How I traced my life by the outline of my tattoo: here is my 54-40 story on the occasion of their 50th show at Vancouver’s venerable Commodore Ballroom.

Enter for a chance to win a trip to the amazing Osheaga Festival in Montreal, and learn why the BackstageRider will be spending nearly 3 weeks in the city (and why I need your help)

Been to a punk show lately? Need to blow off steam. METZ are your men. Check out the Toronto guys’ gig in Vancouver, via photos and words.

Occasionally I take it upon myself to introduce you to new music that has not yet been discovered by Pitchfork. Presenting: The Top 11 Things You Should Know about BESTIE

Edmonton kids Purity Ring brought their fairytale electro back to Vancouver and the Vogue Theatre, at a sold-out all-ages show. Oooh the pretty lights!

Rejoice, folks. The Grapes of Wrath have returned with their first album as Hooper-Kane-Hooper, in 22 years. And history’s important; so I asked Chris Hooper for his favourite memories of time in the band. Here they are. Lordy.

In which our heroine manages to crawl across most of Calgary, checking out We Are the City, The Zolas, Beekeeper, Max Ulis, Willis Earl Beal, Baby Dee, Hot Snakes and the Sadies. Phew, I got tired just writing that. Here’s Sled Island, Day 2.

Enjoy these rad pics and a tale of how I ended up on the set and in the video of Nardwuar and the Evaporators’ latest video “Hot Dog High”. OH YES.

Some really good live concert photos juxtaposed with some really crappy iPhone photos – herewith my tale of hangin’ backstage with the Canadian East-meets-West, Old vs. New rocktacular doublebill of Our Lady Peace and the Pack AD.