yukon blonde

Three oh-no-a-bad-joke-is-imminent reasons to make like a crinkle cut french fry and get crunk at Beat Kitchen tonight…

1. Usually when a band selects “easy listening” as its genre on MySpace, there’s a good chance it is kidding. However, Vancouver trio Yukon Blonde is easy listening. No, not in that “Relax to the mellow sounds of The Rain” kind of way. Once you hit play on any track from its recent self-titled album, the group’s jangly Candian pop rock bounces into your eardrums and into your heart.

2. Chicago’s own Musikanto is the meat in this Canadian sandwich (more on that in a minute). The singer-songwriter makes delightfully fresh, pop-tinged Americana as evidenced on his latest album Sky of Dresses. Musikanto’s soulful, honey-coated vocals complete each track with a bit of Midwestern twang, much like a fine accented area rug ties a room together.

3. This bill wouldn’t be complete without another group of Canadians. Opening the show are Regina (Saskatchewan)’s own Library Voices. I hate to compare the new wave pop outfit to Broken Social Scene, but if you’re 1) Canadian and 2) seven members and over, chances are it’s going to happen. Library Voices take a much more shiny happy people route with its upbeat and perky beats, buzzing atmospheric noise and synthesizers, and sweet male/female vocal dynamic. This group is literally swinging, if you’re willing to boogie.

7:00 p.m. Tuesday, 10/4. Beat Kitchen. 17+ $10.