In this edition I feature: Born Ruffians' announcement of a new single and North American tour; a free download of Green Go's Remix Project Vol. 2, featuring Woodhands, Diamond Rings, Think About Life & more; Fucked Up's epic April Fools prank; the launch of Label Fantastic!; Optical Sounds' release of Magic Shoppe's debut EP; The Most Serene Republic's invite to join their army; Sha Prince's new track featuring D-Sisive and DJ Grouch; and the Forest City Lovers getting some love from an unexpected place.

Plus videos from Zeus, Jason Collett, DD/MM/YYYY and Young Rival (chatroulette reactions).

Born Ruffians & Young Rival team up for North American tour
Things are really heating up forBorn Ruffians, who recently announced details of the second single fromSay Itand the forthcoming tour in support of their sophomore album. On May 4 the band will release 'What to Say' backed with the previously unreleased b-side 'Plinky Plonky.' You can preview the single right now over atspin.com.

After dates in the UK and Europe in mid-May, Born Ruffians' North American tour will kick off with a CD release show at the Horseshoe Tavern on May 28. The tour will see the Ruffians jumping back and forth between dates in the US and Canada throughout the month of June, concluding with a show at the Red Dog in Peterborough on June 25.

For the tour, Born Ruffians will be accompanied by Hamilton'sYoung Rival, who will release their new LP on April 13 in Canada throughSonic Unyon. Check out some chatroulette reactions to the video of their first single from the effort, entitled 'Authentic.'

Young Rival - 'Authentic' (Chatroulette Reactions)

The birth of Label Fantastic!
Jenny OmnichordandWax Mannequin(aka Chris Adeney) have teamed with visual artistGillian Manfordto start their own boutique label and distribution company. Having already forged ties with independent record stores and digital distributors in Canada, the label has hopped off to a quick start with plans to release a new album from Jenny Omnichord (which will also be a board game), a split 7" fromThe Burning Helland Wax Mannequin and full-length releases fromJ.J. IpsenandSpring Breakupsometime this summer. The label notes that their "creative and hands-on approach to marketing means that everyLabel Fantastic!release will be unique, with everything from handmade packaging to pieces of art included in each CD or vinyl record."

Free Download: Green Go's Remix project Volume II
While Guelph indie rockersGreen Go's sophomore album isn't expected until early next year, the quintet have kept their fans spirits up by releasing volume two of their Canadian indie-folk Remix Project. Round two features remixes of tracks byDiamond Rings('All Yr Songs'),Woodhands('Can't See Straight'),Think About Life('Sweet Sixteen') andGregory Pepper & His Problems('Sevenths and Thirds') as well as a remix of their own song 'Watch Your Step.' Download it viamusebox.

DD/MM/YYYY - 'Digital Haircut' (official music video)

Fucked Up pull off elaborate April Fools' prank
Fucked Uppulled quite the April Fools' prank in 2010. After their lengthy blogpost/rantabout SXSW and corporate sponsorship last week, the band took to their blog on April 1 to announce that they were being sued by the energy drink company that sponsored their showcase in Austin just a few weeks back. They even went as far as to make the claim available for publicviewingonline (hosted by their record label Matador).

At the end of their post, FU invite fans to join afacebook群组in support of the band. By the time I joined the group, the population had grown to almost 400 people. Eventually, they sent out a message stating it was all a hoax, leaving me amazed at the amount of time and effort that went into the prank. Last weeks SXSW rant served as the perfect set-up that fooled everyone from NME to CBC (myself included). After their losing battle with Camel cigs last year, another lawsuit didn't really come as a shock and therefore wasn't second-guessed despite the date on the calendar.

Well played, Fucked Up, well played...

Jason Collett & Zeus - 'High Summer' (Live)

- Toronto-based record labelOptical Sounds(home to the Disraelis, The Hoa Hoa's and more) are celebrating their fourth release this week - the debut four-song EP from Boston'sMagic Shoppe. As described by the band, Magic Shoppe create "a hypnotic wall of sound that suggests a collision between classic psychedelia, repetitive minimalism and Velvet Underground style reverb rock." TheReverb EP一直在重复in my CD player for a few weeks now, and my only complaint is that it leaves me craving more. Expect to hear much more from both Magic Shoppe and Optical Sounds in the future - become a fan onfacebookto stay informed.

-The Most Serene Republichave updated their online fan club ("the Army of the Republic") with a new song in advance of their forthcoming US tour in May withAnnuals. The new song is called 'Photocall' and features a sample ofJon Brion's original soundtrack composition for the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Membership for the fan club is free through the band'swebsiteand offers exclusive songs, tour information and other perks for fans.

-达勒姆/多伦多说唱歌手Sha Princedropped a new track this week, featuring help fromD-SisiveandDJ Grouch, as well as production fromAnonymous Twist. Download 'Click Click Bang Bang' for free viausershare.

-Forest City Loversenjoyed some extra twitter attention this weekend after Ashton Kutchertweetedtheir video for 'If I Were a Tree' to his 4.7 million followers. It's amazing what two seconds of his time means for an indie group like FCL.

Zeus - 'I Know' (Live)

On blogTO last week
- Tom checked out the You Say Party! We Say Die!showat the Horseshoe on Friday night, as well as the Dead Letter Chorus & Two Hours Trafficconcertthat went down at Lee's on Saturday night.

Lead photo byPJMixer, member of theblogTO Flickr pool.