Find out what's new and hot with our bi-weekly local music roundup.

NJACKO BACKO / ICI BAS, RIEN N'EST IMPOSSIBLE / FEBRUARY 22
"Tu Es Mon Coeur," the first single off of Njacko Bakco's new album Ici Bas, is the theme song for optimism. I almost added that optimism is the best antidote for existentialism, but on further reflection I don't think the two have to be mutually exclusive. After all the "benign indifference of the universe" might as well be filled with optimism; you'll certainly feel better. Man, personally I would love to go see Njacko Backo play for FREE at the Gladstone Melody Bar on Friday but I have to work. But, I'm optimistic that I will have another opportunity.

MAGNETA LANE / WITCH ROCK EP / FEBRUARY 12
A certain friend of mine believes herself to be a witch. She tries to give off the impression that there's a certain silliness in collecting crystals and wearing black all time, but I know that deep down that's all horseshit. I believe she believes that she is a real witch, one with powers so attuned with the earth that their subtle strength is lost to everyone except cats.

It's not my place to weigh in on the reality of this but I will say her curses on me have never come true, unless I've been cursed with the occasional hangnail. I'd dare say that Witch Rock EP by old friends Magneta Lane will be an accompaniment to witches like my friend everywhere. Heck, I even like it and I am certainly not a witch (witches can't grow beards). Stream it now through the CBC.

PICK A PIPER / ALL HER COLOURS (FEAT. JOHN SCHMERSAL)

Gee whiz, this video is FAR OUT! It's full of colour, and I think it may even be about a girl becoming a woman, or vice versa. Or it's just a fucking wicked dream. "All Her Colours" is the first single off of Pick A Pipers' self-titled album to be released April 2nd.

TARANTULA X / EP / FEBRUARY 12

Cool! Really good music to play some mean ass video games to. I just sent this to my friend Josh and it blew his tweeters. Now that's a great endorsement.

TRU LYRIKKS / HORS D'OEUVRES / FEBRUARY 16

I find a lot of lyrics in rap music these days unengaging. Either it's a lot of yuppie thug values, descriptions of parties I would feel out of place at, or cringe-inducing goody-goody political ballyhoo. But this Tru Lyrikks fellow seems to have something to say and can say it with an effortless eloquence. Listen to the whole thing here.

HI THERE: If you have a new hit single, EP, LP, mixtape or video, I'd certainly like to hear it, as I'm sure many others would. So send it/them to me, Eric Boshart, at ericboshart [at] blogto [dotcom].