by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

Spring's a long way off, so one worthwhile gig to catch in these depths-of-winter days might be American Francophile April March at Petit Campus on Jan. 27 - her name alone suggests vernal victory. For some real heat, check the beats as local house music e-zine Deep Vibes celebrates five years with Yannick Boucher, Mike Terzian and Jojo Flores at Therapy at Stereo, Jan. 22. Japan's Satoshi Tomiie does Stereo on Jan. 23, a slot filled the next night by Mark Anthony. Over at O Patro Vys, Akufen and Vincent Lemieux offer another Musique Risquée night on Jan. 23. At the same spot the next night are live art and dope beats as DJ Philippe and DJ R-Ohm present their Beyond All Recognition party.

On a rockier note, rapmetal rascals Linkin Park are at the Bell Centre on Jan. 23, while Eve6 and Yellowcard play Club Soda on Jan. 28. A decidedly contrary punk-rock bill of Anti-Flag, Against Me, Rise Against and more hits the Medley on Jan. 23. Heartbreak's dead ahead as Vaginal Croutons play their farewell gig at Petit Campus on Jan. 23 (bring Kleenex). And for maximum mix-up of heaviness and chaos, catch Dillinger Escape Plan, the Locust and guests bombard Rainbow on Jan. 27. What could be heavier? How about Tuvan throat-singing care of Huun Huur Tu, making their third Montreal appearance, at Kola Note on Jan. 22. That same night, local lady Ele_K* cozies up at Casa del Popolo.

Tiki torches and trucker caps

Toronto's ersatz Southern trash outfit White Cowbell Oklahoma bring their rockin' rodeo to le Swimming on Jan. 23, while the fine folks at Hip Hop 4-Ever deliver French rap sensation Saïan Supa Crew at Club Soda on two nights, Jan. 29 and 30. The night after sees Martha Wainwright at Cabaret, and tiki-metal terrors Paradise mixing palm trees and power chords at Café Campus. Likewise worth keeping in mind that same week, hip, happenin' Hasidim the Klezmatics are at Centre Pierre-Péladeau on Jan. 29.

Sunday, Feb. 1 has, on the one hand, extreme heaviness in the form of the End, Hands of Death and more at Foufounes Électriques, and on the other, no less than Canada's godfather of minimal techno Richie Hawtin (who now has hair again) and Mateo Murphy whipping up a special night at Nexxt.

The week after's a good one for Britpop as Welsh weirdos Super Furry Animals tumble into Café Campus Feb. 6, and Stereophonics play the Spectrum Feb. 10. Also on Feb. 6, Germany's odd and inventive leftfield popsters the Notwist are at Cabaret, and relocated Haligonian Buck 65 doles out his raggedy country-hop at Club Soda. The night after, local boys done good the Stills are at Cabaret du Plateau, and Frisco's Manny Ward hits Gravity. Elegant French popmeister Arthur H returns to town the same weekend, playing Cabaret on Feb. 5 and 6, and sticks around to play Théâtre Outremont the weekend after that.

There's naturally a big bunch of stuff going on for Valentine's Day. Among the notable is the BBCM Red Party, Feb. 12–15, with DJs Paulo and Norm Robert at the main event, which is at the brand new Parisian Laundry space near Lionel-Groulx metro. Alternately on Feb. 14, catch Angel Moraes and Alain Vinet at Gravity, or if you must, Rod Stewart at the Bell Centre.

Piano punks Something Corporate have the keys to Club Soda on Feb. 16, while Mr. Matt & the Birth of Something New (which is the new something of Me Mom & Morgentaler bassist Matt Lipscombe) is at la Sala Rossa Feb. 20.

Shocking and stinging

A couple of cool catches for the Festival Montréal en Lumière: Celebrated avant-gardiste/NASA artist-in-residence Laurie Anderson is down for three nights at l'Usine C, Feb. 19–21, and noted film-score composer Howard Shore conducts his works for the Lord of the Rings flicks at Place des Arts on Feb. 23. Canada's own vaguely Hobbit-esque Barenaked Ladies are at the Bell Centre that same night.

Feb. 27 sees two local events of note. The Kalmunity crew bring their collective grooves and more to la Sala Rossa, and at Gravity, the Utopia's Paradise house-music radio show celebrates 13 lucky years with Tony Desypris and Timmy Regisford.

Marching on into March, now. Get Up Kids make their fans do just that at le Spectrum on March 11, the same night Stefie Shock (who's second album Le décor has blown up appropriately big in Quebec) begins a two-consecutive-night stand at Club Soda. It's not unusual for swarthy Welsh stud Tom Jones to roll through town - he's at the Bell Centre on March 14. Sting, meanwhile, gets all fancypants at Place des Arts on March 22.

Closing out the month are two affairs well worth noting. The first is Ninja Tune's ZENtertainment tour, timed to follow the release of the three-disc ZEN retrospective (classics, remixes and a DVD of videos). The show hits the SAT on March 19, and sports Kid Koala, Amon Tobin, Bonobo, Sixtoo and occasional Def Jux affiliate Blockhead. Then, on March 22, Tiga unveils a mysterious "new concept" at Gravity - so mysterious he hasn't even figured out what to call it yet. Could be cool, but after this bitter winter, let's hope it's hot.

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