This week we've got some hot, hot, hot MP3s from the Great White North.

Canadians. When they're not feasting ravenously on the flesh of manatees and building igloos they're making the indie rock. Indie rock in overt reverence of Neil Young, small town living, winter wear, and long, long drives with plenty of room to pull over and have a piss.

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There's two great Canadian bands winging their way across the Pacific to be with us for the totally mild and bush league winter in Shanghai. The first is this band Immaculate Machine who are already in the midst of their first China tour. They're playing at Yuyintang on December 12, hosting by marvelous promoters, Split Works. They're out of Victoria, which is a small city on the west coast of Canada known for its old people and hardcore punk (well, it used to be -- I don't know what's going on there now.) Immaculate Machine get compared to The New Pornographers a lot, and rightfully so, as the two bands share a member. They also do a lot of that male/female vocal harmony thing which is kind of a New Pornos trademark. Here's some deceptively complex pop songs -- that first one is quite bitchin' -- with their roots in folk music, but angled towards the epic. Lead guitarist kind of does a Silkworm thing too, which is quite lovely.





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The second Canadian band is Great Lakes Swimmers, who are coming to China for the first time, playing at Yuyintang on January 10. They've found international success in recent years for their beatific mix of folk and roots country. (GLS boast accolades from the New York Times, Mojo, Pitchfork, and diet Pitchfork -- Stylus.) They're out of some bo-dunk town that I've never ever heard of (but now Toronto), fear no acoustic guitars, and have plush, well-developed beards. They're really folking folk, singer/songwriter-y. If you like sedate and subtle folk/country stuff like Iron & Wine or Nick Drake, these are for you.





So don't miss those concerts. Immaculate Machine this Saturday, December 12 at Yuyintang and Great Lakes Swimmers at Yuyintang on January 10.

Here's some bonus Canadiana. Good times.



Main image is Tom Thomson's "The Jack Pine".

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