2011 is finally working up to something stronger this month; are we all in agreement that these first few months have been kind of slow in terms of music? Or maybe we’re just impatient. Anyways, while we’ve surely had some musical finds each month, April has definitely kicked it up a notch. In just the first week, Toronto will be visited by acclaimed international acts such as The Joy Formidable, The Raveonettes, Foster the People, The Mountain Goats, Nat Baldwin (of the Dirty Projectors), Cut Copy and Toro Y Moi.

The month will also see anticipated album releases by locals Timber Timbre as well as those from tUnE-yArDs, The Kills, Of Montreal and more.

In terms of more local acts, we have some fun highlights:

Neon Windbreaker – This five-piece has been racking up references for their jokes and lax business models (such as selling their music with food at a concert) and for some of their members’ other work (Eric Warner runs the We Are Busy Bodies label and is a popular promoter, Jonathan Dekel is a music journalist who’s been tagged as a gossip digger, etc.). I’ve heard stories of their crazy live shows and I’m impressed without even seeing or hearing for myself. As for what they sound like, from the two songs on their CBC Radio 3 page, I can tell you there are screams and pounding guitars.

Neon Windbreaker will play Parts and Labour on the 15^th with a band also called Parts and Labor and Child Bite.

Papermaps – Formerly known as EX~PO, this foursome have re-branded and will release their self-titled album on the 19^th. It’s clear pop rock, as most evident in their single “Reunion,” a contagious radio-ready ditty. I could see them opening for the Sam Roberts Band someday as they have a similar sound in their guitars and keyboards and, at least on record, a lot of energy.

Papermaps will play Sneaky Dee’s the 29^th with the Cheap Speakers and Ketch Harbour Wolves.

Sports – When I first heard the two new Sports singles “Slacking Scholar” and “Behind Me,” I thought it had to be two separate bands. While the first is beachy, nostalgic and light, the second is dark, heavy and has a bass line that makes me think of playing Rock Band. I still can’t quite wrap my head around it, but the difference has become a fun anecdote when thinking of this up-and-coming band. I like their 2009 EP and I’m interested in finding out how the rest of their debut full-length turns out.

Listen to the two singles and their EP at their Bandcamp page.

As for some other great concerts this month, check out:

• Local indie dreamers Heartbeat Hotel have a residency at the Magpie on the 9^th, 15^th, 22^nd and 29^th with some cool guests such as Foxes in Fiction.

• Psychedelics The Black Angels with dark and mysterious Suuns at Lee’s on the 14^th

• Party man Rich Aucoin and Gobble Gobble at the Kapisanan Cultural Centre on the 16^th

• Jose Gonzalez’s gorgeous band Junip at Lee’s on the 20^th

Check out more of my writing on music at RoundLetters and you can follow me on Twitter @roundletters, too.