W♥M

Minneapolis: April 27, 2016

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on April 27, 2016.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Frightened Rabbit Frightened Rabbit came on stage at ten. I get the impression that they've been touring a while with the same roadie, because on cue, he came on stage to add or subtract things ..… Caveman New York's Caveman has a new single called "In the City", which was released on 7" and digital in the UK on August 12th via Communion. …

FRIGHTENED RABBIT
with Caveman
at Varsity Theater
Wednesday, 04/27/16, 7pm ($25/$28)
varsitytheater.org

Frightened Rabbit is back in Minneapolis next Wednesday, April 27th, touring in support of Painting of a Panic Attack. The fifth studio album came out April 8th, via Atlantic Records.

We last saw the Scottish band in at the Varsity in 2013 and noted, “Vocalist Scott Hutchinson waxed poetic about his previous trips to Minneapolis between songs- getting stranded in town in snowstorms, drinking across the street at the college bar, and in general how well the Upper Midwest audiences have embraced the band from the very beginning; this proven by the Varsity show being the first sellout of the current tour.”

New York’s Caveman, fresh off their SXSW appearance, is excited to announce that they’ve signed on to do a 24-date North American tour with Frightened Rabbit. The band will be playing some tracks off their upcoming album Otero War.

We previously saw Caveman in 2013 and wrote, “... singer/guitarist Matthew Iwanusa... Donning a Hawaiian shirt and gaudy gold chain, he seemed extra exuberant to be playing in Minneapolis. The last time they played here, back in March, he seemed a little too over-exuberant (read: extremely drunk) and the show suffered as a result. This time, they were focused, yet enjoying their time on stage.”

We also saw Caveman in Los Angeles and said, “Ah, Caveman. What a thrill to see them again! These dapper guys sauntered onstage like they owned the place. The lead singer Matthew seems to be a pro at casually muttering humorous things throughout the set, and it was drummer Stefanʼs birthday so they were all joking around and poking fun at him.”

Caveman Tour Dates

Apr 21 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
Apr 22 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory*
Apr 23 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex*
Apr 24 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater*
Apr 26 - Iowa, IA @ The Mill
Apr 27 - Minneapolis, WI @ Varsity Theater*
Apr 28 - Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater*
Apr 29 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue*
Apr 30 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew's Hall*
May 02 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall*
May 03 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall*
May 05 - New York, NY @ Terminal 5*
May 06 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory*
May 07 - New Haven , CT @ College Street *
May 08 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club*
May 09 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues*
May 12 - Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom*
May 13 - Knoxville, TN @ The International*
May 15 - Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
May 17 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger*
May 18 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater *
May 20 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom*
May 21 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern*
May 24 - Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre*
May 26 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom*
May 27 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades*
May 31 - Chicago, IL @ Virgin Hotel Chicago
Jun 01 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
Jul 15-17 - Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival

* = with Frightened Rabbit

Read More Sun Club Sun Club didn’t just open the show, they took a mallet and bashed their way in. Their set was weird, wild and wonderful - as if they were all hooked up to electrodes that caused violent convulsions …

SUN CLUB
with Thick Paint
at 7th Street Entry
Wednesday, 04/27/16, 7:30pm ($8/$10)
first-avenue.com

Sun Club just started their first headline tour across the Midwest this month. The band will be playing tracks from their debut album The Dongo Durango (ATO Records).

We previously saw the Baltimore band with the Districts in 2015 (and also with Alvvays in 2014) and said, “Sun Club (not to be confused with Netherland's The Sunclub) came on stage to Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights," ready to violently and spastically destroy the dance floor. As we have previously written, the band's music styling is both "violent convulsions" and "sexy dancing."”

Thick Paint (aka Graham Patrick Ulicny) to open.

Tour dates:

4/20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Cattivo
4/21 - Cleveland, OH - Now That's Class
4/22 - Columbus, OH - Rhumba Café
4/23 - Detroit, MI - UFO Factory
4/25 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's
4/26 - Madison, WI - The Frequency
4/27 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St. Entry
4/28 - Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club
4/29 - Indianapolis, IN - Joyful Noise
5/1 - Cincinnati, OH - MOTR
5/18 - Brooklyn, NY - House of Yes
6/12 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
6/16 - 6/19 - Dover, DE - Firefly Festival

Read More Courtney Barnett Melbourne's Courtney Barnett was previously here earlier this year, which we caught in Chicago, but now she's back with a full expanded North American tour.… Bully Opening up the show was Nashville's Bully, lead by singer Alicia Bognanno .... who revealed to us that she's actually from Minnesota. Although the band has been in Minneapolis a few times ....

COURTNEY BARNETT
with Bully
at First Avenue
Tuesday, 04/26/16, 7:30pm ($27.50/$30)
Wednesday, 04/27/16, 7:30pm ($27.50/$30)
first-avenue.com

Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett has booked a double night at First Avenue next week: April 26th and 27th at First Avenue.

Just a recap, we’ve been following Barnett since December 2013, calling her EP “It was love at first listen for me and Courtney Barnett. That first song was “Avant Gardening,” her irresistibly languid tale of suffering a panic attack while gardening in an Australian heat wave.”

Since releasing her debut LP Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (Mom + Pop Music) in March 2015, racked up eight ARIA Award nominations, and winning four trophies: Best Female Artist, Breakthrough Artist, Best Independent Release, and Best Cover Artist.

Nashville, by the way of Rosemount, Minnesota, Bully (aka Alicia Bognanno) will open the two shows.

Tour dates:

04.19.16 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
04.20.16 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
04.21.16 - Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA
04.22 - 04.24.16 - Coachella
04.26.16 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
04.27.16 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
04.28.16 - Riviera Theatre - Chicago, IL
05.25.16 - Rams Head Live! - Baltimore, MD
05.26.16 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
05.29.16 - Virgin Mobile - Montreal, QC
05.30.16 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
05.31.16 - Majestic Theatre - Detroit, MI
06.02 - 06.05.16 - Nelsonville Music Festival
06.03 - 06.05.16 - Governors Ball Music Festival

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

The Districts, w/ Sun Club at Triple Rock, Minneapolis (04 Oct 2015)

poster The Districts Setlist Chlorine Rocking Chair Hounds Heavy Begs Long Distance Funeral Beds Jam + Fat Kiddo Peaches Bold Airplane 4th & Roebling -- Encore -- Young Blood Read More The Districts Headliner is Philadelphia's The Districts, currently touring in support of their 2015 album A Flourish and a Spoil (Fat Possums Records). … Sun Club Sun Club didn’t just open the show, they took a mallet and bashed their way in. Their set was weird, wild and wonderful - as if they were all hooked up to electrodes that caused violent convulsions …

Alternative/indie band The Districts recently stopped by the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Sunday, October 4th, in support of their latest A Flourish and a Spoil (Fat Possum).

Sun Club

Sun Club (not to be confused with Netherland's The Sunclub) came on stage to Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights," ready to violently and spastically destroy the dance floor. As we have previously written, the band's music styling is both "violent convulsions" and "sexy dancing."

The dance group (featuring Shane McCord, Adam Shane, Mikey Powers, Devin McCord, Kory Johnson) recently signed to ATO Records and was happy to play some new tunes they've written for their upcoming The Dongo Durango album, including sunny song "Summer Feet."

One of the two main singers, Shane McCord, was pretty amazed that some "lovely, lovely, lovely" fans knew their songs and singing along. A number of dancing fans in the front came out early just to see Sun Club.

The Districts (singer Rob Grote, bassist Connor Jacobus, guitarist Pat Cassidy, and drummer Braden Lawrence) took the stage slightly later than advertised, playing "Chlorine" from their latest A Flourish and a Spoil. Their sophomore record has been getting a lot of buzz with indie fans, especially after peaking at #7 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #28 on the Top Independent Albums chart.

Setlist

As you can see from their setlist, the majority of tracks were from A Flourish and a Spoil. However, you might not recognize the song "Airplane", as they've indicated that it is a brand new song. This was followed by their set closer (and probably their biggest hit with the fans), "4th & Roebling".

After a few minutes in the back, the band came back on stage to play one last song for the encore, "Young Blood".

Remaining tour dates:

10/09 - Top Hat - Missoula, MT#
10/10 - Neurolux - Boise, ID#
10/11 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR#
10/12 - Neumos - Seattle, WA#
10/14 - Great American - San Francisco, CA#
10/16 - The Irenic - San Diego, CA#
10/17 - Teragram Ballroom - Los Angeles, CA#
10/20 - The Parish - Austin, TX#
10/21 - Club Dada - Dallas, TX#
10/22 - Studio - Houston, TX#
10/23 - Hi-Hi Lounge - New Orleans, LA#
10/24 - Hi-Tone Cafe - Memphis, TN#
10/26 - Terminal West - Atlanta, GA#
10/27 - The High Watt - Nashville, TN#
10/28 - Zanzabar - Louisville, KY#
10/29 - Cosmic Charlie's - Lexington, KY#
10/31 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC#$
11/02 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC#$
11/03 - The Sinclair - Boston, MA#$
11/04 - Music Hall - Brooklyn, NY#$
11/05 - Music Hall - Brooklyn, NY#$

# = Sun Club
$ = Lady Lamb

The Districts at Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis (04 October 2015)

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

Rocktober: October 4, 2015

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on October 4, 2015.

Just a reminder that the Gardens & Villa show will also at the 7th Street Entry.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Blitzen Trapper Blitzen Trapper, these guys rock. Call it alt country or southern rock, either way they know what they are doing and they do it well. Great tunes, three part harmonies …

BLITZEN TRAPPER
at First Avenue
Sunday, 10/04/2015, 7pm ($20)
first-avenue.com

Blitzen Trapper will be taking over the First Avenue main room on Sunday, October 4th and you will definitely want to be there. I have never been able to see these guys but am definitely excited! These guys are a five piece country/folk band from Portland, Oregon. With eight studio albums under their belt, these guys are sure to bring the house down with their quirky sound. I'm not typically a country fan but there's something about these guys that keeps you wanting more.

Blitzen Trapper's latest All Across This Land will land on October 2 via Vagrant Records.

Opening up will be The Domestics, a five piece indie folk-rock group from Portland, Oregon. They are new to the scene but have already been turning heads. They will be out supporting their self-titled debut album coming out via Tender Loving Empire records. These guys were named an "artist to watch" by Spin for a reason!

Blitzen Trapper's tour dates:

09/30 Faultline North Bozeman, MT 10/01 Carlin Events Center Billings, MT 10/03 The Aquarium Fargo, ND 10/04 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN 10/06 Turner Hall Milwaukee, WI 10/07 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL 10/08 The Loving Touch Ferndale, MI 10/09 Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON 10/10 Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY 10/11 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY 10/13 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA 10/14 Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PA 10/15 Black Cat Washington, DC 10/16 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC 10/17 The Loft Atlanta, GA 10/18 Exit / In Nashville, TN 10/19 Saturn Birmingham, AL

10/21 The Parish Austin, TX 10/22 Club Dada Dallas, TX 10/23 The Opolis Norman, OK 10/24 Bottleneck Lawrence, KS 10/26 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO 10/27 State Room Salt Lake City, UT 11/09 HiFi Music Hall Eugene, OR 11/11 SOhO Santa Barbara, CA 11/12 San Diego Music Thing San Diego, CA 11/13 Teragram Ballroom Los Angeles, CA 11/14 Don Quixote’s Felton, CA 11/15 Independent San Francisco, CA 11/16 Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA 11/17 Humboldt Brews Arcata, CA 11/19 Neptune Theatre Seattle, WA 11/20 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC 11/28 Revolution Hall Portland, OR

Read More Sun Club Sun Club didn’t just open the show, they took a mallet and bashed their way in. Their set was weird, wild and wonderful - as if they were all hooked up to electrodes that caused violent convulsions …

THE DISTRICTS
at Triple Rock Social Club
Sunday, 10/04/2015, 8pm ($15)
triplerocksocialclub.com

You might remember how we caught Sun Club (Shane McCord, Adam Shane, Mikey Powers, Devin McCord, Kory Johnson) with Alvvays at the Turf Club in December 2014 and was totally blown away. As Emily described it, "Sun Club didn’t just open the show, they took a mallet and bashed their way in. Their set was weird, wild and wonderful - as if they were all hooked up to electrodes that caused violent convulsions in the form of sexy dancing."

Baltimore band recently signed with ATO Records and is currently out on tour in support of their debut LP The Dongo Durango (out October 30th).

Headliner is Philadelphia's The Districts, currently touring in support of their 2015 album A Flourish and a Spoil (Fat Possums Records).

Sun Club's tour dates:

09/28 - Higher Ground - South Burlington, VT# 09/29 - La Sala Rossa - Montreal, Canada# 09/30 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, Canada# 10/02 - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH# 10/03 - Metro - Chicago, IL# 10/04 - Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN# 10/05 - Turner Hall Ballroom - Milwaukee, WI# 10/07 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO# 10/09 - Top Hat - Missoula, MT# 10/10 - Neurolux - Boise, ID# 10/11 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR# 10/12 - Neumos - Seattle, WA# 10/14 - Great American - San Francisco, CA# 10/16 - The Irenic - San Diego, CA# 10/17 - Teragram Ballroom - Los Angeles, CA# 10/20 - The Parish - Austin, TX#

10/21 - Club Dada - Dallas, TX# 10/22 - Studio - Houston, TX# 10/23 - Hi-Hi Lounge - New Orleans, LA# 10/24 - Hi-Tone Cafe - Memphis, TN# 10/26 - Terminal West - Atlanta, GA# 10/27 - The High Watt - Nashville, TN# 10/28 - Zanzabar - Louisville, KY# 10/29 - Cosmic Charlie's - Lexington, KY# 10/31 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC#$ 11/02 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC#$ 11/03 - The Sinclair - Boston, MA#$ 11/04 - Music Hall - Brooklyn, NY#$ 11/05 - Music Hall - Brooklyn, NY#$ 11/06 - Baltimore, MD - The Crown # = The Districts; $ = Lady Lamb

Read More The Black Crowes I have The Black Crowes's Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution 1-track radio promo here. ...

JACKIE GREENE
at Cedar Cultural Center
Sunday, 10/04/2015, 7pm ($17)
thecedar.org

You may have remembered American singer-songwriter Jackie Greene as one of the band members in the final lineup for The Black Crowes before they broke up in January 2015.

Jackie Greene is currently on tour in support of his new album Back to Birth (his seventh album!), which landed #5 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, #43 on the Rock chart, and #10 on the Folk chart when it debut earlier in August.

The record was produced by Los Lobos member Steve Berlin, the album was recorded at Portland’s Supernatural Sound. The 11-song set features Paul Rigby (guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar); Damian Erskine (bass); Reinhardt Melz (drums); Jason Crosby (violin, string arrangements) with Greene stretching out on a number of instruments including guitar, piano, organ and drums.

Special guest Nashville's Derik Hultquist will open the show.

Tour dates:

09/26 - Levon Helm’s Studio - Woodstock, NY
09/27 - Port City Music Hall - Portland, ME
09/30 - Musica - Akron, OH
10/01 - Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI
10/02 - Deluxe - Indianapolis, IN
10/04 - Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN
10/05-10/6 - City Winery - Chicago, IL

langen + vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ itunes.apple.com

Alvvays, with Sun Club, at Turf Club, St Paul (11 Dec 2014)

Setlist The Agency Group Adult Diversion Ones Who Love You Atop A Cake Underneath Us Next Of Kin Dives Archie, Marry Me Party Police Your Type -- Encore -- Out of Reach (The Primitives cover) Haircut Tour Dates 12/13/14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom 12/18/14 Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa 12/19/14 Kingston, ON The Grad Club 12/20/14 Toronto, ON Opera House 01/16/15 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon 01/17/15 Chicago, IL Various Venues 01/21/15 Manchester The Deaf Institute 01/22/15 Leeds Brudenell Social Club 01/23/15 Newcastle upon Tyne Think Tank? 01/26/15 Nottingham Bodega Social Club 01/27/15 Birmingham Hare & Hounds 01/28/15 London Scala 01/30/15 Oxford O2 Academy Oxford 01/31/15 Bristol, United Kingdom Thekla 02/02/15 Antwerp, Belgium Muziekcentrum Trix 02/03/15 Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso 02/05/15 Oslo, Norway John Dee 02/06/15 Stockholm, Sweden Debaser Strand 02/07/15 Copenhagen, Denmark Beta 02/09/15 Hamburg, Germany Molotow 02/10/15 Berlin, Germany Kantine Am Berghain 02/12/15 Vienna, Austria B72 02/13/15 Milan, Italy Lo-Fi 02/14/15 Zurich, Switzerland Bogen F 03/24/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop * 03/25/15 - Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside* 03/27/15 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre* 03/28/15 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak* 03/30/15 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall* 03/31/15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center* 04/01/15 - Buffalo, NY @ UB Center For the Arts* 04/03/15 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues* 04/04/15 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues* 04/06/15 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre* 04/07/15 - Philadelphia, PA @ Academy of Music* 04/09/15 - Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore Charlotte* 04/10/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle* 04/11/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle* * with Decemberists Read More Alvvays St. Paul’s Turf Club will be welcoming another great Toronto band on December 11th: Alvvays, whose influences, ranging from Teenage Fanclub to Belle & Sebastian, certainly left a mark on their bright, reverb-soaked sound. …

It was hard to foster a negative thought last night at the Turf Club with all the feel-good vibes coming out of the speakers and off the patrons’ faces - all thanks to the frenzied gyrations of Baltimore natives Sun Club and the easy-going pop of Toronto quintet Alvvays.

Sun Club photo by Amy

Sun Club didn’t just open the show, they took a mallet and bashed their way in. Their set was weird, wild and wonderful - as if they were all hooked up to electrodes that caused violent convulsions in the form of sexy dancing. When I wasn’t captivated by the shrieking and flailing, I found myself enjoying the music which was loud and fast, but not without some great catchy hooks. And a xylophone! There was a xylophone! And I have to note that not only do these five young men have otherworldly energy and musical chops, but they’ve also got seriously beautiful curly hair. All of them. I think they should change their name to Hair Club.

“We’ve never played here before,” Alvvays lead singer and guitarist Molly Rankin said as the band took to the stage. After jokingly testing the crowd’s knowledge of Nova Scotia (where most members are originally from) she thanked fans for stopping out and the band kicked into a 40-minute set of gorgeous and blissed-out tunes.

Although the band only has one album, you couldn’t ask for better surf-pop sweetness. Tracks like “Next of Kin” and “Adult Diversion” have the jangly elements of the Smiths and REM, especially in the bright, echo-y notes of lead guitarist Alec O’Hanley. Drummer Phil MacIsaac and bassist Brian Murphy provided an irresistible rhythm as Rankin’s confident, sunny vocals effortlessly swooped around each song. Keyboardist Kerri MacLellan created a warm bed of synth and joined Rankin in some heartbreaking harmonies. Haven’t swooned in a while? Look no further than the bittersweet gem “Marry Me, Archie,” a song that’s been making its way onto many year-end lists.

“This feels great,” Rankin mused to the crowd who enthusiastically echoed her glowing sentiment. The night was truly life-affirming, but in a slightly more literal way for the band. As Rankin explained, on their way to St. Paul, the van the band was driving went into a tailspin on the highway and slid off the road. Thankfully, a kind stranger pulled over to help drag the van out of a ditch. It was a dire situation, but Rankin found humor in it, revealing the noises her bandmates were making as the van spun out of control. “It’s devastating to hear how you sound right before you die.”

The short and sweet set was capped by a two-song encore. Before starting the final song of the night, O’Hanley noodled the riff from “Bastards of Young” on his guitar and asked, “Does Paul Westerberg still live here?” In unison, the Turf replied, “Yes!”

Talk of near death experiences and a mention of Paul Westerberg seem like ingredients for a good night to me. The fantastic Alvvays and their cleansing wash of crystalline guitar truly made it a great night.

Alvvays at Turf Club, St Paul (11 Dec 2014) photo by Amy

emily ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: December 10 - December 12, 2014

Here are some shows taking place in Minneapolis/St Paul from December 10 to December 12, 2014.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Skinny Puppy In an effort to unite instead of isolate, The Alliance of Sound plans on bringing the different flavors of electronic music together for an unforgettable tour. …

ALLIANCE OF SOUND
at Mill City Nights
Wednesday 12/10/14, 8pm ($30)
millcitynights.com

Some of the biggest metal/industrial/electronic bands Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, VNV Nation, and Haujobb have joined forces to "unite instead of isolate."

All these bands formed in the 80s or 90s (I remember these Skinny Puppy and Front Line Assembly way back in my radio DJ days in 1993-1995), with the exception of Los Angeles duo Youth Code... who must be over the moon to be playing with these legends.

The Alliance of Sound tour:

Nov. 28 – The Sound Academy (Toronto, ON)
Nov 29 – Metropolis (Montreal, QC)
Nov. 30 – House of Blues (Boston, MA)
Dec. 2 – Best Buy Theater (NYC)
Dec. 3 – Trocadero Theatre (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec. 5 – Jannus Landing (Tampa, FL)
Dec. 6 – Buckhead Theatre (Atlanta, GA)
Dec. 8 – The Pageant (St. Louis, MO)
Dec. 9 – The Vic Theatre (Chicago, IL)
Dec. 10 – Mill City Nights (Minneapolis, MN)
Dec. 12 – Ogden Theatre (Denver, CO)
Dec. 13 – The Complex (SLC)
Dec. 15 – Showbox SODO (Seattle, WA)
Dec. 16 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Vancouver, BC)
Dec. 17 – Roseland Theater (Portland, OR)
Dec. 19 – Regency Ballroom (San Francisco, CA)
Dec. 20 – The Fox Theater (Pomona, CA)

Read More Alvvays Alvvays are two women, three men, a crate of C-86 tapes and a love of jingle-jangle. Molly Rankin and Kerri MacLellan grew up as next-door neighbours in Cape Breton, lifting fiddles and folk-songs. …

ALVVAYS w/ Sun Club
at Turf Club
Thursday 12/11/14, 7:30pm ($12)
turfclub.net

There must be something delightful in the drinking water up in Canada, ‘cause Toronto keeps sending Minneapolis music fans some choice indie-pop bands to enjoy. Having just hosted fantastic power-pop giants Sloan, St. Paul’s Turf Club will be welcoming another great Toronto band on December 11th: Alvvays, whose influences, ranging from Teenage Fanclub to Belle & Sebastian, certainly left a mark on their bright, reverb-soaked sound.

Childhood friends Molly Rankin and Kerri MacLellan formed Alvvays in 2012 with Alec O'Hanley Brian Murphy, and Phil MacIsaac rounding out the lineup. They did some touring with bands like The Pains of Being Pure At Heart before releasing their full-length self-titled debut in July. The album features members of Holy F*ck and was recorded at Chad VanGaalen’s home studio (dubbed “Yoko Eno Studio”) in Calgary.

Fans of Frankie Rose and Best Coast will be pleased by the album’s shimmering lo-fi melodies. But even folks who aren’t keen on this kind of starry-eyed groove still have to check out the soaring wedding-bell-blues single “Marry Me, Archie.” Hell, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) covered the song at a solo gig in Seattle last Saturday.

Opening for Alvvays are Sun Club, a band influenced by the likes of the Beach Boys and Animal Collective. Their debut EP is out now on Goodnight Records.

Tour dates (* indicates with The Decemberists)

11/28/14 Los Angeles, CA Echo 11/29/14 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop 12/01/14 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge 12/02/14 Seattle, WA Barboza 12/03/14 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret 12/05/14 Edmonton, AB The Starlite Room 12/06/14 Calgary, AB The Gateway at SAIT 12/09/14 Saskatoon, SK Amigos Cantina 12/10/14 Winnipeg, MB Park Theatre Cafe 12/11/14 Saint Paul, MN Turf Club 12/12/14 Iowa City, IA Blue Moose Tap House 12/13/14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom 12/18/14 Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa 12/19/14 Kingston, ON The Grad Club 12/20/14 Toronto, ON Opera House 01/16/15 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon 01/17/15 Chicago, IL Various Venues 01/21/15 Manchester The Deaf Institute 01/22/15 Leeds Brudenell Social Club 01/23/15 Newcastle upon Tyne Think Tank? 01/26/15 Nottingham Bodega Social Club 01/27/15 Birmingham Hare & Hounds 01/28/15 London Scala 01/30/15 Oxford O2 Academy Oxford

01/31/15 Bristol, United Kingdom Thekla 02/02/15 Antwerp, Belgium Muziekcentrum Trix 02/03/15 Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso 02/05/15 Oslo, Norway John Dee 02/06/15 Stockholm, Sweden Debaser Strand 02/07/15 Copenhagen, Denmark Beta 02/09/15 Hamburg, Germany Molotow 02/10/15 Berlin, Germany Kantine Am Berghain 02/12/15 Vienna, Austria B72 02/13/15 Milan, Italy Lo-Fi 02/14/15 Zurich, Switzerland Bogen F 03/24/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop * 03/25/15 - Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside* 03/27/15 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre* 03/28/15 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak* 03/30/15 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall* 03/31/15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center* 04/01/15 - Buffalo, NY @ UB Center For the Arts* 04/03/15 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues* 04/04/15 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues* 04/06/15 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre* 04/07/15 - Philadelphia, PA @ Academy of Music* 04/09/15 - Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore Charlotte* 04/10/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle* 04/11/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle*

Read More Blitzen Trapper Blitzen Trapper, these guys rock. Call it alt country or southern rock, either way they know what they are doing and they do it well. Great tunes, three part harmonies …

BLITZEN TRAPPER
at Fine Line Music Cafe
Friday 12/12/14, 7pm ($25)
finelinemusic.com

The last time I saw Blitzen Trapper it was in 2007, although other people caught them in 2009 and at SXSW 2012.

The Portland-based band will be playing a one-off show to benefit the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Details below:

89.3 The Current and McTerry Music Presents

A Benefit Show Featuring

Blitzen Trapper

For Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

w/Special Guests

Farewell Milwaukee
Bigtree Bonsai
And
Old Desert Road

Doors 7:00
Music 8:00

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

Minneapolis: November 13, 2014

Here are shows taking place in Minneapolis/St Paul on November 13, 2014. Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Moors Rising duo MOORS are set to release their debut, self-titled EP October 28 on Haven Sounds, a new emerging record label based in Los Angeles and Toronto …

JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW w/ Moors
at First Avenue
Thursday 11/13/14, 7pm
$18: first-avenue.com

Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow is gearing up to release a deluxe edition of Post Tropical (Vagrant), an album which NPR hailed "interesting, surprising, and fascinating," and Pitchfork claimed it "takes sithering orchestration to breathy, emphatic heights."

Opening up for this Thursday show is Los Angeles duo Moors. The band just released their self-titled EP this week (October 27th) via Haven Sounds.

Tour dates:

11/01/14 Dallas, TX The Kessler Theater
11/02/14 Austin, TX The Belmont
11/04/14 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
11/05/14 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
11/06/14 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
11/08/14 Washington, DC Lincoln Theatre
11/10/14 New York, NY Town Hall
11/12/14 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
11/13/14 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
11/16/14 Seattle, WA The Neptune
11/17/14 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
11/19/14 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
11/20/14 Los Angeles, CA Theatre At Ace Hotel

Read More Hope Country Singer/songwriter Brent Johnson is back with his latest EP Water, Land, & Sky, which came out August 10th. The CD-release show is taking place on a hot Saturday at the 7th Street …

JUDAH & THE LION w/ Joseph, Hope Country
at 7th Street Entry
Thursday 11/13/14, 7:30pm
$18: first-avenue.com

Nashville based trio Judah & the Lion (not to be confused with Daniel & the Lion) is on tour in support of their full-length studio album Kids These Days entered Billboard's Heatseekers chart at #2 and the Folk Albums chart at #4 in its first week out.

Joseph, a band after the three sisters' grandfather, and Hope Country, a band we saw in 2013.

Judah and the Lion First US Headliner:

10/29/14 Grand Stafford Theater in Bryan, TX
10/30/14 Stubb’s Bar-B-Q in Austin, TX
11/06/14 George’s Majestic in Fayetteville, AR
11/08/14 Larimer Lounge in Denver, CO
11/12/14 The Maintenance Shop in Ames, IA
11/13/14 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, MN
11/14/14 Redstone Room in Davenport, IA
11/15/14 Schubas Tavern in Chicago, IL

Read More Bad Suns Another Southern California band, Bad Suns, played next, in support of their Vagrant Records EP, Transpose, with full-length, Language & Perspective, due out in late June. …

NEW POLITICS
at Varsity Theater
Thursday 11/13/14, 5pm
$19: varsitytheater.org

In support of their new album Vikings, due out early 2015 via DCD2/Warner Bros. Records, New Politics will be in town at the Varsity Theater on Thursday... as part of Skype's One to Watch concert series, featuring also Bad Suns and Somekindawonderful.

Talking about the Danish trio New Politics' album on DCD2, label head Pete Wentz had this to add, "New Politics were part of our first signings to DCD2 on the relaunch and we're super stoked that they'll also be putting out the first full-length on the label. Our summer tour with these guys was so great and I love the new single. I can't think of a better band to rep what DCD2 stands for."

Tour dates:

10/28/14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater *
10/29/14 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock *
10/30/14 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues *
10/31/14 Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues *
11/01/14 Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre *
11/02/14 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore *
11/04/14 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre *
11/05/14 Vancouver, BC @ The Rio Theatre *
11/07/14 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory *
11/08/14 Murray, UT @ Murray Theater *
11/09/14 Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre *
11/11/14 Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre *
11/12/14 Saint Louis, MO @ The Pageant *
11/13/14 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater *
11/14/14 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave/Eagles Club *
11/15/14 Indianapolis, IN @ Amber Room *
11/16/14 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues *
11/18/14 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's Cincinnati *
11/19/14 Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom *
11/20/14 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues *
11/21/14 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall *
11/22/14 Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew's Hall *
11/23/14 Toronto, ON @ The Opera House *
11/25/14 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza *
11/26/14 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
11/28/14 Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom *
11/29/14 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts *
11/30/14 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater *

* = with Bad Suns and SomeKindaWonderful

Read More Wildcat! Wildcat! Los Angeles trio Wildcat! Wildcat! started the evening with a well-received set of chilled, harmonic indie pop. Bassist Jesse Taylor and keyboardist Michael Wilson backed …

WILDCAT! WILDCAT! w/ Sun Club
at Turf Club
Thursday 11/13/14, 7:30pm
$10: turfclub.net

Indie-electronic trio Wildcat! Wildcat! is back in Minnesota this November 13th, supporting their latest album No Moon At All (Downtown Records). We previously saw the band and described the show as "well-received set of chilled, harmonic indie pop."

Baltimore's Sun Club is set to open the show.

Tour dates:

11/06 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
11/07 Austin, TX – Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/08 Oklahoma City, OK – Conservatory *
11/09 Kansas City, MO – Record Bar *
11/11 St Louis, MO – Demo *
11/13 Saint Paul, MN – Turf Club *
11/14 Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern *
11/15 Madison, WI – Frequency *
11/17 Indianapolis, IN – The Hi – Fi *
11/18 Columbus, OH – Basement *
11/20 Philadelphia, PA –Boot & Saddle *
11/21 Allston, MA – Great Scott *
11/22 Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird Café *
11/23 Washington, DC – DC9 *
11/24 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom *

+ Support from White Hinterland
* Support from SUN CLUB

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