CATL is a badass duo that  brings you back to the days of dirty blues! They shake you up with fat guitar grooves, hard, bare drumming and killer gritty vocals. Their most recent album “This Shakin’ House” is littered with bebop from driving dance tunes, to harmony soaked blues-folk inspired tracks, it packs all the punch and vivacity you’d expect from a rock band and then some. Their Live shows seem to be no exception to that unmistakable zest,  ‘cause rumour has it they literally leave their blood and sweat on stage. They headline Jan 31 @ The Horseshoe Tavern, go find out if the rumours are true! –Courtney Chalapenko

OFF THE FLOOR FEST kicks off tonight! Catch a bunch of Ontario’s best in Guelph this weekend from 1/29-1/31. Don’t miss Pet Sun and The Flu at Jimmy Jazz tonight. Then stick around for Christian Punk Band and DIRTY FRIGS tomorrow at the District. It will be nothing but good times and good vibes! Go to facebook and check out all the bands playing the OFF THE FLOOR FEST!

Pet Sun

The Flu

Christian Punk Band

Dirty Frigs

Old school rock n’ roll meets a modern edge with The Zilis. Their latest album Sketches II takes you on a journey through their eclectic musical influences; from blues to pop, R&B and jazz, it all can be heard in their rock and roll sound. “Don’t Ever Change”, the third song on their album, is a great example of what these guys are about, fun and roaring with energy! They open the song with some guitar feedback which quickly turns into surf rock tune, making you want to grab a partner and break into some sort of 60’s jive. Much like the rest of the album, it’s got that get up and move vibe, but don’t let that fool you, these guys show they’ve got a softer side too. If you feel like tearing up to some heart-wrenching bluesy music throw on “Ballad of a Broken Heart”. These guys are incredibly diverse, you won’t regret giving them a listen! So, brave the snow and warm up with The Zilis tonight, they’re worth the trek! Jan 27 @ Baltimore House.-Courtney Chalapenko

Feel the sun on your face as Jaunt warms the skin with the steady embrace of honest and unpretentious feeling. They juxtapose traditional sound with the sweet lullaby of  “Intimate Sunrise”.  Setting the mood with an affectionate vocal, inviting guitars, glistening keys and tender beats of the bass and drums; they create such belief as if you were the sun crossing the horizon and traveling through the atmosphere changing color. Listen to their sounds of glitter and gold tonight @ the Horseshoe.

BART, high flying with a  modern seventies energy. They experiment with structure, harmony and rhythm. Like a lucid dream they open doorways into the mind. “The Wall”  invites you right in with floating harmonies that easily warm you up with enchanting rhythms of guitars and drums. The video creates a  light and fluffy feeling of color and fun with grainy, soft, slow motion head banging. Bart’s latest video creation “Wade” sends you  into a mind-bending landscape of light and sound. A masterpiece of color dynamics creating  their own laser light show for everyone. See them this Saturday @ the Horseshoe with Wax Atlantic, it will be psychedelic good time!

Bart – Wade from Idée Fixe Records on Vimeo.

This indie rock trio keeps it tight and funky! There’s no shortage of distorted guitars, seemingly endless bank of creative sounds, or high-energy vocals with Run with the Kittens. These 11-year veterans definitely like to keep things interesting with an exciting natural progression. “Hijacked”, the preview song to their in-the-works double album, showcases that even losing a member won’t affect their sound. They keep it fresh with their clever mix of funk, disco, rock and at times a little bit of hip-hop – the whole mixture is infectious and ingenious. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on the release of their album, and do yourself a favour; run out Jan 22 @ The Cameron House or Jan 24 @ The Garrison. Enjoy their contagious energy!-Courtney Chalapenko

Lowlands radiates appalachian sound with a medley of folk players that  deliver front porch medicine.  Their latest album, Huron tells road stories with power and emotion. Their sound rolls down mountains with spirited and genuine vocals, banjo twangs and a prancing fiddle that chatters to a whispering peel steel and acoustic guitar. “Wonderful Hearts” will  put you at ease with nostalgic vocals that  bend and echo into harmonies with love. It then stops… speeds up and deepens into a  charming dirt stomp, with a chanting hook and unforgettable pedal steel as the drums signal with maritime regiment. Let  their sounds roll over you with reminiscence. Stay tuned for new tour dates in 2015.

No stranger to the stage, or The Deli, Jojo Worthington is a dynamic delight; a breath of fresh air in the ever-saturated AltFolk scene. This little lady is gearing up to let the world witness her enchanting creations, with the release of her full-length album “7”. If you haven’t already gotten the chance, listen to “Amadeus”; it’s an upbeat treat not to pass over. The song relies on simplicity; from the straightforward ukulele rhythm you hear at the start, to the way Jojo’s candy sweet voice floats over the entire song. She stays true to her witty songwriting roots with this one; the lyrics are both intriguing and ironically humorous, at one point, amusingly boasting "The headlines scream the death of Amadeus" after almost-regretfully reminiscing about a better time. Her music remains consistent; bouncy and catchy as she positively succeeds in keeping you hooked until the last note! “Amadeus” will be stuck in your head, leaving you singing the memorable chorus and title for days. This quirky, pink-haired darling is "drooling with excitement" to share with you all! Over the next few days she’ll be embarking on a four-city CD release tour. You can grab a copy of "7" and watch her perform Jan16 @ Homegrown Hamilton and Jan 18 @ The Smiling Buddha. -Courtney Chalapenko

Alexandra Mackenzie is a giant octopus with rainbow tentacles that extend over vast creative seas. She is a versatile expressionist with flamboyant style and methodical virtuosity. Arms deep as an illustrator, screen printer, filmmaker and fashionista she manifests herself musically as Petra Glynt. Her video for Sour Paradise is a unique adaptation of a dream or hallucination, experimenting with vivid imagery of light, color and sound. An innovative song with low rumbles, bountiful jungle beats, drum dance rhythms and a vocal with a lions roar. Take a trip and hallucinate with her Jan 19 @ the Smiling Buddha.

Woo-ooo-woo-ooo! Brat Kings are riding the sound waves right in to your ears.  Crank up the stereo ‘cause this trio serves up some tasty riffs and gnarly drive, and the best way to listen to them is loud! Their recent release of “Good Drugs/Watermelon” 7” is no exception to that rule, keeping the lyrics simple enough for you to sing along with and still dance like no one is watching (or so you hope). The boys definitely didn’t disappoint with this one ladies and gents.  Get your wet suits ready!  Go out and ride their wave January 17 @ Magpie Taproom. ~Courtney Chalapenko

Get on board… Brave Shores are coming with wide-eyed colorful electro-pop sounds! This sibling duo took us by  storm in 2013 with their dance hit “Never Come Down”. Picked up by Bell Canada, the track is synthy-pop fun with surf guitar sounds, bubblegum distortion and pretty layered pop vocals. Get to hear their latest self-titled EP Jan 17 @ the Silver Dollar. Dont miss this dance party, it will be a big multi-colored, sparkly time!

This Side Down, knows how to have a good time! With a modern take on stellar grooves, this psychedelic rock band is “raw and beautiful”. “Sticks and Stones” is a rock anthem jam chant! It carries fun vibes with a creative memorable guitar hook, that bumps and rolls to earthy warm vocals that fill the room. The video to this sing-a-long song takes place in a “rock-star fort ”, inviting you right into their cool times. Just how long did it take to build that? We would love to know! Stay tuned for more stone grooves coming your way with This Side Down.