Chart magazine’s annual showcases at the Horseshoe Tavern are an essential stop for any CMW club crawler; the presence of these three rising acts make the Friday edition downright unmissable. In the ’90s, Peter Elkas was a member of Montreal’s much-loved indie-pop band the Local Rabbits. Since moving to Toronto, he’s played with Feist and Neko Case, and forged an easygoing sensibility as a solo artist. Produced by guitarist and Bob Dylan buddy Charlie Sexton, Elkas’ forthcoming second album, Wall of Fire (2007), is a rich and appealing set of ’70s-style smooth rock. Last Gang labelmates with Metric, Vancouver quintet Mother Mother are riding a wave of buzz in the wake of Touch Up (2007), an exuberant pop disc full of appealing vocal harmonies and unpredictable stylistic curveballs. Equipped with a name that comes complete with the de rigueur exclamation marks, You Say Party! We Say Die! is also peaking in cool cred, having just signed with Toronto’s Paper Bag label. With its raucous dance-punk vibe, the band is bound to make converts out of the CMW tastemakers.—Jason Anderson