Seriously. Katy Perry is a woman on a mission.

2011 is the year she conquered the music scene and she has the record-breaking numbers to prove it.  And she just tied yet another record which puts her in an elite group of artists.

Katy Perry’s massively successful “Teenage Dream" album is just the third in Billboard’s Hot 100's 53-year history to generate at least six top five hits.

To date, "Teenage Dream" has sold 1.9 million copies around the world (Nielsen SoundScan). Crazy numbers.

Here are some more newly released Christmas musical offerings...

I Love You, Mr. Grinch - Laura Warshauer (Jersey born Los Angeles based singer and songwriter)

Stream/Download “I Love You, Mr. Grinch”

I love Twitter for a lot of reasons but mainly it's because I get to find new music by connecting with bands, singer/songwriters and DJs in 140 characters or less. (Twitter is also a huge enabler to my iTunes downloading addiction...le sigh.)

"Few bands inspire such intense hatred as Nickelback." (2007, USA Today)

Yes it’s a Nickelback post.

Obviously hell has frozen over or something like that.

But the reason for this blog is because of a deep dark secret that I have carried around with me and if I don’t spill it…my dear “I have never owned a tube of lip gloss ever in my life - musical soul sister -Tech Mummy @ksswansong” will.

So here is goes.

Hot off her big Juno win, Meaghan Smith is travelling across the country promoting her latest Holiday release called 'It Snowed'.

In the vein of Sloan's "Between the Bridges," very indie pop, very cool vibe…drum roll…this is Andrew Johnston.

Canada has always been a great importer of indie pop. From Sloan to The New Pornographers, you never know what the Great North will produce. Epic musical acts that take the world by storm and find a special place in your heart. So with that said, it's time to meet your new favorite musical obsession, Andrew Johnston. 

So every year there is a new batch of Christmas songs that are released - covers of timeless holiday classics (and some originals) - hoping to make their way to your ever growing playlist. Some are good and some well....ahem...not so much (ear bleeding kind of musical offerings).

In creating that ultimate holiday playlist that will take you from Christmas cocktail party, family get togethers, marathon present wrapping sessions and the big day itself...here is the official YMC Bsides 'Must Have Christmas Songs and Albums'.

Toronto-based singer Eleanor McCain has just released her fourth album, just in time for the season aptly named, Holiday. The two disc CD of holiday songs falls into two collections that create two distinct sentiments ─ a “Naughty” side of up-tempo and jazzy secular selections and a “Nice” side of intimate and traditional choral tracks.

Sometimes you find your new favourite song in the most unexpected places...like a Heineken commercial for example.

The commercial? Heineken's 'The Grand Entrance'
The song? The Golden Age
The band? The Asteroids Galaxy Tour


 

Love the Danish pop band. The song is so damn catchy.

To Dallas Smith, country music has always been about the special combination of a voice and a song. After spending nearly 10 years fronting the Canadian rock band, Default, Smith is stepping out on his own, into the world of all things Country.

While in Nashville, Dallas worked with acclaimed songwriter/producer Zac Maloy (Carrie Underwood, James Blunt), Grammy nominated songwriter Rodney Clawson, and Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood).

I have a new favourite website thanks to an email I received this week from Jane Chapman.

I will never listen to music the same way again…without wondering what drink would go well with my song of choice. What better to kick off the weekend?

The website? Drinkify

The creators? It was created in 24 boozy hours by Hannah Donovan @han (Design), Lindsay Eyink @leyink (Data), Matthew Ogle @flaneur (Code)

When you think rap pioneers, one of the names that come to mind is Heavy D.

Heavy D passed away yesterday at the age of 44 after bring rushed to a Los Angeles hospital.

“I find it exciting to be alive and be a working musician, and all these things just keep opening up for me..."

Today on the Bsides, it's all about about Casey Shea.

And today marks the official release of Casey's third album, In Your Head, on Family Records. 

Here's some new music that's been getting a lot of repeat action on my iPod lately... All compiled into one little playlist for you to check out...who knows you may discover your new favourite musical gem. Have fun listening.

In this week's Bsides Indie Spotlight....

Bryan Finlay
Edmonton, Alberta (unsigned)
Discovered by Shawn Desman & Hipjoing Music Group (Vancouver)
Song was featured on the Canadian teen drama television series, 'Degrassi: The Next Generation.'

So last night I headed out to see that famous YouTube band, Boyce Avenue play in Ottawa.

This was my second Boyce Avenue concert and they were as amazing as they were as the first time...

My only complaint was the gang of teenage girls standing behind me...I swear they broke the world record for most non-stop loud talking during a concert. 

But I digress.

It's amazing that a band that gets no traditional video or radio support can sell shows all over the world.

But my heart’s getting soft and my hands are so weak , And I don’t know where I’ve been but I’m sure you'll tell me ~Farewell Milwaukee ("The Wallpapers Gonna Swallow You Whole")