They’re new but you’d never know it.

No Sinner hasn’t even release their EP yet (it’ll drop in March) and already they seem poised for great things. Led by a husky-voiced powerhouse of a lead singer, their sound is big, blues-y, and Janis Joplin-esque. In fact, you’d never guess No Sinner was from Vancouver, until you watched the video for “Boo Hoo Hoo” which features one of the city’s most famous landmarks: the Waldorf Hotel. And speaking ofVancouver’s iconic landmarks, No Sinner is playing the Biltmore on Friday.

Can’t say no to that. —Kelsey Dundon

No Sinner, Friday, February 3rd at the Biltmore, tickets ($10) at www.ticketweb.ca

Our running playlist is all ready to go, but now it’s time to muffle all that unnecessary ambient noise.

The happy coloured Urbanears make for an ideal gym partner, whether one prefers classic headsets like Plattan ($69.99) or tiny earplugs like Bagis ($39.99). Both are noise-cancelling with a TPE cord eliminating sound distortions caused by friction, so we can run as hard as we want while eliminating the constant chitter-chatter coming from our gym mates. Workout serenity. — Anya Georgijevic

At Homewerx, 2928 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-733-2203 or 1053 Davie St., Vancouver, 604-682-2204, www.homewerx.ca, and Walrus, 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, www.walrushome.com

Finally! The day has come when we can blast the Ghostbusters theme song on repeat! But that’s not the only frightfully good tune we’ll be listening to as we scarf down hand out candy tonight…

"This is Halloween" from the Nightmare Before Christmas

"Monster Mash" by Bobby “Boris” Pickett

"Somebody’s Watching Me" by Rockwell

"A Nightmare on My Street" DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Twilight Zone" by Manhattan Transfer

"I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow

"Addams Groove" by MC Hammer

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

"X-Files Theme" by Mark Ayres

"I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 

—Kelsey Dundon

Dance-pop group Friendly Fires seems to love Vancouver as much as we love them.

The British band was here less than six months ago, and on Tuesday the trio will headline the crown jewel of the local music scene: the Commodore. Their very fun brand of bright, shiny dance-pop makes their live shows a blast. Check out "Blue Cassette" and you’ll understand why we’ve already put on our dance pants.

Now, what to wear with them? —Kelsey Dundon

Tickets at Ticketmaster and Red Cat Records

We’ll head indoors eventually.

But not until we’ve attended almost every outdoor concert we possibly can. One of the last this season will be Canada’s own Broken Social Scene, who will perform at Stanley Park’s quaint Malkin Bowl on Saturday, September 24. If we may put in one request, it’s that the Toronto-based indie supergroup play All to All (it was one of our favourite performances at Coachella this year).

Until then, we’ll be listening to it on repeat.
—Kelsey Dundon

It’s time to play the music! It’s time to light the lights!

As we anxiously await the first Muppet Movie in over ten years to be released on November 22, we
can get our Animal on with the inspirational, celebrational, muppetational Green Album, featuring covers of popular Muppet music by contemporary artists.  Sing along to old favourites like "The Muppet Show Theme Song", performed with a rock edge by OK Go, a quirkily wistful rendering of "Rainbow Connection" by Weezer (featuring Hayley Williams), and a stunning "Halfway Down the Stairs" by soprano Amy Lee of Evanescence.

Even Statler and Waldorf couldn’t give a negative review. —Jennifer Nachshen

Available on iTunes.

The ukulele is a great kids’ instrument: it is small, easy to play and it never gets too loud (reason why recorders aren’t allowed in this home!).

That’s why we loved this make your own ukulele kit (US $40) from Uncommon Goods. It comes equipped with a wood body, neck, and strings which are easily assembled, and then you can customize it with different paints, stains or decorations.

And, when you've heard Old MacDonald Has A Farm for the one thousandth time, you know how they put it together, so you can take it apart.
—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Available from Uncommon Goods. Make sure to check out the Canadian shipping instructions here.

You could play “O Canada” on repeat, or you could stock your patriotic playlist with these tunes and rock your Canada Day BBQ true north style.

Junior Boys - "A Truly Happy Ending"

The Slew - "Problem Child"

Caribou - "Selfish Boy"

Miracle Fortress - "Tracers"

Shout Out Out Out Out - "Bad Choices"

Chilly Gonzales - "You Can Dance"

Jacques Green - "Another Girl"

Zeus - "How Does It Feel" 

Sloan - "G Turns to D"

Austra - "Lose It"

The Zolas – "You’re Too Cool"

Brasstronaut – "Hearts Trompet"

Broken Social Scene – "World Sick" 

Rural Alberta Advantage – "Stamp" 

Arcade Fire – "Sprawl II"

Crystal Castles – "Celestica"

Coeur de Pirate – "Comme des enfants (Le Matos Remix)"

Chromeo – "Fancy Footwork" 

Feist – "1234" 

Stars – "Take me to the riot"

—KD & AG

You know what live music venues in this city have been lacking? Dumplings.

Until now. The Electric Owl has just opened in the space that once housed Main Street’s American Hotel. And it is virtually unrecognizable. The 8,000-square-foot venue is home to an izakaya-style restaurant, sake bar, and cold beer and wine shop. But that’s not all. The space centres around a stage that showcases international acts and some of Vancouver’s finest new music.

Finally! We can catch a show, scarf down a midnight snack, and pick up a bottle of sake all in one place. —KD

The Electric Owl, 928 Main St., Vancouver, http://electricowl.ca

Have we got a surprise for you!

Ever since friends floored us with an out-of-the-blue birthday bash, we’ve loved surprises. Our latest obsession? The Never Surprise. Singing sweet harmonies reminiscent of Elliott Smith and Wilco, the Vancouver-based duo has perfected the art of the mellow melody. With folksy tunes that beg for backyard BBQs, they have us longing for warm summer evenings. But we’d happily listen to them indoors too. Lucky for us, The Never Surprise will be performing tomorrow (May 5) at the Railway Club in celebration of their self-titled debut album.

And when they become Canadian folk heroes, well, that won’t be a surprise at all. —KD

See more here.