Head south?

Despite the blizzard raging outside, today's show went off without a hitch, thanks in part to some familiar stand-bys. I felt pretty "on" today. It probably had something to do with the fact that my homework was done and my lunch was prepared prior to the show. (Usually I'm scrambling to make it to class on time and I end up skipping lunch.)

Following Deerhunter's already timeless "Back to the Middle" from this year's Monomania, we took an early electronic detour with a winter jam from Montreal's Braids, an off-kilter romp from Winnipeg's Royal Canoe, some sounds of isolation from Halifax's Ryan Hemsworth, and a heady new track from Beck.

Next, Winnipeg's Greg Macpherson joined Haley Primrose for slow-burner from his new effort, Firecracker. He was followed rudely by former Edmontonian Mac DeMarco (who lets out a classy belch right before launching into a romantic number from last year's 2); after Mac redeemed himself, we heard a sobering classic from Cat Power's Chan Marshall and a brand new track from Halifax lo-fi bruisers Dog Day.

Part 2 of the show began with Texas crooners Shearwater putting their stamp on St Vincent's "Cheerleader," one of a dozen covers from their just released album Fellow Travellers. From there we heard a live take of Jason Molina's Magnolia Electric Co. playing their Crazy Horse inspired "The Dark Don't Hide It." Next, Spencer Krug delivered a song based on the motif of Noah's ark and The Hold Steady's Craig Finn donated a song to Slim, the former guitarist for the Replacements and namesake of a new compilation album raising money to help him pay for his outrageous medical bills. Today's show ended without much fuss: after some acoustic grunge from Brooklyn's Palehound and we closed with sensibly titled song from Modest Mouse. Head south? For this guy, that means going to Winnipeg.



"Back to the Middle" - Deerhunter
"December" - Braids
"Button Fumbla" - Royal Canoe
"Still Cold (feat. Baths) - Ryan Hemsworth
"Defriended" - Beck
"Tourists" - Greg Macpherson
"Still Together" - Mac DeMarco
"Nude as the News" - Cat Power
"Sunset" - Dog Day
"Cheerleader" - Shearwater
"The Dark Don't Hide It" - Magnolia Electric Co.
"Everyone is Noah Everyone is the Ark" - Moonface
"Isn't It?" - Craig Finn and Friends
"Pet Carrot" - Palehound
"Head South" - Modest Mouse