by JAY WATTS III

It’s always daunting to come across something like Chromewaves, which pumps out hundreds of words daily on all manner of just-below-the-surface music genres, with a Canadian focus. I suspect that Frank CW’s labour of love is the result of polymath aptitudes, combined with a sizable trust fund that allows him the hours necessary to put this all together. Or maybe I’ve just got a lousy work ethic. Content ranges from extensive live reviews (recently: the Virgin Festival and Cat Power, with a photo section) to contests and the ubiquitous mp3 downloads. Get awed at http://chromewaves.net.

It’s time I spread the word about Kid Sister (aptly enough, the younger sister of Josh from Flosstradamus) in this column. The 25-year-old MC from Chicago has been making waves in the States (and on ye olde Internet) with her club-ready hip hop tracks (one of them a remix from Spankrocker XXXchange). There’s plenty going on to bring her to the attention of the streetwear obsessives. Besides an upcoming gig at Pop Montreal (always the mark of future success, y’know) and a remix by Ghislain Poirier, she’s also set to work with A-Trak on either a mixtape or a full-length album, depending on what message board you get your gossip from, and a track with Prefuse 73. Anyone disappointed with Uffie’s four-song set at MEG might not be holding their breath for the appearance of another hype-heavy female MC (yes, rumoured Vice Records connections to this one too). But thus far, live-show reports have said all swell things, such as UR Chicago saying, “Her larger than life personality and charisma seem to leap across the room when she performs.”

Hit http://myspace.com/kidsisterstakingthis for “Let Me Bang,” with its club-politics diatribe over a baile rhythm and a snaking sax lead, and one of my standout downloads of this year, “Southside,” all klaxon sirens, gunshots, synth flushes and other ear-candy studio wizardry, set to vocal percussion and head-nodding bass drums, beginning with an admonishment to “drop that ghettoblaster.” n

SAVE ME FROM THE CONCORDIA GHETTO! goldkicks@gmail.com

>> Music Listings