So last month I got hooked on the '30 day song challenge' thanks to a music loving friend on Facebook.

It's as basic as any challenge can get - 30 days, 30 music questions which act as your Facebook status, daily tweet on Twitter or blog post.

So here are the questions along with my answers. It's a fun, mindless exercise in all things musically speaking.

Degeneration Street, the fifth album from the Montreal band The Dears, delivers the passion and soul that has earned the band the adoration of fans and critics worldwide is finally out in all it's musical glory.

I love, love, love it. It's an incredible record.

So my husband scored points major this morning with my gift...a bottle of Baby Duck (yes I really, truly like the Baby Duck).

Here was my gift to him....a mixed CD of my five favourite love songs (not so shocking of a gift coming from me).

Singer/songwriter Sara Lov has a brand new album coming out (February 15th) called “I Already Love You”.

Sara describes her voice as 'Simple and sad, with a shot of scotch"....think moody meets angelic....and very smooth.

Here are some newly released tracks to add to your workout playlist...cause new musical inspiration is always a good thing.

Usher - More (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix)
LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem (feat Lauren Bennett & GoonRock)
Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me
Pitbull - Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor) (feat T-Pain)
David Guetta & Rihanna - Who's That Chick?
Shogun & Emma Lock - Imprisoned
D-Mad - She Gave Happiness (Arty Remix Radio Edit)
Tiesto & Diplo - C'mon
Alter Ego - Rocker (Eric Prydz Remix)

“Their set has Top 10 potential written all over it” – The Fly

“I’m ready to convert to the church of Amos Lee.” — Bust

'Mission Bell' (Blue Note Records) is the 4th release by Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter, Amos Lee and this album has already earned him the highest chart position of his career....with a #1 debut on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.

This is the track that I've had on repeat for the last week....le love it I do.

Straight No Chaser  are a 10-man a capella group, and they're touring all across Canada this month.

Ottawa based band and Canadian music scene darlings, Amos the Transparent are known for their full out rock and loud live shows but it seems they have a softer 'keep the peace not so in your face' side....who knew?

They managed to do the unthinkable and have released a kid's indie rock lullaby EP...and for the record it's totally dreamy and soothing.

So today's playlist is all things hip hop with a little rap thrown in for good measure.

This playlist came about when one @slypigjeff sent me this gem of a tweet yesterday "Please don't use hip hop and music in the same sentence."

So his Twitter mission to annoy me at all times aside (yes I follow him and yes we're friends), I decided that it was time to expand his 'Journey and Faith No More' musical spectrum.

So as I was getting my son ready for school this morning I heard a song by Sass Jordan on the radio. It totally reminded me A. love that raspy voice of hers B. how much I love her songs from back in the day and C. her songs are great for picking up that hairbrush and singing along, unleashing your inner rock star girl at heart

So for your rock star Monday moments here are three tracks by Sass herself...

So Hard

So on Saturday night I attended the Bell Sens Soirée at the Hilton Lac Leamy along with another YMC Blogger Kelli Daisy.

It was a night to mingle with the Ottawa Senators and to raise money.

And yes Mrs. Fisher....Carrie Underwood was there.

So I was listening to the radio this morning and heard Nik Kershaw...so I figured three retro tracks for a Friday were in order.

Nik Kershaw: Wouldn't It Be Good

Howard Jones - What Is Love

Did you know that 58% of Ontario grade school teachers teach music with no musical background?

Well there a mummy on musical mission who wants to change that statistic by implementing a program tha teaches young students and teachers music fundamentals including sight reading, ear training, singing and playing together.

Jane Chapman is a mummy of two who wants to bring the 'Uke Can Do It Program' to more schools in her area and she needs your votes to secure funding with the Pepsi Initiative.

“I’m all for trying to restructure our popular vernacular or the lexicon ... so it doesn’t put minorities in harm’s way, but I also think that censoring a song like [Money For Nothing], with a lyric like that, will only serve to fetishize those words in the first place.”  ~Luke Doucet (article from the Globe And Mail)

So when I came across this Tweet last night from Ian Drew (Senior Music Editor for Us Weekly)...

@Ian_UsMusic: Plan B about to go on to heat up this snowstorm

I was A. slightly seething with jealousy and B. totally craving some of that music from across the pond (I love my Brit music) and C. totally thrilled that Plan B was finally finding their way to North America.

With the Juno Awards coming up in Ottawa on April 1st, I decided to spotlight some of the next up and coming Canadian artists—who knows one day they may be gracing the Juno stage...

Up first, is an artist who has already made his way to my iPod. Drum roll please. His name? James Struthers.

So someone tweeted about Lykke Li last night on Twitter and I've had this song on the brain ever since....

Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson (born 18 March 1986), better known by her stage name Lykke Li, is a Swedish indie singer. Her music is eclectic fusing together pop, electronic, and alternative rock plus makes full use of violins, tambourines, trumpets, saxophones, and cellos.


Here is her latest video for the track 'Get Some'

Boyce Avenue is an American acoustic rock band that kicked off their musical journey on the internet.  Since they posted their first music video they have become "You Tube sensations" with over 10 million collective hits on their music videos.

This is the track 'Louder Than Ever' from the upcoming Cold War Kids album 'Mine Is Yours' which will be available January 25th on Downtown Records.

The song's vibe bring you back to the days of hanging out at overly crowded dive bars, beer in hand...totally lost in the music rock out to the band up on stage...assuming you did that kind of thing.