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.

Considering that all the acts on in Van-City in the near future are fantastic, I’m going to lay them out according to venue rather than genre. First off is the infamous Commodore Ballroom. The legendary DJ Mark Farina is a party master who’s spinning at the Ballroom on Jan. 11th. It is physically impossible not to “get your back up off the wall” when Mark is behind the tables. Physical exercise has been proven to cure depression, so why not let Mark help you out? The pretentious Editors and Hot Hot Heat are playing the venue on Feb. 5, so if you’re looking to chill out that night head on over. Hip-hoppers of consciousness, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist are spinning on Feb. 11. If you’re in need of a few life lessons, this is the show for you. Wyclef is due on the 13th and new Canadian heroes, Wintersleep, will be playing on the 16th.

The newly Parisian songstress will warble her newest record to you, allowing you to forget about all your sorrows for at least the duration of the show.

The Orpheum Theatre is set to host Feist and Mika on Feb.12th and 15th respectively. This kind of timing is an event people will fly into town for. The newly Parisian songstress will warble her newest record to you, allowing you to forget about all your sorrows for at least the duration of the show. Mika is just too much fun. If he doesn’t put a smile on your face, you must have had a troubled childhood.

The Bravery with their disco synch rock and Dan Deacon with his Elmo on acid dance beats are attacking Richard’s on Richards on Jan. 24th and 21st respectively.

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.