Pe de Cana
Local trio Pe de Cana performs the old-style acoustic string-band music from Rio de Janeiro known as choro. For Brazilians that means to cry, but the tears in the eyes of choro players come from laughter in good company. The genial instrumental style emerged around 150 years ago, and its contemporary version combines elements of various South American folk traditions, the roots of samba and bossa nova, a touch of swing jazz, and a hint of bluegrass. Pe de Cana—meaning “foot of sugar cane”—will purvey this heady tropical cocktail for your ears tonight (December 6), in the intimate setting of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre.

Pepper
You can’t blame the members of Pepper for hauling up stakes and changing ZIP codes, even if you have to seriously question what kind of lunatics abandon the paradise of Hawaii for the smoggy streets of Los Angeles. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that getting in a tour van and heading across America was a little difficult due to the small matter of the Pacific Ocean. Any doubts that Pepper are indeed the heir apparents to Sublime were squashed when the Wailers picked them to open their 2006 American tour. That not good enough for you? Well, consider that Tony Kanal—who is as qualified as anyone to recognize grade-A quality dub, ska, and reggae—helped produce the band’s 2006 major-label debut, No Shame. Tofino will be emptier than Paris Hilton’s head when Pepper plays Richard’s on Richards on Friday (December 7).

Canned Hamm
Can’t seem to get into the holiday spirit this year? Local pop/disco house/comedy duo (hey, that’s what their MySpace page says) Big Hamm and Lil’ Hamm might have the answer. Help Canned Hamm and friends celebrate the release of their new album, Sincerely Christmas, at the Royal Unicorn Cabaret on Friday (December 7), and you’ll leave with a song on your tongue, a twinkle in your eye, and—depending on how much lager you down during the show—either a renewed faith in your fellow human beings or the beginnings of a Santa-sized hangover.

Bedouin Soundclash
For a band that arguably got its biggest break when it licensed a song for use on a department-store commercial, Bedouin Soundclash has come a long way. The Toronto trio, which plays a two-night stand at the Commodore on Monday and Tuesday (December 10 and 11), has built a healthy following for its blend of pop, folk, and reggae the old-fashioned way: through near-constant touring. To this day, though, we can’t hear “When the Night Feels My Song” without getting an overwhelming urge to drop everything and go shopping for cat litter and gonch at Zellers.

Don Caballero
How can you not love a band that named itself after an SCTV skit? (Remember the Godfather parody with Guy Caballero as a mafia don?) And, while the Pittsburgh-based Don Caballero’s music is jarring math rock that you’d probably have to have a degree in differential calculus to fully comprehend, you’ve got to appreciate the sense of humour on display in the all-instrumental act’s song titles. Since there will be no lyrics to distract you when Don Cab plays Richard’s on Saturday (December 8), you’ll have plenty of time to ponder the meaning behind “A Lot of People Tell Me I Have a Fake British Accent” and “Let’s Face It Pal, You Didn’t Need That Eye Surgery”. And don’t forget to bring along your slide rule, just in case.