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VHS or Beta at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (11/08/12)

Tour Dates 11/09: Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre (Admission: $8) 11/11: Denver, CO, Bluebird Theatre 11/14: Austin, TX, Red 7 11/15: Dallas, TX, Kessler 11/29: Boston, MA, Middle East Downstairs 11/30: New York, NY, Mercury Lounge Read More VHS or Beta Fancy seeing VHS or Beta for FREE? The Onion's AV Club and Killian's Irish Red are co-sponsoring these free VHS or Beta shows! The unfortunate thing is because it's Killian's/drinking sponsored, you have to be over the legal drinking age of 21. ...

VHS or Beta played a free show last night at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis. The event was sponsored by the A.V. Club and Killian's Irish Red.

BOCA PROSPERO

Opening up for VHS or Beta was Boca Prospero, a band that I believe is currently based out of Minneapolis/St Paul, but they are listed as from Wisconsin. They were a five-piece band that played indiepop tunes like "Animals" from their recently released EP Animal Suite:



As for VHS or Beta, the thing you should know about them is that singer/guitarist Craig Pfunder sounds just like Robert Smith. He's not trying to emulate Smith, he just sings like Smith.

I've been meaning to check out the band for a while now, especially because their debut and sophomore record was on my favorite Astralwerks Record.

Unlike some bands that "moved on", I'm glad to see VHS or Beta still do "old" songs for their fans, including opening up with "Burn it All Down" from Bring on the Comets.

Of course, they played a lot of new songs from their latest album Diamonds & Death (out now via Krian Music Group/ Chromosome Records.) I didn't know the new material, but I remember "I Found A Reason" was played early on.

For the price of free, it's definitely worth it to check out the band on this AV Club/Killian tour.

RSVP at avclub.com/ruckustour to guarantee entry.

VHS or Beta at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (11/08/12)

vu () ♥ www.vhsorbeta.com ♥ bocaprospero.bandcamp.com

Free: VHS or Beta (11/08) and Daredevil Christopher Wright (11/16)

Tour Dates 11/08: Minneapolis, MN, 7th Street Entry 11/11: Denver, CO, Bluebird Theatre 11/14: Austin, TX, Red 7 11/15: Dallas, TX, Kessler 11/29: Boston, MA, Middle East Downstairs 11/30: New York, NY, Mercury Lounge Read More VHS or Beta VHS or Beta had a diverse range of song types and sounds. Some were poppy, some were dancey, some were sort of more ambient. Partially electronic.…

VHS OR BETA
vhsorbeta.com

Fancy seeing VHS or Beta for FREE? The Onion's AV Club and Killian's Irish Red are co-sponsoring these free VHS or Beta shows! The unfortunate thing is because it's Killian's/drinking sponsored, you have to be over the legal drinking age of 21.

You can RVSP to ensure tickets at avclub.com/ruckustour, and if it hasn't sold out, they will also accept walkups. Personally, if you're going to attend, why not just quickly fill in some information to guarantee a ticket? Do it.

VHS Or Beta's latest album is a remix album called Diamonds & Dub which features remixed tracks from their 2011 album Diamonds & Death. Although the album are remixes from other people, the duo has been known to remix other people's music. Check out their Tegan and Sara's remix for "Alligator":



I know we covered 40 shows in Rocktober, but I'm going into winter hibernation very soon. My last show will be Matt & Kim on November 7th… but I may change my mind to end it with the VHS or Beta show.

VHS or Beta's Minneapolis show is November 8th at 7th Street Entry.

Sally saw VHS or Beta in Sydney, Australia, in 2008 and she was so impressed she "purchase some tunes by these guys."

Read More Daredevil Christopher Wright The Daredevil Christopher Wright was excited to play brand new materials from their forthcoming album, The Nature of Things at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis …

THE DAREDEVIL CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT
thedaredevilchristopherwright.com

I saw The Daredevil Christopher Wright this summer. I mentioned in my review that I thought some of their songs had a little religious overtone to them, so I'm actually not surprise that they are playing a free show at the Hennepin Church by Loring Park on November 16th.

More details from hennepinchurch.org:

FREE! November 16th.

Black Audience (7pm)

The Daredevil Christopher Wright (8pm)

Chastity Brown (9pm)

This event has been put together by the Hospitality Committee and funded by a grant from the Hennepin Church Foundation.

Trivia: I mentioned that their album artwork looked like Chino Latino a while back, and surprise, surprise: the cover to The Nature of Things was indeed inspired by Chino Latino.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

SXSW 2012 Preview

Read More SXSW The massive music+interactive+movies festival drew over 2,000 plus bands in the area. This year is supposed to be the "biggest yet".

I'm not in Austin this year for SXSW, but, per tradition, we are semi-covering it this year. Here are some SXSW announcements that were sent to me. Since I get over 100 emails a day, please put "SXSW" in your headline subject, otherwise your message will not be read or used for a future SXSW announcement.

IODA
www.iodasxsw.com

In their 8th annual SXSW Opening Day Bash party, IODA (Independent Online Distribution Alliance) announced the confirmed lineup: thirteen bands, playing all day March 14th on two stages.

What: IODA's Opening Day Bash at SXSW
Where: Red Eyed Fly, 715 Red River Street, Austin, Texas
When: Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
Time: 12 - 6 PM

Too kool to admit to not knowing some of these bands? No problem, download the free Sampler

Artists on the bill: The Wedding Present, Thee Oh Sees, Oddisee, Y La Bamba, Pillow Fight (this is Dan The Automator's latest project), Tycho, Poliça (Minneapolis' latest buzzzzzzzzz band), Dan Mangan, Ruthie Foster, Bright Moments, Tiago Iorc, Bam Bam, and Daniel Ahearn & The Jones.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
www.conflictparty.com

Conflict of Interest event is free with Hype Hotel RSVP or a SXSW badge. Full details below:

The Syndicate Presents Conflict Of Interest
DATE: Tuesday, March 13, 2012
VENUE: Hype Hotel presented by Feed The Beat
ADDRESS: 504 Trinity
CITY: Austin, TX
TIME: 7pm - 2am
Free w/ RSVP or SXSW Badge

LIVE PERFORMANCES:
Delta Spirit
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Miniature Tigers
Little Hurricane
Incan Abraham
Oberhofer

w/ DJ Aaron Axelsen spinning all night

WUNDERBAR
www.initiative-musik.de/sxsw

Sounds delightful and tasty, check out Wunderbar – Finest Lunch With The Germans. Takes place on March 15th at the Parkside Restaurant from noon to 4pm. DJ sets from Apparat, Bonaparte, Coma, D E N A & Touchy Mob and food catered by Kochzeichen D

Other German artists appearing at SXSW:

Wednesday, March 14
Bonaparte @ The Iron Bear
Apparat Band @ Haven (1:00am - 1:40am)

Friday, March 16
Talking To Turtles @ St David's Bethell Hall (11:00pm -11:40pm)
Fenster @ The Loft (9:20pm - 9:55pm)

Saturday, March 17
Touchy Mob @ Karma Lounge

EMI
emimusic.com

I love EMI Records, as do many of you. I was sent their SXSW sampler, which showcase some of their artists at SXSW. Not on the list is Norah Jones, who is actually not performing – but will be previewing new music from her forthcoming album, Little Broken Hearts, a collaboration with Danger Mouse (to be released May 1st, 2012). The two previously worked on his album, Rome, which Dave reviewed.

The playlist, which is not commercially available, includes hot Australian band, Gold Fields, in an upcoming Going for Gold.

Below are the artists under EMI's umbrella:

• The Little Willies
• Graffiti6
• Robert Glasper
• Chiddy Bang
• Foxy Shazam
• Gold Fields
• Morning Parade

RIOT ACT MEDIA
riotactmedia.com

Riot Act Media's SXSW 2012 party is at Swan Dive this year (located at 651 Red River).

Lineup:

12:00: Follow That Bird
12:35: The Pharmacy
1:10: Nick Jaina
1:45: Brass Bed
2:20: Solander
2:55: The Spinto Band
3:30: Dana Falconberry
4:05: The Ettes
4:40: Sea Of Bees
5:15: Wooden Wand

We've previously written about Follow that Bird, Brass Bed, Sea of Bees, and Wooden Wand.

BRIEFLY:

KRIAN MUSIC GROUP krianmusicgroup.com Indie record label Krian Music Group (with BFM Digital) announced their SXSW 2012 showcase on Thursday, March 15. Bands on the lineup are: VHS or Beta, The Ettes, Capsula, Hands, The Strange Familiar, and Suckers. We've previously covered Suckers and VHS or Beta (which Sally said "were really great.").

POLARSETS polarsets.com Polarsets confirmed their SXSW dates. If you're into Kitsune and Neon Gold, you'll like this Newcastle band. You can read more about them on their press release. 16/03/12 – Sea Now Party, venue tbc 16/03/12 – Neon Gold party, Karma Lounge 17/03/12 – Northern Party, Latitude 30 17/03/12 – Filter Party, Bar 96

PS, Motormouth Media has not made their official SXSW schedule yet, but I'm sure I will mention them again because we like their artists: Blondes, Charles Bradley: Soul of America (documentary film), Class Actress, Girls, Kindness, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Light Asylum, Lower Dens, Magic Wands, Matthew Dear, Mess With Texas Event, Mike Wexler, New Build, Nite Jewel, OPN, The Step Kids, Thundercat, Trust, Twilight Sad, Vex Ruffin, Wymond Miles, and Zola Jesus

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

VHS or Beta + Yves Klein Blue @ The Factory Theatre

Yveskleinblue1 Yveskleinblue2

 

VHS or Beta - Night On Fire

VHS or Beta

A sunny Friday night, quite a modest crowd at the Factory Theatre in downtown Marrickville (not far from my house, so I was happy). I had not actually been in there before and I must say that it's a pretty awesome place to see a band. Tacky (but not sticky) carpet and a great sound.... and the best bit... the beer wasn't astronomically priced!

First band up (and I admit we only caught the last 3 songs of) was Brisbane band, Yves Klein Blue. I was actually quite blown away by these guys. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but just by looking at them I surely didn't expect what I got. The singer had a sound that if i was to close my eyes, at some points sounded slightly Pete Doherty-esque, but that's probably highly insulting to most normal people, so I won't say that.

As I said, I only heard the last 3 songs, but in those songs was a wealth of musical diversity. I don't think I could label these guys into any sort of genre. All I know is that as well as being very dance-able, they were also fitting to sit back and relax.

Also, I have to say it. If my nanna were there she'd have a heart attack and try to put headbands on certain band members with hair in their faces (as she did to me when I was about 8 years old trying to grow out a tragic 80's fringe).

 

Vob1 Vob4 VHS or Beta

  Earlier that day I was doing a little research into VHS or Beta. I read that they were "French house and dance punk" and let me tell you, I was slightly scared. Silly Sally, there was no need for this fear! They were really great. I'm not sure what the deal was with the guy with the camera on stage wedged into the one of the band members armpit for most of the show.

Similar to Yves Klein Blue, VHS or Beta had a diverse range of song types and sounds. Some were poppy, some were dancey, some were sort of more ambient. Partially electronic, but with most of the music being played live by the guys themselves.
 

 

VHS or Beta - You Got Me

All up, these guys from Kentucky, USA, have broadened my horizons somewhat. You may even catch me moseying down the street to purchase some tunes by these guys.

 

I'm sure you're probably more up to speed with the world, but if not, have a peek at what these guys are about at the following places:

VHS or Beta - Official Website
VHS or Beta - MySpace Page

 

Yves Klein Blue - India @ The Tote, Melbourne

and not forgetting:

 

Yves Klein Blue - Official Website
Yves Klein Blue - MySpace Page

There you go! Sally
Photos by Dave