I had the pleasure of visiting the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota recently and for two weeks I got to know the geography and the people. The geography is fairly standard issue. Not so dissimilar from the environs of my home state of Michigan. Yes, there are the rivers thrice which are the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix waterways. Yet, the new city of Minneapolis shimmers with modernity and gilt whilst the Old Guard of St. Paul is a bit more stoic with a sturdier spine.
Of course all cities are less about the architecture and more about it’s inhabitants. And naturally the people are the life blood which carries the many-faceted character of a city to the North, South, East and West extremities of it’s measurable dimensions. But there is something about “the cities ” which rises like a dual-faced Janus among the landscape of 10,000 lakes and undulates with whispers of a beginning which will not be out-shouted by it’s future. Collectively the citizens of these dual metropolises keep things perpetually interesting and generationally fresh. Shortly after my plane landed I was asking locals two specific questions. Where are the micro-breweries and what’s up with the music scene here?
The beer was easy to find all I had to do is follow the thirsty crowds and follow then I did. Over the course of days I had the pleasure of imbibing great craft beers at Fulton, The Dangerous Man and the 612 Breweries. All great establishments doing their respective jobs at keeping the good times flowing with above par IPAs and lagers of Gypsy-hair dark as midnight and Growlers filled with golden sunshiny hues. I had the best Fish-n-Chips at Cooper Irish Pub and chased it down with a pint of Shake Chocolate Porter. It wasn’t a local brew, but still good enough to hold its own against the local fare. However, if I had to pick a beer that made a lasting impression on my untrained palette I’m throwing my lot in with the Hop Dish IPA from the Lift Bridge Brewing Co. Magnifique!
Now, let’s talk music. Forgive me. I am a recent initiate to the Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene. And really “scene” sounds too frivolous and light and doesn’t carry the necessary weight and respect the bands and artists here deserve. This area pumps out more music as frequently and of such high caliber per capita it easily holds it’s own against those not too distant cousin cities of Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee. I caught shows at Fist Avenue (The Pixies) and at The Cedar Cultural Center (Of Montreal). So many great bands call Minneapolis and St Paul Home. Years ago I only knew a couple. Now, Now and Poliça, the latter of which I was introduced to courtesy of 89.3 The Current (by the way I am now a sustaining member thank you very much).
While throwing back a few one night at the intimate digs of The Devil’s Advocate (this place makes you feel like a tenant in the Edward Hopper painting Nighthawks) a local and I conversed about the reemergence of the vinyl record format. At some crucial point he mentioned the historic establishment bearing the exotic moniker The Electric Fetus. The destination was offered up as the de rigueur pilgrimage to make if one wanted to get their vinyl wax fix on. So, on the last day in Minnesota (where did the time go?) I phoned The Electric Fetus and asked if I could stop in and ask a few questions and take a few photos. I was told to speak with Bob. Bob and I spoke. I explained who I was and my agenda. Bob was harried and brusque. “May I be frank,” he said. “I don’t see what good could a Michigan blogger would do us… but you’re free to come down… I can give you like five minutes… I’m busy… ” Then finished with, “It’s a madhouse down here, we got a sale going on.” He hung up. I pointed my car towards the guts of the city.
When I walked into The Electric Fetus Bob had spoke true, the store was crawling with habitués. I asked one of the clerks at the counter where I could find the store manager and she directed me to the back of the store. We introduced ourselves and shook hands. We talked a bit of store history. We talked music. Talked about the great local acts like Hippo Campus, Caroline Smith, Toki Wright and Chastity Brown, etc. He noticed my powder blue t-shirt and asked what I was wearing. I proudly displayed my Reckless Records rags from my visit to Chicago, (Wicker Park) IL. Bob turned out to be a pretty cool guy and I wrapped up my in-store visit with a The Electric Fetus t-shirt and some vinyl (the War On Drugs’ Lost in the Dream and Morrissey‘s World Peace Is None Of Your Business). Of course I purchased some music, there was a 20% Halloween sale going on. Shout out to the tatted, bejeweled and totally cute (and patient)Amy P. for ringing me up. And then I got out of there, for it was indeed a madhouse.
If you ever visit the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul definitely check out the great local craft beers here you won’t be at all disappointed. And for music lovers with a penchant for getting off the beaten path, go check out The Electric Fetus. Lots of indie music, great atmosphere and cool peeps. Peace.
