One of Calgary's best venues is right under University of Calgary students' noses. From national luminaries like Cadence Weapon and Great Lake Swimmers to local scene stalwarts like Lorrie Matheson, That Empty Space has showcased some of the best music in the country. It's also become a regular Friday afternoon community.

The Polyjesters have gotten around a lot. Around the world, that is. Though the two longest standing members of this ever-expanding band, Jason and Sheldon Valleau, started playing music in Didsbury, it's taken them to France for four years, busking their way around the world, from the streets of Amsterdam and Nice.

Both Valleaus say they owe the band's unique sound of upright bass and baritone ukulele to their family history.

The Calgary music scene is becoming more and more well known for its sense of camaraderie and community. Many bands emerging from the scene praise the city's musicians for working together towards common success and creation. As Sea Level Rise's Brock Geiger is an emerging artist who is continuing to reap the benefits of this auditory solidarity.

After Feist dominated the Junos last year, it seems that there is a whole plethora of artists popping up all over who are heavily influenced by the Calgary native. Thank Magnets, a female duo from Alberta, say they have her to thank for paving the way.

Debra has a real rocking pad. It's the kind of place where you can sit back, chill out and enjoy a Bud.

These proud punk-rockers, originally from Toronto, moved out west to make their fortunes-- specifically, they came to Calgary looking for work. After living apart for a few years, the band moved in together to form one big happy family. One that, at any time, can bust down the doors with their of sheer bad ass rock 'n' roll.

The sound of music will get that much more intimate with Jon and Roy at That Empty Space on Friday afternoon.

Jon Middleton of the group hopes to translate the Vancouver Island vibe, things not human, love, harmony and a friend in common: this thing called marijuana.

"In Victoria the weather is often very nice, it's sunny and there is lots of opportunity to go to a beach and hang out," says Middleton. "I think the ocean definitely influences our music in that regard."

The Ex-Boyfriends are out to melt faces.

Their music is a brain-pan searing sonic assault, led by the yowling Djewel Davidson-- local DJ and Calgary music stalwart-- with a pounding assault on guitar led by Michael Paton. Backing them up is drummer extraordinaire Dean Martin, who plays in numerous bands all across Calgary.

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker toss all sorts of different elements into their music and then blend it into one smooth, lip-smacking concoction, just like a deliciously refreshing smoothie. Take some drum and bass, mix in a bit of grungy guitar, add a little bit of folk lyricism to it and then blend it together to reach a blissful dance party for all involved. As they hit the road for their western Holidazed and Confused tour, they've got a long trip out on the road ahead of them.

Tetrix knows about the power of randomness. Whether it's on one of their nine CDs or during a live set, they improvise and play off one another to create a song unique to that set. They're an incarnation of musical randomness-- you never know what you're going to get when they take the stage.

"Being in a relationship with one person is hard sometimes, but imagine being in a relationship with six people, in a confined space, for an extended period of time," says Consonant C cellist and vocalist Clea Foofat of her group's first tour.