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08/21/09 400 Bar- Minneapolis (CD release show) w/ The Escape Artists and Magic Black Pumas Minneapolis
Discography
11/17/09 University of Duluth/MN Duluth
See Also |
Ada Jane – Again…Again
One of the benefits of living in a small city is incest. Not literally, but definitely artistically. Minneapolis is swarming with incestuous (creative) relationships. If you’ve spent any number of years amongst the artists and the vagrants you know that referencing Prince and Bob Dylan is so “cherry in the spoon” (read: insert foot in mouth). I suppose this same rule could be applied to any other small-yet-culturally-vibrant U.S. city, but who cares. This is Minneapolis; we’re called the “mini apple” for a reason, and it ain’t our apple pie.
Matt Marka is one of those semi-elusive musicians—the kind whose name strikes a familiar chord even if you’re not quite sure why…you…know…him. Ninety percent of the Minneapolis music scene is covered in this amnesiac fog. You can’t blame the listeners: local artists love to work with other local artists, and so, over the years, the lines blur and “side projects” multiply and keeping current is nearly impossible (unless, of course, you run a music blog, and then, by default, you know everything). Marka’s been an active member of the local scene for at least a solid decade. He’s shared the stage with national acts including Evan Dando, the Heartless Bastards, Soul Asylum, as well as studio collaborations with local faves JoAnna James and Chris Koza, to list a few. Presently, he fronts Ada Jane, a four-piece rock outfit reminiscent of Minnesota rock-fathers Hüsker Du and the Replacements. In 2006 Ada Jane released Never Been Better; nearly three years later, the band has new members, a new album, and, most importantly, new polish.
Again…Again combines all that we love about bona fide Minneapolis rock: sincere lyrics, catchy riffs, potential to disable ears, horns, and enough growl-singing to be convincing without sounding Battle of the Bands. Remember the good days, before musicians went soft and started playing glockenspiels? Ada Jane remembers. Again opens like a persuasive Thomas Hobbes yelling at you: “Every time I cop a stance someone’s waiting behind me pulling down my pants / sealed with a kick in the ass” (“Go”). Life is brutish and short and Marka has no qualms with laying on the ugly truth...Thick. “Near Mrs” is a veritable bummer. “Winding Down” feels like congestive heart failure. Thankfully, for our health, Again ups the tempo when the mood is down (you can’t rock out while crying). One of the stronger tracks, “Down the Highway,” starts with a shade of surf-noir, followed by what can only be described as “prowl pace*,” then come the horns, eventually reaching sticky, messy, oh Lord climax (2:05), finishing with more horns and cuddling. Don’t ask me for a cigarette after, I’m quitting.
Ada Jane is Matt Marka, David Strahan (guitar), Matt Reimers (bass), and Charlie Wilson (drums). Again…Again is scheduled for August issue. Apparently the band is quite the live act. They’ve been likened to Bruce Springsteen, which is a confusing comparison, as the only Springsteen visual I can mentally summon is this. Bum-hugging jeans? Check. Shirt sleeves rolled to conceal packs of cigarettes (and also to reveal packs of muscle)? Check (check). Strangely hypnotic arms swings? Check. Courteney Cox? Check. I can’t speak of any similarities, so you’ll just have to hold out for the August 21st CD release show at the 400 Bar. It’s worth noting that the 400 Bar hosted the release of Never Been Better, three years ago, almost to the day (Aug. 26, 2006). Minneapolis is good to her musicians, despite the occasional backlash. But that’s neither here nor there. For more information on the band, visit their website or Myspace. Keep posted to www.400bar.com for ticketing information (the show hasn’t been announced yet).
* Vocal cadence that may inspire one to arch the back, arms extended and palms to the floor, while slowly bouncing, as though hungry for any number of things: love, blood, brains, knowledge.
07/27/2009 22:38:26 ♥ lara (
/lara206.vox.com) ♥ adajane.com ♥ myspace.com/adajanemusic
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