It’s not just the voice, or the moves, or the glasses and glove. It’s not just the portraits or the flyers or the book or the lyrics or the tape hiss. It’s Chicago’s Willis Earl Beal, a ton of photos, a video and my musings on what makes a man special.

Full gallery of those dark indiepop kids from Sydney, Australia, the Jezebels. Check out the pics, read the micro-review, revel in the occasional nice lighting that the venue called Venue in Vancouver offers.

Anthony Gonzalez brought M83 back to town on April 27 at the Vogue Theatre, a set that came replete with bright lights, layers upon layers of ethereal and 80s film soundtrack reference points. Par usuel.

Bear in Heaven – enormous and accessible electro, done well. The Brooklyn trio played Vancouver’s Biltmore Cabaret on April 14. Here’s pics and words from a joyous night.

Photos from Andrew Bird & Laura Marling, live at the Vogue Theatre on April 10. Couldn’t be there, but Brit Kwasney from Bright Photography was, and took these awesome pics.

He blinded us with SCIENCE and a slew of witty stories. New Wave legend Thomas Dolby returned to Vancouver for the first time in nearly 25 years, at the Rio Theatre on April 10. Review and full pics here, naturally.

The 14 members of the Church of the Polyphonic Spree arrived back in town and played Venue on April 6. It was ridiculous and silly and JUST. SO. MUCH. FUN. Check out the mahoosive gallery to get the real feel.

New video of Lou performing Weed Forestin’ tracks at Origami Vinyl a few weeks back, sent to the BSR by filmmaker Adam Harding! A round up of Sebadoh-recording-new-music news! It’s all kicking off at Camp Sebadoh.

Readin’, singin’, talkin’ about the past and future, and eatin’ cake. Such was the wonderful of Mike Doughty’s recent gig at the Media Club in Vancouver on April 5. Yeah, I said CAKE. Read on.