W♥M (Archive)

R.I.P. Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne)

Read More Fountains of Wayne Fountains of Wayne writes songs about two very important things in life: drinking and women. Although I'm over simplifying it, that was my first impression of them when I first put on their ....

I couldn’t believe the news when I read that Fountains of Wayne’s singer/songwriter Adam Schlesinger had passed away from Coronavirus / COVID-19.

According to Variety: “Adam Schlesinger, a musician and songwriter highly regarded for his work as a member of Fountains of Wayne and an Emmy-winning songwriter for TV’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” has died as a result of coronavirus complications, Variety has confirmed. He was 52.”

I never saw Fountains of Wayne live, however, I did, like many of you, own a copy of their break-out album Welcome Interstate Managers, featuring that stupid catchy song, “Stacy’s Mom”.

The closest thing to seeing them live was watching their show, via DVD called No Better Place: Live in Chicago. Although in my review, I noted that the show was censored - the word “S****” removed from “Bright Future in Sales”. It was probably done as the show was intended for broadcast on national television…

Like I said, I never saw FoW live, but I have seen Adam before - he is actually in a band called Ivy. I have this photo of Ivy, and you can see Adam with Andy Chase behind him.

Photo of Ivy from 2005.

Ivy at 400 Bar, Minneapolis (08 June 2005)

Musicians who died in 2020

January 2020 (72)

February (67)

Musicians and singers who died because of Coronavirus / COVID-19.

[01 Apr 2020] Adam Schlesinger (American musician for Fountains of Wayne), 52, Coronavirus Adam Schlesinger, a musician and songwriter highly regarded for his work as a member of Fountains of Wayne and an Emmy-winning songwriter for TV’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” has died as a result of coronavirus complications, Variety has confirmed. ... via variety.com

[01 Apr 2020] Cristina (American singer), 61, Coronavirus The new-wave pop singer Cristina has reportedly died at age 61 after being diagnosed with coronavirus. The singer, whose full name was Cristina Monet-Zilkha, is believed to have died of complications from Covid-19 ... via theguardian.com

[31 Mar 2020] Wallace Roney (American jazz trumpeter), 59, Coronavirus Wallace Roney, the legendary jazz trumpeter and protege of Miles Davis, has died at the age of 59. Roney’s cause of death was as a result of coronavirus complications. ... via heavy.com

[29 Mar 2020] Joe Diffie (American country music singer-songwriter), 61, Coronavirus Grammy-winning Country artist Joe Diffie passed away today (3/29) from complications of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the age of 61. Diffie is best known for his string of #1 hits that include “Home,” “If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)," “Third Rock From The Sun,” “Pickup Man,” and “Bigger Than The Beatles.” ... via allaccess.com

[29 Mar 2020] Alan Merrill (American musician for Arrows), 69, Coronavirus Alan Merrill, the lead singer of Arrows, and co-writer of the first recorded version of “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” in 1975, died today (March 29), a victim of the Covid-19 virus. In 1982, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts scored a #1 single with their version ... via bestclassicbands.com

[28 Mar 2020] Lou "L.A." Kouvaris (Greek-born American guitarist for Riot), 66, Coronavirus Original Riot guitarist Lou "L.A." Kouvaris had died at the age of 66, according to the band. No cause of death has been revealed, but Riot's manager Giles Lavery said Lou developed symptoms of COVID-19 ... via antimusic.com

[28 Mar 2020] Kerstin Behrendtz (Swedish music programmer and editor for Sveriges Radio), 69, Coronavirus Former Sveriges Radio (Sweden's Radio) music programmer and editor, Kerstin Behrendtz, had died on Saturday after falling victim to Covid-19. ... via expressen.se

[27 Mar 2020] Wayman Henry (American musician), 66, Coronavirus Wayman Henry died after a week-long battle with COVID-19, the first victim in Mobile County. ... via fox10tv.com

[26 Mar 2020] Naomi Munakata (Japanese-Brazilian conductor), 64, Coronavirus The main conductor of the Paulistano Choir, Naomi Munakata, died at the age of 64 on Thursday (26) in São Paulo. According to the German Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, she died as a result of complications from infection caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). ... via globo.com

[26 Mar 2020] Freddy Rodriguez Sr. (American saxophone player), 89, Coronavirus A saxophone player who was a well-known figure in Denver’s live jazz scene has passed away from what his family says were complications from coronavirus. Freddy Rodriguez Sr. frequently performed at the El Chapultepec nightclub. ... via cbslocal.com

[26 Mar 2020] Olle Holmquist (Swedish trombonist for James Last Orchestra), 83, Coronavirus Olle Holmquist worked as a musician all his life and traveled around the world for his performances. He played the trombone behind Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones and ABBA, among others. When Olle Holmquist was infected by the corona virus at the nursing home he lived in, he was ill with Alzheimer's disease ... via expressen.se

[25 Mar 2020] Cy Tucker (English musician), 76, Coronavirus Musician Cy Tucker, who previously played with The Beatles, has passed from coronavirus. The Liverpool Echo reports that the rocker fell ill with COVID-1 symptoms a week ago before dying at the Royal Liverpool Hospital ... via khaleejtimes.com

[25 Mar 2020] Landon Spradlin (American musician), 66, Coronavirus Landon Spradlin, 66, was on his way back to Virginia following a trip to New Orleans with his wife, Jean, when he began feeling ill. ... via wbtv.com

[25 Mar 2020] Detto Mariano (Italian musician for I Ribelli), 82, Coronavirus Detto Mariano was hospitalized fifteen days ago for the consequences of the coronavirus ... via repubblica.it

[24 Mar 2020] Manu Dibango (Cameroonian saxophonist), 86, Coronavirus Manu Dibango - best known for his 1972 hit Soul Makossa - is one of the first global stars to die from Covid-19. ... via bbc.com

[22 Mar 2020] Mike Longo (American jazz pianist), 83, Coronavirus Mike Longo, who led a distinguished jazz career as a pianist, composer and educator, notably as longtime musical director for Dizzy Gillespie, died on Sunday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. ... via wbgo.org

[21 Mar 2020] Rod Powell (American musician), Coronavirus Rod Powell, who delighted apres-ski crowds for decades in Vail with his musical talents, has died from COVID-19 ... via denverpost.com

[20 Mar 2020] Enrique del Portal (Spanish operatic tenor), 87, gastroenteritis / coronavirus The tenor and actor Enrique del Portal has died this Friday at his home in Madrid at the age of 87 due to gastroenteritis... caused by the coronavirus. ... via abc.es

[19 Mar 2020] Black N Mild (American bounce music deejay), 44, Coronavirus Go DJ Black N Mild aka Oliver Stokes Jr. has died at the age of 44 following his coronavirus diagnosis. ... via heavy.com

[19 Mar 2020] Joey Bautista (Filipino singer for Mulatto), Coronavirus Joey Bautista, lead singer of classic pop-rock band Mulatto, has died due to COVID-19, according to his wife. ... via inquirer.net

[19 Mar 2020] Aurlus Mabélé (Congolese singer and composer), 66, Coronavirus Congolese music star Aurlus Mabele has died. He checked into a hospital in Paris, France, and died later that night. ... via newtimes.co.rw

[16 Mar 2020] Sergio Bassi (Italian folk singer-songwriter), 69, Coronavirus Fans "digitally cry" on social networks when they learned that Italian folk singer/songwriter Sergio Bassi, aka Bassi, has died on Monday due to the Coronavirus ... via ilgiornale.it

[10 Mar 2020] Marcelo Peralta (Argentine saxophonist), 59, Coronavirus Argentine saxophonist Marcelo Peralta died Tuesday in Madrid because of the coronavirus. Last Thursday, just on his birthday, he had been hospitalized for pneumonia and then they detected that he was infected with Covid-19 ... via cienradios.com

First Avenue and Prince: Before the Rain exhibits at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

About First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota’s Mainroom Your all-access pass to the stars, the shows, and the stories of the legendary club that put Minnesota music on the map. Exterior entrance of First Avenue, 7th Street Entry. Black and white photo by Daniel Corrigan. Since 1970, First Avenue & 7th St. Entry have been at the heart of the Minnesota music scene. Celebrate the musicians, the employees, and the regulars who called First Avenue their rock 'n' roll home. About Prince: Before the Rain Minnesota photographer Allen Beaulieu helped shape the icon we know today as Prince. As Prince’s personal photographer and friend, he had access to Prince that few photographers have had, before or since. Based on Beaulieu's photography book, Prince: Before the Rain, the exhibit includes album cover outtakes, live performance shots, and rare behind-the-scenes candids. Read More Prince The two big shows on this date will be the Prince Tribute Concert (featuring Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan) at Xcel Energy Center and Sia at Target Center. …

(Note: like most other public buildings, the Minnesota History Center is currently closed, but we invite you to check out the exhibits once this public health crisis subsides)

Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this coming week, First Avenue & 7th St. Entry have been the heart of the Minnesota music scene since its first show (featuring Joe Cocker) in a converted bus station originally called The Depot, then Sam’s. That fabled history is documented in a unique exhibit now on display called First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota’s Mainroom at the Minnesota History Center.

Filled with decades of memorabilia showcasing renowned national, international and local acts, the exhibit is all-access pass that brings the club into sharp focus as to how and why it has flourished over five decades of presenting live music.

The beginning hallway of the exhibit features an impressive collage of monthly calendar flyers from its heyday, with numerous acts who would later play arenas and stadiums (like U2 who composed part of ‘October’ during their first soundcheck there), penciled in alongside bands that have been forgotten over time.

A front corner of the exhibit highlights the club’s 70’s-era days as a danceteria and the tenure when it was known as Uncle Sam’s, complete with a lighted disco dance floor with accompanying videos and ephemera from the period.

A battered first cash register, graffiti wall with stickers, numerous photographs, and backroom documents are many of the mini kiosk displays seen along the way. Heralded national bands that began in Minnesota are given their own individual displays, including a speaker and lyric-filled drum kit from Husker Du, sneakers and a Gibson Les Paul from Soul Asylum, and even the actual touring van from hip-hop collective Doomtree.

A small theater features a mini-movie about the club running every twenty minutes, a wall of impressive silkscreen gig posters is located near the back, and interactive displays let you write in your most memorable shows attended, and guests can even customize their own First Avenue star.

Of course, a good amount of the exhibit is dedicated to Prince, who gave First Avenue even more acclaim and awareness, when the club was used as a central location in 1984’s Purple Rain. His famous purple suit is there, along with associated memorabilia and even fan-made memorial tributes left after he passed, are on display. Additionally, an unused version of his famous motorcycle in the film, is located in the museum’s main lobby downstairs.

As a bonus, a sister exhibit called Prince: Before the Rain is located nearby and features photographic prints from friend and early official photographer Allen Beaulieu, covering the time period from the late 70’s to just before Purple Rain.

Based on Beaulieu's photography book of the same name, the exhibit includes album cover outtakes, live performance shots, and rare behind-the-scenes candid images that provide an insider’s visual insight into the musical legend.

We were on-hand for the official opening of the Before The Rain exhibit last October, celebrated with a group discussion featuring Beaulieu, Prince guitarist Dez Dickerson, and DJ Kevin Cole, moderated by Andrea Swensson of The Current. Each of the panel related stories and memories from the time period that provided additional detail into Prince’s early days, his association with the club, and meteoric rise into the public eye.

The exhibits were initially due to run only until May 3^rd, but with Paisley Park’s annual Celebration delayed into the fall, and the museum currently closed due to virus concerns, expect an extended run for both exhibits, once all is re-opened. Additionally and related, a documentary on First Avenue is premiering on the local Minneapolis public television channel on March 30.

Prince PR motorcycle

Prince exhibit

Prince exhibit

Purple Rain suit

Theater mini movie

DoomTree van

Husker Du drumkit

Soul Asylum display

sticker wall

poster display

Uncle Sams dancefloor

Uncle Sams items

History Center hallway

History Center hallway

Al Beaulieu / Andrea Swensson

Dez Dickerson / Kevin Cole

Al Beaulieu

Dez Dickerson

First Avenue and Prince: Before the Rain at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

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

Spice Girls' Spiceworld and The Greatest Hits on vinyl

Read More Spice Girls I was rather excited to see Pet Shop Boys doing their big hit song, "West End Girls," and the Spice Girls re-united again to do a medley of "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life." …

Everybody’s favorite best-selling Girl Power 90s female group, Spice Girls, recently re-released Spiceworld and The Greatest Hits on vinyl via UMe/Virgin EMI.

This would have been the perfect gift and perfect timing for your mother in Mother’s Days (UK)… but unfortunately, the outbreak of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 hit the country and basically put the world in self-isolation.

Fortunately, if you pre-ordered the vinyls or bought them on digital, you can still enjoy the Spice Girls’ wonderfully catchy, upbeat songs.

I got a chance to take a listen to a digital review copy, and it’s a little fun to re-visit these classic pop songs. The other thing I’ve gotten is that everyone in the group had a voice, from Scary to Sporty to Baby to Posh to Ginger. Everyone had their favorite Spice, mine was always Sporty (who eventually released some solo music under her name Melanie C).

It’s been many, many years since I listened to the Spice Girls, but I can tell, looking over the tracklisting that clearly the better value is The Greatest Hits, which contains their best-known hit (at least in the USA), “Wannabe”, and also the best of Spiceworld, including the singalong fun song, “Stop”. So if you’re a casual fan, The Greatest Hits is your best option.

If you’re more interested in the variety mix of music genre, then Spiceworld is a little more diverse. This includes a techno-ish ditty called “Never Give Up On The Good Times” and jazzy “The Lady Is A Vamp” and the doo-woppy “Too Much”. Plus, it does contain the well-known hits like “Spice Up Your Life” and “Too Much”.

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Horror virus outbreak movies to watch during your coronavirus self-isolation

Read More Films Night of the Living Deb is a delightful "Zom-Rom-Com" (Zombie Romantic Comedy) film starring Maria Thayer as local camerawoman Deborah and Michael Cassidy as Ryan. …

Here are some movies you can keep yourself entertained, while you wait for the Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic to pass. If you like this theme, any Zombie movies will also fit here as well. Some zombie films worth checking is any of George Romero’s Dead films (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, etc.), Return of the Living Dead series (not related to Romero’s Dead films), Shaun of the Dead, Night of the Living Deb, and the Italian film series Zombi.

The list below is mostly horror films, since it’s a genre that I like. Dramas like Outbreak (1995) and Contagion (2011), while fairly accurate and reflects real-world scenarios, I am just not a fan.

QUARANTINE (2008)
Sony Pictures

The 2008 found footage horror film Quarantine was based on the successful Spanish film [REC] (2007). REC was a hit in Spain, that it spawned three sequels (Rec 2, Rec 3: Genesis, and Rec 4: Apocalypse).

While Quarantine was a good remake, and closely followed the story, in Rec, its sequel Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011) was an entirely original story.

The plot of Rec and Quarantine is about a news reporter and cameraman, who was documenting a typical run-of-the-mill story about firefighters. They soon find themselves trapped in a building that was quarantined by the CDC.

In the American film, reporter Angela Vidal and cameraman Scott Percival, had to fight to survive from infected residents of the building. Thanks to its “found footage” style, special effects were kept to a minimum, and director John Erick Dowdle did a good job using darkness and audio tricks to bring us fear through our imagination.

The problem with any found-footage films, are that it’s somewhat unrealistic to expect the characters to continuously film each other’s deaths without throwing down the camera and just f-it and get out. Obviously, to tell its story, the cameraman will film the entire story, in real-time.

Its sequel, Quarantine 2: Terminal, continues the story that the mutated rabies virus escaped the building and overtook an airport. This new story follows several passengers and their fight to survive the deadly virus.

The real horror in these films is that this rabies virus could actually happen. That’s the real horror.

CABIN FEVER (2002)
Lionsgate Films

In his directorial debut, writer/director Eli Roth did an amazing job on his horror film Cabin Fever in 2002. This is a story about a flesh-eating virus and how a group of friends deal with it, as they are isolated in a cabin in the woods.

It’s obvious that Roth was inspired by many horror films. For example, the cabin in the woods seemed like it was ripped off from Evil Dead, and its ending was obviously from the original Night of the Living Dead. You know what Oscar Wilde said, “Talent borrows, genius steals.”

Although the film is a low-budget film, it never felt like they had to comprise in its storytelling. While the film also borrows from various elements from other films, it was still very well-done and overall a good film. You never love any of the characters (this was done intentionally), so you never felt that bad that the flesh-eating virus was destroying this group of friends.

If you enjoy cheesy or gorey films, this is one worth checking out. If you don’t like Roth’s later films, like Hostel, you should probably avoid this one.

Incidentally, this film was later re-made (shot for shot!) in 2016 by Travis Z. While it was interesting to see an updated version of the film, it ultimately failed as it didn’t bring anything new to the table. What was the point?

The other two Cabin Fever sequels, Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever and Cabin Fever: Patient Zero, also failed to capture the first film’s imagination, gore and… fun. They suffered, because its creator, Eli Roth, had nothing to do with the sequels - other than producing or lending his name to help sell the film to producers.

12 MONKEYS (1995)
Universal Pictures

The classic Science Fiction/time-travelling story of 12 Monkeys (aka Twelve Monkeys) is absolutely amazing. This is the film that made me become a Terry Gilliam fan… even though I did not love his later films. Between 12 Monkeys and the Orwellian film Brazil, I can say I like Gilliam.

Bruce Willis stars as a time traveler in 12 Monkeys. He’s from a future that is ravaged by some sort of global pandemic that wiped out nearly all humans. So the government sends Willis back in time to try to discover (and possibly stop) this world-ending virus. You know as much as Willis, as he uncovers all the clues, and ultimately uncovers the truth about virus.

The only problem you might have with the film is that it spends much of its time slow-burning through scenarios that ultimately didn’t lead anywhere… and made the film run very long. It’s deliberate, because they’re put in there to misdirect Willis… but still, it felt like a little waste of time.

PS, I didn’t find out years later, after buying the DVD, that the film was based on a short French film La Jetée, which explains some fo the surrealistic approach that Gilliam took.

28 DAYS LATER (2002)
Fox Searchlight Pictures

The British horror film 28 Days Later came out at a time (2002) that there was a dry-spell in the Zombie movie genre. This film may have inspired the term “fast zombies” (all George Romero’s zombie films have always been slow-moving zombies)… but technically, the infected of England were not zombies. The infected was a result of some sort of maddening virus.

The film looks very low-budget and cheap, since director Danny Boyle, decided to shoot the film with consumer video recorders. At least visually - it’s possible that they shot the film on very high-end professional cameras, but in post-production, made the fidelity to a cheap cam. I say that, because it’s obvious that Boyle was trying to hide some of the special effects, by making the film grainy or quick-cuts to leave it to our imagination. The visuals mostly work, but after re-visiting the film recently, it doesn’t hold up to Bluray standards (it just looks awful).

The film spawned a sequel, 28 Weeks Later in 2007, and starring Robert Carlyle. In many ways, 28 Weeks improved over the original film - by expanding the original story. Everything in Weeks improved, from a bigger story, to upgrading the cheap home camera to widescreen… and felt like they had a point to make.

Still, no one can deny that 28 Days Later brought back a real interest in the zombie genre (even though they’re technically not zombies).

THE CRAZIES (1973)
Cambist Films

This 1973 horror film, The Crazies (aka Code Name: Trixie), was written and directed by the Zombie father George A. Romero. The premise is about a small American town that got infected with some sort of military biological weapon.

It was a box office failure, but it’s become somewhat a cult film. There was enough interest in the original film that they decided to remake the Romero classic in 2010. The remake actually made profit, and did a good job in re-telling the original, but set in a modern atmosphere.

With many Romero’s films, there is an underlying message of the film. If anything, the real horror isn’t the biological thing that makes people into violent crazy murderers… but that the horror comes from our government and what we’ve created.

NOTABLY MENTIONS: If you’re into Zom-Com (Zombie Comedies), we’ve already compiled a here, check out Night of the Living Deb (2015), Cooties (2014), and Shaun of the Dead (2004) .

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

Manu Dibango is the latest musician that died from Coronavirus

Read More Coronavirus As you are aware, the world is under a lockdown and practicing social distancing, because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). In all my years of covering music ....

Guys, this Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic is no joke. W♥M will be documenting all the names of musician that the virus had claimed. While many of these names below may not be known to many of you, but they are important to us.

The first global music star, Manu Dibango had died in Paris, after catching coronavirus. The African saxophonist had a huge hit with “Soul Makossa” in 1972. The song was borrowed by Michael Jackson, and resulted in a lawsuit years later.

Over the years, Dibango had collaborated with pianist Herbie Hancock and Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, among others.

With the world in shutdown, it’s understandable that his funeral is private… like many coronavirus funerals.

Let’s hope the world returns to normal soon.

See more details below.

Musicians who died in 2020

January 2020 (72)

February (67)

Musicians and singers who died because of Coronavirus / COVID-19

[25 Mar 2020] Detto Mariano (Italian musician for I Ribelli), 82, Coronavirus Detto Mariano was hospitalized fifteen days ago for the consequences of the coronavirus ... via repubblica.it

[24 Mar 2020] Manu Dibango (Cameroonian saxophonist), 86, Coronavirus Manu Dibango - best known for his 1972 hit Soul Makossa - is one of the first global stars to die from Covid-19. ... via bbc.com

[22 Mar 2020] Mike Longo (American jazz pianist), 83, Coronavirus Mike Longo, who led a distinguished jazz career as a pianist, composer and educator, notably as longtime musical director for Dizzy Gillespie, died on Sunday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. ... via wbgo.org

[20 Mar 2020] Enrique del Portal (Spanish operatic tenor), 87, gastroenteritis / coronavirus The tenor and actor Enrique del Portal has died this Friday at his home in Madrid at the age of 87 due to gastroenteritis... caused by the coronavirus. ... via abc.es

[19 Mar 2020] Aurlus Mabélé (Congolese singer and composer), 66, Coronavirus Congolese music star Aurlus Mabele has died. He checked into a hospital in Paris, France, and died later that night. ... via newtimes.co.rw

[16 Mar 2020] Sergio Bassi (Italian folk singer-songwriter), 69, Coronavirus Fans "digitally cry" on social networks when they learned that Italian folk singer/songwriter Sergio Bassi, aka Bassi, has died on Monday due to the Coronavirus ... via ilgiornale.it

[10 Mar 2020] Marcelo Peralta (Argentine saxophonist), 59, Coronavirus Argentine saxophonist Marcelo Peralta died Tuesday in Madrid because of the coronavirus. Last Thursday, just on his birthday, he had been hospitalized for pneumonia and then they detected that he was infected with Covid-19 ... via cienradios.com

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

Isobel Campbell: There Is No Other

Read More Isobel Campbell Isobel Campbell started off her career in the band Belle & Sebastian (you may have heard of them?), she released two albums under her own …

Scottish singer/songwriter Isobel Campbell released a brand-new third album There Is No Other (Cooking Vinyl Records) to little fanfare. To be fair, the timing couldn’t be worst, as the world’s in a middle of a coronavirus pandemic, and there are more things to worry than trying to promote a record. With all concert touring coming to a halt, and record stores (no essential stores) asked to close temporarily… you probably didn’t know about Campbell’s latest release.

Like many of you, I first heard of Isobel Campbell through Belle & Sebastian. When she left B&S to create her project The Gentle Waves, I was on board! You see, Campbell had always had a wonderful sense of music arrangement and her sugarly-sweet vocals lends itself to such beautiful, calming songs. Unfortunately, despite Swansong For You being a great album, she retired the Gentle Waves name… and released her debut solo record Amorino.

It’s about this time, that she met Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan, and the two decided to collaborated on a few successful albums. The pairing is perfect, really. I named this type of dueling vocals, “Beauty & the Beast”, as Lanegan’s vocals sounds like an animal… while Campbell provide such a sweet, sweet soothing singing voice.

With Isobel Campbell’s latest, There Is No Other, we see a return to a music style, much like circa-2000 Belle & Sebastian and Amorino. There’s lovely guitar plucking, there’s sparse arrangements, there’s some very catchy melodies, and, best of all, some wonderful string arrangements (courtesy of Nina Violet).

I’m not going to break down the album for you, but let’s just say if you enjoy B&S’ The Boy With the Arab Strap and The Gentle Wave’s Swansong for You, you’ll love There Is No Other.

I believe Campbell chose “The National Bird of India” as her single, which I don’t fully love. Instead, I recommend, “Runnin' Down a Dream” or “Ant Life”.

P.S., if you buy There Is No Other on Amazon, it includes “Autorip” so you’ll have the MP3 in your locker (and can listen to it via Echo or other Amazon products). This is the only way I buy music nowadays, as I have the CD as backup… but able to access my personal music locker where it’s convenient.

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

Site Update: Coronavirus

Read More SXSW SXSW 2015 is taking place March 17–22, 2015. We love this time of the year, as many bands heading down to Austin will likely stop in Minneapolis before or after the event. ....

As you are aware, the world is under a lockdown and practicing social distancing, because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In all my years of covering music and writing previews, I’ve never seen anything like this before. It started in early March 2020, when I started noticing touring bands were cancelling their appearances. I wasn’t that unusual to see bands bowing out of a tour, but there was high rate of it, within the short time line. Then we heard SXSW 2020 was cancelled on March 6th (their first-time cancellation ever), I knew we were in dire straits.

A week later, around March 15th, literally all bars and restaurants dining areas were asked to close (with exceptions to carry out dining). In a few short days, some stores and banking institutions were limiting their access to machine or internet or drive-through only.

I haven’t personally been downtown to see the evidence of empty streets and closed shops - but I’ve seen the news footage, and it’s a sad, sad sight.

Could life ever be sane again? We are hoping life will go back to normal next month, on April 15th, but if there are still deaths from COVID-19, the self-quarantine may go well into the Summer.

When things get back to normal, we will resume the concert previews and concert photos.

In the meantime, enjoy this old photo of a happier time with FFS.

FFS at First Avenue, Minneapolis (09 October 2015)

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

We♥KC - March 16-31, 2020 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Allen Stone at Truman Aaron Lewis (Staind) at VooDoo Lounge Devin Townsend at Granada Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real at Uptown Theater Unlikely Candidates at Riot Room Blue October at The Truman Dan Deacon at Granada Theater Steve Aoki at The Midland Grouplove at Liberty Hall Read More Dan Deacon I've already spotlighted Dan Deacon and his America album, so I'll just quickly mention that he's got an app on iTunes and Android. Apparently, during the show .... Grouplove Grouplove is based out of Los Angeles, and their debut self-titled EP was released on January 25th via Canvasback Music. They were handpicked …

(MAR 16 UPDATE - Kansas City has put a stop to any public gatherings of 50 people or more, effectively postponing all shows.  Lawrence, KS shows remain on a case-by-case basis).

In the Kansas City / Lawrence, KS area, much like everywhere else, COVID-19/coronavirus is more in the headlines after being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and high-profile acts and events like Coachella, SXSW, Pearl Jam, Madonna canceling or postponing their shows. All major sports are on hold as well and places like Disneyland are now closing, as precaution as well.

Please check venue and performer social media channels and websites for the latest word on cancellations or postponements, for the latest tour info.

As long as you’re safe, careful, and adamant about thorough hand-washing, it’s still possible to see live music and support these artists that still need to make their living. 

Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas declared a state of emergency on Thursday, March 12 in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). 

All events with a crowd of 1,000 or more people have been canceled or postponed for the next 21 days (through April 2).

Here’s what’s happening in the area (as of this moment) for the last half of March (a few recommended shows are highlighted in bold below):

Mon 03/16/2020

R.LUM.R at The Riot Room (Tour Postponed)

Control Top at Replay Lounge - Canceled

Fran at Colonial Club - Canceled

Tue 03/17/2020

Bad Omens at The Riot Room   Postponed

Heart To Gold at The Rino - Canceled

Loud Luxury at Kansas City Live! Block - Postponed to 6/5

Gaelynn Lea at recordBar Canceled

Wed 03/18/2020

Allen Stone w/Samm Henshaw at The Truman (POSTPONED) He may look like a busking hippie but Stone has become a seasoned and confident live performer, this time out on his Building Balance Tour, in support of his third full-length. Mixing soul-pop to folk, and R&B/funk, Stone can channel Daryl Hall for one track and Stevie Wonder the next, and is always entertaining live.

Thu 03/19/2020

Slander at The Midland (Postponed)

Lil Mosey at The Granada - Postponed

Edgar Winter at Prairie Band Casino & Resort (Cancelled)

Aaron Lewis (Staind) at VooDoo Lounge/Harrah’s (8p, $44-$84) It’s Been a While since we’ve seen Lewis (see what we did there) but he has very successfully maintained two different careers, fronting the sludge metal of Staind, and exploring his country roots on this State I’m In Tour stop. Lewis may drop in versions of classic Staind songs (along with a Johnny Cash cover) and his many originals, and keeps each of his two stage personas, fairly separate entities.  Postponed

Albert Cummings at Knuckleheads, (+1pm signing at Vinyl Renaissance) POSTPONED

Om at The Bottleneck - Postponed

Fri 03/20/2020

Devin Townsend w The Contortionist +Haken at Granada Theater, Lawrence (Postponed)– the Canadian guitarist/singer-songwriter returns on his Empath Tour, in support of his newest album, which evolves his blend of heavy music and power metal further. A solid bill adds Indianapolis prog-rock band The Contortionist (supporting 2019’s Our Bones EP, which includes a Smashing Pumpkins cover) and London prog-metal band Haken, which makes it a full evening worth showing up early for.

PlanetCon Convention at Bartle Hall (Postponed)

Jim Jefferies at The Midland Postponed

MercyMe at Silverstein Arena, Independence  Postponed

We Banjo 3 at The Truman  Postponed

Third Eye Blind at Uptown Theater (Postponed to June 3)

Carrot Top at Ameristar - Postponed

 

Sat 03/21/2020

PlanetCon Convention at Bartle Hall (Postponed)

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at Uptown Theater   Postponed

Oak Ridge Boys at Ameristar KC- Postponed to 8/1

City Morgue at Granada Theater  check w/venue

C.W. Stoneking at Bottleneck, Lawrence - Postponed

Welcome to Night Vale at Liberty Hall, Lawrence Postponed

 

Sun 03/22/2020

PlanetCon Convention at Bartle Hall (Postponed)

SOB X RBE at recordBar   Postponed

The Acacia Strain + Chamber at Bottleneck, Lawrence  check w/ venue

Tenci at The Rino - Canceled

 

Mon 03/23/2020

Deafheaven at Granada Theater Postponed

Houston Person at Lied Center, Lawrence CANCELED

Verite at recordBar Postponed

 

Tue 03/24/2020

"Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" at Kauffman Center Postponed

Houston Person at Lied Center, Lawrence CANCELED

 

Wed 03/25/2020

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real at Uptown Theater (POSTPONED) Known as much for backing Neil Young as their own career, this versatile band led by one of Willie Nelson’s sons also was very involved with the music in the recent Star Is Born remake, and has a new record, Naked Garden (on Fantasy Records) due out March 27.

 

Thu 03/26/2020

Del McCoury Band at Knuckleheads Garage   Postponed

Big Gigantic at the Midland (Postponed)

ABBA tribute at Kaufman Center Postponed

Marcus Lewis at Ca Va  Postponed

Cycles at Bottleneck, Lawrence   check w/venue

Borknagar w Rotting Christ, Wolfheart at The Riot Room   Postponed

Fri 03/27/2020

ABBA tribute at Kaufman Center  Postponed

Railroad Earth at Knuckleheads Postponed

G Herbo at Granada Theater, Lawrence Postponed

Matt Wilson at recordBar   Postponed

Candlebox at Ameristar - Postponed

 

Sat 03/28/2020

Unlikely Candidates at Riot Room (7p doors, $17-20) Indie rockers from Ft Worth, TX have returned with latest single, ‘Novacaine’ dethroning Billie Eilish to top the Alternative Radio Chart, with its YouTube video at some 20 million views. with Zero 9:36 and The Federal Empire.   Postponed

Blue October at The Truman (POSTPONED) The San Marcos, TX band is back pleasing their many diehard fans on their Get Back Up Tour, in support of new full-length, Sway (on Up/Down Records) and a positive, healthy and happy outlook that realizes the small everyday miracles.

Cole Swindell at Uptown Theater   Postponed

Mon 03/30/2020

Dan Deacon at Granada Theater (POSTPONED) The Baltimore experimental indie-pop musician returns with his first full-length in five years, Mystic Familiar (on Domino Recordings) which explores inner subconscious on perhaps his most emotionally open release to date. We haven’t seen the man live since in 2014 with Arcade Fire, so it might be time again. Ed Schrader's Music Beat supporting.

David Cook at Kauffman Center (UCM President’s Gala)- free, but tkt required) Postponed

Tue 03/31/2020

Steve Aoki + Timmy Trumpet, Deorro, Global Dan, Max Styler at The Midland (Postponed)– fittingly, the last day of the month brings us dessert and the much-sought after chance to get caked by legendary DJ Aoki, in what is always an insane party atmosphere. This is the Neon Future IV: The Color of Noise Tour and $1 per ticket goes to the Aoki Foundation, which supports brain research and preservation, so a good cause as well. Aoki released a memoir last year, BLUE: Color of Noise, and the new tracks feature mega-collaborations with Sting, Maluma, Monsta X, and the Backstreet Boys and several other associated guests that will also join him on this tour.

Grouplove w Le Shiv at Liberty Hall, Lawrence (POSTPONED) The LA indie-pop band comes charging back with the driving ‘Deleter’, first single from their upcoming fourth full-length, Healer (on Canvas Back/Warner Bros), recorded with producer Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio, due out this week. Co-vocalist Hannah Hooper actually underwent brain surgery last year, but has recovered and watch them make some sense of the chaos of modern times. Formerly known as The Ruminaters, Sydney’s Le Shiv to open.

Lauren Ruth Ward at The Riot Room  Postponed

Cherry Pools at Bottleneck, Lawrence  Postponed

Kayzo at Granada Theater, Lawrence - CANCELED

 

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

Minneapolis: March 16 to March 20, 2020

Olivia O'Brien at Fine Line Read More Olivia O'Brien + Olivia O'Brien Minneapolis Music Hall Fri 11/10/2017 (7:30pm/$22.50) Pop duo Jack & Jack announce their new single “Beg,” out on September 22nd via Island Records. … Hey Violet Los Angeles’ Hey Violet is back with a new track called “Close My Eyes”, available on Hi or Hey/Capitol Records. “‘Close My Eyes’ is essentially about living in a fantasy land …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from March 16 to March 20, 2020.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

OLIVIA O’BRIEN
+ Hey Violet
Fine Line Music Cafe
Fri 03/20/2020 (6:30pm/$22/Sold Out)
finelinemusic.com

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Olivia O’Brien sold out the Fine Line Music Café this Friday, March 20, thanks to her 1 billion plus streams of her music. Her 25-city headlining tour will be called “It Was A Sad f**king Tour”, playing tracks The Results Of My Poor Judgement and It Was A Sad F**King Summer (both available on Island Records).

Show up early to check out trio Hey Violet (Rena and Nia Lovelis, with Casey Moreta). The group had a massive hit with “Guys My Age”, from their album From The Outside.

Tour dates

03/10 Charlotte, NC Amos' Southend
03/12 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore
03/13 Boston, MA Royale
03/14 New York, NY Webster Hall
03/15 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
03/17 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
03/18 Detroit, MI The Majestic
03/19 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
03/20 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe
03/22 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
03/23 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
03/25 Vancouver, BC The Imperial
03/27 Seattle, WA The Showbox
03/28 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
04/12 Indio, CA Coachella
04/19 Indio, CA Coachella

Other shows in the area:

Allen Stone at First Ave Leslie Odom Jr at Fine Line Gaelic Storm at Fitzgerald SXSW MN Showcase Twin Cities Pride at Fine Line Palehound at 7th Street Read More Gaelic Storm Gaelic Storm’s Patrick Murphy joked, as he and band played a brief early set today at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis. The Celtic band is in town for a proper show ... Palehound Boston-based Palehound (aka Ellen Kempner) opened the show. BIG THIEF + Palehound First Avenue ...

ALLEN STONE
+ Samm Henshaw
First Avenue
Mon 03/16/2020 (7pm/$29.50)
first-avenue.com

Allen Stone is back in Minneapolis… he’ll be playing First Avenue this Monday, March 16. We last saw Stone in Dec 2018 and said, “With large pastel paper flowers adorning the stage and jumping out excitedly in a pink suit and sneakers, Allen Stone began his ninety-five minute set with the blue-eyed (err, make that brown-eyed) soul gem of ‘Brown Eyed Lover’, which led directly into the clap-along groove of ‘The Weekend’.”

Tour dates:

03/14/2020 Vic Theatre Chicago, IL
03/16/2020 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
03/18/2020 The Truman Kansas City, MO
03/20/2020 Summit Denver, CO
03/23/2020 Knitting Factory Concert House Spokane, WA
03/25/2020 The Showbox Seattle, WA
03/26/2020 The Showbox Seattle, WA
03/27/2020 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
03/28/2020 McMenamins Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
03/30/2020 Ace Of Spades Sacramento, CA
04/01/2020 Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA
04/03/2020 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA
04/11/2020 "Bluesfest" (Byron Bay, AUS)
04/12/2020 "Bluesfest" (Byron Bay, AUS)
07/19/2020 Louisville Waterfront Park

LESLIE ODOM, JR.
+ Victoria Canal
Fine Line Music Cafe
Tue 03/17/2020 (6pm/$25/Sold Out)
finelinemusic.com

Grammy and Tony Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, author and actor Leslie Odom, Jr. is touring in support of his album Mr (S-Curve Records / BMG). The show is sold out.

Tour dates:

March 8, 2020 Las Vegas, NV House of Blue
March 12, 2020 San Francisco, CA August Hall
March 14, 2020 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
March 15, 2020 Seattle, WA Neptune Theater
March 17, 2020 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cage
March 18, 2020 Chicago, IL House of Blues
March 20, 2020 Detroit, MI El Club
March 22, 2020 Toronto, Ontario The Mod Club Theatre
March 23, 2020 Montreal, Quebec L’Astral
March 27, 2020 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall
March 28, 2020 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Resort Casino
March 29, 2020 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
March 31, 2020 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
April 1, 2020 Washington, DC The 9:30 Club
April 3, 2020 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse

GAELIC STORM
+ Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers
The Fitzgerald Theater
Tue 03/17/2020 (6:30pm/$41)
thefitzgeraldtheater.com

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with Gaelic Storm this March 17th at the Fitzgerald Theater. We first saw this Irish band in Aug 2016 and wrote, “Celtic favorites Gaelic Storm then got the holiday started right with their stirring Irish songs that invite dancing, and yes, drinking. The Boathouse is the sixth album released on the band’s own label, Lost Again Records, and is thematically, a seafaring set of traditional based songs. An instrumental started the 30 minute set on the right foot, with fiddle, tin whistle, and bagpipes getting the green-garbed crowd in the proper spirit. “Raised on Black and Tans” had Guinness pints in the air as newest member, fiddle player Kiana Weber, put bow to violin with a focused passion”

Tour dates:

Mar 12 Detroit, MI, US St. Andrew's Hall Detroit
Mar 13 Chicago, IL, US House of Blues
Mar 14 Chicago, IL, US House of Blues
Mar 15 Milwaukee, WI, US Pabst Theater
Mar 17 St. Paul, MN, US Fitzgerald Theater
Mar 18 Green Bay, WI, US Meyer Theatre
Mar 19 Oshkosh, WI, US Grand Opera House
Mar 20 Madison, WI, US Barrymore Theatre
Mar 21 Iowa City, IA, US Englert Theatre
Mar 23 Eau Claire, WI, US

MN SXSW Showcase
+ feat The Bad Man, MMYYKK
+ Humbird, Andy Cook
Fine Line Music Cafe
Wed 03/18/2020 (7pm/FREE)
finelinemusic.com

It’s a bummer that SXSW 2020 was cancelled. All the Minnesota bands that were travelling down to Texas to play, they’ve decided to put together a FREE MN SXSW Showcase show this March 18th.

Bands on the bill:

The Bad Man

MMYYKK

Humbird

Andy Cook

TC PRIDE BATTLE OF THE BANDS
+ feat Blacc Phoenix,
+ Floodwater Angel
Fine Line Music Café
Thu 03/19/2020 (7pm/$10)
finelinemusic.com

Twin Cities Pride is putting together a “Battle of the Bands” contest this March 19th at the Fine Line Music Café.

Featuring:

Blacc Phoenix

Floodwater Angel

Hot Pink Hangover

Timisarocker

PALEHOUND
+ Adult Mom
7th St Entry
Fri 03/20/2020 (7pm/$13)
first-avenue.com

Boston-based powerhouse trio Palehound is back on tour in support of their album Black Friday.

Show up early to check out Adult Mom.

Tour dates:

3/18: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
3/20: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
3/21: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
3/22: Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch
3/24: Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
3/25: Montreal, QC @ Bar le Ritz
3/26: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
3/27: Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
3/28: Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
4/09: Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
4/10: Burlington, VT @ ArtsRiot
4/11: Portland, ME @ Space

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

Zack Villere and Mulherin at The Roxy, Los Angeles (08 Mar 2020)

Zack Villere 2020 Tour Read More Zack Villere Exposition by Zack Villere Bloo Cool Next Blue Chevy Look Right Thru Minivan (feat. J'von) 22 Up2me Sand People You Don't Care …

Zack Villere and Mulherin @ The Roxy, L.A. 3/8

Pop artist Zack Villere is currently on a U.S. tour with the twin brothers musical group Mulherin. Sunday night they grace the infamous stage at The Roxy in Los Angeles. It was one of those perfectly cool L.A. evenings, and fans of both acts were crammed into the venue early for the last show of the tour.

Mulherin dropped their new album Blurry last month and let me tell you, it’s a gem…though much softer and more melodic than their set on Sunday. Identical twins Parker and Marshall from Memphis have been gaining notoriety in Los Angeles and beyond for a few years now, and it’s clear why. They set the tone for the night with lots of fun, synth-heavy tunes to get the crowd ready for Zack. ’Friends’ , the soulful track off their 2018 album Human Nature, seemed to be a favorite amongst the fans. Everyone was smiling and hopping up and down for the entirety of their performance. Their single ‘Enemy’ wrapped up the set and the autotune vocals really work with this track. With smooth-as-butter vocals and ethereal harmonies, these guys are magnetic and certainly have sex appeal down to a science. If it takes talent and determination to make it in this industry, these two have it in droves.

When I first heard Zack Villere I thought he sounded like King Krule if he were American and still in high school. Zack has a sweet sensitivity in his voice and lyrics that make you wanna just reach out and hug him. He’s raw and silly while embodying the ability to hold the crowd in the palm of his hands. He came onstage with his guitarist Alex donning sports gear and glasses. Amidst getting tangled in the chords and asking for the lights to be turned down, Zack goes into ‘Grateful’, a cute love song off his new album Cardboard City. His fans knew every word to the tune, singing along-“Now that you’re beside me…I am so grateful…” He gave a shoutout to all his best friends in the building, and  indulged about the difficulties at times of being on tour, stating “At times, you know, I was like I f*!*@ing hate this…but it’s been really fun.”

‘Superhero Strength’ really got me with the lyrics ‘when I kissed you upside down I felt like Spider-Man…’  and again, the fans knew every lyric to the song. Zack continues to do a lot of dancing onstage and tells the crowd that the coronavirus is no joke…only to say that it’s in bad taste to say such things. He asks if we can all sing falsetto with him as the swirls of the disco lights paint his face and everyone is along for the ride. His guitarist Alex does a solo song that I didn’t catch the name of, but it was lovely nonetheless.

Zack goes into Sand People from his 2017 album Little World. This album gained massive attention from the critics and solidified that he was a uniquely worthwhile artist with a ton of emotions to express. His next song was a cover, Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’, and the fans went nuts. Afterwards he brought up his friend Kyle to accompany on a song that got the crowd moving again. “This song goes out to my sickness…” Everyone laughs as he goes into the sweet little track ‘Sore Throat’. He ends the night covering No Doubt’s ‘Cool’ before going into his insanely popular track by the same title. The live version was slower and more pop-friendly than the hip-hop infused album version. Zack smiles wide and says into the mic “I appreciate you all…thank you so much for coming.”

Zack just ended his “Trevor Rice Is Not Going On Tour” tour and we’re excited here at WeHeartMusic to see what ventures he will go on next.

Mulherin

Mulherin

Mulherin

Zack Villere

Zack Villere

Zack Villere at The Roxy, Los Angeles (08 Mar 2020)

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