So, I have to admit I'm suffering from festival envy. We do have a festival happening in Oshawa right at the moment, the Pitter Patter Festival, which takes place at the Atria tonight and Isabella's tomorrow. Keith Hamilton is its force. The fest is more than 150 bands over four days in eight different cities from Hamilton through Toronto and Guelph to Peterborough.

Keith is D-rock alumni and a member of the Diableros. Champion Heartache is the headliner at the Atria. Drunk Women (Dave Schoonderbeek) and the Strumbellas are at Isabella's. Big up to Mr. Hamilton for this third edition of the ever-expanding indie fiesta.

So, really I'm suffering from outside festival envy. The weather has been so wonderful that I'm even forgoing gigs to enjoy just a few extra minutes in that glorious sunbath. There are many outdoor events to enjoy all over Ontario and more being added. Hillside, Mariposa, Rock The Park and Wolfe Island are just a few. Last year, many learned a harsh lesson from Mother Nature when rain was an issue. But this year seems different. Weather has been great and the long-range forecast is for a drier, warmer summer. Bars and clubs are fine for the winter but during the summer we could all be outside enjoying the wonders of Durham.

And there are many locations to choose from. I have recently been turned on to the Thomas Foster Memorial just north of Uxbridge. It's a fantastic building, a mausoleum actually. It's Durham's Taj Mahal, seriously, and they host small, intimate concerts there on Fridays. Take a picnic, enjoy the sunshine of an evening and then step inside for one unique experience.

There are farms and barns and lawns and bandshells all over this region which could be used to get the music outside. The talent is there. It's a guaranteed good time. We just need more good-natured folks to cut the red tape and let the outside out.

Review

YES

K-Os

Crown Loyalist/ Nettwerk

Whitby's superstar rapper revisits hip hop on this latest release. Heavy on the beats and lighter on the hooks, most of the songs spin on rhythm and the spoken word. His lyrics can still stop you cold.

Musically, he's all over the map. K-Os is a sonic omnivore. There is the driving Burning Bridges, the angular and robotic Astronaut, the mirrorball and strings of FUN, the dub club vibes of The Avenue and the Euro-pop of Eye Know Something. 4321 is a response to Feist's 1234.

He's been on tour with a couple of fellow musicians from Durham Region, Steve Krecklo and Thom D'Arcy of Small Sins. The innovative but risky Karma Tour has run as a free series of concerts with a donation box. PWYC at the end according to your enjoyment. Interesting approach.

The record also features contributions by Emily Haines of Metric, Murray Lightburn of the Dears and Saukrates.

So say yes to Yes and increase the positivity.

William McGuirk is a freelance writer and longtime Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.