W♥M (Archive)

Portland Cello Project, featuring Laura Gibson, at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (06/29/13)

Tour Dates 07/01 Bozeman, MT - The Filling Station 07/12 DANCE PARTY MADNESS 07/13 DANCE PARTY MADNESS 08/14 Seattle, WA - Two Union Square 08/15 Bellingham, WA - The Wild Buffalo Read More Portland Cello Project These guys are pretty fun, Portland Cello Project (PCP), the last few times I saw them, and they like to play heavy metal on cello. I guess their latest project is working on the "Beck's Song Reader". … Laura Gibson It's been five years since we last wrote about Laura Gibson, but I'm glad that she's back in our life. I saw her play at 7th Street Entry on Monday night, to a smattering of fans and families. …

Portland Cello Project (PCP) returned to Minneapolis at the Cedar Cultural Center last night, June 29th. This is one of those rare bands that is sponsored by MPR's Classical station, as noted by the Cedar's introduction.

Before I actually talk about PCP and Laura Gibson, I should give you a little background. On December 2012, Beck (yes, that "Loser", baby) wrote Song Reader, but he didn't actually want to go in the studio to record the album. So Song Reader became a 100-page book of sheet music and artwork. So PCP decided to record Song Reader, and thus, this recent tour, we got to hear those songs live with Laura Gibson singing all the lyrics.

How they programmed the show is to start with "Mission: Impossible" theme, then a classical rendition, and after that, they welcomed Laura Gibson on stage to sing "Rough on Rats", "Why Did You Make Me Care?", and "Title of This Song" (which got a laugh when Gibson was trying to introduce the confusing title). She would later return after the break to sing "Paper Tiger" (which is Beck's song from Sea Change), and "Last Night You Were a Dream".

Also worth noting is John Whaley on trumpet, which is his only appearance with PCP because of his location. I thought his contribution was welcomed, particularly on the "March of the Swiss Soldiers" (aka "Lone Ranger" theme song) because of the trumpet intro.

Some covers/standards were played*: Beck, Brubeck, and Bach (affectionately called "The three Bs"), Kanye West and Jay-Z (including "That's My B"), and their closing song, Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". They would later return for the encore to play Pantera and another classical.

Check out Portland Cello Project on this tour with Laura Gibson. This a-typical show does a good mix of featuring classical and modern pop songs. If you're a Beck fan, these shows should not be missed!

* NOTE: Not all their songs were standards; they mentioned that songs like "Robin Hood Changes His Oil" and "Denmark" were original compositions.

Portland Cello Project, featuring Laura Gibson, at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (06/29/13)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ portlandcelloproject.com ♥ lauragibsonmusic.com

Polyphonic Spree and Harper Simon at the Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (06/28/13)

Setlist Tour Dates 07/01/13 Chicago, IL Park West 07/02/13 "Coast West Music Festival" 07/05/13 Phila, PA Theatre Of The Living Arts 07/06/13 Washington, DC Sixth & I 07/08/13 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall 07/09/13 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall 07/10/13 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom 07/26/13 "Ansan Valley Rock Festival" 07/27/13 "Splendour In The Grass" 08/04/13 "Camp Bestival" 09/07/13 "Bestival" Podcast Hear John and Vu's first thoughts on Simon Harper and The Polyphonic Spree: Read More Polyphonic Spree The Polyphonic Spree were as epic as expected. With the cast of thousands they were highly entertaining. It’s always brilliant to see such a large group of people coming together and performing so tightly…

The Polyphonic Spree just played the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, near the start of their 2013 tour for their upcoming album, Yes, It's True (coming out August 6th).

HARPER SIMON

Opening up the show was Harper Simon. I have previously seen Simon at the Cedar in 2009 and noted that he was "pretty mellow". Friday's show was anything but mellow! Simon has a great live band and playing loud rock songs, mostly from his recently released Division Street album, out now on Tulsi/PIAS Records. The album is notably in a more aggressive direction than his 2009 self-titled album, which is reflected on his live set.

I noted in the audio reaction, Harper Simon had this irregular speech pattern, where he'll start a sentence and then sort of trail off or end it midway. I suspect he was on medication, recovering from a recent illness that had him cancelling out the first show at the last minute.

As for the live set, I didn't think he played any songs from the self-titled album, which is fine because I actually thought his new material is good, particularly when played live and especially near the end with "Bonnie Brae", followed by "Just Like St. Teresa" (he switched to acoustic for this song), "Veteran's Parade", and ending on a very high energetic note of "'99" and "Dixie Cleopatra". Later on, Polyphonic Spree's leader Tim DeLaughter would comment how much he loved that last song on stage.

The Polyphonic Spree took the stage in a bit of "secret" fashion of a large 30-foot canvas stretched across the front of the stage. The opening entrance was a little dramatic and totally unnecessary, but it's fun as DeLaughter spray painted the word he wanted the audience to do: "Smile".

If you aren't familiar with The Polyphonic Spree, this Texas band is known for a lively show with a large cast of musicians on stage. We're talking at least double digits, and, man, it is fun to see everyone doing their part with the cello, harp (yes, a harp!), violins, brass section, keyboards, double percussions and the four dedicated choir singers (who had their own great dance routines)!

an amazing cover of Nirvana's “Lithium”

If you look over their setlist, the encore title and order is wrong. Corrected encore are: "The Fragile Army", "Soldier Girl", "A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed", an amazing cover of Nirvana's "Lithium", a cover of Tripping Daisy's "My Umbrella", and ending the show with a harp solo from Ricky Rasura.

The five-song (six if you count the harp solo) encore seemed a little excessive, but I think this is "normal" for the Polyphonic Spree. I enjoyed it all, but I think they could have just left on a high note with "Lithium" or arrange that song to be played last.

The entertaining The Polyphonic Spree is currently on tour with Harper Simon. Look for Simon's Division Street, out now, and Polyphonic Spree's Yes, It's True, out in August.

Polyphonic Spree at the Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (06/28/13)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ thepolyphonicspree.com ♥ harpersimon.com

Snowden at the Sound Gallery, Minneapolis

Setlist Read More Snowden Snowden will be stopping in Minneapolis 6/22 on their No One In Control Tour for their album No One In Control released May 14th on Serpents and Snakes Records. This is their second release …

Last week Austin, TX based band Snowden made a stop at the Sound Gallery on their No One In Control Tour for their newly released album No One In Control (Serpents and Snakes Records; The Kings of Leon’s record label). Local band Story of the Sea opened the show.

STORY OF THE SEA

The night started out in the social area of the Sound Gallery, while Story of the Sea getting set up in the next room of the loft style venue. Once everyone was ushered into the concert area of the venue the 3 member band made up of Adam Prince (guitar/lead vocals), John McEwen (bass/keyboards/vocals), and Ian Prince (drums) began playing their 10 song set. Soon after they completed their set, everyone eventually went back to the social area.

Up next was the headliner Snowden, the band formed in 2003. They played a 11 song set to a happily awaiting intimate crowd. Their gloomy, punk rock sound filled the room. No One in Control is Snowden’s second release; their previous being Anti-Anti (Jade Tree Records) released in 2006.

The band concluded their No One In Control Tour just this past Thursday (6/27).

Snowden at The Sound Gallery, Minneapolis (06/22/13) all photos courtesy of Jonathan Wirkus/Jonathan Wirkus Photography

jonathan ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ www.snowden.info

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at Cabooze, June 25, 2013

Setlist Man on Fire 40 Day Dream Janglin' That's What's Up Truth (Alex Solo Song) Child I Don't Wanna Pray Jade Fiya Wata Mayla Up From Below Home Sing a Song (New Song) Om Nashi Me Tour Dates 06/29 - Kansas City, KS - Kanrocksas 07/27 - Floyd, VA - Floydfest 08/01 - Las Vegas, NV - Cosmopolitan 08/04 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl 08/17 - Sterling Heights, MI - Mo Pop Festival 08/23 - Simcoe, ON - Gentleman of the Road* 08/29 - Kennett Square, PA - Longwood 08/30 - Troy, OH - Troy Memorial* 09/01 - Aspen, CO - Snowmass 09/06 - Guthrie, OK - Cottonwood Flats * 09/07-09/08 - St. Louis, MO - Loufest 09/13 - St. Augustine, FL - Francis Field* 09/27 - 9/28 - Southern Ground Music Festival Read More Edward Sharpe Here is another super popular group: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. I previously covered them when they played here last year at the Cabooze. The band is returning to the Cabooze this June 25th. Expect the show to sell out.…

On the evening of June 25th, even the temperamental Minnesota weather smiled upon the outdoor stage at Cabooze, where Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros performed their particular brand of stagecraft. It was part medicine show, part religious revival, part hootenanny, and part lovefest, attended by young, old and all ages in-between.

The ratio of available space per audience member was mirrored on stage, where I counted no less than 12 Magnetic Zeros, each busily doing his or her bit to magnetize a crowd that had already been drawn to the concert by the band’s irresistible siren song of all-inclusive musical enchantment. The variegated ensemble has been described with words like communal, hippyish, bacchanalian, mesmerizing, and well, you get the picture. And while some may describe Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as the love child of Bon Iver and the Grateful Dead, and label their music as cultish, evangelical, flower-pop cultivated in Kumbaya country, such descriptions and comparisons are ultimately as lazy as the armchair critics who issue them, rather than joining the throng in front of the stage and experiencing firsthand what constitutes this band’s undeniable appeal. Which is where I was that night at Cabooze, where I watched teenage girls swooning, middle-agers toking, and seniors swaying to the jingly melodies, transcendent harmonies, instrumental salvos, and crowd singalongs that were just a few of the forms in which this band’s particular chi expressed itself. Other forms were whistling, clapping, rapping and preaching. You can label them a throwback to the psychedelic era or a preeminent specimen of the so-called neo-folk movement, but whatever they are, they attract an audience who accepts them as heartily as the band welcomes them, and who finds in this ragtag band of love-pushers an outlet for expressing their own chi and blissing out for a couple of hours under a tranquil (and much appreciated) Minneapolis sky. Late in the show, when lead vocalist Jade Castrinos invited audience members to embrace their neighbors, most happily complied. It was that kind of event.

The charismatic leader of the band, Alex Ebert, swayed, pranced and frolicked to the crowd’s delight, and minutes into the show had already made his way into their midst, where he took an audience member’s phone camera, evidently set to video, and held it up, slowly rotating it a full 360 degrees to record those on the stage as well as those facing it. Like many a band’s (or other organization’s) front person, Ebert has a charisma that is difficult to explain yet impossible to deny. Observed firsthand, he is not especially good looking, certainly not a spiffy dresser, and does not exactly appear jubilant when performing. In fact, he often wears a rather blasé expression, and perhaps this was just roadwear, but I have watched numerous recorded performances and he is always more or less the same. Assuming a blasé attitude while professing love and acceptance for all clearly works for him, and for the band.

The band’s nearly two hour set began with the popular Man on Fire, with the crowd favorite, Home, reserved for late in the show. In this song and others, the vocal duets performed by Ebert and Castrinos hold an undeniable popular appeal, as does Castrinos’ palpable love of music, which clearly runs in her blood and renders her incapable of ever holding perfectly still. Her joyful spirit and perpetual motion had no small influence on the audience, where very few unsmiling faces or immobile bodies could be observed. If this band’s admirers are spellbound by Ebert’s mysterious charisma, they are likewise smitten by the petite Castrinos: with her pixyish features, complete with mischievous grin and endearing dimples, she drew great applause and loud cheers each time she stepped into the foreground and festooned her clear-voiced melodies over the crowd.

the band is a democratic and symbiotic musical model

For those who are interested, the instruments contributing to the show included two acoustic guitars, one electric guitar, one banjo, one upright bass played with bow, trumpet, tuba and tambourine, two keyboards, one accordion, one percussion section comprising two drummers and a percussionist, two main vocalists, and contributing vocals by all. But an instrument inventory is but a poor means of conjuring a musical performance. Some may favor concert reviews that convey only the facts surrounding a performance, but such reviews can be likened to displaying a fine musical instrument without sharing the sounds it can produce. Certainly Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is not a band for aspiring soloists or would-be guitar heroes; instead, the band is a democratic and symbiotic musical model whose individual parts defer to the whole. And yet, these players together succeed in producing some transcendent and memorable musical phenomena. I have mentioned the appeal of the Ebert/Castrinos duet moments—and yes, this sort of thing has been done and seen often enough, but somehow, when done effectively, it always has a way of charming audiences. What this reviewer most enjoyed, however, were the remarkable moments when the many voices onstage united to construct a wall of rich harmony for the lone voice of Castrinos to then gracefully scale and smoothly saunter upon. At moments such as these, I felt not only that the group’s synergy succeeded in catapulting them to the level of the sublime, but also that never had a bunch of zeros added up to so much or been more magnetic.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at Cabooze, Minneapolis (06/25/13)

doug ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com

The National: Trouble Will Find Me

Read More The National "Don't Swallow the Cap" is the new lead single from the forthcoming National's album, Trouble Will Find Me (May 20th, 2013 via 4AD Records). …

The National dropped their 6th album last month titled Trouble Will Find Me. The album (featuring such talents as St Vincent, Sharon Van Etten and Richard Reed Perry of Arcade Fire), took nearly three years to cultivate and climbed the charts immediately, reaching number 3 on Billboard 200. Lead singer Matt Berninger enjoyed the writing process more on this particular album than any other, stating “I didn't care if the songs were going to seem depressing or cool. I didn't really care.”

The National really put their heart on the table with this one. After the spinning success of their last album High Violet, one might suspect it would take a tragic event or some other monumental happening to shake the band's core enough to produce songwriting brilliance such as this, but alas...there was none. The band is known for melancholy and dark undertones that stride easily into upbeat percussions and danceable melodies, and this album is no exception. In the track “Graceless”, they create a cinematic atmosphere proper enough for an 80's cult film. “I am not my rosy self...left my roses on the shelf. Take the wild ones, they're my favorite. It's the side effects that save us.” A little self-deprecating, sure. However the consensus of the album is quick to abandon thought and takes us back to simple, beautiful songwriting.

Listen to Trouble Will Find Me in a dark room with a candle burning. Let Matt's vocals envelope you and take you away to a world built with peace amongst the chaos. The band is currently on a world tour promoting the album...get tickets ASAP as they tend to sell out in the blink of an eye.

07/01/13 "City Sound" 07/02/13 Zagreb, Croatia SRC Salata 07/04/13 "Rock Werchter Festival" 07/05/13 "Heineken Open'er Festival" 07/06/13 "Roskilde Festival" 07/14/13 "Bunbury Music Festival" 07/27/13 "Splendour In The Grass" 08/01/13 "Twilight Concert Series" 08/03/13 Lollapalooza 08/04/13 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre 08/05/13 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre 08/06/13 Saint Paul, MN Roy Wilkins Aud 08/09/13 "Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival" 08/10/13 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre 08/11/13 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Forever 09/08/13 Nashville, TN Ryman Aud 09/09/13 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy 09/11/13 Charlotte, NC Fillmore Charlotte 09/12/13 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Aud 09/13/13 Louisville, KY Iroquois Amph 09/14/13 "St. Jerome's Laneway Festival" 09/15/13 Madison, WI Orpheum Theater

09/17/13 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre 09/19/13 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre 09/20/13 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre 09/21/13 Troutdale, OR Edgefield Winery 09/22/13 Vancouver, BC PNE Amphitheatre 10/11/13 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre 10/12/13 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom 10/31/13 Helsinki Helsinki Ice Arena 1/02/13 Frederiksberg Forum Copenhagen 11/04/13 Berlin Max-Schmeling-Halle 11/05/13 Dusseldorf Mitsubishi Electric Halle 11/06/13 Luxembourg Rockhal 11/07/13 Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall 11/09/13 Belfast Odyssey Arena 11/10/13 Dublin, Ireland The O2 Dublin 11/11/13 Manchester O2 Apollo Manchester 11/12/13 Manchester O2 Apollo Manchester 11/13/13 London Alexandra Palace 11/14/13 London Alexandra Palace 11/18/13 Paris, France Zenith Paris 11/20/13 Madrid, Spain Palacio Vistalegre 11/21/13 Lisbon, Portugal Meo Arena

jess ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ americanmary.com

Saturday Night in Minneapolis (June 29th, 2013)

It's busy busy busy this Saturday, June 29th, in Minneapolis!

Read More Caveman Caveman's first release "Coco Beware" reached my ears in early 2012 and I knew from that point on that they'd not only be a personal favorite of mine, but affect other people similarly…

ROGUE WAVE
roguewavemusic.com

You know, I have often mistaken this California band for Minneapolis' own Rogue Valley. Rogue Wave is basically Zach Rogue (vocals, guitar) with Patrick Spurgeon (drummer) and various band members.

Originally signed to Sup Pop, but currently with the release of Nightingale Floors on June 4th, 2013, is through Vagrant Records.

The band is currently on tour in support of the new record.

06/28/13 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
06/29/13 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe
06/30/13 Summerfest
07/12/13 San Francisco, CA The Independent
07/13/13 San Francisco, CA The Independent
07/16/13 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret
07/17/13 Seattle, WA Neumos
07/18/13 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
07/20/13 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
07/21/13 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern

The Minneapolis date (Saturday, June 29th) at the Fine Line Music Café will feature Caveman for support.

Read More Portland Cello Project As for Portland Cello Project, as I have previously mentioned, they are cellists who play rock/pop/metal/hip-hop songs in the classical orchestra style. Unlike the previous shows I saw PCP…

PORTLAND CELLO PROJECT
portlandcelloproject.com

These guys are pretty fun, Portland Cello Project (PCP), the last few times I saw them, and they like to play heavy metal on cello.

I guess their latest project is working on the "Beck's Song Reader".

Check out one of their songs:



The good news is that PCP is currently on tour with Laura Gibson - who I saw last year and absolutely love her "La Grande" song.

Portland Cello Project, featuring Laura Gibson on tour:

06/28 Chicago, IL - The Hideout
06/29 Minneapolis, MN - The Cedar
07/01 Bozeman, MT - The Filling Station
07/12 DANCE PARTY MADNESS
07/13 DANCE PARTY MADNESS
08/14 Seattle, WA - Two Union Square
08/15 Bellingham, WA - The Wild Buffalo

TWIN CITIES PRIDE FESTIVAL
tcpride.org

The 41st Annual Twin Cities Pride Festival is happening this weekend, Sat & Sun, June 29 & 30, 2013, at Minneapolis' Loring Park.

This year's theme:

Twin Cities PRIDE is pleased to announce the theme for the 2013 PRIDE Festival: "I HAVE PRIDE". In honor of the continued support for equality and inclusiveness in Minnesota for GLBT rights, Twin Cities PRIDE will be concentrating the 2013 festival theme on raising awareness for individuals' dedication to its 6 pillars - Strength, Enthusiasm, Happiness, Growth, Confidence and Power.

Festival admission is free, however an "ID Check and Beer Garden" wristband will set you back $5. If you want to watch the "Pride in Concert Headline Show", tickets are $10(advance) and $20 (door).

2013 Pride Festival Entertainment Lineup

Loring Stage: Main Stage Hosted by Helen Back Saturday 11:45am - Strange Names 12:40pm - Wiping out Thousands 1:40pm - Duck Duck Punch 2:35pm - RJ & The Soul 3:30pm - Wicked Wenches Cabaret 4:25pm - TIGER VS. 5:30pm - Gates Open PRIDE IN CONCERT Hosted by Bradley Traynor Starring L'Assassins The New Standards Neon Hitch Nina Sky Sunday 12:00pm - Southside Desire 12:45pm - June Bug 1:25pm - Matt Iverson 1:50pm - Freedom Jazz! Big Band 2:35pm - Buffalo Moon 3:15pm - Brent 3:35pm - Roxxy Hall Band 4:25pm - Keri Noble 5:15pm - Closing Celebration Rainbow Stage Up Close and Personal Hosted By Martina Marraccino Saturday 12:00pm - Jeremy Neiderer 12:30pm - JACKSEE 1:25pm - McIntyre Stoudt Jazz Duo 2:20pm - Fuzzy Machete 3:15pm - JACKSEE 4:00pm - Yansen Marie 5:00pm - Three Nuns and a Gun

Sunday 12:30pm - Chris Bargmann 1:15pm - Marx and the Yogis 2:15pm - Hounds of Finn 3:20pm - Jeffrey Goodson 4:00pm - Pennyroyal 4:45pm - Drew Klinkert 5:30pm - Parental Advisory Stonewall Stage A Drag Extravaganza! Presented by SCENE Magazine Hosted by Ravonna Belladonna & Evie Blank Saturday 12:00pm - Saint Cloud Drag Troop 1:00pm - Friends of Pride "JACKSEE" 2:00pm - Majestics 3:00pm - Dragged Out 4:00pm - B.J. Armani's Cabaret 5:00pm - Spotlight Performances (Featuring Comedian Kristin Anderson) Sunday 12:30pm - Friends of Pride 1:00pm - St Cloud Drag Troupe 2:00pm - April's Talent Showcase 3:00pm - Elegance Show 4:00pm - Imperial Court of MN 5:00pm - Friends of Pride P2P Stage A Multi Cultural Experience Presented by RARE Productions MCs: RARE Productions, Paradise Valentio DJs

Saturday 11:00am - Opening Ceremony 12:00pm - Sol's Showcase 1:00pm - Bloomer Beatbox 1:30pm - Bad Medicine Review 2:30pm - RARE Review 2:45pm - BE STEADWELL 3:45pm - Mayda Miller 4:30pm - Sotaboyzz Ent. 5:30pm - Soulacious Sunday 11:30am - Opening 12:00pm - Pigpen's Delight 12:30pm - RARE Review 1:00pm - Toni Foxx: LABEL KILLER 2:00pm - Infamous T 2:30pm - UNL Drum Line 2:45pm - BE STEADWELL 3:45pm - Soul Beautiful 5:00pm - The Chalice 5:30pm - What Tyrants 5:45pm - Stage Close TEEN STAGE Hosted by McNally Smith College Saturday 12:00pm - Battle of the Bands 3:30pm - inIrie 4:30pm - City of the Weak 5:30pm - Battle of the Bands Winner 6:00pm - Dance Sunday 12:30pm - Umbrella Bed 2:00pm - Variety Show/Open Mike 4:00pm - Drunk History

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Going for Gold XIV

Read More My Gold Mask Gretta Rochelle and Jack Armondo are My Gold Mask, and their new album, Leave Me Midnight is coming out February 19th, 2013. Check out "Further It Gets" from the upcoming album…

MY GOLD MASK
mygoldmask.com

My Gold Mask just kicked off their co-headline National tour with California Wives last week (June 20th).

The duo (Jack and Gretta) talked about their tour: "We are excited to have California Wives as tour partners and look forward to spending time on the road with them and getting to know them better. Sometimes you feel like little warriors on the road and it's always nice to have a pack to roam with. Not sure what CW will take away from playing with us but we always learn new things from the bands we play with. Hopefully we all come away with experiences that expand and enhance our way of looking at and making music."

Tour dates below:

06/29/13 Pittsburgh, PA Garfield Artworks
06/30/13 Toronto, ON Drake Hotel
07/01/13 Buffalo, NY Ninth Ward
07/02/13 Columbus, OH Double Happiness
07/04/13 Cincinnati, OH Motr Pub
07/05/13 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club
07/08/13 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews
07/09/13 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
07/10/13 Kansas City, MO The Record Bar
07/11/13 Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
07/12/13 Denver, CO Lion's Lair
07/13/13 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
07/16/13 Seattle, WA Barboza
07/17/13 Portland, OR McMenamins White
07/20/13 Los Angeles, CA Bootleg Theater
07/21/13 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
07/23/13 Phoenix, AZ The Rhythm Room
07/24/13 Tucson, AZ Plush
07/30/13 New Orleans, LA Siberia

BRIEFLY:

JESSE WOODS facebook.com Lo-fi folkster Jesse Woods has a debut album called Get Your Burdens Lifted, coming out August 6 via Guns In The Sun. You can get a preview of the LP by checking out his song, "Gold In The Air".

M FOR MONTREAL mpourmontreal.com M for Montreal Gold Delegate Badges are on sale for $250 - but hurry, the sale ends June 30th (in three days). If you can afford it, the Gold badge lets you in all the showcases, networking events, panels, cocktails, parties and other perks. M for Montreal celebrates is in its 8th year this November 20-23, 2013.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Monkeying Around

Read More Arctic Monkeys I'd like to know what the original fans of the Arctic Monkeys think about their latest album, Suck It And See. I always found the Arctic Monkeys a bit hit or miss, but this is probably my favourite album so far…

ARCTIC MONKEYS
arcticmonkeys.com

We've been covering Arctic Monkeys since 2007, so it's been a long ride. We've covered them every time they play Minneapolis, but sadly with this new 2013 tour announcement - I did not see Minneapolis on the list. If they play here, it has to be bigger than First Avenue because every time they play First Ave, it sells out.

Arctic Monkeys will be releasing their fifth studio album, AM, on September 10th via Domino Records. In addition, the British foursome will be returning to the U.S. to headline several shows this Fall. Tickets go on sale on Friday (June 28th) or Saturday (June 29th).

09/15 Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
09/18 Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage
09/21 Atlanta, GA @ Music Midtown Festival
09/23 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater
09/27 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
09/29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
09/30 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
10/04 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Festival
10/05 Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theatre
10/07 Chattanooga, TN @ Track 29
10/08 Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
10/09 Birmingham, AL @ Iron City- Birmingham
10/11 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Festival

Read More Gorillaz I'm not going to lie, I love me some Gorillaz-action. Being a fan of Blur and Tank Girl and Dan the Automator, it was only natural that I fell in love with this cartoon band's first single, "Clint Eastwood"…

GORILLAZ
monkeyjourneytothewest.com

If you grew up on Eastern movies and stories, you know the classic "Journey to the West" story about the Monkey King and his Pig Companion and the Prince. Not really sure why the Gorillaz guys (Blur's Damon Albarn and Tank Girl's creator Jamie Hewlett) is involved in this quintessential Chinese story? Perhaps it's because they want to bring this Eastern tale to the Western audience.

Gorillaz provided the new score to be used in this opera. Currently this show features a cast of Chinese acrobats, singers, contortionists, martial artists, under the direction of Chen Shi-Zheng.

They are playing "Monkey: Journey to the West" from July 6-28 at Lincoln Center in New York.

I'm actually confused at the different levels, and I'm assuming most people only the "regular" prices apply (unless you have a 50+ family).

Tuesday–Saturday at 8:00 and Sunday at 2:00
Level 1 $175
Level 2 $100
Level 3 $85
Level 4 $55
Level 5 $25

Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 8:00
Level 1 $150
Level 2 $95
Level 3 $70
Level 4 $55
Level 5 $25

SMALL BANANAS:

CAGED ANIMALS cagedanimals.net New Jersey-based Caged Animals' single, "Cindy + Me" was released last week (June 17th) on Lucky Number. Single is taken from their debut album Eat Their Own. The music video, directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada, features a testing animal (monkey/baboon) in a cage.

SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO simianmobiledisco.co.uk/ Simian Mobile Disco and Bicep have joined forces to create a track named "Sacrifice". If you didn't know Simian Mobile Disco is an electronic duo (James Ford and Jas Shaw) from London. Both Ford and Shaw are from the band Simian. No information provided for Bicep, he's probably a DJ/Producer from London as well.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Duck Duck Duck

Read More Real Estate Next up, Psychedlic surf pop straight from the heart of the Garden State, courtesy of New Jersey’s very own Real Estate. Real Estate are a super group of sorts, proudly counting ex members of Ducktails, and Silver Futures amongst…

DUCKTAILS
dominorecordco.us

Ducktails is basically Matt Mondanile (who also happens to be in Real Estate). He recently released a new video called "Under Cover" on YouTube, which was taken from his latest album Flower Lane (out now on Domino Records).

Check out the psychedelic rocker on tour:

07/25 New York, NY - Museum of Modern Art
08/01 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brendas
08/02 Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
08/04 Washington, DC - Black Cat Downstairs
08/05 Northampton, MA - American Legion Hall
08/06 Boston, MA - Cambridge Elks
08/08 New York, NY RiverRocks at Pier 84 ^
08/10 Gothenburg, Sweden - Way Out West * ¥
08/11 Copenhagen, Denmark - Pumpehuset * !
08/12 Lecce, Italy - Contronatura Festival +
08/13 Ravenna, Italy - Hana Bi
08/14 Luzern, Switzerland - Radio 3fach Voliere
08/15 Zurich, Switzerland - Elmo Delmo
08/17 Parades de Coura Festival
08/19 Santiago Compostella, Spain - TBD
08/21 Paris, France - Le Trabendo - Iceberg
08/22 London, UK - The Borderline
08/23 Machester, UK - Soup Kitchen
08/24 Bristol, UK - Louisiana
08/25 Brighton, UK - The Hope
08/27 Amsterdam, Holland - Paradiso
08/28 Rotterdam, Holland - Rotown
08/29 Gronigen, Holland - Vera

^ = w/ Titus Andronicus * = w/ Dirty Beaches
¥ = w/ Neil Young, Julia Holter and more
! = w/ Mikal Cronin
+ = w/ Laetitia Sadier Trio

Read More Duck Sauce he other surprising "hit" song on the list is Duck Sauce's "Barbara Streisand". This isn't the original mix, it's been re-done for the American audience (so maybe they didn't like their original mix of the song?) …

DUCK SAUCE
ducksaucenyc.com

Not much to talk about with Duck Sauce, the only thing they sent me was there is a new music for "It's You". The single just came out today, June 26th.



If you didn't know, this is a DJ duo (Armand Van Helden and A-Trak), who first came to my attention with their infectious song "Barbara Streisand" (which was featured in the game Everybody Dance).

Be on the lookout for their album Quack, coming out soon.

On tour:

08/03/13 Hard Summer Festival
08/15/13 Pukkelpop Festival
08/16/13 Pukkelpop Festival
01/09/14 Holy Ship!
01/10/14 Holy Ship!
01/11/14 Holy Ship!
01/12/14 Holy Ship!

Read More Ducky Ducky (aka Morgan Neiman) has an EP called The Whether coming out on February 21, 2012, and a sneak preview song is called "Killing Time", which you can hear on bandcamp. …

DUCKY
duckymusic.com

I previously mentioned Ducky, that it's really a woman called Morgan Neiman.

The New Yorker producer, vocalist, beat master recently performed her song "Air" live at The Engadget Show* (the episode hasn't aired yet).

Her "Air" single package comes with the single and "Night Version" produced by Egyptrixx and a Helix remix, and will be out July 16th.

The title track "Air" (Day Version) is described as a "brooding pop number hinged on an energetic tempo and a relatable love song of longing memories."

Hear the song now:



* Ducky previously appeared on Engadget last year.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

CSS at Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis (06/25/13)

Setlist Tour Dates 06/27/13 Detroit, MI Magic Stick 06/28/13 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop 06/29/13 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall 07/01/13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club 07/02/13 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer 07/04/13 Toronto, ON Opera House 07/05/13 Montreal, CA – Le Mondial Loto-Quebec 07/06/13 Cambridge, MA Sinclair 07/08/13 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom 07/09/13 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Bowl 07/16/13 Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre 07/17/13 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s 07/18/13 Austin, TX Emo's 07/19/13 Dallas, TX – House of Blues 07/20/13 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit 10/08/13 Lisbon, Portugal TMN Ao Vivo Read More CSS Brazil's CSS (although I believe the ladies are all now resides in Los Angeles for the moment) just announced their summer tour. The show should be a fun dance party, especially if they are going to be playing songs like "Hangover" off their new…

Cansei de ser Sexy (CSS) stopped by the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis last night, June 25th, as part of their tour in support of Planta (which was just released two weeks ago, June 11th via SQE Music.)

IO ECHO

Opening up was IO Echo, which, admittedly, I was looking forward to seeing them, after their appearance with Garbage. Their stage setup was similar to their previous show, including flashing lights, Japanese Shōji, fog machine, and singer Ioanna Gika in a kimono-style robe. Their setlist was similar, but more songs from their latest album, Ministry of Love, was played, including "Addicted", the title track, "Ministry of Love", and their final song "When the Lillies Die".

Highlight for me was still "I'm On Fire", from the Horrorfest: 8 Themes to Die For soundtrack.

This mark the first time we get to see CSS minus Adriano Cintra, who left the band last year. So how has this affected CSS on their recent tour and their music on Planta? No change. CSS is still fun, dance, alternative, pop, youth music. Whatever Lovefoxxx and company is doing, the formula is still working.

It was fun to watch singer Lovefoxxx undergo some "costume changes" throughout their set. The white jacket was first to go, then the long dress, the two white fans, and finally the awesome cape at the end.

Setlist, as expected was half the set consisted of Planta ("Hangover", "Teenage Tiger Cat", "Girlfriend", "Honey", etc.), with the rest from 2011's La Liberación . Some of their classic songs from their debut album made it in the set, including "Art Bitch" and "Music Is My Hot Hot Sex" … but sadly no "Off the Hook".

Encore was the slower-paced song "Frankie Goes to Hollywood", followed by the crowd's favorite, "Alala", but then a special rappy "I've Seen You Drunk Gurl".

Check out CSS on this tour for Planta. The live band is now four Brazilian ladies (Lovefoxxx, Luiza Sá, Ana Rezende, and Carolina Parra) and Jon Harper of The Cooper Temple Clause. If you're going to see them in person, be sure to bring your dancing shoes.

CSS at Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis (06/25/13)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ ioechomusic.com ♥ csssuxxx.com