We first fell in love with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone in 2002, discovering the odd 56-bitrate mp3 (the web equivalent of an old cassette tape) and splashing out on the second album, Pocket Symphonies for Lonesome Subway Cars, soon after.

Owen Ashworth’s lo-fi recordings (initially on answering machines) and commitment to the humble Casiotone keyboard inspired and mesmerised in equal measures, and fitted perfectly alongside East River Pipe, who we were also pretty obsessed with at the time.

Jump forward an album (the equally excellent Twinkle Echo), and CFTPA emerged in 2006 with Etiquette, a radically different prospect, more polished and pleasing to the ears but still as lyrically endearing and musically unique as ever. In the next few months CFTPA release two albums: Vs. Children – the follow-up to Etiquette – and Advance Base Battery Life, a compilation of singles. Here’s a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Streets of Philadelphia (featuring brother Gordon) from the latter, and a q&a with Owen about Morrissey, hecklers, failing health, samplers, soundtracking and his upcoming visit to Manchester.

We were listening to Toby, Take a Bow and chuckling along to the Smiths references the other day. What do you think of Morrissey’s solo stuff?

I’ve never owned any of the Morrissey solo records, but I’ve enjoyed listening to them in other people’s cars or dorm rooms or whatever. Musically, I don’t enjoy the solo stuff as much as I love that enchanted sound of actual Smiths, but lyrically, I find Morrissey is almost always on point. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: one of the greatest challenges I face as a songwriter is the harsh reality that most of the songs I’d ever want to write were already written by Morrissey.

And how do you rate Manchester bands generally?

Manchester does not need me to remind it that there are a zillion great bands from Manchester. You win, okay? There is something in the pollen or the water that makes you really good at bands while the rest of us struggle to not sound terrible. You don’t need to rub our noses in it, guys. We surrender.

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Here’s a selection of shows happening in Manchester over the next few days:

On Tuesday neo-shoegazers Asobi Seksu play at the Roadhouse to promote new album Hush. It’s not exactly our cup of tea but they could appeal to fans of Ride, Slowdive and Cocteau Twins. Or not. Tickets.

Back to the Roadhouse on Wednesday, as the venue’s staffers Loveless present Leeds’ blues-rocking duo The Old Romantic Killer Band plus Sycamore and Serpentine Pad. Loveless will also be joined on the decks by Stop Making Sense and Revolver DJs.  More info.

Salford’s very own beat/performance/punk poet and recent sexagenarian John Cooper Clarke appears at the Dancehouse Theatre opposite the BBC on Friday. He’s also there on Saturday – Valentine’s Day, lest we forget! – but tickets (at a fairly reasonable £15) have already sold out. Get Friday’s here before they’re all gone too.

Also on Friday, the frustratingly titled Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam play an Akoustik Anarkhy night at the Deaf Institute, supported by the Yellow Moon Band. Put Your Slippers On, their debut seven-track EP, is now available for £5. Tickets.

Then on Saturday there’s a good chance you’ll be at one Academy or another (if you don’t have prior Valentine obligations). Locals I Am Kloot will be playing bitter-sweet songs up in Academy 3 – though, again, this is sold out so Sunday 15 is your best chance. Meanwhile, in the basement, Late of the Pier will be entertaining while Magazine and Ipso Facto will be playing to a sold-out Academy 1 next door.

Phew! Also, newly confirmed – or spotted – this week (mostly by Hey! Manchester):

A Place to Bury Strangers at the Ruby Lounge on 2 April

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone at the Deaf Institute on 20 April

Great Lake Swimmers and Last Harbour at Dulcimer in Chorlton on 19 May

Phosphorescent at the Deaf Institute on 30 May

Here‘s Andrew Bird performing unplugged – and unstaged – in Paris. It’s part of La Blogotheque‘s Concert a Emporter (aka Take Away Shows) series, which asks musicians to strip their songs down and wander the streets playing them busker style.

Bird’s are some of my favourites videos on there, though I’d recommend that you check out Okkervil River’s Will Sheff being a hippy, Jens Lekman taking advantage of a gymnasium’s echo, Casiotone For the Painfully Alone in a phonebooth, Grizzly Bear in the bath, Sufjan Stevens on a windy rooftop, Dirty Projectors freaking people out, Of Montreal just being themselves, Beirut being very Gallic, Final Fantasy being elven and Herman Dune simply being the best.

Searching the archive soon becomes highly addictive… like YouTube for alternative music fans. And if after that lot you still need more, check out London’s Black Cab Sessions for a distinctly British take on things.

Andrew Bird plays at Academy 3 again on 13 May. Don’t miss him.