region’s favourite soul-steppers, the Mackenzie Rhythm Section, are returning to the Blacksheep in Wakefield this Saturday night, following their funky set at the Bangers & Mash Festival. It’s always a good time when the guys are in the building!

LA hardcore punks The Bronx will be playing live at Zaphods on Saturday, April 15 and they’ll be rocking out with Philly punk rockers Dave Hause and the Mermaid.

Ottawa’s favourite glam rock n’ rollers In Heat will be sharing the stage with Ottawa rockers Thunderkok this Saturday night at House of Targ. The show, dubbed The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, will also feature Remi Royale. It’s gonna get messy.

Afropolitan is a 5-month series of events presented at the Mercury Lounge as part of Canada 150 that features DJs, percussionists and dancers showcasing the strong African, Caribbean, and Latin influences that have shaped today’s house music. The third edition happening this Saturday will feature DJ Manoo of France alongside the Tribal Threat DJs and Trevor Walker.

What’s cool about the Deep Therapy monthly is that it keeps happening at different locations. This Saturday, the party returns to Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts with special guest Thomas Cardin from Toronto. For those unfamiliar with the concept, Deep Therapy showcases the sounds of deep and cutting edge house music in a unique and inviting atmosphere that defies the ordinary.

Three of Ottawa’s musicians are coming together this Sunday for A Night at the Gladstone, a special one-night-only music and theatre event. Join host Jumpin’ Joel Flash, Danielle Allard and  The Ramblin Valley Band as they play on the still-being-used set of Little Shop of Horrors, running at the Gladstone Theatre until April 23.

RinseOut is back in the basement at Overkill and this Sunday it’s a jungle/DnB edition featuring Threesixty, Rob Saxon and Bellyfull Sound.

This Easter Sunday, Vanguard Pulse, SPOOR, Strange People and FAU Mardi have teamed up to bring you Соба AV, a night featuring an eclectic array of beats and a selection of stunning visuals. Gathering artists from different disciplines, the event will redefine Babylon into a multi-media environment and stage a unique experience.