CORB LUND: This Alberta alt-country artist hasn't managed to score gold with each of his last three albums. His latest, Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! won 2008 Juno for Roots Album of the Year. It's a themed lament for cavalry soldiers through history. Lund brings his band to the Hamilton Convention Centre July 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets $25 at ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum box office or call 905-527-7666.

EMBER SWIFT: This folk-singer activist has been spending almost as much time touring China as she has been in her native Ontario. Her latest CD, Dirty Pulse, is filled with intelligent, catchy pop and reggae numbers. Swift returns to the Pepper Jack Cafe (38 King William) tomorrow, with the Subterraneans at 9 p.m. $10 at the door. Go early, catch Jamie Oakes' dinner act (5 to 8 p.m.).

AL MARTINO: He's probably best known for his role as Johnny Fontaine, the jazz singer who needed a break in The Godfather, but he's also one of the great crooners of the era. He's 80 now, but still going strong. Al Martino is performing tonight in a dinner show ($55) at Carmen's, 1520 Stone Church Rd. There's also a lunch show ($50) tomorrow. Call 905-383-4100.

PORCELAIN YOUTH: Hamilton's heavy trio is now a quartet with guitarist Pete Moss joining Jesse Daigle (vocals, guitar) Adam Cannon (drums) and Dan Seniuk (bass). Porcelain Youth performs tomorrow at the Casbah 6 to 9 p.m. with Secession and Beyond A Wonderland. Afterward, Porcelain Youth will DJ in the lounge. $10 at the door. Hunter Valentine play a late show at 9:30.

GRUPO FANTASMA: This 11-piece major-league Latin funk band from Austin, Tex., drops into Hamilton Tuesday night for a surprise visit to 33 Hess in Hess Village. Grupo Fantasma has just released its fourth album after backing up Prince for a bunch of shows. They've got the feel of the first Santana band. Doors open 9 p.m. No cover charge, so get there early. It'll fill up fast.

-- Graham Rockingham