Hop The Fence: Friday June 22 2012

Summer in Ottawa has begun! The heat! The humidity! The outdoor music festivals! It’s all here! Seems we endure winter so we can finally enjoy these fleeting, blissful moments in the nation’s capital. I had the pleasure of seeing some great live music last night (Jack Pine and the Fire and The Barr Brothers) at the opening of the Ottawa Jazz Festival taking place smack dab in the middle of downtown. Hop The Fence regulars will enjoy the selection of bands (many Canadian indies) who will be gracing the OLG stage at Festival Plaza for the duration of the festival.

Case in point: Adam and The Amethysts, Saturday, June 23, 10 pm Today we will be chatting with head Amethyst, Adam Waito. Their gentle neo retro-pop sensibilities will warm your soul and chill your zen.

Of course, there’s always plenty of music going live in many great venues across town and this weekend is no exception. Be sure to check your local listings.

Case in point #2: Ben Caplan, Tuesday, June 26 @ Raw Sugar Café Find out more about this hirsute, multi-instrumentalist and lyricist who may look like ZZ Top but sounds like a hot-buttered Tom Waits! Just one listen and you’ll not soon forget his latest disc “in the time of the great remembering”.

I’ll be giving away tickets to this show, so be sure to tune in between 5 and 6 pm today – and be ready to call, Tweet or email to win.

Kick off your weekend with us at 89.1 in Ottawa or on-line at www.CHUO.fm.