"Ottawa is the best city in Canada to play in! Slightly under the radar, you wouldn't guess it, but the Ottawa crowd always really get into the moment, let it all out and have a real blast at our shows."  

Give yourselves a pat on the back, Ottawa concert-goers!!  This is what Jeff Innes, leader of Yukon Blonde told me this week. He said that he and Dan Mangan were talking recently and they agreed that Ottawa is where it's at, baby !!

If you missed them at the Ottawa Folk Festival, you can still catch Yukon Blonde next week at the Pop Montreal International Music Festival.

If you're looking for something a little closer to home, check out the Arboretum Arts Festival on Saturday, September 15 at the Arts Court and old Ottawa Jail.  The line-up includes Sandro Perri and is headlined by the ever-eloquent Cadence Weapon.

I will be giving away a pair of tickets to the festival on today's program! Be ready to tweet or call-in when I give the cue between 5 and 6 pm.

Tune in at 89.1 FM in Ottawa or on-line at www.CHUO.fm

Join us this week as we speak with some great talent emerging from the Ottawa and Montreal areas.

Amos The Transparent: Formed in Ottawa circa 2005, they have 2 great albums and numerous EPs and singles under their proverbial belts. The latest, released earlier this year, Goodnight My Dear...I'm Falling Apart, is a great effort showcasing their penchant for well crafted and textured pop-rock (and long titles). They will be performing as part of the Pop Montreal International Music Festival on September 20 and 21.

Darling DeMaes: Kicking off their career in 2007 with a highly regarded EP called Winter Keep Us Warm (can't get more Canadian than that!), this Montreal band followed up with an LP in 2008 and are now working on a 2nd full length album, Celebrate. With the help of a few notable Canadian artists and producers, it promises to be juicy. Get a heads-up on it when we speak with the band - live in studio - this week before their gig in Gatineau. They are also expected to be part of the Pop Montreal show.

Get your favorite earbuds ready for some enjoyment. All the fun begins at 5 p.m. on Friday on 89.1 FM in Ottawa or on-line at www.CHUO.fm.

Peace out xox