You would think the band was from Canada — or Mars — but colorful, ultra-hip indie band of Montreal, on its way to Honolulu, was actually formed in Georgia by lead singer Kevin Barnes. The band is known for its all-over-the-place shows mixing funk, rock and electronica. Barnes, a skinny, shocking bandleader who also won't be pinned down, sets the tone — and brings the hooks.

Of Montreal's popularity has been growing, and teens are screaming out the indie and avant-garde lyrics at its international concerts. Rolling Stone magazine called "Skeletal Lamping," their 2008 CD, one of the best albums of the year — and one Rolling Stone writer described Barnes as a "damaged genius" who is "obsessed with Prince, suicide and borrowing his wife's tights."

The experimental band made its Hawai'i debut in 2004, when The Enterprise promoter Ara Laylo took a gamble in booking the group. "I sold my car to help fund the of Montreal concert in 2004," Laylo said. But they were worth it. "The last time they came down, we all hung out at a Korean bar and sang karaoke in a bus. Kevin did the most amazing rendition of 'We Are The Champions,' " Laylo said. The band played for a sold-out, all-ages crowd at thirtyninehotel; the response encouraged Laylo to take the show to a bigger venue, Loft.

Check out of Montreal on Saturday at Loft, 115 N. Hotel St.; doors at 9 p.m.; tickets are $20 pre-sale at www.enterprise.bigcartel.com. Loft: 688-8813.

— Lacy Matsumoto

OBAMA IN THE ISLANDS

Hawai'i is the birthplace of President Obama. This famous local boy left his mark — and got around, from hikes in Manoa Valley to shave-ice stops. In the quirky new book "Obamaland," writer Ron Jacobs assembles 152 pages full of facts, observations and images, including never-before-seen photos of Barack Obama's childhood and recent years. Turn past the Photoshopped cover image, mashing up Obama, shave ice and his shaka, and you'll find a kind of scrapbook of Obama's impact on the Islands.

"We are the first with this book; it's going to hit all the major bookstores soon. It's a great book, the best out so far," says B.J. Sabate, owner of Butigroove Clothing. Advance copies are available for $23.50 at Butigroove, 500 Pi'ikoi St., 589-2884.

— L.M.

DUKE'S LEGACY LIVES ON

As the world's ambassador of aloha, the legendary Duke Kahanamoku lives on in numerous ways. One is through the annual Legacy of Aloha T-shirt created in his memory. The T-shirt is sold exclusively at Duke's Waikiki for $21, of which $10 will be donated to the Legacy of Aloha fund.

Sale of the shirts benefits not-for-profit organizations Kahanamoku would have supported in his day or that may just need some extra aloha. Last month, during its 16th anniversary celebration, Duke's Waikiki presented a $10,000 donation to the Hawaii Foodbank and Surfing the Nations.

— Paula Rath

SALES & BARGAINS

• We've all heard it. The president has even said it! It's time to get a handle on our saving and spending. So what's a spendy gal like you to do? Budget. Analyze where your money goes, and set up a budget for the "fun" things. Satisfy your spending habits in a more controlled way. Just because it's on sale doesn't mean it's a bargain for you. Stay within your budget and you can spend without guilt! Start by making a list of what you have to spend each month, for food, gas, groceries, rent, utilities, insurance and other necessities. Set aside part of whatever's left for rainy days, and what's left is for kicks.

• Banana Republic has spring work staples like black pants and blousy work shirts on sale. Save up to 40 percent in store and online. Even better, BR is offering BR cardholders an extra 10 percent off all purchases! It pays to pay using the store credit card. Just don't get carried away. Locations statewide; www.bananarepublic.com.

• Keep up to date on sales directly with retailers via e-mail. Stores like Overstock.com, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel and more send out last-minute e-mails with clearance specials and often, free shipping (make sure it's to Hawai'i), exclusively to their subscribers. Don't want your e-mail to get clogged? Set up an account just for these notifications: Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo are all free.

• Beauty doesn't come cheap — or does it? Sometimes the simplest regime for the face is best. A staple for many is the gentle cleanser Cetaphil, sold for less than $10 at most drugstores (and available at Costco, too).

• Mark your calendar for 5-10 p.m. this Wednesday; it's another Night Market event at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Check out cool new designs by local designers; browsing and enjoying the entertainment are free. The Hawaii Fashion Incubator will be there, and lots of other great local fashion entities will too. Food and drink is available for purchase. Mingle and enjoy some vogue fun, all the while supporting your local fashion community.

— Pualana Lemelle

FEELING THE BURN

Don't be afraid — go ahead and indulge in that box of chocolates you got yesterday for Valentine's Day, because if you enroll in "Boot Camp" at the Fit Studio by Heaven on Earth, you'll burn enough calories for the entire box. The newly renovated studio has the upscale decor of the Heaven on Earth location Downtown, as well as a variety of classes including Pilates, yoga and cardio; but it's the Boot Camp workout that will make you feel the burn. Instructed by Marty Foreman, the six-week camp focuses on a full-body workout that increases endurance, strength and flexibility.

"It's really motivating to be in a room full of people of all fitness levels and ages. I definitely felt it the next day, and the day after, but I thought it was really worth it," says Deborah Norden, the fitness manager at the Fit Studio by Heaven on Earth. The six-week camp is $100, which includes two classes a week. Classes are 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11:30 a.m. Fridays. Fit Studio by Heaven on Earth, 2346 S. King St. (former Hula Supply location); 942-3030, www.heavenonearthhawaii.com.

— L.M.

WILLIE'S SWING

Iconoclastic singer-songwriter Willie Nelson found the perfect partners for his new album, "Willie and the Wheel" (Bismeaux Productions): Western swing preservationists Asleep at the Wheel, who helped the country outlaw get in touch with his inner Bob Wills, to vibrant effect.

Bright, playful and exploding with verve, "Willie and the Wheel" is one of the first great albums of 2009. It's also one of the year's most anachronistic new releases, as it's filled with Western swing standards associated with the likes of Milton Brown, Spade Cooley and Wills — titans of the joyous genre that first began taking hold in American Southwest dance halls during the Great Depression.

Ideal timing for a Western swing revival, then!

With Asleep at the Wheel playing the role of a punched-up Texas Playboys, "Willie and the Wheel" is a romp through the American genre that blended country, blues and rural folk music with Dixieland and, of course, swing jazz.

— J. Freedom du Lac, Washington Post

WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD?

Ara Laylo, Enterprise promoter

1. "Blue Ridge Mountains," Fleet Foxes

2. "Tape Song," The Kills

3. "Dreams," Fleetwood Mac

4. "Double Shadow," Junior Boys

5. "So Sorry," Feist