We’ll give Winnipeg this: The city doesn’t do stupid pop. Sure, John K. Samson’s one of the nation’s premier poets. The book-readin’ Paperbacks ain’t bad, either. But one of the city’s rising stars is Royal Canoe, which plays the Palomino on Thursday, October 14. Featuring members of the Waking Eyes — a band that’s both performed full Weezer cover sets and supported John K. — Royal Canoe’s the type of band that comfortably references East Coast power pop and chess master Gerry Kasparov, all within the space of a song. Winnipeg folk-pop act The Liptonians get in on the action, too.

Next, hit Vern’s for Victoria, B.C.’s Ballgag n’ Chain Gang’s brand of reckless ho tonk on Friday, October 15. Nope, not honky tonk. Ho tonk. A genre described on Ballgag’s website as the combination of “bad habits and good times,” we’ll describe it as a mélange of carefree country-grass and pure, distilled fun. With song titles such as “The Land of Hookers and Blow” — we can only assume it’s about Vancouver Island — and “Everything is Better with Bacon,” we’re not going to harsh the band’s buzz. Honey-voiced local alt-folk act Fast Moving Mountains open.

Or, if drinking is more of your thing, then you might not want to miss The Stanfields at the Gateway, also on October 15. Travelling from Halifax — the town that, if we’re to believe urban legends, has the most bars per capita in Canada — the raucous Celt-punk act blends the genre’s traditional influences (read: The Pogues) with an arrogant, seafaring maritime swagger. Simply put, this is drinking music.

Next, head to Ship & Anchor on Saturday October 16 to catch Magnificent Sevens, also from Winnipeg. But indie-pop this ain’t; rather, this is banjo and fiddle-driven bluegrass. Showcasing a restless brand of kitchen-stomp, the group has more in common with the modern interpretations of the genre — think Old Crow Medicine Show, minus the crystal meth obsessions.

But then, if we’re talking about getting cranked, check out Crystal Mess at the Palomino, also on October 16. After having released Worms of the Earth earlier this year, the band has established itself as one of the city’s best emerging acts, blending old-school thrash with undertones of galloping, blistering punk. Read a review of the LP on page 22 for more info. Vancouver rock warrior Thor headlines the bill, but don’t be surprised to see the opener shake him from his almighty perch.

Finally, don’t miss the stacked all-local bill at Broken City on Thursday, October 21. You’ve heard these names before, but for good reason: Paul van Campen’s gorgeous project, Magnetic North, heads up the show, with local-music impresario Lorrie Matheson, quirksters Foonyap and the Roar and SAVK joining in on the action.