K-OS, SHAD, ASTRONAUTALIS, ANIMAL FARM, DJ SPARK
(Berbati's Pan, 10 SW 3rd) Though he's been recording since 2002, it wasn't until "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman" off last year's Yes! that I realized how killer Canadian rapper and producer k-os is. "Natalie Portman" spun aural gold by dropping a catchy beat and strong rhymes over—of all things—the theme song of The O.C. His latest, The Anchorman Mixtape, is similarly clever and addictive; seeing him live should be fantastic. ERIK HENRIKSEN Also, read our article on k-os.
PS I LOVE YOU
(Rotture, 315 SE 3rd) The rollicking rock of Kingston, Ontario, two-piece PS I Love You has resulted in one of this year's finest debuts: Meet Me at the Muster Station is packed with mammoth guitar noise, barely contained vocal shouts, and heart-on-the-sleeve melodies as big as the Great White North. NED LANNAMANN
The complete show listings can be viewed here!