Kiss me deadly

by JACK OATMON

2007 has so far been an absorbing, enlightening time for me. Holed up in my warm apartment, I’ve been listlessly fiddling with a dozen projects and catching up with developments in the world outside my self-contained sphere for weeks. Just this month, I’ve obtained well over 100 albums, discovered a shining plethora of clever online gadgets and finished a hoard of nagging errands, much to the satisfaction of my obsessive nerves. I have probably not, however, spent enough time with people I love. Between trolling around the digital world and running across town to meetings and obligatory if interesting appointments, my inner circle of acquaintances has gone somewhat unacknowledged.

This week will certainly be a good time to catch up on my own humanity, judging by all the fantastic Valentine’s parties and concerts, as well as all the numerous other worthwhile events I’ve noted below.

Tonight, Feb. 8, you can catch Hatchmatik, A-Rock, Soundshaper and Nathan Burns putting records on at Saphir. Meanwhile, Omni, Sean Kosa and Romeo Kardec will be seen getting soused at Academy for the postponed launch of their new Thursday- night weekly. The gem of the evening, however, is an exciting line-up of cuddly, folky, groovy indie acts at Friendship Cove. The toe-tapping synth-pop stylings of Habitat, and Miracle Fortress’s marvelous twiddlings, will be alongside catchy, introspective Ohbijou and recent Haligonian transplants SS Cardiacs. I could easily see that turning into a ramshackle dance party.

On Friday, Feb. 9 Ghislain “Che” Poirier gets down with Bliss in the chilled-out environment of Boa. Downtown, Steve Lalla, Dialect and SeismoLogick showcase the best in modern breakbeats and other things funky at l’Alizé. There’s also a disco night going on at the Mansion on Fridays now.

On Saturday, you can see MSTRKRFT’s thrashing, head-nodding return to Bliss and Jordan Dare’s now-one-year-old Voyeur monthly at the SAT. If you haven’t been to one of these yet, you’re missing out.

Sunday night’s as good an excuse as any to shell out for an evening at l’Opera and see Felix da Housecat. You can also check out Quebec Connection at Mary Hell and Sunday Luv’s weekly slot at Saphir.

If you’re looking for some interesting music, I’ve dug up a few treasures lately. The Books’ Lemon of Pink has been filling my pad with jilted, staccato acoustic storms all month. I finally managed to get a full copy of the Knife’s first self-titled album from 2001. It makes an incredible precursor to subsequent releases, with the trademark haunting vocals in a more emotive, exposed format. I’ve also caught on to Britain’s the Young Knives and their smart-assed take on the modern indie sound. Their album Voices of Animals and Men is a silly, thumping piece of pop that is equal parts Generation X and Talking Heads, with a touch of the Dead Milkmen.