Staciaann's 2008 Show List

Yup, I go to a lot of live music. I keep track of it so I remember when I saw it. I started doing this in late 2006, and my list has grown each year. Each year I vow to see more new bands, more local music, and continue to keep up with what's going on in the world around me. 2008 kept me fairly busy, although I really missed attending and shooting the Pitchfork Music Festival and Lollapalooza this year. I definitely look forward to SXSW 2009, which is coming up fast.

Keep in mind that I finished and graduated law school, took the bar exam, sold my house in St. Paul and moved to Minneapolis, quit my job of 8 1/2 years and started my career over. Even with these distractions, I saw over 120 shows in 2008. So don't give me any excuses about why YOU can't get out there and do the same.

Here's to a great 2009!

2008's List of Shows
*My favorites are in bold type, and photos of many of these shows can be seen on my Flickr page.

1/3/08 Big Game, Eddy Burke & the Consequences @ Lee's Liquor Lounge
1/7/08 Nada Surf, Eric Lovold (solo), The Glad Version @ The Nomad
1/11/08 Titus Andronicus @ Bedlam Theater
1/12/08 We All Have Hooks for Hands, Windmills @ The Varsity Theater
1/12/08 Dragich @ Hexagon
1/12/08 City on the Make @ The Entry
1/17/08 Roma di Luna, Bon Iver @ Turf Club
1/18/08 White Denim, White Rabbits @ Turner Hall, Milwaukee
1/19/08 White Denim, White Rabbits @ High Noon Saloon, Madison
1/25/08 Fort Wilson Riot, Fine Young Gentlemen @ Nomad World Pub
2/1/08 ExerciseEXORCISE with Vampire Hands @ Bottling House Theatre
2/7/08 The Battle Royale, Yeasayer, MGMT @ The Entry
2/8/08 ExerciseEXORCISE with Roma di Luna @ Bottling House Theatre
2/9/08 Fat Kid Wednesdays, Deviated Septet, Spaghetti Western String Co. (CD Release) @ Cedar Cultural Center
2/10/08 God Save Gertrude @ The Playwright's Center
2/11/08 Keren Ann, Dean & Britta @ Cedar Cultural Center
2/13/08 Bon Iver @ The Electric Fetus
2/19/08 Mike Doughty @ The Electric Fetus
2/22/08 Hoot! Jim Walsh, Janeen, Dan Wilson, The Tropicals, Brianna Lane @ Java Jacks
2/22/08 Foreign Born, St. Vincent @ Cedar Cultural Center
2/22/08 ExerciseEXORCISE with Plastic Chord @ Bottling House Theatre
2/23/08 Gary Louris @ The Electric Fetus
2/23/08 The Falls @ North Star Rollergirls Halftime
2/23/08 The XYZ Affair @ Nomad World Pub
2/29/08 ExerciseEXORCISE with Burlingham Children @ Bottling House Theatre
3/2/08 You're My Favorite Kind of Pretty @ The Southern Theatre
3/12/08 These United States, Radar Brothers, Evangelicals, These New Puritans, Spinto Band, R.E.M., Bon Iver @ SXSW, Austin, TX
3/13/08 Lou Reed, The Alarmists, MC/VL, Jeseca Hoop, DeVotchka, Tapes 'N Tapes, XYZ Affair, Liam Finn @ SXSW, Austin, TX
3/14/08 High Places, Atlas Sound, White Williams, A Place to Bury Strangers, Fuck Buttons, Times New Viking, Cloud Cult, Carbon/Silicon, Basia Bulat, Foreign Born, Vampire Weekend, White Rabbits @ SXSW, Austin, TX
3/15/08 Headlights, Big Ditch Road, Cloud Cult, Kid Dakota, Doomtree @ SXSW, Austin, TX
3/29/08 ARENA Bikini @ Sound Bar
3/31/08 The Hotel Café Tour: Cary Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, Dan Wilson, Joshua Radin @ The Fine Line
4/3/08 Sea Wolf, Nada Surf @ First Avenue
4/4/08 Jeremy Messersmith, The Wars of 1812 @ The Varsity Theater
4/5/08 Idigaragua / Massgraves @ Bedlam Theater
4/8/08 Cloud Cult @ The Electric Fetus
4/10/08 Birthday Suits, White Denim, Tapes 'N Tapes @ First Avenue
4/10/08 The Hold Steady @ Northrup Auditorium
4/12/08 Idigaragua / Massgraves @ Bedlam Theater
4/13/08 Wars of 1812, Bon Iver @ Turf Club
4/15/08 The Plastic Constellations @ The Electric Fetus
4/18/08 Yeasayer, Man Man @ The Varsity Theater
4/19/08 The Floorbirds, Jayber Crow, Spider John Koerner @ Nomad World Pub
4/26/08 The Forms, Cloud Cult @ First Avenue
5/3/08 Jenny Dalton @ Dakota
5/7/08 Basia Bulat, DeVotchKa @ First Avenue
5/15/08 "I Fought The Law" with The Sweet Colleens, Brad Senne, Eric Lovold, Jeremy Messersmith, The Mad Ripple, Stook!, Koo Koo Kanga Roo & City on the Make @ The Varsity Theater
5/21/08 Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, White Rabbits @ 400 Bar
5/24/08 Snowden @ The Varsity Theater
5/24/08 Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin @ The Entry
5/27/08 A Night in the Box @ The Electric Fetus
5/28/08 Bedlam 7th Annual 10-minute play festival @ Bedlam Theater
5/30/08 Mike Mangione, Jeremy Messersmith, Roma di Luna @ The Entry
6/6/08 Dallas Orbiter (HWTS Anniversary Party) @ Turf Club
6/6/08 Sea Wolf @ The Entry
6/7/08 Chris Koza @ First Avenue
6/7/08 Dragons Power Up, City on the Make @ The 400 Bar
6/8/08 Bitch 'n Brown, Plastic Chord, A Night in the Box @ The Entry
6/10/08 Atmosphere & Brother Ali @ The Electric Fetus
6/12/08 Gogol Bordello @ The Cabooze
6/14/08 Stone Arch Festival of the Arts @ St. Anthony Main
6/15/08 Stone Arch Festival of the Arts @ St. Anthony Main
6/20/08 Farewell Milwaukee, Meg Ashling, Murzik @ Kitty Kat Club
6/24/08 Now Now Every Children, One for the Team, Headlights @ Eclipse Records
6/26/08 The Hopefuls @ Peavey Plaza
6/27/08 Kill the Vultures, P.O.S., Dosh @ First Avenue
6/27/08 Brass Messengers, Eddie Burke & The Consequences @ Candleabra Studio
7/3/08 Tiny Moving Parts, The Battle Royale, We All Have Hooks for Hands @ Minnesota Museum of American Art
7/5/08 Artery 24 @ Soap Factory
7/8/08 The Absent Arch, The Dodos @ Triple Rock
7/9/08 Capitol Jay @ Stevens Square Park
7/10/08 The Bloodsugars @ Nomad World Pub
7/13/08 Kaiser Cartel, Romantica @ Bryant Lake Bowl
7/14/08 Summer Movies & Music in the Park: The Alarmists @ Loring Park
7/20/08 Yer Cronies, The Dutchess & The Duke, Fleet Foxes @ The Entry
7/22/08 The Loved Ones, The Hold Steady @ First Avenue
7/26/08 The XYZ Affair @ The Nomad
7/30/08 Yeasayer @ Urban Outfitters (Yr Free Radio)
7/31/08 Harry & The Potters @ Triple Rock
8/15/08 AA Bondy, Bon Iver @ First Avenue
8/18/08 The Lovers Duo, Rodrigo y Gabriella @ First Avenue
8/21/08 Mighty Fairly, Storyhill @ Minnesota Museum of American Art
8/29/08 Chris Koza, The Alarmists @ The Varsity Theater
9/2/08 Ripple(Effect): Michael Franti, Anti-Flag, Rage Against the Machine (via bullhorn) @ State Capitol Grounds
9/2/08 RNC Hoot: Jim Walsh, Eliza Blue, Billy Bragg, Tom Morello, & Ike Reilly @ The Parkway Theater
9/6/08 Murzik, Jenny Dalton @ The Ritz Theater
9/10/08 Langhorne Slim @ 400 Bar
9/11/08 The Airborne Toxic Event, The Fratellis @ First Avenue
9/16/08 Jeremy Messersmith @ The Electric Fetus
9/20/08 The Alarmists, Heiruspecs, The Roots @ McNally Smith River Rocks Festival
9/20/08 A Story Too Long to Write Down… (Carl), Tenebrism @ The Sound Factory
9/20/08 Mr. Gnome, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir @ The Nomad
9/22/08 Vinegar Tom (Frank Theatre Company) @ The Ritz Theater
9/25/08 Rachael Reis, The Owls, Jeremy Messersmith @ The Varsity Theater
9/30/08 MGMT, Beck @ Roy Wilkins
10/2/08 E.L.nO., Chuck Klosterman @ Triple Rock
10/10/08 AA Bondy, Cold War Kids @ The Fine Line
10/11/08 Frank Fitzgerald, Fleet Foxes @ Cedar Cultural Center
10/14/08 Death Cab for Cutie @ Xcel Energy Center
10/16/08 Future of the Left, Ted Leo @ First Avenue
10/21/08 The Dirtbombs, TV on the Radio @ First Avenue
10/22/08 Dan Israel, Yael Naim @ Cedar Cultural Center
10/23/08 Marvelle, Birdmonster, The Rumble Strips @ The Entry
10/25/08 Of Montreal @ First Avenue
10/25/08 Caroline & the Good Night Sleeps, Frightened Rabbit, Spinto Band @ The Entry
10/29/08 Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band @ First Avenue
11/1/08 Tenacious D @ Roy Wilkins
11/3/08 Alexa's Burlesque @ Bryant Lake Bowl
11/4/08 Shadowlands @ Guthrie
11/8/08 Eagles of Death Metal @ The Electric Fetus
11/8/08 Lookbook, The XYZ Affair, Cecil Otter @ Clapperclaw Festival - Sound Gallery
11/11/08 Tom Morello @ The Electric Fetus
11/16/08 Drive By Truckers, The Hold Steady @ First Avenue
11/20/08 Lamb Lays with Lion: The Little Skelton that Could @ Hexagon
11/21/08 Cloud Cult @ The Whole
11/26/08 The Alarmists, Ike Reilly @ First Avenue
11/28/08 Delta Spirit, Nada Surf @ The Fine Line
12/12/08 Kubla Khan @ Private Party
12/13/08 Dan Wilson @ Pantages Theater
12/20/08 Chris Koza, The Hopefuls @ First Avenue
12/23/08 Chastity Brown, Roma di Luna @ Cedar Cultural Center

This Just In!

From Nikki Schultz:
2009 greetings, friends!

Looking for something to do? I'm playing a last minute acoustic set tonight:
Nomad World Pub (Mpls)
501 Cedar Ave S
$3, 21+, Music starts at 9pm


Sarah Woolever is also playing, plus 10 or so other musicians. We'll play short sets starting at 9pm.

We don't know when we'll be playing, so come out and have a drink or two with us while we enjoy some local talent!
Should be a folkin' good time.
Come on down!

Nikki

Nikki's great - she recently podcasted with David de Young of HowWasTheShow, played a fundraiser for Lamb Lays with Lion, and works for Free Arts Minnesota, a wonderful non-profit that brings art to kids in need.

Go out for a surprise night of round-robin rambunctiousness.

'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime When all the Birds Had Fled: Spirits of the Red City

Things to do in the New Year:
1)Make the house feel like a home.
2)Be better about deadlines.
3)Keep on engaging with active, vital culture.

I can take care of a couple of those things by getting this post up, and by going to see Spirits of the Red City at the Bryant-Lake Bowl this Sunday.

Photographer Staciaann and I tried to catch up with a couple of their members a couple Sundays ago- ‘Twas in the bleak midwinter, or so the song goes- but we were at the wrong apartment. After getting a promo copy of their upcoming release Hunter Moon and thoroughly enjoying it, these seemed like good people to talk to in frozen hush of the season. But through a series of mixups, I was on a snowy street in Uptown, at the wrong address, and they all seem to have fluttered away. Fortunately, we live in the digital age, and I do not need to rely upon my paltry scouting skills- they have left cairns in the form of friendly girlfriends to direct us to the CC Club, a damn fine place if there ever was one to kill a winters' evening.

Upon entering, we are greeted by the impish smile of Will Garrison, lead vocalist, guitars and the writer in the group. Around the table were Anthony Poretti, drums & percussion, and Jason Overby; banjo, accordion and guitars. And we hadn’t even met half the band. See, there are 9 of them, two sets of three siblings, some from Alaska, some from here, and some here-by-way-of any other number of continental stops, all wandering American musicians, folkloric harmonizers, peculiar ladies & gents. We talked about the disc and the band for about half an hour, my tape recorder didn’t work, I half-remember things anyway and left with a warm feeling of solidarity. Here are some pieced together snippets:

-I don’t know what their band name means. When I asked, Garrison demurred and Poretti and Overby backed him up. The title of the disc though, comes from the autumn moon, the large blood red moon whose bloated presence could be seen as a sun. This duality, and the blurring of the line there carried weight for Garrison and the group in the writing and construction of the disc.

-Despite that Hunter Moon sounds like it was a single basement recording session, full of organic immediacy and warmth, the disc was recorded around the schedules of the band members flowing though the Twin Cities. Poretti talked about James Waldo, the cellist, coming back from New York City where he studies to lay down the cello tracks, and then the other members listening to those tracks as a high-water mark to build and re-visit their own performance. This process and the constant communication between band members edged together the best possible sound for the disc, and kept a light touch.

-Of the size of the band and their closeness, Garrison said that they would be more likely to figure out how to play a song without a band member before asking someone to step in to play for them. This may explain why, with such far-flung members, they have only a handful of shows under their belts, but why those shows are special.

-Of the song “Focus & Blur”, Garrison said, “it is a drinking song. We were having a party and we wanted to see if we could get that party sound, so we brought the people down to the basement and had them sing along and have a good time while we recorded.” It worked- the song charges forward, raises a glass and chuckles.

-The song “Passing” is a jarring break, a collection of heaving chords and skittering percussion. When asked why, in the middle of this lush disc, there was this noise experiment, they pointed out that in the arc of a story, this is the third-act breakdown, a challenge to the listener not simply sit passively through, but to re-open and re-examine before the fourth act finish. And the last four tracks draw the disc to from a roar to a quaver, pulling full circle the warm humanity, the essence of good people and companionship that this music brings.

It was a loveley evening, the essence of good people. Starting off guarded, opening up, the music is life as lived. As Garrison sings on “Pride”, “And if they find us, her voice will disarm you.” Go and find, and be disarmed. Stay warm in the cold season.

Hunter Moon CD Release with Nona & Marshall (of Dark Dark Dark)
Bryant-Lake Bowl
Sunday January 4 at 9:00 pm (8:30 doors)
$8 in advance / $10 day of show

Spirits of the Red City is:
Will Garrison: guitars, lyrics, vocals
James Waldo: cello
Jason Overby: banjo, accordion, guitars
Brian Voerding: trumpet, box bass
Anthony Poretti: drums, percussion
Ben Waldo: mandolin, viola
Alyssa Overby: vocals
Rachel Overby: vocals
Will Markwardt: vocals, shaker
Jonathan Waldo: viola

I'm Hopeful

2008 may be marked to go down in history for many reasons, but let's not forget those important in the local music world. One such event to remember is the release of "Now Playing at the One-Seat Theatre" by pop favorites The Hopefuls. Their last album, "The Fuses Refuse to Burn" spun relentlessly in my car and home CD players for months on end. You could see me anytime on the street humming to "Pretty Bigmouth" or "Holiday." I couldn't help it. It was my crack.

This new album merges old with new, as long-time audience favorites like "On the Edge" and "Idaho" finally become imprinted in a physical format. We can take it home with us instead of just trying to hum the tunes in our heads. New songs like "Virgin Wood" and "Stacey" (yeah, they must've misspelled it... what's with the 'e' guys?) will also give you an earworm you might not be able to get rid of. I can tell you though that the band is already working on album number three, so the wait can't be nearly as painful and long as the last.
You'll get your chance to see The Hopefuls this Saturday (hey, that's tomorrow!) at First Avenue for the band's CD release show. Doors are at 6pm and One for the Team and Chris Koza open. You can pick up tickets at The Electric Fetus or the door. See you there! Oh, and for those who wonder, I have it on good authority that Rupert will be hanging out too.

Buy Locally, Think Stylishly

If you're looking for something to put a twinkle in your eye and a sparkle in your step this holiday, head over to the Gaviidae Commons II in downtown MPLS this holiday season for "Rare Affections", a holiday pop-up store featuring all local designers and crafters. Local fashion stalwarts Jahna Peloquin of Eclecticoiffeur and Vita.mn and Emma Berg, who runs the indispensable MPLSART website have curated a collection of unique holiday dresses from local designers and they can be yours or someone special's for the keeping. Designers include Cake In 15 faves Calpurnia Peach, Anna Lee (of Voltage) for Ruby3, Max Lohrbach, Laura Fulk and many others. As with food, bands, artists and institutions, get local fashion and help it grow.

MNFashion holiday store hours:
Monday through Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday noon – 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day

Gaviidae Common II, 555 Nicollet Mall, 2nd floor, Dowtown Minneapolis. Brought to you by MNFashion

Photo Credits: White rabbit fur strapless mini-dress by Veronica del Carmen Gomez Whitney / Image by Nic Marshall / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur / Modeled by Kate Fuller

Also, while you're down at Gaviidae, I have to put a pitch in for STYLEDLIFE, a boutique featuring an eclectic mix of contemporary and vintage jewelry, accessories and accoutrements. A pricier stocking stuffer, but a decidedly cultivated one.

Dance Band's Holiday Shakedown!

Everyone's favorite booty-shakin' Minneapolitans are generously giving away FREE holiday tracks to celebrate the season. The tracks are the product of an alum, The Perfect Beat, who moved to Duluth for a job earlier this year. Our thanks to The Perfect Beat and everyone in Dance Band for the killer tracks. Now go shake some ass!

Get it here.

Oh, Noel and Liam...

I remember when I first heard (What's the Story) Morning Glory? On bootleg tape in my friend Alex Watson's bedroom- a chubby, beady-eyed Brit who hated everything about living overseas and who smoked cigarettes and drank- perfect for introducing me to the Brothers Gallagher. The bickering, the blasphemy, the beautiful roaring guitars. Go back to Definitely Maybe and the lure of sex and drugs an alcohol, the idea of escape and and those epic, self-indulgent lyrics: "I'm gonna start a revolution from my bed/'Cause you said the brains I had went to my head." I took fiercely partisan sides in the Oasis/Blur debate, tried to learn enough guitar to try and twang out "Wonderwall and "All Round The World". "Wonderwall" is still the only song I know the chords to. Anyway, years past, I moved stateside, I couldn't stomach anything from Standing on the Shoulder of Giants except for "Fucking in the Bushes" which was on the Snatch soundtrack. So it goes. But rockers die hard, especially ones with nation-sized egos and aspirations of Beatlesesque grandeur, not to mention some goddamn talent. So they come roaring back, and now they come roaring into town.

I suppose it is too much, since they are on tour with Ryan Adams, for some sort of giant cluster-fuck epic rock and roll meltdown. No, the boys made nice, Ryan Adams has put out the juggernaut disc he's always been promising, and everyone seems to be even keel to rock stardom and longevity. The Rolling Stones will needs a replacement on the aging rock circuit, and as Noel has reportedly said, "Who wants to be a drug addict at 40?" Keep the fights down, the spirits high, live forever. Here's some good old Oasis, live on Jools Holland, 2000:


Oasis with Ryan Adams & the Cardinals at the Target Center, December 10, 7:00pm.

(Oh, and who knew the Target Center had a blog?)

UPDATE: Via NME: Oasis are set to release an iTunes exclusive EP on the 9th, basically an "I'm Outta Time" single with some demo material and re-mixes. Sweet.

UPDATE UPDATE: Walking home Tuesday night and Liam Gallagher was smoking outside Ping's, talking to some of his entourage. Not so much worse for the wear, he looks pretty good, definitely not in Keith Richards territory. I did a double take, and kept on going.

Nada Surf Cures the Common Cold at the Fine Line

On the day after Thanksgiving, (I believe it to be known as Black Friday) I was tired and felt like a major cold was about to consume me. I had been in the car for 4 hours and was tired. What I needed was to go home, get in my p-jams, and down some Alka Seltzer Cold & Flu. What I got was--Plop, plop, fizz, fizz—a great set from Nada Surf at a semi-packed Fine Line Music Café.

I have been waiting to see Nada Surf since 2003, when they dropped their 3rd album, Let Go. (My schedule never matched up with theirs, until now.) It was worth the wait. Matthew Caws, Ira Elliot, and Daniel Lorcahe all hit the stage with great energy and excitement for the crowd assembled. (Matthew later declared The Fine Line as one of their favorite places to play.) I gladly followed the boys as their set ebbed and flowed through their melancholy softer tunes, like "Inside Of Love" and "Your Legs Grow" into their rocking melodic pop songs such as, "Whose Authority" and "Do It Again." Of course, a highlight for me was when they played their mid-90’s hit, "Popular." I was immediately taken back to my pubescent years in high school — a good visit down memory lane, but I’m glad I don’t have to go back. It is definitely not my favorite song in their library of tunes, but one I’m glad I got to hear live. The boys kept their momentum all the way through to the end when they finished their encore with "Blankest Year" — a song that was my anthem for a better part of a year in college.

It is always a bit of a gamble when you see a favorite band for the first time. Will they live up to what you expect, or will they disappoint? Luckily, Nada Surf didn’t let me down. They are an excellent live band who enjoys what they do. Ira even threw some comical comments out to us from behind his drum set, showing his enjoyment of the show. I’ve never really seen that from a drummer. Unfortunately, Matthew and Daniel didn’t really interact with each other. Was Life on the road getting to them or did one of them hog all the stuffing the day before? Who knows? Either way, they played a great show and I am very glad that I wasn’t a pansy who stayed home to nurse my approaching illness. In fact, Nada Surf was just what the doctor ordered (sorry, I couldn’t help myself). The next morning I felt great, as if the boys and their infectious music had cured me. Thank you Nada Surf for saving me a trip to the medicine isle at Walgreens.

As a side note, I unfortunately missed the first opening band, The Jealous Girlfriends. I did, however, catch Delta Spirit, the second in the line up, and I highly recommend this group from California. You should definitely check out their album Ode to Sunshine.

Review by guest writer Jake Lindgren.

Download mp3s by Nada Surf:
See These Bones
Do It Again
Blankest Year
Blonde on Blonde

The Alarmists Hit the Studio

Check out this update from Tony Najm, bass player for local Minneapolis band The Alarmists:

Hello Everyone, it has been a while since we last chatted. We hope you've all recovered from Thanksgiving week, and being back at work isn't wearing you down too much. A lot has happened in Alarmists camp since we last spoke. Back in August, we were still looking for a producer, a studio to record in and all that stuff that comes with making a new record.

Through the powers of the internet we met Producer extraordinaire Andrew Lynch. Andrew expressed interest in working with us, and we were dumbfounded since his catalog includes producing the latest Earlimart record 'Hymn & Her'. So that was a pretty easy choice as we're all HUGE fans of Earlimart, and you should be too. As for what studio to record in? We contacted our longtime trusty friend Producer/Engineer Adam Krinsky, and he said 'you should definitely head straight down to Flyte Tyme, and grab a case of beers on your way.' As some of you may know Flyte Tyme has now become the great Masters Recording Institute, and it's where hundreds of pop records from the likes of Janet Jackson, Usher, Mariah Carey, and even Michael Jackson were made.

So into the Studio we headed for 10 days, we got all the music done on 12 FRESH tracks as they say :) The new record should be out early summer, a lot more updates and pictures will be coming your way. Thanks for reading.

Love,
The Alarmists

Please enjoy a slideshow of photos I took over a series of three days in studio with the boys. After hearing the few tracks I was privileged enough to be in the studio for, I can honestly say I can't wait for the new album. Enjoy!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Music at the Walker Art Center

The Walker just sent out their monthly music email, which included details for shows this spring. Shows start at 8pm and vary in cost. The Dean & Britta performance, slated for February 28, looks the most interesting, as it accompanies silent film portraits shot by Andy Warhol.

Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips
February 28
Singer/guitarist /composer Dean Wareham (formerly of Galaxie 500 and Luna) was commissioned by The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh to compose music to accompany some of Warhol’s rarely seen silent-film portraits, which the artist called Screen Tests. These extraordinary documents of the 1960s New York art scene constitute a voluminous portrait gallery of well-known celebrities, Factory superstars, and anonymous teenagers. Wareham’s wistful tenor and languorous songs and Britta Phillips’ dreamy harmonies make the perfect live sound track for Warhol’s technically simple yet transfixing films.

Preshow celebrity-portrait gallery tour at 7 pm (free with event ticket).

Dirty Projectors
March 6
Premiering music from his upcoming CD.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy
March 19

Get tickets and more information on the performances here.

Feelin' Crafty?

The No Coast Craft-o-Rama is a craft event that began in December 2005 as a way to feature a variety of designers, artists, crafters and other talented creators of unique handmade goods. It's a great way to support local artists and get some great holiday gifts!

It’s coming up on December 5th (3 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and 6th (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Midtown Global Exchange building.

Some of my favorite vendors participating in the sale include poster god Adam Turman, Owly Shadow Puppets (I have the Yetti), and i like you minneapolis.

A full list of vendors is available here. Let the shopping begin!

Cloud Cult: Feed the Living

Cloud Cult at The Whole 11/21/2008“…We’re very happy to be back in Minneapolis- it’s been a long time- in Minneapolis- since we’ve played for such an intimate setting, so this is pretty cool. Thanks for being here.” Craig Minowa smiled out at the crowd, sleep-mask askew on his forehead, one bare foot tapping. The band tuned between songs, the painters- Craig’s wife Connie and Scott West- at work producing rainbow-mixed birds and tragically sad women. And then came another song, another rush of noise, another uplift into escape.

Cloud Cult had come back from tour to play one last show before their winter hiatus, and had crammed themselves onto the tiny stage at the Whole. The room in the basement of the University of Minnesota’s Coffman Union is best described by the removal of the “w” from its’ name; a long, low cave of a room. The assembled crowd had sat in patient anticipation, semi-circled like kindergarteners, through the opening set by Jelloslave. The four-piece of two cellos, Indian tables and a drums had played a warm opening set that had people clapping and swaying with occasional burst of surprise and recognition. Even though their regular drummer Greg Schutte was away, he was more than capably subbed by JT Bates, indisputably one of the best and most affable kit-men in Minneapolis. Tripping through mixes and medleys that swung between ragas and covers of the Beatles, Joy Division and closed with a bang with Led Zepplin’s “Whole Lotta Love”.

It’s not hard to give love at a Cloud Cult show, in fact, it is a prime motivation of the band. Unlike some feel-good jam band that their name would seem to imply, this is a serious rock band whose core- Craig and his wife Connie- have traveled through darkness and back into light. It was the sudden death of the Minowa’s 2-year old son in 2002 that galvanized Craig’s songwriting and dedication to the music- working through grief. 2007’s Meaning of 8 was so titled because that would have been the age of the lost boy. It would seem morbid, near exploitative to hold tragedy that close, but without it the escape, the honesty of sharing and hope that so embodies the canon of Cloud Cult would be nowhere near as sublime.

Standing pressed up against the stage with the bass amp by my feet the music literally vibrates against my body, and when I am told that everybody here is a cloud I look around and see other people around me, all intangibly happy and our mouths form the same worlds together and purpose is not something that we need to worry about now. Now we are all together and we know the darkest places of ourselves are not so dark with other people there with you. No, it is not a cult; it is transcendental meditation, Plato’s creation myth of being divided halves looking for our other part, it is meteorological metaphors for turbulent times. It is crystalline sense of purpose, womb of sound, it is rock and roll music. To cop another local band made good, it won’t save you but it can bring you to a place where you can save yourself.

Minowa looked sheepishly out into the audience and apologized- the band is all sick, he said- we have been on tour and passed the same cold back and forth. But, he promises, “we are going to put on the best show possible for you.” From the crowd, someone yells, “You always do!” And we cheer, and they smile, because they love us and we love them.

No One said It Would Be Easy into Chemicals Collide:

Alone for Thanksgiving? Not going home?

First Ave has you covered...

File under "Things White People Like"

Cities97 released it's Sampler Volume 20 today, and here a couple fuzzy phone shots of the crowd at the downtown Target:
It's a good thing the proceeds go to charity, because I would hate to think of all these people lining through the skyways for exclusive Jason Mraz and Matchbox 20 tracks. (To be fair, the Sampler also has locals like Jeremy Messersmith and the Glad Version on it, so that's great. I just think a lot of white people in awkward crowds is funny.)

Weekend To-Do and Ticket Giveaway!!!

A nice mix of shameless self promotion and give-aways, here are some of our recommended events this weekend:

Thursday: Fort Wilson Riot with Plastic Chord & Speed's the Name at the Hexagon- PLUS Lamb Lays with Lion Premieres "The Little Skeleton That Could Not"Starts at 9pm, best of all, it's FREE!

Friday: The Absent Arch CD Release with A Paper Cup Band, the Glad Version and the Chord and the Fawn at the Triple Rock Social ClubCakeIn15 is proud to co-sponsor this show, so we have two pairs of tickets to give away to you lucky dogs! Message us at CakeIn15@gmail.com or tell us in the comments that you want 'em and why!

Saturday: A Benefit for Andromeda at the 331 ClubHost Alexei Caselle (Kill The Vultures, Roma di Luna) just added a new child to his family- so congratulate him- and is reaching out to the music scene to help a family member and mother who is afflicted with lukemia. Great bands and the 331 is always free, so spend that money in helping out another human being. Then go lobby for universal health care.

Party to Live: Rock + Roll Means Well Tour

The Hold Steady + Drive-By Truckers at First Ave 11/16/2008I tell you this - and I use the first person preposition because this post will be disgustingly self-serving and totally devoid of journalistic objectivity - that the Hold Steady can save a life. Yeah, yeah, the Hold Steady almost killed me... the killer parties almost killed me and when I was done trying to die the music was still there, talking to me about the syntax of trying - we won't save you, but we'll get you to a place where you can save yourself. Nothing's a fake fight when it's against yourself. I'll roll when I'm ready.

It's foolish 'cause I want it, want to feel a part of it and smiling kids are always screaming for more. There is a hard-bit sweetness for the scene before it got druggy, cutting our baby teeth and saving us from fangs. I say it, but I don't really want to be 17 forever...but I do like the warm feeling - bundling up against the wind coming off the Mississippi, carrying salt, cliques and hisses, the whole chorus of city kids trying to stay alive, stay real high.

Don't die! Any night they play half of Separation Sunday is a good night for absolution, and Craig Finn says it every time, every time and I go back to hear it. Need it so much so that I've stolen it for my own ends. I use this ending to a monologue I've been working out, stories about telling stories, trying to get the honesty ingrained in me so that it becomes reflexive but rock and roll. Rock and roll means well, but it can't help but tell boys lies. But hey, he gave it to me, right?

...And I'm trying to understand America,
to get it through a bar band and I still can't comprehend
why the Hold Steady need day jobs and night jobs as bar backs,
and how the acclaim doesn't mean they sell records.
There's something wrong with that.
Each song is like a benediction
to a country of half-hearted Christians
and backstabbing best friends,
kids are human beings and it says;
We see you, you're here and we are too.
Craig Finn, his arms flailing like busted wings
grabs the microphone and beams and twists
and screams, that he always says it,
he always does, he always does:
That
There
Is so much Joy!
In what they do onstage
And thank you, we love you,
Minneapolis/Saint Paul.

I suppose it doesn't even matter. I love you too, I love me too, it doesn't matter which city because we have gone out to find America, you and I. We have gone out to find America, you and I, and found ourselves in bars and reststops and schools and malls and found ourselves.
...
Oh yeah, the Drive-By Truckers were there too - see what I mean about lack of journalistic objectivity, they co-headline for crissakes - but I have never been a huge fan of theirs. I have dismissively said that their lineage is Lynyrd Skynyrd and not all that much else - and I still stand by that. But they have a good time. The Hold Steady guys seem to have a good time with them, and they played the two songs of theirs that I really do like, "Dead Drunk and Naked," and, as an encore, "Let There Be Rock." A damn fine story about fucking up and turning out alright. Now that's a benediction, and I've been doing just fine, thank you very much.

"Stay Positive" into "Stevie Nix":

"Constructive Summer" into "Stuck Between Stations":

Contest: Win Tickets to see O'Death & Lucy Michelle at the Entry!

O'Death, Drakkar Sauna, and Lucy Michelle & the Velvet Lapelles play the 7th Street entry on Monday, November 10th.

Cake In 15 is happy to offer 2 pairs of tickets to the show! Just email CakeIn15@gmail.com by noon on Monday for your chance to win. Winners will be notified by email by 2pm on Monday.

Woot!

CLAPPERCLAW is this Saturday!

Yes, it is shameless self promotion. Yes, we've been putting together a crazy mix of Arts, Fashion, Film and Music. And yes, it's gonna be the best party in town.

www.clapperclawfestival.com!

Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band: Hope Over Fear

Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band, First Avenue, 10/29/2008

Given his prolific career over a short lifespan, I should really do a full write-up of Conor Oberst and his new outfit, the Mystic Valley Band. But with Election Day and the Clapperclaw Festival coming up fast, I can't fit much more in my head, so here are just a few brief thoughts on the show:

1)Thank you Billings. Billings, Montana was one of three "hometowns" Oberst called out for the Mystic Valley Band, the other two being Tepoztlan, Mexico, where the disc was cut and good ol' Minneapolis, where he test ran material in a two-day stand at the 400 Bar late last year. But it was in Billings that guitarist Taylor Hollingsworth played with the band for the first time, the extra spark of country lightening to galvanize the band. Hollingsworth had some of the sweetest moments of the night, from the dead sexy barroom lead on "Corina Corina" to the sparse slide to close on "Breezy". Neither would have been out of place on Blonde on Blonde or Modern Times, and was a great example of how talent magnifies talent.

2)The band's the thing, but it rises and falls with the bandleader. After ceding lead to the band as a whole on an enegetic but average "Get Well Cards", Oberst took it all back home for "Cape Canaveral". In blue light and with hushed, forward intensity, he showed why his reputation as a songwriter is so well deserved and why he can draw crowds, and collaborators. The best Conor can be sung holding on to someone else, or trying to hold on to yourself.

3)"Victory's sweet/Even deep in the cheap seats." Living and working for something grander or more expansive than the introspection/narcissm for which he has been previously derided by some has done Oberst good. I won't deny that I was hoping for some of those older songs, knowing that the MVB has been doing "Lua" and "Bowl of Oranges" on the road. But whether it is the band, or getting into politics backing the Obama campaign, Oberst seemed happier, more upbeat than previous incarnations, a pleasure to watch riff around, grownup, earnest and hopeful. And with the stadiums Obama's been packing, there is plenty of good company up there in the nosebleeds.

Setlist
Nikorette
Sausolito
Get Well Cards
Cape Canaveral
Moab
Slowly
I Got a Reason #1
Spoiled
Corina Corina
I Got a Reason #2
NYC
Souled Out
Milk Thistle

Encore
Snake Hill
Sundown
Kodachrome (Paul Simon Cover)
Hospital
Breezy

Classic Conor: "When The President Talks to God". The opening to this video calls it a "music video, only shitty". Like the last 8 years: a President, only shitty. Here comes change.

Minneapolis Artists for Obama

My boyfriend, c.a.s., introduced me to the Scanner blog a while ago and I read it every day. About a week ago the females at Scanner decided to remake a great Joan Baez poster created during the last draft. I really liked it, and posted the remake as my Facebook photo - tagging three of my girlfriends as the other three women. Little did I know that it would be picked up by a local online media source and posted... tagging myself and my three friends (the Gossip Girls) as the pretty faces. Oops.

As a result of the oops, and just really enjoying what the photo stood for, my friends and I decided to do it up Minneapolis style. What you see above is the Minneapolis version of the original Baez photo, skewed to reflect our position on the upcoming election. Pictured are Andrea Swensson, Alexa Jones, and Stacy Schwartz. Please feel free to repost and spread the word - but most importantly, don't forget to vote on Tuesday, November 4th.

Click here for the original Scanner post and Baez/Scanner photos.