Like many Montrealers, I'm currently living amidst a jungle of boxes because of my impending move. In this sea of chaos, paint chips, overpriced truck rentals and long weekends spent carrying heavy loads up the Montreal colimaçon stairs - I write to you bearing good news! Upon doing my hefty share of moving-related research, I actually stumbled upon something out of the ordinary: a human-powered moving company - this is to say, you don't actually need a truck of a petroleum fueled device to carry your appliances to another neighborhood anymore.

I don't know if any of you have noticed, but even though we haven't actually passed the solstice yet, summer is most definitely here in Montreal. This means concertsconcertsconcerts! Last Sunday, I made my way downtown at the Apple store, not to check out the new iPad craze, but rather to attend an early concert with the local band Stars.

The lovely and ever-awesome local band Stars are getting ready to release their new record, Five Ghosts, on June 22nd, 2010 on their very own label imprint - Soft Revolution Records - distributed by Universal Music. Lead by Amy Millan (also know for her collaborations with Broken Social Scene and for her own solo releases) and Torq Campbell (also from the band Memphis), Stars will be playing a home town show in Montreal on Sunday May 30 at 7:00 pm at the Apple Store (1321 Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest). This will be their only local show prior to their Osheaga Festival date.

The show starts at 19:00 and is free of charge. There are no tickets, but I can imagine there will be quite a lineup, and since the spots are limited I recommend you get there early.

Earlier this evening, I got the chance to sit down with Taylor, Mika and Simon of Timber Timbre for a quick interview.< --- click to listen.

I've been fascinated by this band for a few years now: their unusual and enrapturing darkness that makes you feel like, wherever you are listening to their tunes, you're walking along in a Hitchcock movie. I got to ask him about his musical influences, the musical creation process, the changes that came forth with actually becoming a band from a solo act, as well as what it's like now being on the major Canadian Indie label Arts & Crafts.

Timber Timbre is playing at La Tulipe tonight. The Luyas will be opening the show.

Every time mid-February comes around, it starts to feel as though I'd be willing to do anything to escape the eternal coldness of the Canadian winters. Perhaps you've also found yourself asking why, oh why, would anyone ever want to colonize such a cold part of the world. Maybe you like the cold... I don't know. But one thing I do know for sure, is that we all need a little extra warmth come this time of year, right? First time I listened to Leif Vollebekk's album, Inland, I immediately knew there was something there. The melody struck me as solid and voluptuous and unpretentious. Read on after the jump to find out more.

Before I officially begin this entry, I must say I've probably had one of the best weeks ever as far as interviews go. "Working" for Poutine has allowed me to meet and interview two of my favorite musicians. Last night, before the show, I got the chance to sit down in Sala Rossa's tiny green room to talk with Ohad Benchetrit about his recently released solo project, Years. Ohad is one of the founding members of Do Make Say Think and mainly plays guitar in the band. Earlier this year, another founding member of DMST, Charles Spearin, also released a solo project of his own. When they dropped into town while on tour for The Happiness Project, Spearin introduced Ohad and the then upcoming album. I felt excited to further discover what was going on into the individual creation of the members of my favorite band, and wasn't disappointed one bit. Do Make Say Think began touring their new record, Other Truths, last night in our beautiful city, and while they're at it, they're taking the opportunity to introduce Ohad's new project to the stage as a complete act, alongside The Happiness Project, and of course their own show. If you didn't get a chance to catch the show last night, I'm happy to tell you that they are playing tonight as well at Sala Rossa. Now, hit that jump!