W♥M

You Are Berry Special

Read More Helena Deland Montreal’s Helena Deland to open. Tour dates: 03/19 Los Angeles, LA Echoplex 03/20 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop 03/22 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge …

HELENA DELAND
helenadeland.com

Montreal-based songwriter and musician Helena Deland recently shared her “Strawberry Moon,” the final pre-release single from her new album Goodnight Summerland ahead of its release on October 13th, 2023 via Chivi Chivi. The single is described as a folk lullaby for lovers lost in the nightfall, with its wistful piano melodies and a sweet, textured acoustic guitar.

According to Helena, the song was written “during an annual vacation at a beloved friend's cottage by the lake, where strawberries are known as 'heart berries' in the Anishinaabe tradition, ‘Strawberry Moon’ is sleepless and peaceful. I was clear minded, able to welcome both the eagerness and weariness brought forth by the love story unfolding at a distance. These sentiments infuse ordinary nights with the colors of fate. Every year of our lives has taken us to where we are. We're not just witnesses to this moment; we're an integral part of a world where strawberries bloom every year. This is the final single from and last song on Goodnight Summerland, out October 13th. My North American tour starts November 2nd with support from Jana Horn and Shaina Hayes.”

The tour will find its way to Minneapolis on November 13th, at the 7th Street Entry.

Tour dates:

11/02/2023 - Vancouver - Fox Cabaret
11/03/2023 - Seattle - Madame Lou’s
11/04/2023 - Portland - Mississippi Studios
11/06/2023 - San Francisco - Cafe du Nord
11/07/2023 - Los Angeles - Lodge Room
11/08/2023 - San Diego - Casbah
11/09/2023 - Phoenix - Valley Bar
11/11/2023 - Denver - Lost Lake
11/13/2023 - Minneapolis - 7th st
11/14/2023 - Chicago - Lincoln Hall
11/15/2023 - Detroit - El club
11/16/2023 - Toronto - Horseshoe
11/18/2023 - Brooklyn - Music Hall
11/19/2023 - DC - Songbyrd
11/24/2023 - Montréal - La Tulipe
11/25/2023 - Québec - Le Pantoum
02/13/2024 - Baden - One Of A Million Festival
02/14/2024 - Munich - Milla
02/15/2024 - Berlin - Privatclub
02/16/2024 - Amsterdam - Paradiso Upstairs
02/17/2024 - Paris - Pop Up Du Label
02/19/2024 - Brussels - Botanique
02/21/2024 - London - The Lexington

Read More Christmas It never fails, every year, around this time, we get a ton of new Christmas songs. It’s a tradition, after all. …

JOHN BERRY
johnberry.com

Grammy Award-Winning Artist John Berry (not to be confused with John Barry) announced his first dates for his “Christmas With John Berry” 27th Annual Christmas Tour.

“Twenty-seven years have passed, and I could never have foreseen the incredible blessing of sharing my music and commemorating the birth of Christ throughout this journey,” shares Berry. “It’s deeply meaningful to see so many of you returning, year after year, alongside your loved ones and friends, all coming together to embrace the joy of the season. I look forward to sharing this time of giving with each and every one of you and I'm forever grateful for your continued support.”

The 27th Annual ‘Christmas With John Berry’ 2023 Tour Schedule:

NOV 24 - The Eagle at Sugar Hill / Sugar Hill, Ga.
NOV 25 - High Point Theatre / High Point, N.C.
NOV 26 - Newberry Opera House / Newberry, S.C.
NOV 28 - The Park Theatre / McMinnville, Tenn.
NOV 30 - Williams Auditorium / Henderson, Tenn.
DEC 01 - Imperial Theatre / Augusta, Ga.
DEC 02 - Kentucky Downs / Franklin, Ky.
DEC 05 - Ironton High School / Ironton, Ohio
DEC 07 - Jefferson Plaza Hall / Jefferson, Ind.
DEC 08 - Hasting Performing Arts / Hastings, Mich.
DEC 09 - Dogwood Center / Fremont, Mich.
DEC 13 - Majestic Theatre / Chillicothe, Ohio
DEC 15 - Cedartown Performing Arts Center / Cedartown, Ga.
DEC 16 - The Grand Opera House / Macon, Ga.
DEC 17 - The Classic Center / Athens, Ga.

Key Features 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU VideoCore VII GPU, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1 Dual 4Kp60 HDMI® display output 4Kp60 HEVC decoder Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi® Bluetooth 5.0 / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) High-speed microSD card interface with SDR104 2 × USB 3.0 ports, supporting simultaneous 5Gbps 2 × USB 2.0 ports Gigabit Ethernet, with PoE+ support 2 × 4-lane MIPI camera/display transceivers PCIe 2.0 x1 interface for fast peripherals Raspberry Pi standard 40-pin GPIO header Real-time clock Power button Read More Raspberry Pi I’ve been playing around with my Raspberry Pi 4 (4 GB Model), a lot lately. I’ve had the single-board computer since November 2019, even though the RP4 wasn’t supposed to launch until 2020. As a result …

RASPBERRY PI
raspberrypi.com

Today (September 28), the Raspberry Pi foundation announced the Raspberry Pi 5. The tiny best-selling computer is coming out at the end of October 2023 for $60 for 4GB and $80 for 8GB. There are no announcements for a 1GB or 2GB version.

It’s been so many years since Raspberry Pi 4 (November 2019), so I am eager to get my hands on the new single-board computer.

Looking at the specs, I see that for the first time, the Raspberry Pi will now come with a power button. Finally! I’ve never understood why previous boards have never had a power button.

The other key feature that I’ve noticed is the new board has a PCIe 2.0 lane, meaning you can attach a very fast NVME storage or some sort of graphic interface that uses PCIe. I’m curious to see how developers will use PCIe products.

Also, for the first time, we’re seeing a real-time clock on board. While I honestly don’t care or asked for this, I think this has more to do with programming and perhaps security… either way, I’m glad it is in the new board.

What I don’t love are the micro-HDMI that carried over from the Raspberry Pi 4. Although I understand why they went with the smaller HDMI, I’ve always hated it and had hoped that they’ve abandon micro for full sized HDMI. Unfortunately, they kept the micro.

It looks like the Raspberry Pi 5 produces incredible heat, so that they’ve released an official active cooler for the board. In fact, the board, itself has a fan header interface. Personally speaking, I think they should just sell the Raspberry Pi 5 with the cooler installed.

While the Raspberry Pi 5 isn’t going to be replacing my gaming PC or ROG Ally, I’ve always like tinkering around with the computer… especially because they’re so affordable. I already own five Raspberry Pi 4, for example. I used them for different projects.

Yours,

Weekend Gamer

Read more Weekend Gamer and Technology.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Coffee Day (2023)

National Coffee Day is Friday, September 29, while International Coffee Day is October 1, 2023.

Black Coffee
music by Sonny Burke
lyrics by Paul Francis Webster

I'm feelin' mighty lonesome
Haven't slept a wink
I walk the floor from nine to four
In between I drink

Black coffee
Love's a hand-me-down brew
I'll never know a Sunday
In this weekday room
I'm talkin to the shadow
One o'clock till four
And Lord, how slow the moments go
And all I do is pour

Black coffee
Since the blues caught my eye
I'm hangin' out on Monday
My Sunday dreams to dry

flowerovlove
twitter.com/flowerovlove

London’s 18-year-old musician flowerovlove returns with “Coffee Shop”, a cheery dream-pop single.

You can watch the music video on YouTube.

Coffee Shop

Take me down the coffee shop
The one you said that you like so much
And my hair glistened in the light
So bright could’ve lost your mind

I know you’ve been saying that
I glow ‘cause I love it when
You grow and more and more and more

WILL KNOX
will-knox.com

British singer-songwriter (but currently based in the Netherlands), Will Knox just shared his new single “Instant Coffee” today (September 28th).

The single is produced by Ian Grimble (Daughter, Bear's Den, Matt Corby) and was a double A-side release featuring bonus track, “Leave The Light On”. The new music is the first to be released from Will's forthcoming debut album set for release in autumn 2024.

Talking about the song, Will said, “I started writing new music during lockdown, having learned I was going to become a father for the first time. The time allowed me to confront a lot of issues from my past, and I was determined not to pass them on to my son. ‘Instant Coffee’ is a song about that process of healing, and in my case learning that there are no quick fixes. It’s OK if it takes time.”

EMBER MUG
ember.com

I recently saw that Target put some Ember Mug on clearance for as little as $50. I know that doesn’t sound much like a deal, but when you consider that the original price for these Ember Mugs were $170, $50 is a bargain.

The key gimmick of the Ember Mug is that it keeps your coffee hot, from your first sip to your last. I hate stale, cold coffee, so I love this idea.

Unfortunately, the clearance mugs were all sold out at that location. So, I started looking at other Target locations in my area, and, of course, they were all sold out across all the Target near me.

After a week of searching, and not getting any luck, I was going to give up on owning an Ember Mug. There was one last Target that I hadn’t gone to, and it’s for good reasons. It’s in a bad neighborhood… and wouldn’t you know it, they had a clearance Ember Mug at that location!

As soon as I brought it home and unpacked it, I gave it a wash and downloaded the Ember app. After charging the cup with the saucer bottom, and then syncing it through Bluetooth, the mug immediately asks to download and update. This was a lot of work just to drink coffee!

What is nice about the mug is that you can see how hot the coffee is. You can set it to alert you when the right temperature cools down, so no more hot McDonald’s Coffee issues. The mug can also tell if it’s empty, although I’ve had some false alerts.

You can also tie it to your health app and log how many drinks you’re drinking and it keeps all the relevant data in the app. I don’t know how useful this is, but it’s cool to keep tabs.

Overall, I think it’s a very stylish white mug. It’s a very well-made mug, and well-insulated (it’s cool to the touch on the exterior), and it’ll keep your coffee hot for an hour and a half. It’s a great mug… but there’s no way it’s worth the $50 price tag, let alone the original asking price of $170. Still, I’m happy to own this and I use it every day to drink coffee now.

Energize Lounge Star Trek Coffee Roast
herowithinstore.com

Love coffee? Love Star Trek? Go where no one has gone before: Star Trek Coffee, created by Jedidiah Coffee and Hero Icon.

There are three blends: Janeway Jumpstart Breakfast Blend, "Not Earl Grey Tea" Medium Roasts, and the Warp Core Breach Dark Roasts.

They’re $20 each, or buy all three for $50. Free Energize Lounge sticker included.

Details:

Created by popular demand!

Time to boldly go in the morning with a cup of Energize Lounge coffee! First offered at our San Diego Comic-Con Offsite Activation, the Energize Lounge Coffee Roasts sold out to Trek fans. Since that time many of your have emailed us about making some available for fans that were not at San Diego. We had our roaster, Jedidiah Coffee, create a small batch for our Newsletter Subscribers! For a limited time, you can now order a 12oz bag of our Janeway Jumpstart Breakfast Blend, "Not Earl Grey Tea" Medium Roasts or the Warp Core Breach Dark Roasts. They make great gifts and won't be offered again online so make it so!

2023's Best Coffee Cities in America
wallethub.com

Based on spending, WalletHub released their data for 2023’s Best Coffee Cities in America, with San Francisco ranked as #1. I’m not sure I agree with this finding. I’ve always thought Seattle or Portland should be #1, as they are the hipster capitol of the world… but apparently not in the world of coffee consumption.

Top 10 Cities for Coffee Lovers

1. San Francisco, CA
2. Portland, OR
3. Seattle, WA
4. Orlando, FL
5. Honolulu, HI
6. Tampa, FL
7. Austin, TX
8. Oakland, CA
9. New Orleans, LA
10. Pittsburgh, PA

Read More Keurig My sister told me that the K-Cup are a dream, and I'll love coffee because it makes the best cup. I'm a coffee drinker, but I've told her that I'm not buying a Keurig because of their stupid DRM (Digital Rights Management) ....

KEURIG
keurig.com

I talked about Keurig in Feb 2015, because the coffee maker wanted to put DRM (Digital Rights Management) on their cups to combat fake K-Cups. I hated that idea and was promoting Rogers Family Company’s “Freedom Clip” to bypass the DRM.

The backlash was so bad that Keurig reverse their DRM plans about three months later.

Now, fast-forward to today, and I’m now an owner of the Keurig K-Slim + ICED Single Serve Coffee Maker, which I bought on sale. And you know what? It’s very good. It makes a good cup of coffee.

If you’re not into destroying the environment with all these disposable K-Cups, you can brew your own coffee by using Keurig’s official cup adapter or a third-party adapter. I have both and I can tell you that the third party does not exactly work in my Keurig. For the official adapter, it works pretty well, but it does come with a variety of add-ons to make sure it works with Version 1 or Version 2. It’s also a little inconvenient because you have to remove a whole section to put in the adapter… and it’s a pain in the butt to clean. I would recommend buying these cup filters, which is a little easier to remove and dispose.

Yours,

Weekend Coffee Drinker

Read more Technology.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Rocktober: October 12

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

It’s Rocktober!

10/12 Genesis Owusu with Godly the Ruler at Fine Line Read More Genesis Owusu Acclaimed Australian-Ghanaian Genesis Owusu has a debut album Smiling With No Teeth on House Anxiety / Ourness. Local band Kiss the Tiger to open ...

10/12/2023 Thursday

Genesis Owusu
with Godly the Ruler
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

Australia’s Genesis Owusu is back on tour in support of his highly anticipated and acclaimed sophomore album, Struggler (OURNESS / AWAL Records).

Godly the Ruler to open.

Tour dates:

10/12 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line
10/13 Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall
10/14 Ferndale, MI - The Loving Touch
10/15 Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird Music Hall
10/17 Toronto, ON - The Velvet Underground
10/18 Montreal, QC - Le Studio TD
10/19 Boston, MA - The Sinclair
10/20 Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere
10/21 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
10/25 Washington, DC - Union Stage
10/27 Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre
10/28 Atlanta, GA - Terminal West
10/29 Nashville, TN - The Basement East
10/31 Austin, TX - Empire Control Room & Garage
11/01 Dallas, TX - The Studio
11/03 Denver, CO - Globe Hall
11/06 Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre
11/07 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
11/09 Seattle, WA - Neumos
11/10 Portland, OR - Star Theatre
11/11 Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
11/15 London, UK - Heaven
11/16 Paris, FR - Café de la Danse
11/17 Berlin, DE - Hole44
12/01 Perth, AUS - Ice Cream Factory
12/08 Melbourne, AUS - Festival Hall
12/09 Canberra, AUS - UC Refectory
12/14 Brisbane, AUS - Fortitude Music Hall
12/15 Sydney, AUS - Hordern Pavilion
12/16 Adelaide, AUS - Hindley St Music Hall

10/12 Noah Gundersen with Casey Dubie at Turf Club Read More Noah Gundersen Noah Gundersen (founder of The Courage) will be in town at the Fine Line Music Café on Monday, September 21st. He's touring in support of his second studio album Carry the Ghost ....

10/12/2023 Thursday

Noah Gundersen
with Casey Dubie
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Acclaimed Washington-based singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen will be headlining the Turf Club, in St Paul, in support of If This Is The End. This is the first new work since 2021’s A Pillar of Salt.

Noah Gundersen (21 Sept 2015)

We saw Noah Gundersen in 21 September 2015 and wrote, “Noah was accompanied on stage by a band that seemed to be playing musical chairs with their instruments. The drummer and Noah were the only ones that really stayed in the same place with the same instrument. For one song his sister (who was featured on violin majority of the night) ended up on a keyboard. I would look down at my phone, then look up, and all of a sudden she had a guitar in hand. That just goes to show how truly talented these musicians are. And they would have to be super talented in order to keep up with Noah's incredible voice. ”

Casey Dubie to open.

Tour dates:

09/26 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
09/27 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl
09/28 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle
09/29 – Durham, NC – Motorco
09/30 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
10/01 – Philadelphia, PA – Foundry
10/03 – New York, NY – LPR
10/04 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
10/06 – Detroit, MI – Magic Bag
10/07 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
10/08 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-FI
10/10 – Evanston, IL – SPACE
10/11 – Milwaukee, WI – Colectivo
10/12 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
10/13 – Des Moines, IA – Xbx
10/14 – Lawrence, KS – Bottleneck
10/15 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City
10/17 – Fort Worth, TX – Tulips
10/18 – Austin, TX – Parish
11/01 – Salt Lake City, UT – State Room
11/03 – Denver, CO – Bluebird
11/04 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
11/05 – Colorado Springs, CO – Lulu's Downstairs
11/07 – Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole
11/09 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
11/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
11/11 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall
11/12 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
11/14 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
11/18 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo

10/12 Bahamas with Fortunate Ones at First Avenue Read More Bahamas I did manage to catch Bahamas. Bahamas is basically the stage name for Afie Jurvanen, who may be most famous for being Feist's guitarist and piano player . …

10/12/2023 Thursday

Bahamas
with Fortunate Ones
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Award-winning Canadian artist Bahamas, a.k.a. Afie Jurvanen, is on tour in support of his new album Bootcut (Brushfire Records).

Bahamas (28 Sept 2012)

We saw Bahamas a long time ago, in Sep 2012 and said, “I did manage to catch Bahamas. Bahamas is basically the stage name for Afie Jurvanen, who may be most famous for being Feist's guitarist and piano player. I really liked them; they had this weird 50s sound to them, complete with two women backup singers. It wasn't all serious (based on his fancy jacket and glamorous ladies), they sometime sing silly songs like "Hockey Teeth."”

Newfoundland’s Fortunate Ones to open.

Tour dates:

9/21 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
9/22 – Redondo Beach – Beachlife Festival
9/23 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*
9/24 – Dallas, TX – The Kessler Theater*++
9/26 – Santa Fe, NM – Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery*
9/27 – Tucson, NM – 191 Toole*
9/28 – San Diego, CA – Belly Up*
9/29 – Los Angeles, CA – Palace Theatre*
9/30 – San Francisco, CA – Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
10/2 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall*
10/3 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre*
10/4 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall*
10/5 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room*
10/6 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s*
10/7 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre*++
10/8 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater*++
10/10 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads*
10/11 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s*
10/12 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
10/13 – Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre*
10/14 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi Annex*++
10/15 – Chicago, IL – Park West*++
10/17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Small’s Theatre*
10/18 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer*
10/19 – Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes*
10/20 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*
10/21 – Washington, D.C. – The Atlantis*++
10/22 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club*++
10/29 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall^

*Support by Fortunate Ones
^ Support by Georgia Harmer
++ Evening show & “A Family Affair” matinee show

10/08 Bre Kennedy with Sarah Walk at Icehouse Read More Bre Kennedy Bre Kennedy to open. Tour dates: April 7—Austin, TX—Antone’s Nightclub* April 8—Dallas, TX—Club Dada* April 10—Phoenix, AZ—The Crescent Ballroom* April 11—Los Angeles, CA—Troubadour*…

10/08/2023 Sunday

Bre Kennedy
with Sarah Walk
at Icehouse
icehousempls.com

Singer, songwriter, and producer Bre Kennedy is touring in support of her sophomore album Scream Over Everything. The record comes out November 10 on Nettwerk Records.

Kennedy’s tour will stop by the Icehouse in Minneapolis on October 8th.

Sarah Walk to open.

Tour dates:

September 28 - Atlanta, GA - Eddie’s Attic
September 30 - Ashville, NC - Different Wrld
October 2 - Washington D.C. - DC9
October 4 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls Funhouse
October 5 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
October 6 - Davenport, IA - Raccoon Motel
October 8 - Minneapolis, MN - Icehouse
October 9 - Milwaukee, WI - Collective Back Room
October 11 - North Hampton, MA - Parlor Room
October 13 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
October 14 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
October 15 - Boston, MA - Deep Cuts

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Babymetal and Dethklok at the Fillmore, Minneapolis (25 Sep 2023)

09/25 Babymetal and Dethklok with Jason Richardson at Fillmore Babymetal Setlist BABYMETAL DEATH Gimme Chocolate!! PA PA YA!! Distortion BxMxC Mirror Mirror Monochrome METALI!! Megitsune Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!! Road of Resistance Dethklok Setlist Deththeme Briefcase Full of Guts Birthday Dethday Awaken Bloodlines 🎥 Concert Etiquette The Gears Hatredcopter Dethsupport Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle 🎥 Concert Tips Aortic Desecration I Ejaculate Fire The Duel Murmaider Thunderhorse Fansong SOS Go Into the Water Jason Richardson Setlist     Intro: King of the Hill Theme Tendinitis Ishimura Sparrow Titan Retrograde Upside Down Hos Down Tour Dates 9/27 - St. Louis, MO - Saint Louis Music Park 9/28 - Omaha, NE - Steelhouse 9/30 - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium 10/1 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex 10/3 - Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum 10/4 - Seattle, WA - WAMU Theater 10/7 - Sacramento, CA – Aftershock *~ 10/8 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort 10/10 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Financial Theatre 10/11 - Los Angeles, CA - YouTube Theater *Not a Live Nation Date ~Festival Date Read More Babymetal Babymetal’s new concept album The Other One is out now on Cooking Vinyl. … Dethklok Japanese metal band Babymetal and Metalocalypse’s Dethklok are on a co-headlining “Babyklok” tour. The two bands will stop by the Fillmore on September 25. …

The incredible Babyklok tour just made their stop at the Fillmore, in Minneapolis, on Monday night. This tour is co-headlined by Japanese kawaii metal band Babymetal and comedic satirical band Dethklok of Metalocalypse; both bands brought their respective fans to a sold-out tour.

Jason Richardson

Opening the show was mostly instrumental guitarist Jason Richardson. The guitarist is known for his works in Born of Osiris and joined All That Remains after Oli Herbert passed away. We’ve seen both bands, but neither time had Richardson in the band, we’re always too late or too early it seems.

Richardson did not have live band, so instead the percussion or vocals (Spencer Sotelo of Periphery on “Retrograde”) were pre-recorded and played as a backing track. It does sometime come off somewhat like a guitar Karaoke, but all that can be forgiven because of the amazing guitar-playing by Richardson. I’ve seen some very good guitarists, this is one of the best guitarists out there, in terms of playing technique. He’s very fast, his fingers would fly from the top to the bottom of the guitar’s neck. It’s inhuman, what he’s doing.

He does know that he needs to get his name and music out there, as asking the audience if they’ve never heard of him, you can see that most people raised their hands. Perhaps he could use a good stagename to stand out.

Dethklok

Next up was co-headliner Dethklok. Like Gorillaz, Dethklok is a fictional animated band. Originally appearing on the Metalocalypse cartoon show (on Adult Swim). All the music created for Metalocalypse was created by Brendon Small, and they released his music in the debut album The Dethalbum (as Dethklok) in 2007. Now in 2023, they have a fourth album, Dethalbum IV.

If you’re wondering why it took so long for the new album (an 11 year absent since Dethalbum III in 2012), it’s because it has partially due to the copyright ownership of the Dethklok name by Adult Swim. They must have come to a mutual agreement, because Dethklok is back, and stronger than ever, based on seeing the response from the audience.

Throughout their set, you can see animation clips from Metalocalypse, and if you’re a fan of the show, none of the brutal cartoon will surprise you.

Between blocks of songs, Facebones (the animated Dethklok logo) would give fans tips about concert etiquette and concert tips. It serves as a nice break before more death metal.

Japanese band Babymetal (ベビーメタル) closed out the night. This is a wonderfully unique band that combines the cuteness of Hello Kitty, the carefully choregraphed dancing of K-Pop (or rather J-Pop), and the darkness of heavy metal. It shouldn’t work, at least on paper, but when you see it for yourself, it does appeal to a certain fanbase.

The main singer is Su-metal (Suzuka Nakamoto) with two backup singers and dancers, Moametal and Momometal (she is the newest member, replacing Yuimetal). The three girls are the main attraction, and they are backed up with real live music by the Kami Band, who wore demon masks.

Since each song had a special dance, the timing has to be impeccable. That also means that each set had to be exactly the same night after night… so seeing a show in Las Vegas will be the same as Minneapolis, which is good for someone seeing the show for the first time.

For someone seeing the show for the first time, it’s all very entertaining and comes highly recommended for this 2023 Babyklok tour.

Babymetal’s The Other One is out now.

Babymetal and Dethklok at the Fillmore, Minneapolis (25 Sep 2023)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Rocktober: October 10 to October 11

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

It’s Rocktober!

10/10 Love in Exile featuring Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily at Cedar Cultural Center Read More Marc Ribot Based on Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog hour-long set, I would describe this show as a co-headliner show with Marc Ribot. The trio (Marc Ribot on guitar/vocals, Shahzad Ismaily on bass.…

10/10/2023 Tuesday

Love in Exile
featuring Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily
at Cedar Cultural Center
thecedar.org

This is a sold-out seated show for renowned musicians Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily, and Arooj Aftab, known as Love In Exile. Their self-titled debut album is out now. The album has been a fan favorite of the likes of Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR and the New York Times.

Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog (10 June 2023)

We previously saw Shahzad Ismaily with Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog in June 2023. He also played with Alan Sparhawk (of Low).

Vijay Iyer was mentioned when he played at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2022.

Tour dates:

Sep 19 — San Diego, CA — Epstein Family Amphitheatre
Sep 20 — Los Angeles, CA — The Ford
Sep 21 — San Francisco, CA — Great American Music Hall
Sept. 22 — Beaverton, OR — Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
Sept. 24 — Seattle, WA — Neptune Theatre
Sep 28 — Tempe, AZ — Tempe Center for the Arts
Sept 29 — Austin, TX — Bass Concert Hall
Sept 30 — Denver, CO — Newton Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 4 — Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art
Oct 5 — Princeton, NJ – McCarter Theatre Center
Oct 7 — Blacksburg, VA — Moss Arts Center
Oct 8 — Boston, MA — Institute of Contemporary Art
Oct 10 — Minneapolis, MN — The Cedar
Oct 11 — Chicago, IL — Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Oct 12 — Iowa City, IA — Infinite Dream Festival
Oct 17 — Athens, GA — University of GA

10/10 Reneé Rapp with Alexander 23 and Towa Bird at Fillmore Read More Alexander 23 Alexander 23, aka Alexander Glantz, and his band soon took the stage, but quickly exited after the second song. It may have been a joke/stunt but it certainly left the crowd a little confused …

10/10/2023 Tuesday

Reneé Rapp
with Alexander 23 and Towa Bird
at Fillmore
livenation.com

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Reneé Rapp is touring in support of her debut album Snow Angel.

Alexander 23 (14 Oct 2022)

Alexander 23 is also listed on the poster. We previously saw Alexander 23 in Oct 2022 and wrote, “After “Somebody’s Nobody” Alexander removed a long-sleeve shirt to reveal a sleeveless T. Many cheered and some barked. “I’ve never been barked at,” he said, which guaranteed barking for the rest of the evening. Alexander’s sweet spot is singing about that tumultuous time of being a teenager, which he captured in “High School” with rolling cymbals, rising piano chords and a pointed falsetto voice.”

Show up early to check out singer / songwriter / guitarist Towa Bird. The half-Filipino, half-English artist spent much of her time in Thailand and London, and formed her first band at the age of 14. Her new single, “This Isn’t Me” came out on Interscope Records.

Tour dates:

Sep 20 – The Mission Ballroom - Denver, CO
Sep 21 - The Union Event Center - Salt Lake City, UT
Sep 25 - SOMA - San Diego, CA
Sep 28 - Arizona Financial Theatre - Phoenix, AZ
Sep 30 - The Greek Theatre- Los Angeles, CA
Oct 02 - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA
Oct 05 - Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Vancouver, BC
Oct 06 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
Oct 07 - The Paramount Theatre- Seattle, WA
Oct 10 - The Fillmore - Minneapolis, MN
Oct 11 - Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
Oct 13 - Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN
Oct 14 - The Fillmore - Detroit, MI
Oct 16 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
Oct 17 - Coca-Cola Roxy - Atlanta, GA
Oct 18 - The Fillmore Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
Oct 21 - MTELUS - Montreal, QC
Oct 22 - HISTORY - Toronto, ON
Oct 24 - The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
Oct 25 – Stage AE - Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 27 - The Anthem - Washington, DC
Oct 28 - Roadrunner - Boston, MA
Oct 30 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY
Nov 02 - Avant Gardner - Brooklyn, NY
Nov 03 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY

10/10 Snõõper with Citric Dummies and Dummy at 7th St Entry

10/10/2023 Tuesday

Snõõper
with Citric Dummies and Dummy
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

“Nashville’s greatest new punk band” Snõõper is touring in support of their debut album, Super Snõõper, out now on Third Man Records.

Citric Dummies and Dummy (aka Shawn Albert) to open.

Tour dates:

Wed. Sept. 27 - Nashville, TN @ Blue Room
Sat. Sept. 30 - Memphis, TN @ HiTone
Mon. Oct. 2 @ Nashville, TN @ The Basement
Sat. Oct. 07 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club Block Party
Sun. Oct. 08 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Mon. Oct. 09 - Green Bay, WI @ Lyric Room
Tue. Oct. 10 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
Wed. Oct. 11 - Kansas City, MO @ The Emerald
Thu. Oct. 12 - Tulsa, OK @ Whittier Bar
Fri. Oct. 13 - Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
Sat. Oct. 14 - Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits

10/10 Margo Cilker with Christy Hays at Turf Club

10/10/2023 Tuesday

Margo Cilker
with Christy Hays
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Singer/songwriter Margo Cilker will be headlining the Turf Club, in St Paul, on October 10th, in support of her sophomore LP Valley Of Heart’s Delight (Fluff & Gravy Records).

Christy Hays to open.

Tour dates:

October 5 — Zootown Arts Community Center — Missoula, MT
October 6 — Live from the Divide — Bozeman, MT
October 7 — Live from the Divide — Bozeman, MT
October 10 — Turf Club — St. Paul, MN
October 11 — Sh*tty Barn Sessions — Spring Green, WI
October 12 — Back Room at Colectivo — Milwaukee, WI
October 14 — Schubas Tavern — Chicago, IL
October 17 — Monarch Tavern — Toronto, ON
October 18 — Club Cafe — Pittsburgh, PA
October 19 — Mercury Lounge — New York, NY
October 21 — MilkBoy — Philadelphia, PA
October 22 — DC9 — Washington, DC
October 24 — Cat’s Cradle Back Room — Carrboro, NC
October 25 — Evening Muse — Charlotte, NC
October 26 — Grey Eagle — Asheville, NC
October 28 — JJ’s Bohemia — Chattanooga, TN
October 29 — 3rd & Lindsley — Nashville, TN
November 17 — Tractor Tavern — Seattle, WA
November 18 — Polaris Hall — Portland, OR
November 19 — Polaris Hall — Portland, OR

10/11 Próxima Parada with Olive Klug at 7th St Entry Read More Próxima Parada San Luis Obispo’s Próxima Parada opened the show, playing songs from their album Kind Reminder (AntiFragile Records)..… Olive Klug Opening the show was Los Angeles, via Portland, queer singer/songwriter Olive Klug, playing songs from their debut album Don’t You Dare Make Me Jaded.…

10/11/2023 Wednesday

Próxima Parada
with Olive Klug
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

San Luis Obispo indie-rockers Próxima Parada, fresh off a hugely successful tour supporting Wild Child, will be headlining the 7th Street Entry this October 11th.

Próxima Parada (23 Apr 2023)

We previously saw them at the Wild Child show in Apr 2023 and wrote, “The band seemed jam friendly, with Nick Larson’s laid-back style and attitude, as they sing songs like “So Many Ways to Get Downtown” (a song inspired by Grandma Larson’s quote), and “Begin Again”. Highlight of their set was for (what I think was announced as) “Pray for Home”, in which near the end of the song, Larson told the story about how he dislocated his arm in tracks and ended up sitting on the sideline and meeting John from Wild Child. That’s how they met and wouldn’t you know it? John came on stage to help the band finish the song out.”

Olive Klug (16 Apr 2023)

Olive Klug to open. We saw Klug in Apr 2023 and said, “Opening the show was Los Angeles, via Portland, queer singer/songwriter Olive Klug, playing songs from their debut album Don’t You Dare Make Me Jaded (available August 11th via Nettwerk). Even though the record haven’t been released, many of Klug’s fans already knew all the songs - often singing along loud and proud.”

Tour dates:

Sept 16-17 @ Whale Rock Music & Arts Festival | Paso Robles, CA
Sept 20 @ Valley Bar | Phoenix, AZ
Sept 21 @ House of Blues | San Diego, CA
Sept 22 @ Constellation Room | Santa Ana, CA
Sept 28 @ Goldfield Trading Post | Sacramento, CA
Sept 29 @ The Catalyst Atrium | Santa Cruz, CA
Sept 30 @ The Independent | San Francisco, CA
Oct 5 @ Bluebird Theatre | Denver, CO
Ovt 6 @ Aggie Theatre | Fort Collins, CO
Oct 7 @ Schmiggity’s Live Music Dance Bar | Steamboat Springs, CO
Oct 11 @ 7th Street Entry | Minneapolis, MN
Oct 12 @ Schubas Tavern | Chicago, IL
Oct 13 @ The Basement | Columbus, OH
Oct 14 @ The Burl | Lexington, KY
Oct 18 @ Brighton Music Hall | Boston, MA
Oct 19 @ Brooklyn Bowl | Brooklyn, NY
Oct 20 @ MilkBoy Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
Oct 21 @ Pearl Street Warehouse | Washington, DC
Oct 25 @ The Basement East | Nashville, TN
Oct 26 @ Aisle 5 | Atlanta, GA
Nov 2 @ White Oak Music Hall | Houston, TX
Nov 3 @ Antone’s Nightclub | Austin, TX
Nov 4 @ House of Blues Dallas | Dallas, TX
Nov 8 @ Kilby Court | Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 9 @ The Shredder | Boise, ID
Nov 10 @ The Jack London Revue | Portland, OR
Nov 11 @ Lucky You Lounge | Spokane, WA
Nov 12 @ Madame Lou’s | Seattle, WA
Feb 25- Mar 1, 2024 @ Jam Cruise | Miami, FL

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Everclear at Uptown Theater, Minneapolis (24 Sep 2023)

09/24 Everclear with The Ataris and The Pink Spiders at Uptown Theater Everclear Setlist So Much for the Afterglow Everything to Everyone Heroin Girl Heartspark Dollarsign Father of Mine Wonderful Strawberry I Will Buy You a New Life AM Radio Santa Monica Amphetamine Volvo Driving Soccer Mom Nervous & Weird Electra Made Me Blind Tour Dates 09/27 Omaha, NE @ Barnato 09/28 Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre 09/29 Kamas, UT @ DeJoria Center Arena 09/30 Cheyenne, WY @ The Lincoln 10/01 Great Falls, MT @ The Newberry 10/03 Bellingham, WA @ The Wild Buffalo + 10/04 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile 10/06 Umatilla, OR @ Rock The Locks + 10/07 Elko, NV @ Maverick Hotel + 10/09 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern 10/10 San Francisco, CA @ August Hall 10/12 Temecula, CA @ South Coast Winery + 10/13 Rocklin, CA @ Quarry Park Amphitheater 10/14 Las Vegas, NV @ Silverton Casino Hotel 10/15 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy + Harriet’s 10/27 North Augusta, SC @ Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee + 11/04 Tybee Island, GA @ Tybee Post Music Festival + + indicates Everclear only ^ indicates Everclear and The Ataris only Read More Everclear It's 1990 all over again with the annual "Summerland Tour". The 90s nostalgia tour was created by singer/guitarist Art Alexakis from Everclear, which would explain why they have headlined … The Ataris Not a Phase Fest feat Dashboard Confessional, All-American Rejects, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Plain White T's, The Ataris Legends Field, June 16 Phase … The Pink Spiders The Ataris and The Pink Spiders to open. Tour dates: September 9 Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s September 11 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues …

90s alternative band Everclear just headlined the Uptown Theater, in Minneapolis, on Sunday.

This is the first time we’ve attended the “new” Uptown Theater (the venue only opened to the public in June 2023 with the kickoff party with Yam Haus). For years and years, it was a movie theater, before it eventually had to close during the pandemic when its owner Landmark Theaters was evicted due to unpaid back rent. The same company that redeveloped the Armory, Swervo Development took over and upgrade the old theater into a concert venue. Currently, it looks like Live Nation is operating and booking acts.

When you first enter the venue, you may notice that it’s actually much larger from what you remember. That’s because there is a whole new section on the left with a massive bar all along the wall. This area used to be a hair salon that was integrated to the new Uptown Theater.

The dancefloor is sunken, so if you don’t want to get close to the stage, you can still view the stage on the higher rails (much like the Palace Theatre layout). There’s also a balcony, which is seated, and it looks like a great view of the stage.

If you were to ask me the size, I would say it is very spacious. I would think it’s about the size of First Avenue, perhaps even bigger. However, I think the official capacity is 2,500 people, but I feel that number might be a little conservative.

While I am glad there is a new venue in town, I do not love the location. It is in a very congested part of town.

Unfortunately, at the last minute, it was announced that The Ataris had to cancel due to catching COVID.

The Pink Spiders paid homage to the Ataris by dedicating their cover of “The Boys Of Summer” to the group. The song was originally by Don Henley in 1984 (yes, I had a cassette of this), but the Ataris made a harder rock/faster version of the song in 2003 and it peaked at #2 in the Billboard Modern Rock charts. For younger fans, they may have only known the Ataris version.

The highlight of the Pink Spiders set was an unexpected happy birthday cake to the guitarist. Everyone sang Happy Birthday, and when it got to the name, lead singer Matt Friction lovingly sang loudly, “Happy Birthday you as*****e!”

Shortly after the birthday thing, the group left to take a break, leaving Friction to play a very nice cover of “(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.” The song was originally by Nick Lowe (as Brinsley Schwarz), but I’ve only known it as an Elvis Costello song. I think Costello made the song famous, much like the Ataris did for the Don Henley song, for their generation.

As the Pink Spiders said earlier, get ready for “two hours of hit songs!”… and that’s what Everclear delivered. Everyone who grew up in the 90s knows the famous Portland band. The group, led by Art Alexakis, had found success when they signed to Capitol Records in the mid-90s. Their two famous singles, “Santa Monica” and “I Will Buy You a New Life”, which, of course, they played on their set.

Over the years, the band has become one of the best live band out there, honing their skills by constantly touring. Much of that magic is captured on Everclear’s new live album Live at The Whisky a Go Go (Sunset Blvd Records), so you can re-live hearing their greatest hits live on record.

Only Art is from the original formation of the band, but this new band, featuring Dave French on guitars, Freddy Herrera on bass, and Brian Nolan (the newest member) on drums, they bring a new energy to Everclear.

Pink Spiders

Marquee

Pink Spiders

Everclear

Everclear at Uptown Theater, Minneapolis (24 Sep 2023)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Bishop Briggs and MisterWives at First Ave (09-24-23)

09/24 Bishop Briggs and MisterWives with Raffaella at First Avenue MisterWives Setlist Out of Your Mind Dagger Where Do We Go From Here? Rock Bottom All the Same Why Why Why Sideways Silver Lining Trip Around the Sun Trigger Pull Too Late Ultraviolet Superbloom Our Own House Reflections Other Side End of My Rope Nosebleeds Bishop Briggs Setlist Art of Survival Wild Horses Cherry on Top My Shine Baby Jekyll & Hyde Baggage High Water Tattooed on my Heart / Superhuman Reborn Hallowed Ground White Flag / Hi Lo (Hollow) Take Me to Church (Hozier cover) Bad Revolution River Raffaella Setlist Drama Queen Lipstick Buick Man of Your Dreams Polly Pocket Rowan Blonde Grown Up Read More MisterWives NYC indie-pop-soul band Misterwives got things started with a brief but energetic set; petite singer Mandy Lee (who has also sang with Boyce Avenue) has pipes at least twice her size … Bishop Briggs Wild horses couldn’t keep fans streaming like a river into the Fine Line Music Café for the latest sold-out GO Show, headlined by up-and-comer Bishop Briggs. .... Raffaella We saw Raffaella in Sep 2019 and wrote, “New York’s Raffaella (with live backing band bassist Charlie and drummer Alonso) opened up the show with a very brief 30-min set. This was the singer/songwriter’s first time in Minneapolis …

It may have taken ten years but lead singer of Misterwives , Mandy Lee, said it was the band’s first tour with an all female line up. And quite a line up it was.

Local indy pop singer Raffaella Meloni opened up the evening. She’s actually a transplant from Manhattan who made the leap to the Twin Cities after a chance encounter with the lead singer of Hippo Campus, Jake Luppen, turned into something more, as in moving in together.

“I like Minneapolis,” she said of her new home. “It smells better.”

We caught Raffaella back in 2019 promoting her Ballerina. She now has a new album Live, Raff, Love, which is produced by Luppen and created during the pandemic in the attic of their Minneapolis home. She also has a new hair style, which resembles the most iconic Marilyn Monroe, which is not happenstance for “Blonde” is the name of the third song on her latest album.

Bishop Briggs aka Sarah Grace McLaughlin next took the stage in a prep school outfit with a loosened tie, Adidas Samba shoes, and a skirt that would not meet regulations for it did not reach the knees but instead revealed tattoos and two inked words “LOVE” AND “LUST”.

McLaughlin is Scottish. Although she was born in London and spent most of her youth in Tokyo, her stage name is a nod to her parents' hometown, Bishopbriggs, which is just outside of Glasgow.

McLaughlin moved to LA to attend music school and soon had a hit single “Wild Horses” that was featured in an Acura TLX commercial. A year later her song “River” reached the Top 10 in three billboard charts. And besides having her first child in 2022 she also competed and won the music competition The Masked Singer as Medusa, which she mentioned last night in a cheeky attempt to gather more applause, which she didn’t need for the audience was already screaming by the first song “Art of Survival”.

It should be mentioned that not only all three headliners had great voices and perky outfits, they also must be prime athletes for they were constantly moving about the stage. In between songs, McLaughlin sounded like she just finished running a race. And Mandy Lee had an insatiable ability to cover the whole stage with gliding moves and kicks that extended above her head.

“Minneapolis, are you f-ing kidding me,” said Lee midway through the set after a round of applause lasted much longer than the band expected. It seems that Minneapolis loves Misterwives and why not? They are the kind of band that brings a sense of fun to a modern dance beat.

Lee might have led the charge in a red tartan skirt and shirt that said “LIBERATED LADY” but she was backed by a superlative band with Etienne Bowler on drums, William Hehir on bass, Marc Campbell on guitar and Mike Murphy on keys and sax.

We last saw Misterwives in 2015 and they seemed not to have lost any of their energy and enthusiasm as they promoted their new album Nosebleeds, which Rolling Stone thinks is their best music yet.

Remaining tour dates:

Sept. 26 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room
Sept. 27 - Columbus, OH - Kemba Live!
Sept. 29 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
Sept. 30 - Kansas City, MO - Grinders KC
Oct. 1 - Denver, CO - The Mission Ballroom
Oct. 4 - Houston, TX - House of Blues Houston
Oct. 6 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues Dallas
Oct. 9 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
Oct. 10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
Oct. 11 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
Oct. 13 - Portland, OR - Roseland
Oct. 15 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo

Raffaella Raffaella Raffaella

Bishop Briggs Bishop Briggs Bishop Briggs

Bishop Briggs

MisterWives MisterWives MisterWives

MisterWives at First Avenue, Minneapolis (24 Sep 2023)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Quarters of Change at The Bottleneck, Lawrence KS (2023-09-24)

 

QUARTERS OF CHANGE SETLIST Look Alive What I Wanted Higher Blue Copper Do or Die Ms. Dramatic Dead Kiwi T Love Encore: Sofia QUARTERS OF CHANGE TOUR DATES SEP 26 Dada Dallas, TX SEP 27 White Oak Music Hall Houston, TX SEP 28 Antone's Austin, TX SEP 30 The Social Orlando, FL OCT 01 Crowbar Tampa, FL OCT 03 New Brookland Tavern West Columbia, SC OCT 04 Georgia Theatre Athens, GA OCT 06 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC OCT 08 Ottobar Baltimore, MD OCT 13 House Of Independents Asbury Park, NJ OCT 14 Space Ballroom Hamden, CT DEC 09 Webster Hall New York City, NY

As the internet broke in half due to a celebrity sighting 45 minutes west at Arrowhead Stadium with additional (unfounded) rumors spreading, that the athlete and the singer were headed in to spend time in downtown Lawrence (causing fans to line up on sidewalks), longtime club The Bottleneck ignored all the gossip and did what it does best- rock with live music.

NYC’s alt-indie rock group Quarters of Change played a headlining set and previewed songs from their upcoming album Portraits, already announced but not to be released until Jan 26, 2024 (via 300 Entertainment).

===

The three-band bill got off to a raucous start with the “Pride of Tongie”-The Blast Monkeys, a local duo of high school best friends, Scott Vick and Kyle Chambers from nearby Tonganoxie, KS, who have been playing since 2017. Their unabashed excitement opening this night was infectious and they started their short set by shouting out the Kansas City Chiefs and Taylor Swift, referencing the game and events from earlier in the day, adding, "If you like Taylor Swift you will like our music, … don't expect any Taylor Swift covers though."

Playing a Spongebob Squarepants Theme song riff at the beginning immediately invested the mostly college-age crowd, and the pair is keeping busy most of October, playing the nearby Replay Lounge a couple times, Farewell Coffee and Raytown Records in the Kansas City metro, and more.

===

Next up was Maryland alt-rock band The Never Ending Fall (NEF), who have already established a healthy-sized local following, having packed the house at a previous KC appearance at recordBar. The five-piece (singer / guitarist Jack Miller, drummer Tommy St. Clair, guitarist / keyboardist Conrad Boyd, guitarist Pearce Eisenhardt, and bassist Johnny Hohman) have the previous act beat, first forming not in high school, but all the way back in 4^th grade.

They have a generally positive sound, working in elements of funk, jazz, soul, and alternative, on songs like latest singles, 'Happy Goodbye' and 'Wasn't So Bad' as follow-ups to their 2020 full-length, Space City but are maybe best known for their TikTok series and jingle, ‘Can it Kirkland’ (even spelled out on one member’s glasses).

Energy was at a high for most of the set, especially from one of their guitarists (who sported a unique “flame head” haircut) and was all over the stage and into the crowd along with vocalist Miller, with the band even managing to work in their cover of Childish Gambino’s 2016 radio hit, “Redbone” on this, their last show of the tour.

===

Presumably to show their appreciation to their tour openers (and maybe an inside joke we didn’t all get) Quarters of Change emerged for their main set, all wearing “I Heart NEF” white t-shirts, and they would bring the opener back on stage to help with the set-closing, “T Love” (an ode to the very relatable idea of ‘tough love’) so we think it was a genuine friendship formed between the two acts.

In addition to the upcoming album, the Lower-East-Side quartet recently released a deluxe version of their last full-length, Into the Rift and they consist of Ben Acker, Attila Anrather, Jasper Harris, and Ben Roter, whose sound is influenced by classic bands like The Beatles and The Who, as well as more recent alternative acts, RHCP and their own NYC cohorts, The Strokes.

Names as well-known as Joe Jonas and Lewis Capaldi have sung their praises and having a well-known veteran producer like Tom Lord-Alge (U2, The Rolling Stones, Blink 182) put the finishing touches on Into the Rift, helps speak to the strength of those songs.

The set list covered all facets of their brief career, opening with “Look Alive” from their 2021 New Hour EP followed by “What I Wanted”, the opening track of the forthcoming album, to all the way back to 2018’s “Kiwi”, an early song that explores our collective need for companionship... and the frustrations that sometimes come with that.

From the printed setlist, the encore seemed in question and an on-the-spot decision, with only lead singer Miller initially coming back downstairs for the final song. He explained he just couldn’t sing 2022’s heartsick “Chloe” (off Into the Rift), revealing the “real Chloe” is actually from nearby Kansas City. So, he decided instead on a lyrically descriptive song about another female, 2020’s “Sofia”, with the rest of the band eventually joining in, to help end the evening.

The rest of the world may have still been keeping track of every single movement in Kansas City from the latest possible celebrity couple (Swift / Kelce), but the crowd at The Bottleneck could have cared less- instead taking in an entertaining triple-bill of three young, rising, and energetic bands led by Quarters of Change that seemed like a much more satisfying evening.

 (Coverage and photos by BRANDON CLASEN; click on any image to enlarge and see in full)    

QUARTERS OF CHANGE QUARTERS OF CHANGE QUARTERS OF CHANGE QUARTERS OF CHANGE QUARTERS OF CHANGE

QUARTERS OF CHANGE

QUARTERS OF CHANGE

QUARTERS OF CHANGE

NEVER ENDING FALL

NEVER ENDING FALL

NEVER ENDING FALL

NEVER ENDING FALL

THE BLAST MONKEYS

THE BLAST MONKEYS

THE BLAST MONKEYS

THE BLAST MONKEYS

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

Rocktober: October 9

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

It’s Rocktober!

10/09 Juliana Hatfield with On Being an Angel and DJ Jake Rudh at Turf Club Read More Juliana Hatfield As long as I can remember, Hatfield started her music career with the Blake Babies. When they broke up, she had a massive hit with "My Sister" in her newly reformed band Juliana Hatfield Three … On Being an Angel The opening acts for this leg included Austin TX band On Being an Angel, who just put out a recent EP, On Being a Tape Vol II last month, the four-track collection … DJ Jake Rudh This is billed as a Transmission (aka DJ Jake Rudh) / BNLX release show, but music fans may want to take note that at nearly midnight, The Ocean Blue is scheduled to appear. …

10/09/2023 Monday

Juliana Hatfield
with On Being an Angel and DJ Jake Rudh
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Juliana Hatfield is back on tour. Her upcoming album Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO, will be available on 11/17/23 on American Laundromat Records.

Juliana Hatfield (09 Dec 2022)

We haven’t seen Hatfield since Dec 2022 where we said, “No shade to the very good bands that came before her, but Juliana Hatfield really knows how to knock the wind out of you. I was lucky to catch her and her band back in 2015 playing all of 1993’s explosive Become What You Are but it’s a different vibe without a noisy band sharing the stage. Hers was a staggering solo performance with just an electric guitar and those airy vocals. Beginning with “Everybody Loves Me But You” from 1992’s Hey Babe, Hatfield delicately flowed through songs from her 30-plus year catalogue. The occasional false start, awkward pause or runny nose could not dampen the sting and ache of her music and words: “Little Pieces,” “I Got No Idols,” a searing “Candy Wrappers” (which my friend requested on Instagram!) and of course “Sister.””

On Being an Angel and DJ Jake Rudh to open.

Tour dates:

9/12 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom
9/14 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met
9/15 – Medford, NJ – Medford Oktoberfest
9/16 – Elkton, MD – Elkton Music Hall Monday
9/18 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club
9/19 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club
9/20 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club
9/23 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
9/24 – Camden, NJ – XPoNential Music Festival
10/1 – Nashville, TN – 3rd and Lindsley
10/3 – Chattanooga, TN – Barrelhouse Ballroom
10/5 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
10/6 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
10/7 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
10/9 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
10/11 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
10/13 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
10/14 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
10/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre

10/09 yeule with SASAMI at Fine Line Read More Sasami Los Angeles-based artist Sasami (stylized as SASAMI) is returning to the area, at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St Paul on Saturday, April 20th. SASAMI’s debut self-titled album is available for pre-order now .…

10/09/2023 Monday

yeule
with SASAMI
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

Singaporean songwriter and producer Nat Ćmiel, or otherwise known by the stagename Yeule, will be headlining the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis this October 9th. Yeule’s new album softscars will be out on September 22nd via Ninja Tune.

Sasami (02 Apr 2022)

Sasami to open. We caught Sasami in Apr 2022 and wrote, “Sasami came on stage slightly later than advertised. She’s dressed up in this outfit, and her live band is Vermont’s metal band Barishi. With the release of her new album Squeeze, Sasami teamed up with Rin Kim and Andrew Thomas Huang (a Chinese-American visual artist who worked with Björk and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke)... so the visuals and direction all tells the story of Squeeze.”

Tour dates:

9/30 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House*
10/1 - San Francisco, CA @ Portola Festival
10/3 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom*
10/4 - Vancouver, BC @ Celebrities
10/5 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos*
10/6 - Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall*
10/7 - Denver, CO @ Marquis*
10/9 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line*
10/10 - Chicago, IL @ Metro*
10/12 - Toronto, ON @ Axis
10/13 - Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
10/14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer*
10/15 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall*
10/18 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club*
10/19 - Washington, D.C @ Black Cat*
10/20 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle*
10/21 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)*
10/24 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall*
10/25 - Dallas, TX @ Studio at The Factory*
10/26 - Austin, TX @ Levitation
10/28 - Mesa, AZ @ The Nile*
10/29 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda*
12/7 - Paris, France @ Café de la Danse
12/8 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands @ Melkweg OZ
12/9 - Berlin, Germany @ Zenner
12/11 - London, UK @ HERE at Outernet

10/09 Scowl at 7th St Entry Read More Taco Bell Taco Bell The fast food chain unveiled their Feed the Beat "Best of the Beat" winners (as determined by votes by fans). This year's winners are: Hit the Lights (myspace.com)…

10/09/2023 Monday

Scowl
with Militarie Gun, Big Laugh and Prize Horse
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Did you catch Scowl’s performance on Taco Bell and its Feed the Beat program on their Unofficial Halftime Show series? If you like what you saw, the up-and-coming hardcore punk band will be headlining the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis this October 9th.

Militarie Gun, Big Laugh and Prize Horse to open.

Tour dates:

Sep 12 Albuquerque, NM, US Launchpad
Sep 14 Dallas, TX, US Cheap Steaks
Sep 15 Austin, TX, US The Ballroom
Sep 16 San Antonio, TX, US Paper Tiger
Sep 17 Houston, TX, US The Compound
Sep 19 Winter Park, FL, US Conduit
Sep 20 Miami, FL, US Gramps
Sep 21 Jacksonville, FL, US 1904 Music Hall
Sep 21 Jacksonville, FL, US 1904 Music Hall - Fyf
Sep 21 Jacksonville, FL, US Underbelly - Fyf
Sep 22 Atlanta, GA, US Aisle 5
Sep 22 Birmingham, AL, US Furnace Fest
Sep 25 Durham, NC, US The Pinhook
Sep 26 Richmond, VA, US Richmond Music Hall
Sep 26 Richmond, VA, US Richmond Music Hall
Sep 27 Baltimore, MD, US Ottobar
Sep 27 Baltimore, MD, US Ottobar
Sep 28 Philadelphia, PA, US Underground Arts
Sep 29 Brooklyn, NY, US The Meadows
Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY, US Saint Vitus Bar
Oct 1 Boston, MA, US Brighton Music Hall
Oct 3 Montreal, QC, Canada La Salla Rossa
Oct 4 Toronto, ON, Canada Velvet Underground
Oct 5 Hamtramck, MI, US The Sanctuary
Oct 6 Columbus, OH, US Ace of Cups
Oct 7 Louisville, KY, US Portal
Oct 8 Chicago, IL, US Subterranean
Oct 9 Minneapolis, MN, US 7th St Entry
Oct 10 Omaha, NE, US Reverb Lounge
Oct 11 Denver, CO, US Marquis Theater
Oct 13 Salt Lake City, UT, US The Beehive Social Club
Oct 14 Boise, ID, US The Shredder
Oct 16 Vancouver, BC, Canada Russian Hall
Oct 17 Seattle, WA, US The Vera Project
Oct 18 Portland, OR, US Mission Theater
Oct 20 Reno, NV, US The Holland Project
Oct 21 Berkeley, CA, US 924 Gilman

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Vallis Alps at 7th St Entry, Minneapolis (23 Sep 2023)

Vallis Alps Setlist Set It Off, Set It Right Oceans On The Eve Of The Rush Everything All We See Thru Turn It Around East You're On My Mind For Once You and I Start Again Young Higher Than This Fading Read More Vallis Alps Demo Taped seemed comfortable on tour, especially after only touring for the first time with Vallis Alps earlier this March 2016. ...

Sydney, Australia’s Vallis Alps (David Ansari and Parissa Tosif) headlined the 7th Street Entry, in Minneapolis, on Saturday night, in support of their debut album Cleave.

Opening the show was local Izek Rose, self-described as being from Ham Lakes. He had songs like “Monsters”, “Sweet”, and “So Young”. Some, if not most, were not released officially. Sometime he’s joined by a guitarist (or two), but mostly it is just Rose as a one-man-band.

Rose has played live before, but this was his first “First Avenue” show, at the 7th Street Entry. He seemed really happy and excited to be on stage, often very energetic and jumping around. By the time his final song, “Most Nights” was played, he was drenched in sweat.

Highlight of his set, was near the end, he discovered that his sister (and parents?) was at his show. They had driven down from Duluth, Minnesota, so this was a really special moment for Rose, who said that this was the first time they’ve all been together in the same room in a long time.

Although I previously said that Vallis Alps was from Sydney, the truth is, according to vocalist Parissa Tosif, that her music partner, producer David Ansari is currently in Los Angeles (previously Seattle). So perhaps it may be a rare moment to get the two back together again for a future tour… but for now, I still consider them as Australian.

Their first EP featured two hit singles, “Young” and “Thru”, which was played and supported on Triple J (the Australian national radio). By the end of the year of forming, the group was nomination for the J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2015.

With finally releasing their debut album Cleave in 2023 on The Orchard (six years after their sophomore EP), the band is finally back to promote the record. I think part of the long delay is due to COVID, which put things on pause for over two years, and, also as I mentioned Ansari relocated to Los Angeles. Still, it’s good to see the duo back in action, playing a very laid back, chill music from Cleave.

Remaining tour dates:

Sep 27 - Neumos - Seattle, WA
Sep 28 - Polaris Hall - Portland, OR
Oct 2 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA
Oct 3- Lodge Room - Los Angeles, CA

Izek Rose Izek Rose Izek Rose

Vallis Alps Vallis Alps Vallis Alps

Vallis Alps at 7th St Entry, Minneapolis (23 Sep 2023)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com