Continue reading "bad bad hats | psychic reader"
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bad bad hats | psychic reader
Minneapolis cool kids Bad Bad Hats spill a glut of material on their most recent release Psychic Reader, out now courtesy of Afternoon Records. The more I listen the more lead vocalist Kerry Alexander’s voice is slowly melting my mind with total sweetness. Check out a couple vids after the jump. Peace.
Band: Bad Bad Hats
Release: Psysic Reader
Label: Afternoon Records
www.afternoonrecords.com
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]]>Continue reading "our sunday best: the electric fetus & minnesota craft breweries"
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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.
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]]>Continue reading "poliça // smug"
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The Minneapolis-based band’s new album Shulamith drops October 22nd courtesy of Mom + Pop Records (US), October 21st on Memphis Industries (UK), and October 18th on Inertia (Aus). Check out the band’s latest track Smug, it’s pretty much it more of the same ole good stuff from spectacular band. I am so looking looking forward to this sophomore LP release more than I’m looking forward to Christmas! Peace.
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]]>Continue reading "sombear // love you in the dark"
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Trans- Records artist and Minneapolis, MN resident Sombear (electro-pop artist Brad Hale) just dropped his latest single, “Love You In The Dark”. It’s a sultry number with a hypnotic appeal and sensual vibe. The track is taken from his soon to be released Love You In The Dark LP, out July 23rd. Hey, I’m still recovering from his earlier release Incredibly Still. Peace.
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]]>Continue reading "poliça // tiff (justin vernon)"
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Poliça’s first new recording since Give You the Ghost and as much as I raved about them last year I am simply over the moon to hear their brand new single, Tiff (feat. Justin Vernon). No new information about their sophomore album but I’ll just take what I can get for now and enjoy this. Peace.
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]]>Continue reading "dark dark dark // how it went down"
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The album Who Needs Who by the Minnesotan band Dark Dark Dark was one of a few hidden gems which was released last year but it may have flew below your radar. The good thing about penning a music blog is the ability to rectify those lapses in musical exposure (lol). Seriously though, the track How It Went Down is rife with introspection coiled sweetly around sweet somber sound. Vocalist Nona Marie Invie sings with such honesty it would be impossible to shade the truth whilst under her spell. The albums first single release Tell Me is just as beautifully effective. You can get a copy of this gorgeous album via iTunes. Peace.
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]]>Continue reading "on and on // the hunter"
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the band On And On, which have roots in both chi-town and the jucy lucy, have been doing the music thing for a long time. finally though, Eiesland, Alissa Ricci, and Ryne Estwing have combined forces and the results are solid. the trios latest is the album, ‘Give In’ via Roll Call Records. the first track, “The Hunger” is pure ear-candy. peace.
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Night Moves is a band that sounds like something both familiar and comforting. The band’s debut album ‘Colored Emotions’ is nothing but song after song of exemplary music. After the jump take a listen and tell me I’m wrong. I dare you. Peace.
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]]>Continue reading "on an on // ghosts"
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the chicago and minneapolis based trio on an on are scheduled to release their debut album ‘give in‘ on january 29th, 2013 via roll call records. as a preview check out the band’s video for their lead single, “ghosts,” it is a soft and none to sweet spoonful of electronic earstuff. peace.
december tour dates:
december, 1, 2012 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall
december 3, 2012 – East Lansing, MI – The Loft
december 14, 2012 – Chicago, IL – Schuba’s
december 15, 2012 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry
additional tour dates dba
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]]>Continue reading "poliça // the maker (gardens and villa remix)"
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You’ve likely noticed (if you have a history here) that I’ve reviewed several songs by Poliça and here is yet another reason for me to continue my on-going admiration for this great Minnesota band.
Dropping August 14th, Mom + Pop Music will reissue Poliça‘s recently released debut album Give You The Ghost. SPIN.com described the Ryan Olson and Jim Eno produced band’s sound as “tough, R&B-bent, live wire electronica that doubles as Auto-Tune delight.”
In Addition, Poliça (Channy Leaneagh, Chris Bierden, Drew Christopherson and Ben Ivascu) will also release The Dark Star EP with reinterpretations of tracks by the likes of Exitmusic, Aluxe and others. Good stuff. Here, “The Maker,” the impressive production duo Gardens & Villa have worked their collective magic for the Dark Star Remix EP. I can’t wait to here the rest of the EP. Peace.
Tour Dates:
August 3 – Montreal, QC @
August 5 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
August 11 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze
August 16 – Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore
August 17 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
August 18 – Portland, OR @ The Wonder Ballroom
August 20 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
August 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
August 23 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pool @ Cosmopolitan
August 25 – Denver, CO @ The Blue Bird Theater
August 26 – Ames, IA @ Maintenance Shop
August 27 – Columbia, OH @ Mojo’s
August 28 – Nashville, TN @ High Watt
August 29 – Atlanta, GA @ Counterpoint Music Festival
October 01 – Raleigh, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
October 02 – Washington, D.C@ Black Cat
October 03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
October 04 – Northhampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
October 05 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
October 06 – New York, N.Y @ Webster Hall
October 08 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement
October 09 – Cincinatti, OH @ 20th Century Theatre
October 11 – Little Rock, A$ @ Stickyz
October 14 – Austin, TX @ ACL
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