Mr. Ryan Olson featured in Making Music

Last night's guest was none other than Mr. Gayngs mastermind Ryan Olson. Marijuana Death Squads played a couple short sets. Doomtree Blowout 6 unofficial preparty.

This Friday Doomtree Blowout & EXTRA LARGE!

Looking forward to this Friday's Doomtree blowout VI. Featuring many of our local rap scene's best: P.O.S., Dessa, Cecil Otter, Lazebeak, Paper Tiger, Mike Mictlan, Sims. This show has become kind of a holiday tradition at First Avenue's mainroom. Be there! Tickets are selling fast.



Also this Friday you don't want to miss one of the best dance nights in the city, EXTRA LARGE is a monthly party put together by DJ Mike 2600 at First Avenue's record room. Check out the Soundcloud Mix by @Mike2600.

EXTRA LARGE II by Mike 2600

TAME IMPALA ! ! ! from Australia with love.

Psych-groovy rock beast from the land down under Tame Impala is visiting the twin cities and I can not be any more excited to get a taste of their sonic explorations into the human psyche. Their album Innespeaker takes us through a trip in the psychedelic calmness of a Pink Floyd album with the bravado of a Zepellin tune...awesome vocals and guitar arrangements make this band a MinneScene favorite.
They'll be playing the 7 St Entry @ First Avenue this Saturday November 27th with STARDEATH & THE WHITE DWARFS and KUROMA.

Yourstru.ly Presents: Tame Impala (1 of 2) from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Yourstru.ly Presents: Tame Impala (2 of 2) from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

M.anifest's New Video!

Ghanaian native and local Hip-Hop artist M.anifest released his new video for the song Coming To America. I love the fact that our beautiful city of Minneapolis acts as the backdrop to this great story told by the skilled MC.

Check out his website manifestmc.com and follow him on twitter @manifestive for more info on this rising start of the twin cities Hip-Hop scene.

New Gayngs video: The Last Prom On Earth

The Last Prom On Earth live at First Avenue with Prince on the sidelines, jamming to the song but he never got on stage. It would have been an amazing moment for those attending who had no idea he was even in the building, but classy as he is someone heard him say "they don't need me up there" and he just let Gayngs do their thing and have their day.

Red Pens CD Release Show

One of the new faces in Minneapolis indie punk rock scene RED PENS will be releasing their new CD "LIMITATIONS" a 6 song EP on November 2nd, 2010.
Howard W. Hamilton's raw distorted guitar sounds and melodic voice are a great compliment to Laura F. Bennet's complex and colorful drumming. This band delivers sound so big you wouldn't expect it from a two piece band.

Saturday, November 6
7th Street Entry / 9:00 pm / 18+

Opening the show will be ZOMBIE SEASON and FAUNA

Here's the Album info:

Limitations EP

1. limitations

2. good luck charm

3. far off

4. taco cha cha

5. i want more more

6. melted filmstrip

Gorillaz @ Target Center this sunday!

Gorillaz the cartoon musical project created in 1998 by British musician Damon Albarn and British cartoonist Jamie Hewlett is coming to town to play The Target Center this Sunday, October 17th, 2010.

The touring band, which includes members of The Clash Paul Simonon and Mick Jones will also feature some of the artists found on Plastic Beach, their third studio album. Among them Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Gruff Rhys, Mark E. Smith, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Kano, Bashy, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, sinfonia ViVA, and The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music.

Opening for them will be Pharrel's band N.E.R.D.

PRINCE winter tour announcement!

His MPLS highness the one and only Prince, has announced a series of shows where he'll be the master of ceremonies. The press conference was held at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem NY. As with any and all things Prince related very few details were released other than the artists featured on the string of shows set to start "on a purple day in December of the year 2010."
The list of acts include Janelle Monae, the legendary Maceo Parker, Mint Condition, Esperanza Spalding and Graham Central Station.

Here's a little clip of the press conference from The New York Post
 

Caribou live @ First Avenue!

I've been looking really forward to seeing Caribou perform. I've heard nothing but good things about their live show and First Avenue's mainroom has the great sound system that any electronic show deserves. Canadian born Daniel Snaith fronts the band and produces all of the music. He has assembled a live band with Ryan Smith, Brad Weber, & John Schmersal.

The album "Swim" is one of our favorite releases of the year and was featured on our Summer 2010 Mixtape.

Here's Odessa (Swim)


and a live rendition of Odessa @ Reading Festival 2010

FOALS live at The Entry! [Thu Sept 22nd]

One of my favorite indie rock bands out of Oxford, UK will be bringing their five piece dance-punk, math rock, post-punk & techno sound to the Entry @ First Avenue. I'm really looking forward to this show. Their two albums "Antidotes" and "Total Life Forever" are really imaginative, hard to chategorize and fall into the not too serious prog-party records. If you've never heard of them I recommend you come check them out and buy their albums afterwards. I'll leave you with a couple of videos.

Electric Bloom (Antidotes)


Spanish Sahara (Total Life Forever)

Retribution Gospel Choir @ Triple Rock

Retribution Gospel Choir will be performing live this Thursday September 23rd at The Triple Rock.
One of my favorite local rock bands. Alan Sparhawk on guitar and vocals, Steve Garrington on bass and Eric Pollard on drums and vocals. I love Alan's guitar sound and mastery paired with his amazing vocals and unique style...really enjoy his trance-like state when he's deep in song.
Definitely a show all local indie rock fans will enjoy!

Here's a video from a recent performance released by subpop records.

LOOKBOOK - RIP

Definitely saddened by the end of Maggie Morrison and Grant Cutler's collaboration Lookbook. Just wanted to share some of my favorite videos from one of my favorite bands from MPLS.
I really love their first LP release Wild At Heart [buy here], by far some of the best dance songs from any band in the local scene. I was looking forward to some of the reworked and new unreleased songs that they had started to perform live.

We live in times where those who blink miss a whole lot. I hope you were there when they were creating beautiful moments...I'm looking forward to what the future holds for Maggie & Grant.

..."and in the end, its never wrong

because who you love is where you are

i cut it close to let it out

my heart is full of this rage and this fear of doubt

over and over

these lovers they quarrel 

you sink 'til you swim

it gets weaker with torture"

(Lyrics from: Over And Over)

The Only Ones [live at 89.3 The Current Studios]


True To Form [live at Sauce 12/4/09]

New Muja Messiah album The M16's drops Sept 14th 2010!

Really impressed by the new production from Minneapolis rapper Muja Messiah. His new album The M16's (Black Corners) will be released next Tuesday and it's currently available for pre-order at Fifth Element online store.

This album is packed full of awesome tracks that follow up his Mpls Masacre Vol. 1. Muja is definitely one of our favorite local rappers and one of the fresh and innovative faces of the MPLS rap scene. Look out for collaborations with Maria Isa (Sota Rico), P.O.S. (Rhymesayers/Doomtree), M.anifest, and more.

Here's the Official "Gary Coleman" by Muja Messiah Directed by Hi Def Photo Prod. by Benzilla from Didier Mbilizi on Vimeo.

RATATAT @ First Avenue 9/11/10

Ratatat the group formed by guitarist Mike Stroud and synthesizer, bass player, and producer Evan Mast will perform this saturday at First Avenue. LP4 their latest release is an amazing album, full of the sounds that make this Brooklyn based duo so unique and distinct. Definitely one of our favorite albums of the year (featured on our Summer of 2010 Mixtape)

Drugs - Video


Party With Children - Video

M.O.'s Summer of 2010 Mixtape - Download

Just wanted to share with you all my new mixtape featuring tracks by some of the artists on constant rotation in my personal playlist. A perfect soundtrack to a very hot summer of lake beaches and biking in MPLS. Lots of electronic music, great beats and rhymes, indie rock, hip-hop, and everything in between including a remix of a gem of a song by Gil Scott-Heron. Here's the full playlist:

Download here!

The Dead Weather plays First Avenue!

Jack White, Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita, and Jack Lawrence bring us The Dead Weather
They'll be playing a soldout show in the town's best venue First Avenue Wednesday July 28th.

Here's a cool video for the track "Treat Me Like Your Mother"

/\/\ /\ Y /\

The new album by M.I.A. coded /\/\/\Y/\ is streaming for free at her MySpace page.

It is definitely difficult to classify and not easy to digest on a first listen but there's a couple of gems that you'll enjoy from the get go...check it out here.

image © http://miauk.com/

Sarah White and DJ Don Cuco need love!

Visit this page and fund the project now!


Spread the love.

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Rock the Garden 2010!

Here's a new video by MGMT the headliners for this year's Walkert Art Center Rock The Garden. See you all saturday!



The Current's own DJ Mary Lucia and the Walker's Philip Bither just announced the four bands that will be playing in this year's concert at the Walker Art center's lawn on Saturday, June 19, 2010.
Retribution Gospel Choir will open the show and will represent the local music scene, followed by Chicago's OK GO a band widely known for their inventive and entertaining videos. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings are definitely one of the most exciting bands to see live. Their contagious gospel, soul, and funk sound is definitely attracting a new generation back to these forgotten genres...and last but not least 'The Management' aka MGMT will headline the show. Their new album Congratulations has sparked a lot of debate between die-hard fans, bloggers, haters, and new listeners alike by simply being more experimental and not a box full of radio hits like its predecessor Oracular Spectacular.

Get your tickets here for this year's concert.

Here's a little bomb Minneapolis!!!
A little birdie told me that this is this year's ROCK THE GARDEN lineup...shhh

Retribution Gospel Choir

OK GO

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

and MGMT headlining!

Soundset 2010 is here!

The Rhymesayers crew's biggest party is here and this year's line-up features Method Man & Redman with the best midwest Hip-Hop acts and usual headlining suspects Atmosphere.

Buy tickets here!

Sarah White: Fade Remixed

Minneapolis artist Sarah White recently released a remix collection of her track Fade that Includes the original DJ Don Cuco produced track, as well as many collaborations with artists like Busy, J Todd, Basil & Zaphryn and Venezuelan dubstep producer Sonotech.
Download the whole EP for free at http://sarahwhite.bandcamp.com/

GAYNGS VIDEO "CRY"...and The Last Prom On Earth!

Check out this great face morphing video for the song "Cry" off of Relayted the debut album of the megagroup Gayngs. Look closely chances are you'll recognize some of your friends and local musicians in it.

The band started by Ryan Olson & Solid Gold members Zack Coulter and Adam Hurlburt, drew the attention of many artists from the midwest and beyond.

jagjaguwar: "From the moment anyone heard Olson, Coulter, and Hurlburt's rough version of their first composition "The Gaudy Side of Town," they wanted in on it. To most of the players involved, this genre of music was quite foreign yet entirely familiar. Olson knew this, and began calling upon an eclectic cast of contributors whom he thought would share his vision, and relish in the idea of exploring uncharted musical territory within them. The first people to join the cause were North Carolina's Megafaun (Joe Westerlund, Brad Cook, Phil Cook), and with them came Ivan Howard (The Rosebuds), and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Mike Noyce. By mid-2009 the studio sessions were becoming more and more frequent, bouncing back and forth between April Base and Olson's bedroom. In Minneapolis, Olson brought in Rhymesayers rapper P.O.S and his fellow Doomtree artist Dessa, psych-rockers Jake Luck and Nick Ryan (Leisure Birds), song-birds Channy Moon-Casselle and Katy Morley, jazz-saxophonist Michael Lewis (Happy Apple, Andrew Bird), retro-pop duo Maggie Morrison and Grant Cutler (Lookbook), and slide-guitarist Shön Troth (Solid Gold)."

Don't forget to buy your tickets HERE for the Last Prom On Earth show at First Avenue on May 14th 2010 and remember to dress up in your best attire for this awesome last prom...it's gonna be of epic proportions!

GAYNGS

New M.I.A. video [directed by Romain-Gavras]

It's always refreshing when a pair of geniuses in their crafts collaborate to bring something as mind-blowing and thought provoking as this new M.I.A. video for her new single Born Free. Buy the song from iTunes here.



Here's the song lyrics:

Whooo!
Yeah man made powers
Stood like a tower higher and higher hello
And the higher you go you feel lower, oh
I was close to the end staying undercover
Staying undercover
With a nose to the ground I found my sound

Got myself an interview tomorrow
I got myself a jacket for a dolla

And the car doesn't work so I'm stuck here
Yeah I don't wanna live for tomorrow
I push my life today
I throw this in your face when I see ya
I got something to say
I throw this shit in your face when I see ya
Cause I got something to say

I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
(bo-bo-born free ....)

You could try to find ways to be happier
You might end up somewhere in Ethiopia
You can think big with your idea
You ain't never gonna find utopia
Take a bite out of life make it snappier yeah
Ordinary gon super trippyer

So I check sh!t cause I'm lippyer
And split a cheque like slovakia

Yeah I don't wanna live for tomorrow
I push my life today
I throw this in your face when I see you
I got something to say
I throw this sh!t in your face when I see you
Cause I got something to say

I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
(bo-bo-born free ....)
Ooooh

I don't wanna talk about money, 'cause I got it
And I don't wanna talk about hoochies, 'cause I been it
And I don't wanna be that fake?, but you can do it
And imitators, yeah, speak it

Oh Lord? whoever you are, yeah come out wherever you are
Oh Lord? whoever you are, yeah come out wherever you are
And tell em!

Born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
(bo-bo-born free ....)

SOLID GOLD [Fund Raiser @ 7th St Entry]

Come help Solid Gold raise some funds to pay for the gear that was stolen recently while on a tour of the east coast. Brooklyn I'm not proud of you (The gear was stolen out of their van just outside of a venue they were supposed to play at) making the band have "The mopiest ride back home" according to Adam Hurlburt the band's bass player.
It's for a good cause and only $10 so let's pack that venue and support our local favorites. Buy tickets here.


I'm really digging the song One In A Million, from Solid Gold's new EP "Synchronize" [buy it here] It's a perfect example of the sound Solid Gold has been able to craft & it defines the new IndieRock sound of Mpls.
One In A Million by solidgoldband

MAJOR LAZER & Rusko play First Avenue 4/11/10

The man turned justice warrior, enforcing pain on zombies while making booty-shaking tunes is in Minneapolis for the first time. Major Lazer, Diplo and Switch's altered ego whose debut album Guns don't kill people lazers do! is available now and was featured in our Best of 2009 Mixtape with the song 'Hold The Line' will be throwing it all down at First Avenue. Please refrain from dressing like a zombie or a vampire unless you want to be a target for his lazer gun for an arm. Come ready to dance party people!
Brittish Dubstep king Rusko will be opening the show.

Here's a little taste of the live show!


Pon De Floor!

Major Lazer "Pon De Floor" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Check out this new video for the song Keep It Going Louder.

Peter Gabriel and Bon Iver "scratch each other's back" [New Release]

When I first heard about Peter Gabriel covering Bon Iver's hit Flume I thought that only a genius of that magnitude could bring a fresh take on that song and I wasn't disappointed when I first heard his rendition a few months ago. Love the simple piano arrangement, very minimalist orchestrations and Gabriel's voice so spot on.

Bon Iver's cover of 'Come Talk To Me' just released [buy here] is a great take on an all-time classic. Crafted very masterfully and given the indie folk signature from the band and amazing vocals by Justin Vernon.

Here's a video of the project with an interview of Justin Vernon done by Peter Gabriel's Daughter  in Eau Claire, WI.


Watch Peter Gabriel talk about his live shows while the orchestra rehearses "Flume" By Bon Iver in the background!

FLYING LOTUS & KODE9 Live in MPLS!

Flying Lotus my favorite electronic music producer, Thom Yorke collaborator, and definitely the "Jimmy Hendrix of this generation" (According to BBC's Mary Anne Hobbs) is coming to play Minneapolis at The Loft - Barfly on Saturday April 3rd 2010.

He is definitely at the forefront of electronic music these days having already produced a vast amount of solo works and collaborations with other artist as part of the California based Braifeeder crew. His sound is hard to describe but he definitely taps into that universal out of space shit your ears have never been trained to experience and mixes it seamlessly with Hip-Hop beats, great guest voices, and jazzy bass lines. Needless to say, this show you must experience!

Here's a little clip about the man behind the project [including a bit about his aunt Jazz Legend Alice Coltrane] on XLR8R TV.


Check out this new song from the upcoming Cosmogramma featuring vocals by Thom Yorke.

Flying Lotus - …And The World Laughs With You (feat. Thom Yorke) (2010)

For info on Kode9 go to myspace.com/kode9

Here's a little lo-fi video from the live set at The Loft...

DJ VADIM & BASSNECTAR @ Varsity Theater 4/1/10

My man DJ Vadim and The Electric Band will be visiting The Twin Cities again for their 2010 US tour. This time he'll be sharing the stage with none other than Bassnectar one of the best electronic music DJ's out of San Francisco, CA. This is a sold out show!!! so if you want to get in ask me nicely and I'll see what I can do ;-)




Listen to a preview of Bassnectar's new album TIMESTRETCH here:

Passion Pit Plays First Avenue [Sunday April 4th 2010]

Passion Pit the electronic band from Cambridge MA will be playing a sold-out show at First Avenue this Sunday.
Here's a video for their radio hit The Reeling from their debut album 'Manners'.

New Gil Scott-Heron Album! [show update]

Gil Scott-Heron's show was rescheduled! He will be performing at 7pm and 930pm at The Dakota Jazz Club on Wednesday April 14th 2010.

Really Impressed with I'm New Here the new record by Gil Scott-Heron recently released by XL. Listen to the whole album here!

The revolution will not be televised!


Watch his awesome new video [Video directed by Coodie & Chike and Michael Sterling Eaton]

Gil Scott-Heron - "Me And The Devil"

M.O.'s Best Of 2009 Mixtape

Here's DJ M.O.'s soundtrack to 2009. A collection of sounds from all genres and styles with original songs and remixes that defined the end of a decade.
The mix starts with a mellow and ambient-esque amalgam of new artists and it builds into a crescendo of Dance/Pop tunes ending in a World Beat/Hip-Hop set unifying old and new school.

M.O. Best Of 2009 Mixtape

  
Here's the song list:
1. A New - Little Dragon
2. Do the Joy - Air
3. Sky Might Fall - Kid Cudi
4. Marty And Sonietta - Phaseone
5. C-Train - Sarah White
6. Island, Is - Volcano Choir
7. 1517 - The Whitest Boy Alive
8. Enter Galactic - Kid Cudi
9. Feather - Little Dragon
10. So Light Is Her Footfall - Air
11. Sort Of Revolution - Fink
12. Seven - Fever Ray
13. The Process - Megafaun
14. Can't Help But Smiling - Devendra Banhart
15. Crying Lightning - Arctic Monkeys
16. Molalatladi - BLK JKS
17. Amarillion - Datarock
18. Over Me - Digitata
19. The Reeling - Passion Pit
20. One In A Million - Data
21. Soldier (feat. Santigold) - N.E.R.D.
22. Money (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras congo, Seu Jorge, Z-Trip) - N.A.S.A
23. Rain Dance (feat. M.I.A.) - The Very Best
24. Soldier (feat. Big Red, 5Nizza) - DJ Vadim
25. Hold the Line (feat. Mr. Lex, Santigold) - Major Lazer
26. T.I.A (Remix ft. Afrikan Boy) - K'naan
27. What We Talkin' About (feat. Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun) - Jay-Z
28. Back Again - Reflection Eternal
29. Reality Check (feat. Black Thought) - J Dilla
30. Back To Daylight (Ft. Ashley Slater) - Dub Pistols
31. Casa Bey - Mos Def
32. Holy Are You - Rakim

You can also download the mix here!
M.O. Best Of 2009 Mixtape

Retribution Gospel Choir @ Triple Rock Sat. Feb 20th

I'm really looking forward to this sold out show from the Duluth based rock trio at one of my favorite local venues TheTripleRock.

From http://www.retributiongospelchoir.com/

Retribution Gospel Choir is a rock trio founded in 2007. The group features Alan Sparhawk on guitar and vocals, Steve Garrington on bass and Eric Pollard on drums and vocals. Alan also fronts the band Low with his wife, Mimi Parker, and Steve also plays bass in Low.

This is the video for my favorite song "Hide It Away" from the new album simply titled 2. Alan Sparhawk is truly as innovative as a rock guitarist can be and his rhythm section is comprised of a couple of virtuosos in their own right.

DJ Don Cuco's new Favela Funk Remix

Just wanted to share a new mix by Brooklyn via Minnesota DJ Don Cuco. As we approach Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, get in the spirit of this magical celebration with this collection of raw diggs all over the Brazilian inspired musical spectrum, from favela chic to favela funk!

Photo by Sarah White
Check out DJ Don Cuco on Myspace http://www.myspace.com/djdoncuco

FAVELA FUNK SAMPLER

DJ DON CUCO

A Benefit Concert For Haiti! Feb. 6th, 2010

Great show for an awesome cause at First Avenue featuring some hip local bands, MinneScene favorite Solid Gold with Mark Mallman, Zoo Animal, Peter Wolf Crier, and DJing the night Jimmy 2 Times and Mike 2600!
All proceeds donated to the Red Cross Haiti relief & development fund & Architecture for Humanity.

Gimme Shelter: A Benefit for Haiti Promo from Anthem Heart A/V on Vimeo.

One In A Million by solidgoldband