Golden Dogs Update

A surprise birthday party was held for my friend Michelle Murphy (the significant other of Polaris Music Prize founder Steve Jordan) at Toronto's Mitzi's Sister on Friday night, and part of the surprise was a performance by Dave Azzolini and Jessica Grassia.

While they only played covers, beginning appropriately with The Beatles' "Birthday," Jess updated me after their set on the original songs they're recording for their third album. Things are coming along well in the studio, she says, and Toronto fans will be able to hear some of the new materai every Wednesday night in February at The Dakota Tavern and as a headliner of one of CHARTattack's Canadian Music Week showcases at the Horseshoe Tavern.

The Golden Dogs are no longer signed with True North in Canada or Yep Roc internationally, so record companies should pay attention to these free agents, who've become one of Canada's most entertaining bands over the past few years.