Especially For You

Ben Lee posted on his website a video of him and Dutch Danish artist Tina Dico performing a fun live cover of Kylie Minogue/Jason Donovan's "Especially For You". I haven't actually heard the original version, but I'd assume it was one of those mainstream Australian/UK pop hits. Cheesy as Ben and Tina's version might have started out to be, it actually turned out to be really heartfelt and beautiful, especially when the crowd joined in. [via Kofi's Hat]

Leaving the 'mushy' stuff for tomorrow, today Kofi's Hat has some Anti-Valentine's Day songs available for download.

I've been listening to Helen Spitzer's thoughtful Valentine's Day mix, entitled Valentine's Complication: Part Two. Listen here. Also, thanks to Helen for introducing me to Sylvie Smith & John O'Regan(who perform under the name Habitat). Their song "Next Year" is the last song in Helen's mix(and can be heard over at Habitat's New Music Canada site) and like The Postal Service's "Nothing Better" is one of the most emotional electro-pop songs I've ever heard.

San Diego's Pinback are coming to Toronto for a 19+ show at Lee's Palace on May 4th. Tickets $15.00. [via rootmeansquare]

Just because I'm still on a Matt Pond PA high from the weekend, here's some more Matt Pond PA links. Matt Pond expressed to Hour.ca, that he "...doesn't mind being under the radar. That means that we can do whatever we want, and nobody is holding us accountable."

amanda! has alot of lovely photos from Matt Pond PA's show at The Mod Club in Toronto this past Saturday.

Bradleys Almanac went to Matt Pond PA's show(the show right after the Bowery Ballroom show in NYC where their gear was stolen) in Boston at the Paradise last week and has mp3's of the set available for download!

The Boston Globe reviews Matt Pond PA's Boston show.

B(oot)log has mp3's of Apostle of Hustle's recent solo set from February 2, 2006 at The Social in Toronto. The set includes cover of Metric's "Hustle Rose" and The Walkmen's "The Rat".

Thanks to BrooklynVegan(via Largehearted Boy) for pointing me towards a download of a "Portishead Remixed" album. And while on topic of Portishead, they have a MySpace site concerning their upcoming third album - which, if it does not finally get released this year, I will give up on them.

Mr. Evan Dando had solo shows in Toronto(at Horseshoe Tavern) and Hamilton(at The Underground) over the weekend and according to a soundtrack for everyone and the Stille Post Hamilton board, he didn't appreciate audiences talking during his sets.

In the dumps about Valentine's Day? You(we) are not alone.