his most recent New Year’s Eve was a profoundly introspective event for me. It could have even been called a crisis of sorts. A quarter-life crisis, perhaps. All the heavy questions of the world were weighing upon me: Am I stuck? Am I living up to my full potential? Am I settling for less than I deserve? Do I even want to live in this city? Am I happy? You know…the usual heavy questions. After getting bent out of shape at the pathetic answers I was coming up with and contemplating throwing myself a pity party, I decided to quit taking myself so seriously and go get drunk while listening to some great live music. It helped. A lot. After returning home, I obsessively, compulsively dug up all the great live music happening around town so that my fellow compatriots (if there are any of you out there) could have easy access to the cure for the quarter-life blues.

The first prescription on the roster is Michael Buble. This man has been making older women happy in more ways than one with his dapper looks and his crooning vocals ever since he appeared on the scene a few years ago. It just seems as if he can do no wrong. He’s doing his thing at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Jan. 15 if you’re interested. Blue Rodeo is also coming to town. Their soothing tunes are enough to put even the most troubled soul quietly to bed. If that sounds more like your medicine go to the Jubilee Auditorium on Jan. 9 to catch them in action. Corb Lund is another musician that fits into the calming music therapy genre. He’s playing a set at The Whiskey on Feb. 26th for the convenience of your mental health.

If all this sounds a bit drab to you so far, not to worry, upbeat music can be therapeutic too. Take Necro for example. It is physically impossible for him to utter a sentence with under three expletives in it. If anger management is what you’re looking for, Necro will show you how it’s done. “Channel the energy. Don’t act on it. Channel the anger. Don’t act on it.” That’s what Necro says before he falls asleep every night. He’s playing The Underground on Jan. 19th. Gob is at The Gateway Jan. 18th, Hedley is at MacEwan Hall on Jan. 22nd and Wide Mouth Mason is playing the Deerfoot on Jan. 25th. These are all shows that will surely get your blood pumping and your adrenaline rushing; all good things.

One way to get out of a rut is to try new things and the Bone Thugs in Calgary is definitely a new thing.

Last but not least, the Bone Thugs N Harmony are playing The Whiskey on Wed. Jan. 30th. One way to get out of a rut is to try new things and the Bone Thugs in Calgary is definitely a new thing.

All in all, the list is long and of quality for the coming months so pick your cocktail and get better! I’m going to need to be at all of these shows to cure my bad mood. If you feel similar, seek me out. Maybe we can start a help group, like MTA (Music Therapists Anonymous) or something.–J.T.