Everyone seems to know at least one person who never gets angry. Such a person is one John K. Samson, frontman for the Weakerthans.

"I don't fly off the handle much," the singer admits in a recent phone interview. And he doesn't. It's a refreshing change from several recent rock band interviews in that the subject has absolutely nothing to complain about. Why would this guy? Things are going so well for the Weakerthans that you have to ask, "Weaker than what?" Sure, they didn't win a Juno this year and in fact weren't even invited to the awards ceremony in their own city; but no big deal.

"I'd rather be working than go to an awards show," he says. "But everyone said it was really fun. The city's still abuzz about it. It's good for Winnipeg."

The quirky Weakerthans have little trouble fitting in, either. Note that "quirky" is rock 'n' roll code for being immune from any label but "quirky." The band can play a blues festival one year, the Winnipeg folk fest this summer and, meanwhile, sell out an Edmonton college rock bar twice. The Weakerthans' two-night stand at the Powerplant begins tonight.

Blues, folk, rock, can this band be all things to all people?

"Those are all kinds of music that we enjoy," the singer says. "I guess it's lucky for us that we can play all these places. I think if anyone shows up at a festival and plays their music honestly, then it'll fit into anything. Music is too divided by genres. That's always been a problem. Music is just music. It's all the same thing. It all has the same impulse behind it. I don't see any reason to divide it. We're all working towards the same goal - communication. That's what all good music does."

Since the Reconstruction Site album came out 18 months ago, the band's fortunes have been on the rise. Two sold-out shows at the Powerplant may be an omen that they have to move to bigger buildings to accommodate all the fans. The Weakerthans even played their first arena show opening for the Tragically Hip on New Year's Eve. Arena shows are something Samson wouldn't want to do every day, he says, "but I admire people who can."

Still, the mainstream beckons for this popular indie band. Something to complain about? Far from it.

"Of course not," Samson says. "I'm all about the mainstream. I'm very happy to be a part of mainstream culture. I think it's important that people orient themselves there and comment on it and work at the culture. I want to play for as many people as are willing to listen."

And yet three years ago, this singer vowed never to be on television again - save for music videos that don't often depict the band performing in field or some other depressing cliche. He expresses a dislike for the medium, and a reaction of "nausea" from seeing himself talk on TV. He refuses every television interview.

"I've been much happier since then," he says.

But isn't television the central window into the "mainstream" Samson professes to be all about?

He just laughs, "Well, I guess it's just a contradiction I have to live with."

So damned agreeable. But then there's some anger in the Weakerthans' song, One Great City, isn't there? The chorus goes, "I hate Winnipeg!" Turns out it comes from a place of love.

"I think part of loving a place is also hating it occasionally and recognizing its fault for what they are," Samson explains.

He doesn't substitute other cities into the song - which can be done without spoiling the meter since most major Canadian cities have three syllables in their names - "but people in the audience do, which I approve of."

As long as it comes from a place of love.