W♥M (Archive)

Minneapolis: January 1 to January 8, 2020

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from January 1 to January 8, 2020.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

YACHT at 7th Street Read More YACHT It's no secret that I like YACHT (Young Americans Challenging High Technology). What's more interesting is that modern YACHT is different from early YACHT. Personally, I think YACHT is much, much better with Claire L. Evans. . … Juiceboxxx Milwaukee’s punky rapper Juiceboxxx is playing the Minneapolis Eagles Club #34 on Monday. As of this writing, I couldn’t find a listing on the venue’s website for additional information …

YACHT
+ Juiceboxxx
7th St Entry
Tue 01/07/2020 (7pm/$30)
first-avenue.com

We love Yacht (stylized as YACHT, for Young Americans Challenging High Technology). Currently the group features Claire L Evans and longtime founder Jona Bechtolt. The band’s seventh album Chain Tripping (DFA Records) features several new collaborators, like Ross Goodwin, Mario Klingemann, programmer and poet Allison Parrish,and the New Zealand-based visual artist Tom White.

We first saw Yacht opening for Vampire Weekend in April 2008 and noted that his music was very different from the popular band he was opening up for: “… one-man-band, Jona Bechtolt, or better known by his stage name Yacht. His music and style, it didn't mesh well with Vampire Weekend's pseudo caribbean/reggae inspired rock and roll.”

Show up early to check out Juiceboxxx, who is touring for his new album It’s Easy To Feel Like A Nobody When You’re Living In The City (available February 28th on Dangerbird Records). We’ve noted that the Milwaukee’s rapper Juiceboxxx was last seen in Sept 2017.

Tour dates:

01/06 Kansas City MO @ Record Bar
01/07 Minneapolis MN @ 7th Street Entry
01/09 Chicago IL @ Sleeping Village
01/10 Detroit MI @ Underground @ DIME
01/11 Cleveland OH @ Grog Shop
01/13 Boston MA @ Great Scott
01/14 Philadelphia PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
01/15 Washington D.C. @ Songbyrd
01/18 New York NY @ Rough Trade
01/20 Columbus OH @ The Basement
01/21 St Louis MO @ Off Broadway

Other shows in the area:

Longfall at Turf Club Wrestlepalooza Rachael Kilgour at Turf Club Charlie Parr at Turf Club Cactus Blossoms at Turf Club Cold Peppers 2 at 7th Street Read More Rachael Kilgour Minnesota folk singer/songwriter Rachael Kilgour recently won the grand prize of “NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition” and the 2015 Telluride Troubadour …

NEW YEARS DAY
Wed 01/01/2020

It’s the start of the new year.

COYOTE KID / LONGFALL
+ Inland Coastal
7th St Entry
Thu 01/02/2020 (7pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

It’s Longfall album release show for What We Found. The show is co-headlined with Coyote Kid, and features Inland Coastal as opener.

Longfall writes:

IT IS HAPPENING! The new album "What We Found" drops on Jan 2nd.

Recorded and Engineered by Robert Frost III and Mastered by Nx Tommy, we couldn't be more excited to release these 8 new tracks.

Get your tickets now: etix.com

WRESTLEPALOOZA XVI
First Avenue
Fri 01/03/2020 (7pm/$27/Sold Out)
Sat 01/04/2020 (7pm/$27/Sold Out)
first-avenue.com

F1RST Wrestling’s annual Wrestlepalooza is this Friday and Saturday. Both events are sold out.

Music details:

Music provided by Tightwire on January 3.

Music provided by Gully Boys on January 4.

Featured wrestlers:

January 3:

Jordynne Grace

Jake Atlas

January 4:

Colt Cabana

Dak Draper

RACHAEL KILGOUR
+ Laura Hugo
Turf Club
Sat 01/04/2020 (8pm/$15)
turfclub.net

Rachael Kilgour is back in town at the Turf Club this Saturday, January 4th. She last headlined the Turf Club in April 2019.

Laura Hugo to open.

Rachael Kilgour upcoming shows:

01/04 Turf Club Saint Paul, MN
01/16 HeyNonnyAH Arlington Heights, IL
01/17 Cafe Carpe Fort Atkinson, WI
01/19 Byron's In Pomeroy, Iowa Pomeroy, IA
02/21 Amazing Things Arts Center Framingham, MA

CHARLIE PARR
+ Surprise Guest
Turf Club
Sun 01/05/2020 (7:30pm/$12/Sold Out)
turfclub.net

Charlie Parr’s Turf Club Residency starts January 5th. The show is sold out.

Residency:

01/05 with Surprise Guest
01/12 with Todd Albright
01/19 with Al Scorch
01/26 with Ingeborg Von Agassiz

THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS
+ Dusty Heart
Turf Club
Mon 01/06/2020 (8pm/$22)
turfclub.net

Local favorite country/western band The Cactus Blossoms will be playing at the Turf Club every Monday night in January.

Before David Lynch hand-picked them for music in his new Twin Peaks show, we caught the band in April 2013 and wrote, “ Opening up were Jack Torrey and Page Burkum of The Cactus Blossoms, their fifth show working for Rodriguez. They did The Cactus Blossoms songs, but stripped down to double acoustics… lending their music to sound overtly very country and western. Highlight of their set was a cover of Roger Miller's "The Moon Is High", containing the very funny word-play lyrics of "but come the dawn and it will dawn on me you're gone".”

Residency:

01/06/2020 Turf Club with Dusty Heart
01/13/2020 Turf Club with Jack Klatt
01/20/2020 Turf Club special guests to be announced.
01/27/2020 Turf Club special guests to be announced.

COLD PEPPERS 2
+ buxaplenty., Kandor, Will Robinson
+ Harlz, Hedawn, Axel Foley, Trip B
7th Street Entry
Wed 01/08/2020 (8pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Cold Peppers Collective’s upcoming show feature:

buxaplenty.

Kandor

Will Robinson

Harlz

Hedawn

Axel Foley

Trip B

Cold Peppers Collective writes:

For 2020 we want to work with as many local artist, djs, rappers, singers, dancers, promoters etc...

If you or someone you know would be interested in perform, paint, vend, dance, or collab on one of our future shows post an example of work and social handle

Let’s build the scene together this year
❄️🌶

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

Night Moves at Turf Club, St Paul (28 Dec 2019)

Night Moves at Turf Club Night Moves Setlist Can You Really Find Me Headlights Mexico Colored Emotions Recollections Horses Border on Border Waiting for the Symphony Strands Align Leave Your Light On Carl Sagan Classical Hearts -- Encore -- Denise, Dont Wanna See You Cry Ribboned Skies Read More Night Moves The locally based band, promoting their debut, Colored Emotions (Domino) impressed us enough opening for Poliça (in Minneapolis and Colorado) and Django Django last year…

A day of hazy rain, black ice and sleet, nothing was getting in the way of sold out Night Moves show at Turf Club in St. Paul. It’s the final show of 2019 for these Minnesota legends and they did not disappoint. Starting off a brilliant 14 song set with “Can You Really Find Me”, the title track of their release from June 28th on Domino Records. Sota's finest blends an easy listening 70/80s style of Little River Band and Christopher Cross.

Night Moves performed a well-balanced set after their 3rd release (Can You Really Find Me) playing around five tracks from every album. The crowd was involved the whole night raising their glasses, singing along, and dancing the night away. Lead singer John Pelant voice has transformed remarkably over the years. With a shoegazy UK influence, the vocals blew me away on “Waiting for the Symphony” and “Border on Border”. John's got the classic lead vocalist look with crazy range. He'll go from high pitch harmonies to belting out lengthy Verve/Oasis-esque choruses. Switching off from guitar and keys he impressed the crowd every minute with fellow high school friend/bassist Micky Alfano. The crowded roared near the end of the set screaming, “one more song” and were rewarded with two.

Full Track List from the set Can You Really Find Me”, “Headlights”, “Mexico”, “Colored Emotions”, “Recollections”, “Horses”, “Border on Border”, “Waiting for the Symphony”, “Strands Align”, “Leave Your Light On”, “Carl Sagan”, “Denise, Dont Wanna See You Cry”, and “Ribboned Skies” (Photo Below).

Was blessed to see these guys back in 2012, a few times at SXSW over the years, and they get better every time!!! This is easily a top 5 Minnesota band at the moment. For fans of Portugal the Man, The Music, any bad-ass Rock N Roll band!

Night Moves at Turf Club, St. Paul (28 Dec 2019)

brody ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

R.I.P. Allee Willis

Rembrandts: I'll Be There for You Read More The Rembrandts Their intro song was The Rembrandts' "I'll Be There For You", and soon enough, Fake Problems started in with "Soulless". I thought "Astronaut" and "Mr. Rock and Roll" was the best songs. …

Allee Willis, one of the co-writers of the famous Friends theme song, “I’ll Be There For You” (recorded by The Rembrandts) has died at the age of 72.

She is also known for co-writing such Earth, Wind & Fire’s hits like “September” and “Boogie Wonderland”.

It’s reported that she died of a heart attack.

For the full death list head over to Musicians who died in 2019.

December (38)

[28 Dec 2019] Thanos Mikroutsikos (Greek composer and politician), 72

[28 Dec 2019] Erzsébet Szőnyi (Hungarian composer and music pedagogue, vice-president of the International Society for Music Education), 95

[27 Dec 2019] Garrett List (American trombonist, vocalist and composer), 76

[27 Dec 2019] Art Sullivan (Belgian singer), 69, pancreatic cancer

[26 Dec 2019] Jerry Herman (American composer and lyricist), 88, pulmonary disease

[26 Dec 2019] Sleepy LaBeef (American rockabilly singer), 84

[26 Dec 2019] Nguyễn Văn Tý (Vietnamese composer), 94

[25 Dec 2019] Ethella Chupryk (Ukrainian pianist), 55

[25 Dec 2019] Kelly Fraser (Canadian Inuktitut pop singer and songwriter), 26

[25 Dec 2019] Peter Schreier (German operatic tenor and conductor), 84

[24 Dec 2019] Dave Riley (American bassist for Big Black), 59, throat cancer

[24 Dec 2019] Allee Willis (American Hall of Fame songwriter and lyricist), 72, cardiac arrest

[22 Dec 2019] Ubirajara Penacho dos Reis (Brazilian musician for Programa do Jô), 85, stroke

[18 Dec 2019] Patxi Andión (Spanish singer-songwriter, musician), 72, traffic collision

[18 Dec 2019] Alain Barrière (French singer), 84

[18 Dec 2019] Kenny Lynch (English singer), 81

[18 Dec 2019] Arty McGlynn (Irish guitarist for Patrick Street), 75

[18 Dec 2019] Abbey Simon (American classical pianist), 99

[17 Dec 2019] Jacques Grimbert (French conductor), 90

[15 Dec 2019] Monique Leyrac (Canadian singer and actress), 91

[15 Dec 2019] Jud Phillips Jr. (American music industry executive for Mercury Records), 71, cancer

[14 Dec 2019] Irv Williams (American jazz saxophonist), 100

[13 Dec 2019] Roy Loney (American singer and guitarist for Flamin' Groovies), 73

[12 Dec 2019] Dalton Baldwin (American pianist), 87

[12 Dec 2019] Jack Scott (Canadian-American rock singer and songwriter), 83

[11 Dec 2019] Jiří Jirmal (Czech classical guitarist), 94

[10 Dec 2019] Gershon Kingsley (German-American composer and electronic musician), 97

[09 Dec 2019] Marie Fredriksson (Swedish singer-songwriter for Roxette), 61

[08 Dec 2019] Juice Wrld (American rapper), 21

[07 Dec 2019] Joe McQueen (American jazz saxophonist), 100

[04 Dec 2019] Rosa Morena (Spanish flamenco pop singer), 78, cancer

[03 Dec 2019] Arthur Baysting (New Zealand musician), 72

[03 Dec 2019] Shaaban Abdel Rahim (Egyptian shaabi singer), 62

[02 Dec 2019] Jimmy Cavallo (American musician), 92, heart failure

[02 Dec 2019] Jacques Morgantini (French record producer and promoter), 95

[02 Dec 2019] Andrew "Greedy" Smith (British songwriter for Mental As Anything), 63, heart attack

[01 Dec 2019] Michael Lai (Hong Kong Cantopop composer), 73

[01 Dec 2019] Stuart Fraser (Australian musician for Blackfeather), 57, lung cancer

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

Sci-Fi and Fantasy Television shows of 2019

Watchmen Read More Watchmen Anyway, I'll be taking it easy today, maybe re-read The Watchmen as I just saw the movie in theater over the weekend and was really impressed. As an old comic book fan (especially when it comes to the genius of Alan Moore), I loved it - …

Read more Television.

WATCHMEN
hbo.com/watchmen

HBO’s Watchmen Television show is possibly my favorite TV show of 2019.

The TV show expands on the influential Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons comic book… and it totally works. Instead of re-telling the story in a television format (like how the movie retold the graphic novel), what the show producers did was tell a different story – one set 30 years after the original event. And they honor the original work, by keep in the giant squid monster and going with that idea (in the movie, they changed the ending). It’s clear to me, based on all the homages that the writers all knew (and are fans) of the source material. It’s the love of those things that expands into their story.

One of the coolest thing they did in the show was give Hooded Justice an origin story. And you’ll never guess who and why he wears the hood! It’s unbelievable smart how they answered all the questions you may or may not have about the first “super hero”. In the comic book, they reference the original Minutemen, but you never really got much of a back story for any of those characters… so it’s very cool that the TV show explored Hooded Justice.

As a big fan of the graphic novel, I’m going to have to give it a big thumbs up. I love the comic book, and seeing that story taken to the next step, I love it. Unfortunately, I feel sometime that fans unfamiliar with the comic book (or have only seen the movie), might not fully enjoy all the little Easter “Eggs”, or somewhat complicated plot in the show. The show might be too clever for the average viewer.

I don’t think show creator, Damon Lindelof, should do a Season 2, there’s really no good reasons for them to continue this story.

Witcher Read More The Witcher I also picked up The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, at Walmart, which came with a lot of bonus items like a DVD and Soundtrack (all at the normal cost of a game product). They are on the right track, I definitely …

WITCHER
netflix.com

Critics absolutely hates Netflix’s The Witcher. The reason is that they don’t generally love the source material (a series of fantasy books) and they don’t play the video games. Since they don’t know the books or games, there’s a disconnect and they’re just lost and confused. One critic was so bored, he or she skipped a few episodes to get the plot moving. One critic just cringed at all the nudity.

Sure, there’s nudity, and actress Anya Chalotra (Yennefer) is very comfortable in her birthday suit, but who cares? I didn’t mind it and I think it’s true to the Witcher universe.

I think the biggest problem I have with the show is that I might know too much about the world of the Witcher (via the CD Projekt Red’s games) and was very disappointed to see that the actress (Anna Shaffer) that played Triss Merigold isn’t a redhead (as seen in the game).

I also have a certain vision of Ciri (from the game) that didn’t entirely matched with actress Freya Allan. I know not everyone is going look like the video game, but c’mon, Henry Cavill, is a straight match for the video game version of Geralt of Rivia, even down his “hmph” and talking to Roach, his horse.

I guess it just comes down to if the actress is good, it shouldn’t matter what they look like.

Anyway, the wide divide of critics vs fans is obvious to me - this genre television is meant for fans and clearly not directed to “professional” critics. If you look at Rotten Tomatoes, this divide is also seen in The Orville (fans love it, critics hated it) and Batwoman (fans hated it, critics loved it). As a fan of the game and television, I would have to think that the critics just don’t understand.

Expanse Season 4 Read More The Expanse Song of the Show: "Heroes" by David Bowie BONUS: The Walking Dead: Season 6 (part one), The Expanse. …

EXPANSE
amazon.com

Possibly the best Science Fiction television show on air right now is The Expanse (no, it’s not Star Trek: Discovery). As I previously mentioned, I love this show.

In the world of the Expanse, there are three major factions: Earth, Mars, and the Belters… and the show is so smart (or rather the books it was based on is so smart), that it looks the long-term effect of living without gravity, etc.

Originally, SyFy produced the show. It was probably too expensive for the network and probably wasn’t worth what they were paying for their audience. The show looks fantastic, and the stories are amazing.

Admittedly, the show does take a little patience. The first three season of the Expanse is actually just the “setup” to what the Expanse is really about! It’s so epic, that it took that long to get to the point. Unfortunately, right when they got to the new worlds - SyFy cancelled the series!

There was a massive campaign, put on by the fans, to get another network to continue the series. Through a random chance meeting with the cast, Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos, he decided to just finance the fourth season!

The fourth season sees our favorite crew, James Holden and his crew (Naomi Nagata, Alex Kamal, and Amos Burton) investigating this new planet. There’s complications, of course, Belters vs the Earths (Royal Charter Energy), and Holden caught in the middle.

My biggest complaint about Season 4 is that it seemed like a really short story. They’re basically stuck on this planet and eventually in these ancient ruins (built by the original creators).

My other complaint is the storyline with Bobbie Draper on Mars. It just felt like it wasn’t going anywhere… I know eventually her path will lead back to Holden, but it’s not in Season 4.

I love seeing Detective Joe Miller back, and I love the new villain, head security Adolphus Murtry. Although, if you ask him, he doesn’t think he’s the bad guy, he’s only looking to protect his crew.

Anyway, give me more Expanse!

Mr Robot Season 4 Read More Mr Robot After resisting the television show Mr Robot on USA Network, I gave in and watched the first season. It was pretty good, it did remind me of plot from Fight Club... and despite figuring out the “twist” midway into the first season …

MR ROBOT
usanetwork.com

I love Mr Robot. After a long two-year break, I was ready to get back into Mr Robot on its final season.

Unfortunately, I have not been loving Season 4 at all. I feel like maybe they kept digging a hole in the story, especially since they setup one lone hacker, Elliot Alderson against the Dark Army (a cyber-terrorist organization of hardcore killers and assassins). There’s no contest… and the only reason why Elliot is alive is that BD Wong (aka Whiterose) is allowing him to live.

I understand it’s just a television show, but I’ve always thought the story and characters were grounded in reality and I can relate to the interesting hacks that Elliot was pulling off.

With Season 4, the story appears to take place in the course of a day or two days - leading up to Christmas. In those few days, you see that Elliot does sleep or eat all day! There was that getting lost in a park in the middle of nowhere, the big police chase, getting kidnapped, and then the big White Rose hack. I mean, take a break from getting hit by a car and falling down a bridge!!! It’s just hard to believe.

The show also feels very different, starting with the episode with Darlene and Dominique. That ending of will they or won’t they make it on the plane is just awful. It’s like some bad romantic comedy.

Then there’s this alternate dimension episode, which felt really out of place for Mr Robot! I couldn’t believe it, and it just didn’t make any sense.

The final two episodes will air tonight (December 22nd), and, as of this writing, I have not seen it yet… but I’m not exactly looking forward to finding out how it will end.

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

Minneapolis: December 24 to December 31, 2019

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 24 to December 31, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

Soul Asylum at First Ave Read More Soul Asylum Yeah we knew the tiny 7th Street Entry could not contain all the fans for Soul Asylum, or as we kid that it's just the Dave Pirner band.... Both dates at 7th Street Entry … Local H On the heels of releasing Local H’s As Good As Dead as a 180g for the record’s 20th anniversary... the old-school punk band will go on tour to remind us why the record was a breakthrough album for them. .... Porcupine The word was that MN/WI alternate rock trio Porcupine lobbied to be on the bill, and with good reason as the kind of no-holds-barred, unapologetic rock played by Casey Virock (guitars/vocals), Ian Prince (drums), and Greg Norton (bass) …

SOUL ASYLUM
+ Local H, Porcupine
Palace Theatre
Fri 12/27/2019 (7pm/$30)
first-avenue.com

You guys know we are big Soul Asylum fans. The band will be heading out on their Dead Letter Tour with Local H.

The last time we saw the band in June 2015, we mentioned, “The hits came fast and hard from Soul Asylum as tracks like “Black Gold” and “Just Like Anyone” got everyone moving around and singing along - it’s truly mind-blowing just how jam-packed with hit songs Soul Asylum’s catalogue is. The current line-up, which consists of Pirner, bassist Winston Roye, guitarist Justin Sharbono and Michael Bland on drums, have obvious chemistry which makes for some entertaining moments. Pirner enjoys hamming it up for the crowd, skidding across the stage on his knees and joking around with Bland: “Michael Bland likes it when my ass is hanging out of my pants.””

Show up early to check out Porcupine. Porcupine originally started by singer/guitarist Casey Virock, who was previously in Wisconsin’s Space Bike. Virock, teaming up with Hüsker Dü’s bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Ian Prince to created Porcupine.

We saw Porcupine in March 2019 and wrote, “Evolving forward from a late ‘80s/‘90s indie-rock sound of Swervedriver meets QOTSA, the trio is out in support of latest six-song record, What You’ve Heard Isn’t Real (on Dead Broke Rekerds/DC-Jam) and recent lead single, ‘Lifetime’. The teenage alienation of their version of Hüsker Dü’s ‘Standing by the Sea’ from the new record was originally penned by Norton’s ex-band mate, the late Grant Hart, and is a fitting tribute to his musical legacy. Even songs like 2011’s ‘Rooftops’ resonate further, with Norton providing an extra bump from his restless stage presence and formidable bass skills.”

Tour dates:

12/27/2019 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
02/11/2020 Turner Hall Ballroom Milwaukee, WI
02/14/2020 Metro / Smart Bar Chicago, IL
02/17/2020 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
02/18/2020 Port City Music Hall Portland, ME
02/19/2020 The Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
02/25/2020 The Cowan Nashville, TN
02/26/2020 Mercury Ballroom Louisville, KY
02/28/2020 Madrid Theatre Kansas City, MO
02/29/2020 Sunshine Studios Colorado Springs, CO
03/01/2020 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
03/05/2020 Metro Music Hall Salt Lake City, UT
03/08/2020 Slim's San Francisco, CA
03/13/2020 Belly Up Solana Beach, CA
03/15/2020 The Marquee Tempe, AZ
03/18/2020 Diamond Ballroom Oklahoma City, OK
04/08/2020 Burton Cummings Theatre Winnipeg, MB
04/10/2020 Canalta Centre Medicine Hat, AB
04/17/2020 Abbotsford Centre Abbotsford, BC

Other shows in the area:

Juniper Douglas at 7th Street Night Moves at Turf Club Lizz Windstead’s Snarknado X The New Standards Holiday Shows Read More Juniper Douglas Local performance art collective Juniper Douglas to open. Tour dates: May 10—Lexington, KY—The Burl May 11—Nashville, TN—The Basement … Night Moves The locally based band, promoting their debut, Colored Emotions (Domino) impressed us enough opening for Poliça (in Minneapolis and Colorado) and Django Django last year…

CHRISTMAS EVE
Tue 12/24/2019

It’s the night before Christmas.

CHRISTMAS DAY
Wed 12/25/2019

Happy Christmas!

JUNIPER DOUGLAS
+ Dreams We’ve Had, Sight, Peter Campanelli
7th St Entry
Thu 12/26/2019 (7pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Juniper Douglas will be performing Error To Introspection… plus album release by Minneapolis dream pop band Dreams We’ve Had and Peter Campanelli’s new album Pesto Baby.

Details below:

WE HAVE A STACKED BILL FOR YOU! MERRY FRIKIN HOLIDAY

Juniper Douglas performing Error To Introspection one last time as we say goodbye to the Toms for one last show and most importantly one last F*** RANDY!

Dreams We've Had ALBUM RELEASE

Sight Throwing down hard as always

Peter Campanelli Premiering their NEW ALBUM "Pesto Baby" flying all the way from the west coast just for this!! ♥

$10.00 advance / $12.00 day of show
18+ | ID required

NIGHT MOVES
+ Kansas Plates, Free Music
Turf Club
Sat 12/28/2019 (7pm/$15/Sold Out)
turfclub.net

Local favorites, Night Moves have sold out their Turf Club show this Saturday, December 28th. Their album Can You Really Find Me is out now on Domino Records.

LIZZ WINSTEAD
+ Sam Breckenridge
Cedar Cultural Center
Sat 12/28/2019 (2pm/$50)
Sat 12/28/2019 (7:30pm/$50)
Sat 12/31/2019 (7:30pm/$50)
thecedar.org

Comedian Lizz Winstead’s year-end show, “Snarknado X: A Hilarious Look Back At The Year And Decade” will take place at the Cedar Cultural Center on December 28th and December 31st.

Note: This is one of THREE Snarknado X: A Hilarious Look Back At The Year And Decade shows.

2pm Saturday, December 28th eventbrite.com

7:30pm Saturday, December 28th eventbrite.com

7:30pm Tuesday, December 31st eventbrite.com

THE NEW STANDARDS
Dakota Jazz Club
Tue 12/29/2019 (7pm/$30)
Tue 12/29/2019 (9pm/$30)
Mon 12/30/2019 (7pm/$30)
Mon 12/30/2019 (9pm/$30)
dakotacooks.com

Local legends jazz trio The New Standards (Chan Poling, John Munson, and Steve Roehm) will be closing out the year at a residency at the Dakota Jazz Club this December 29th to December 30th.

The band writes:

Come to the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis on December 29 and/or 30. Four fun shows. Experienced Preener's Celebrants will help guide you to good times. And we will preside over the whole fat mess.

Please note that there are two shows per day: 7pm and 9pm.

Dates:

Sun Dec 29 • 7PM

Sun Dec 29 • 9PM

Mon Dec 30 • 7PM

Mon Dec 30 • 9PM

NEW YEAR’S EVE
Tue 12/31/2019

It’s the end of 2019.

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

Minneapolis: December 14 to December 19, 2019

Joy Formidable at Fine Line Read More The Joy Formidable Wale’s The Joy Formidable (vocalist/guitarist Ritzy Bryan, bassist Rhydian Dafydd, drummer Matt Thomas) is back in town, after their recent Foo Fighters North American tour. The group’s fourth album AAARTH is out now. …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 14 to December 19, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

THE JOY FORMIDABLE
+ Twen
Fine Line Music Cafe
Sat 12/14/2019 (7:30pm/$25 )
finelinemusic.com

The Joy Formidable is re-releasing a special commemorative 10-year double album of their acclaim debut A Balloon Called Moaning. The record came out in October via Hassle Records. As you know, A Balloon Called Moaning was first EP I own from this band, way back in 2009. It’s good to see the Welsh band come full circle with this 10 year anniversary.

In celebration, the group will be doing a “The Ten Years Floating Tour” … stopping by the Fine Line Music Café this Saturday, December 14th.

Show up early to check out Nashville indie rockers Twen. Twen’s latest Awestruck is out now on Frenchkiss (The Orchard).
Tour dates:

12/12 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
12/13 - Milwaukee, WI @ Colectivo
12/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe
12/17 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
12/18 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
12/20 - San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
12/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Teragram

Other shows in the area:

Xavier Omar at Fine Line A Minni XMAS Dead Man Winter at Turf Club Marc Roberge at Varsity Theater Abby Jeanne at 7th Street Read More O.A.R. Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred …

XAVIER OMÄR
+ Elhae
Fine Line Music Cafe
Sun 12/15/2019 (6pm/$20)
finelinemusic.com

R&B singer/songwriter Xavier Omär will be headlining the Fine Line Music Café on Sunday, December 15th. His last single, “What Do We Do?” featured Parisalexa.

Elhae to open. The last time I heard about Elhae, he sang on “향수 (Scent)” and “Horizon” on Monsta X Rapper, I.M’s solo mixtape.

Tour dates:

12/12/2019 Mod Club Toronto, ON
12/15/2019 Fine Line Music Cafe Minneapolis, MN
01/24/2020 Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, BC
01/30/2020 Ace Of Spades Sacramento, CA
2/07/2020 Observatory North Park San Diego, CA
2/08/2020 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ
02/18/2020 The Ground Miami, FL

A MINNI XMAS
feat BdotCroc, OKnice
+ Solana, Honee Jones, DJ Nanobyte
7th St Entry
Mon 12/16/2019 (7pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

It’s a special Minni Xmas show, presented by MinniAux on Monday. The 7th Street Entry show features local talents.

Lineup

BdotCroc

OKnice

Solana

Honee Jones

DJ Nanobyte

DEAD MAN WINTER
+ Two Many Banjos
Turf Club
Tue 12/17/2019 (7pm/$25/Sold Out)
turfclub.net

While local popular band Trampled by Turtles is currently on hiatus, singer/songwriter Dave Simonett is billing his shows as Dead Man Winter. As usual, Dead Man Winter is doing a monthlong residency at the Turf Club this month… December 17th being the last of those shows.

According to Simonett, this upcoming show may be his last show “for a while”. The show is sold out.

Two Many Banjos to open.

MARC ROBERGE
Varsity Theater
Wed 12/18/2019 (7pm/$39)
varsitytheater.com

If you love O.A.R., their singer Marc Roberge will be stopping by the Varsity Theater this Wednesday, December 18th.

What’s cool is that if you can’t attend the show, but want to hear it, Roberge will be making the recording of his show available for download via liveoar.com/downloads.

Recent shows made available:

12/14/19 Tropicana Casino & Resort
12/13/19 Foxwoods Resort Casino - Fox Theater
12/12/19 Sands Bethlehem Event Center
12/08/19 Royal Oak Music Theatre
12/07/19 Eagles Ballroom
12/06/19 The Pageant
11/23/19 The Capitol Theatre
11/22/19 The Capitol Theatre
11/21/19 The Rapids Theatre
11/20/19 Aura
11/17/19 The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
11/16/19 The Wellmont Theater
11/15/19 Paramount Theater
11/14/19 Paramount Theater
08/28/19 Joy Theater
08/25/19 House of Blues Houston
08/20/19 House of Blues Las Vegas
08/19/19 Humphrey's
08/16/19 Britt Pavilion
08/14/19 Moore Theatre

ABBY JEANNE
+ Saebra & Carlyle
7th St Entry
Thu 12/19/2019 (7pm/$13)
first-avenue.com

It’s Milwaukee night at the 7th Street Entry this Thursday, December 19th, with singer/songwriter Abby Jeanne and special guests Saebra & Carlyle.

If you’re from Wisconsin, Jeanne’s next date is January 11th at Turner Hall Ballroom.

Abby Jeanne writes:

Minneapolis!!!! My favorite guitar babe @jennarades letting you know tickets for my next show (December 19th) at @firstavenue are on sale now at the link below. Also I’m brining my fav band @saebraandcarlyle with me! Hell yes! ❤️❤️❤️ see you there.

event.etix.com

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

R.I.P. Marie Fredriksson (Roxette) and Juice WRLD

Roxette: Joyride Read More Roxette … on the cover of Harper's Bazaar magazine. Roxette's got the look. … Juice WRLD Death Race for Love is Chicago rapper Juice WRLD’s second studio album to drop since his freshman album Goodbye & Good Riddance shook the hip hop scene in May 2018. …

Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died at the age of 61, following a long battle with cancer.

The Swedish band had huge hits in the 1990’s, including “The Look”, and “It Must Have Been Love.”

Her bandmate, Per Gessle, wrote, “You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years. Things will never be the same.”

Also, Juice WRLD died at a very early age of 21, according to Rolling Stone. The rising Chicago rapper topped the charts in 2019 with his album Death Race for Love. Apparently he suffered a seizure at Chicago’s Midway Airport on Sunday, December 8th.

For the full death list head over to Musicians who died in 2019.

December (11)

[09 Dec 2019] Marie Fredriksson (Swedish singer-songwriter for Roxette), 61

[08 Dec 2019] Juice Wrld (American rapper), 21

[07 Dec 2019] Joe McQueen (American jazz saxophonist), 100

[04 Dec 2019] Rosa Morena (Spanish flamenco pop singer), 78, cancer

[03 Dec 2019] Arthur Baysting (New Zealand musician), 72

[03 Dec 2019] Shaaban Abdel Rahim (Egyptian shaabi singer), 62

[02 Dec 2019] Jimmy Cavallo (American musician), 92, heart failure

[02 Dec 2019] Jacques Morgantini (French record producer and promoter), 95

[02 Dec 2019] Andrew "Greedy" Smith (British songwriter for Mental As Anything), 63, heart attack

[01 Dec 2019] Michael Lai (Hong Kong Cantopop composer), 73

[01 Dec 2019] Stuart Fraser (Australian musician for Blackfeather), 57, lung cancer

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

Cat Attack

Taylor Swift: Beautiful Ghosts (From The Motion Picture "Cats") Read More Taylor Swift Artists and digital music sites: U2 uploading new album Songs of Innocence to all iTunes users, Morrissey's music is not online, Taylor Swift pulls hers from Spotify, …

Read more When Animals Attack.

CATS
universalpictures.com

Tom Hooper’s Cats (based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running Broadway play) is coming out in theaters this December 20th. Universal Pictures announced that global music icon Taylor Swift (who will also play Bombalurina in Cats) and legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber have collaborated on a new, original song “Beautiful Ghosts”.

The new song was created especially for the film, as composer Lloyd Webber mentioned, “When I first read the screenplay, the first thing I said was, ‘We have to have a song for Victoria.’ [Beautiful Ghosts] is an incredibly important and central part of the whole film.”

Director Tom Hooper reacts, “What I couldn’t believe was the extraordinary beauty of these lyrics that Taylor had written. It was as if someone had come into the film I was in the middle of making and … had reflected back to me a profound understanding of what we are trying to do with the movie. It was utterly thrilling.”

Synopsis

Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech, Les Misérables, The Danish Girl) transforms Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-shattering stage musical into a breakthrough cinematic event. Featuring Lloyd Webber's iconic music, an all-star cast and world-class dancers under the guidance of Tony-winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In the Heights), the film reimagines the musical for a new generation with spectacular production design, state-of-the-art technology, and dance styles ranging from classical ballet to contemporary, hip-hop to jazz, street dance to tap.

Shopping: All Or Nothing Read More Shopping One of the opener was London's Shopping. Their music did not mesh well with Shannon & the Clams' beachy music. Shopping was more dance art, post-punk, as described by all the popular critics (Pitchfork, Stereogum, etc.) …

SHOPPING
fat-cat.co.uk/artist/shopping

FatCat Records announced that UK band Shopping will be releasing All Or Nothing on February 7, 2020.

Currently, Shopping features guitarist Rachel Aggs (Trash Kit, Sacred Paws), drummer Andrew Milk (Current Affairs) and Billy Easter (Wet Dog). With the new album, there’ll be a promotional tour… starting in February:

Feb. 7 - London, UK @ Rough Trade East
Feb. 9 - Bristol, UK @ Rough Trade Bristol
Feb. 10 - Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade
March 5 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios *
March 6 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern *
March 7 - Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore *
March 9 - Reno, NV @ Holland Project *
March 10 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop *
March 11 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 *
March 12 - San Diego, CA @ UCSD *
March 14 - Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress *
March 16 - March 21 - Austin, TX @SXSW
March 23 - Tallahassee, FL @ The Bark *
March 24 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade *
March 25 - Durham, NC @ The Pinhook *
March 26 - Washington, DC @ DC9 *
March 27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle *
March 28 - Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere *
March 29 - Portsmouth, NH @ The Press Room *
March 31 - Toronto, ON @ The Monarch *
April 2 - Detroit, MI @ Deluxx Fluxx *
April 3 - Fort Wayne, IN @ The Brass Rail *
April 4 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean *
April 5 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry *
April 7 - St. Louis, MO @ Sinkhole *
April 8 - Lawrence, KS @ White Schoolhouse *
April 9 - Denver, CO @ Hi Dive *
April 10 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court *
May 5 - London, UK @ The Lexington
May 6 - Paris, FR @ Supersonic
May 8 - Utrecht, NL @ ACU
May 9 - Hamburg, DE @ Molotow
May 10 - Copenhagen, DK @ VEGA Ideal Bar
May 11 - Berlin, DE @ Urban Spree
May 14 - Vienna, AT @ Fluc Café
May 15 - Prague, CZ @ Meetfactory
May 16 - Munich, DE @ Milla
May 17 - Bern, CH @ Reitschule
May 19 - Winterhur, CH @ Albani
May 21 - Luxembourg, LU @ De Gudde Wellen
May 23 - Offenbach, DE @ Hafen 2

* = w/ Automatic

Cashmere Cat: PRINCESS CATGIRL Read More Cashmere Cat Norwegian producer Magnus August Hoiberg performs under the name Cashmere Cat. He is releasing his four track Wedding Bells EP this January 2014 on Lukyme Records. ...

CASHMERE CAT
cashmerecat.com

Globally acclaimed artist and producer Cashmere Cat recently released Princess Catgirl, via Mad Love/Interscope Records

Since the release of his debut album 9 in 2017, Cashmere Cat has worked with several pop stars (including Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello on their current smash hit “Señorita”, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Halsey, etc.)

Tour dates:

12/7 A.I Washington, DC
12/10 Danforth Toronto, ON
12/11 Skully’s Columbus, OH
12/12 The Majestic Detroit, MI
12/13 Concord Chicago, IL
12/14 Liquid Room Madison, WI
12/17 Ready Room St. Louis, MO
12/19 Gothic Theatre Denver, CO
12/20 Meow Wolf Santa Fe, NM
12/21 Van Buren Phoenix, AZ
12/27 Yost Santa Ana, CA
12/28 Warfield San Francisco, CA
01/2 Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, BC
01/3 Wonder Portland, OR
01/4 Showbox Seattle, WA
01/7 The Catalyst Santa Cruz, CA
01/8 Fremont Theater San Luis Obispo, CA
01/9 Soho Music Club Santa Barbara, CA
01/10 SOMA San Diego, CA
01/11 1720 Los Angeles, CA

Thundercat Tour Read More Thundercat Grammy-winning bassist & singer Thundercat (not to be confused with the cartoon ThunderCats) is touring in support of his new album Drunk. The sold is show at …

THUNDERCAT
ninjatune.net

Los Angeles’ Thundercat (not to be confused with Thundera’s Thundercats) will be heading out on his biggest North American tour to date, this Spring 2020.

If you didn’t know, GRAMMY Award winner Thundercat is the alter ego of virtuosic bassist / singer Stephen Bruner. He took the name Thundercat based on the beloved animated series ThunderCats.

He’s worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, N.E.R.D., Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Childish Gambino, Mac Miller, Anderson .Paak, Janelle Monáe, Travis Scott, BADBADNOTGOOD, Moses Sumney, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Wiz Khalifa, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, Little Simz, Louis Cole, Shabazz Palaces … but importantly has worked with longtime writing partner Flying Lotus (who we caught in August 2019).

Thundercat 2020 tour dates:

02/28/20 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
02/29/20 – Portland, OR – PDX Jazz Festival
03/01/20 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
03/03/20 – Arcata, CA – Van Duzer Theatre
03/04/20 – Chico, CA – Senator Theatre
03/06/20 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
03/07/20 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
03/08/20 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
03/10/20 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
03/12/20 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
03/13/20 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
03/14/20 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
03/15/20 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
03/17/20 – Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
03/18/19 – Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
03/19/20 – Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre
03/21/20 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
03/22/20 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
03/24/20 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
03/28/20 – Silver Springs, MD – Fillmore Silver Springs
03/29/20 – Knoxville, TN - Big Ears Festival
03/31/20 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
04/01/20 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
04/02/20 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
04/04/20 – New Orleans, LA – The Joy Theater
04/05/20 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
04/06/20 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas

Pussy Riot 2020 Tour Read More Pussy Riot A similar story happened with Russian punk group Pussy Riot being jailed for performing "Virgin Mary, Please Drive Putin Away" song in front of a church…

PUSSY RIOT
xxpussyriotxx.com

Our favorite Russian protest art collective Pussy Riot announced a new 19-date headlining tour across American starting this March 2020.

One dollar of each ticket sold will go directly to the local Planned Parenthood affiliate in each tour market. Pussy Riot first worked with the Planned Parenthood organization after staging a sold-out benefit show in Birmingham, Alabama to protest the anti-abortion legislation in that state.

We saw the group at a rare appearance in St Paul in March 2018 and said, “… the main Pussy Riot show started. Nadya is joined on stage by another Pussy Riot member. Both, in their icon Pussy Riot homemade masks. Their show is more of an art performance, rather than a traditional rock show.”

Pussy Riot North American tour:

3.13 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 LA
3.14 - Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre
3.18 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
3.19 - Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
3.20 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
3.24 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
3.26 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
3.27 - Detroit, MI @ El Club
3.28 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
3.31 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
4.3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
4.4 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
4.8 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
4.10 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music
4.11 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
4.12 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
4.14 - Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
4.15 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
5.19 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre

Kid Nobody: discretion Read More Wildcat! Wildcat! Los Angeles trio Wildcat! Wildcat! started the evening with a well-received set of chilled, harmonic indie pop. Bassist Jesse Taylor and keyboardist Michael Wilson backed …

KID NOBODY
kidnobody.com

From the ashes of Wildcat! Wildcat!, bandmates Michael Wilson and Jesse Carmichael have formed Kid Nobody. The debut album discretion will be coming out February 28, 2020.

We caught Wildcat! Wildcat! in Sep 2013 and wrote, “Los Angeles trio Wildcat! Wildcat! started the evening with a well-received set of chilled, harmonic indie pop. Bassist Jesse Taylor and keyboardist Michael Wilson backed by drummer Jesse Carmichael, used their tenor voices and bristling melodies to incite the receptive crowd to songs from their just released self-titled ep (Downtown Records). Mentioning it was their “first trip east” and wisely postponing their own dates to act as tour opener, expect the band to return and headline on their own sometime next spring.”

Hear the first two songs on soundcloud.com

Tracklisting

1. ms. stress (4:55)
2. watch the world as its ending (4:25)
3. ready or not (4:22)
4. fantasy (4:21)
5. indiscretion (dream soundtrack) (22:46)

Meow Meow: Vamp Read More Meow Meow My favorite of the night was clearly Meow Meow and her crazy comedy cabaret. I think she's quite famous in Australia, and I can see why, she's absolutely mesmerizing to watch. …

MEOW MEOW
meowmeowrevolution.com

Meow Meow and Thomas Lauderdale (founder of Pink Martini) teamed up for their album Hotel Amour.

Talking about Hotel Amour, Meow Meow says, “The sound will be both familiar and exotic to both my fans and those of Pink Martini—a true collaboration between two passionate artists with converging and diverging inspirations, but above all an obsession with the joy of sharing special music. I think it really is a collection of songs—both originals and covers—that range from little historical gems we have polished to others that we have written our hearts and souls into.”

We actually accidentally caught Meow Meow in June 2011 and said, “My favorite of the night was clearly Meow Meow and her crazy comedy cabaret. I think she's quite famous in Australia, and I can see why, she's absolutely mesmerizing to watch. The highlight of her show was when she asked for three volunteers to help her do "the greatest love song".”

Upcoming Meow Meow shows:

12/27/2019 Hult Center Eugene, OR
12/28/2019 Newmark Theatre Portland, OR
02/20/2020 Perth Concert Hall Perth, WA, Australia
04/04/2020 The Washington Center Olympia, WA
04/09/2020 Montalvo Arts Center Saratoga, CA
04/17/2020 UCCS Presents Colorado Springs, CO
04/24/2020 Hering Auditorium Fairbanks, AK
04/25/2020 Alaska Center Anchorage, AK
05/08/2020 Koerner Hall Toronto, ON, Canada
05/28/2020 Virginia Arts Festival Norfolk, VA

Pussycat Dolls 2020 UK Tour

PUSSYCAT DOLLS
pcdmusic.com

Global megastars Pussycat Dolls have reunited and will be touring the UK and Australia (starts 22 April 2020) for the first time in 10 years.

Having sold more than 54 Million records worldwide and streamed over 1 Billion times, the Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger is excited to be back: “I love all my girls so much and cannot wait to show you what we've got in store for you. It’s been a long time coming but this feels like the perfect time to remind the world what it means to be a Pussycat Doll”.

The Pussycat Dolls 2020 Tour

05 April 2020 Dublin, IR 3 Arena
06 April 2020 Cardiff, U.K. Motorpoint Arena
08 April 2002 Birmingham, U.K. Resorts World Arena
09 April 2020 Nottingham, U.K. Motorpoint Arena
11 April 2020 Glasgow, U.K. The SSE Hydro
12 April 2020 Newcastle, U.K. Utilita Arena
14 April 2020 Manchester, U.K. Manchester Arena
15 April 2020 Leeds, U.K. First Direct Arena
17 April 2020 London, U.K. The O2

Doja Cat: Hot Pink

DOJA CAT
dojacat.com

Los Angeles producer / songwriter / rapper Doja Cat recently released her sophomore album Hot Pink via Kemosabe/RCA Records.

Hot Pink features plenty of collaborations with other superstars, like Tyga (“Juicy”) and Gucci Mane. The former is permanently on Elle’s “Best Songs of 2019 (so far)”, citing, “it’s three minutes of pure magic…The airy, bubbly synths and Doja’s flirty lyrics about her, well, booty, have the power to make me shake what the good Lord gave me.”

Hot Pink Tracklisting

1. Cyber Sex
2. Won’t Bite feat. Smino
3. Rules
4. Bottom Bitch
5. Say So
6. Like That feat. Gucci Mane
7. Talk Dirty
8. Addiction
9. Streets
10. Shine
11. Better Than Me
12. Juicy with Tyga

PURR purrband.com New York’s Purr (featuring songwriting partners Eliza Barry Callahan and Jack Staffen) will be releasing their debut album Like New on February 21, 2020 via ANTI-. Like New was written in the band’s basement studio in downtown Manhattan, a repurposed storage space beneath a restaurant in the building where Callahan once lived as a young child.

MADCAT soundcloud.com Parisian producer Madcat (formerly known as Cheshire Cat) recently released Queens of Sand, a 4-track EP. If you’re in Paris on January 4th, you can check him out at Rex Club for Madcat’s EP release party with DJ Gregory.

CAT BURNS twitter.com Emerging British pop artist Cat Burns recently released her single track “I Don't Blame You” on RAW Records Label. The song is a follow-up to her EP Naïve. The 19 year old singer describes the song as, “‘I Don't Blame You’ is about my childhood and the strained relationship with my Dad. I had a lot of resentment mixed with anger and hurt. I found that it was stunting my mental growth and emotional maturity. I needed a way to say exactly what I was thinking to him in an honest yet vulnerable way. This song is my way of healing, and I hope it can help others who are in similar situations find peace within their own lives & relationships.”

BAMBARA wharfcatrecords.com Wharf Cat Records will be releasing post-punk Bambara’s Stray on February 14th, 2020. Formed in Athens, Georgia, the band features the Bateh brothers, Reid and Blaze, singer / guitarist and drummer respectively, and bassist William Brookshire. We saw the trio in November 2016 … but it appears that currently the band is based in New York. When the new album comes out in 2020, expect the band to do a world tour. For live shows, the trio will add Bryan Keller Jr. and Sammy Zalta on additional guitars.

Vintage Trouble at Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul (04 Dec 2019)

Vintage Trouble at Amsterdam Bar Vintage Trouble Setlist Total Strangers Doin' What You Were Doin' My Whole World Stopped Without You Nancy Lee Pelvis Pusher Can't Let Go Can't Stop Rollin' Run Like the River These Arms of Mine (Otis Redding cover) Crystal Clarity Get It (instrumental) Jezzebella Knock Me Out -- Encore -- Blues Hand Me Down Tour Dates 06 December 2019 Globe Hall, Denver, CO 08 December 2019 Top Hat, Missoula, MT 09 December 2019 The Crocodile, Seattle, WA 10 December 2019 Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR 12 December 2019 The New Parish, Oakland, CA 13 December 2019 El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA Read More Vintage Trouble One of the most exciting live bands of recent note, Los Angeles’ Vintage Trouble hits the road again, this time in promotion of their latest, 1 Hopeful Road (Blue Note Records). … Hollis Brown Hollis Brown is a classic pop/rock/Americana band from New York. Their debut album Ride On The Train is out now via Alive Records. …

 Closing in on finishing their first decade together, Vintage Trouble still “can’t stop rollin’” as the Los Angeles foursome returned to the area, playing to an enthusiastic crowd at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in downtown St. Paul.

The evening’s openers were Queens, NY rock band Hollis Brown, named after a classic Bob Dylan song (“The Ballad of Hollis Brown” but probably still get the inevitable question of which one’s Hollis). Mike Montali (vocals/guitar) and Jonathan Bonilla (lead guitar) head the band, alongside Andrew Zehnal (drums) and Adam Bock (keys/vocals) and their latest release is Ozone Park, released in June.

The band has previously supported the likes of Counting Crows, Citizen Cope, Heartless Bastards, and Jesse Malin and plays music in a similar vein to those acts and was well received by the Amsterdam crowd, with the band capping its generous 45-minute set by playing its homage to the legendary actor nicknamed The Duke, ‘John Wayne’.

The audience swelled as the set break was ending and lights framed the Vintage Trouble logo backdrop at center stage. Their local audience has steadily grown, thanks in part to previous high-profile appearances such as opening for The Who and playing the Chipotle Cultivate Festival, as well as good word of mouth from their own memorable headlining shows.

The new album is actually two EPs, Chapter II – EP I and EP II (on McGhee Entertainment), each with both electric and acoustic versions of new songs that represent a more modern sound, versus the retro-soul powered blues rock of their previous albums.

The foursome’s (Ty Taylor -vocals; Nalle Colt – guitar; Rick Barrio Dill- bass; Richard Danielson- drums) wardrobe has slightly changed as well, slightly less structured and not wearing ties (at least this night), though still stylish and dapper, and the quartet entered as they always have – gathering for an encouraging huddle and shaking each other’s hands, before cutting loose for their ninety-minute set.

“Get your hands together!” swaggering singer Taylor intro’d, but the audience didn’t need any additional encouragement, already in the mood for a good time. Danielson’s rapid beat and Dill’s bass anchored the opening song, further riling up the audience and (Viggo Mortensen lookalike) guitarist Colt was in his usual understated but fine form all night.

“Can we dance together in this room?’ Taylor asked as the swaying ‘Doin’ What You Were Doin’ followed, with Taylor noticing the snow on the ground and saying “the best part of it being cold outside, is to be warm inside together” cuing up a classic-sounding ballad, ‘My Whole World Stopped Without You’.

The grinding ‘Pelvis Pusher’ was played early in the set, rounded out more wholly with the help of a new female touring vocalist, and the new songs began with one of the very newest, a slow burner released online just a week prior, called ‘Can’t Let Go’.

The small club was transformed into a juke joint for the new ‘Can’t Stop Rollin’ and exhilarating classic ‘Run Like the River’ found singer Taylor literally everywhere in the club– high-fiving patrons as he went from corner to corner, eventually standing on a back table to dive into the crowd and get carried on fans’ hands, back to the front stage.

One of Taylor’s biggest musical heroes are Booker T. Jones and Otis Redding, and the two influences came together as Jones asked Taylor to cover Redding’s ‘These Arms of Mine’ on his new record, which the band reproduced live, both faithfully and soulfully.

The trio stretched its musical muscles during the instrumental ‘Get It’ giving Taylor a brief breather (but, surprisingly, no wardrobe change), ending with the stomping and very appropriate ‘Knock Me Out’, which was a pounding finish and killer main set-ending blow.

The one-song encore was another Troublemaker favorite and band classic, ‘Blues Hand Me Down’ that had Taylor twirling like a top to start the song and the band unrelenting in contagious rhythm, ending the song acapella as the foursome smartly marched directly to the merch booth for a crowd ready to meet and congratulate them on a breathtaking set.

Still (for some reason) one of rock’s best kept secrets, any chance to see Vintage Trouble live (especially in a small and intimate club) is well worth the opportunity, and you may have just discovered your new favorite band in the process.

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

Hollis Brown

Hollis Brown

Hollis Brown

Vintage Trouble Setlist

Vintage Trouble

Vintage Trouble

Vintage Trouble

Vintage Trouble

Vintage Trouble

Vintage Trouble at Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul (04 Dec 2019)

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

R.I.P. Greedy Smith (Mental As Anything)

Mental As Anything - Get Wet Read More Mental as Anything Formed in 1976 through a meeting of the founding members Martin Plaza and Reg Mombassa at the East Sydney Technical College art school (now the National Art School). Mental as Anything are known for poppy …

Mental As Anything founding member and songwriter Andrew “Greedy” Smith suffered a heart attack in his car on December 3rd. He was 63 years old.

Smith was the last original band member still performing on the recent Mental As Anything tour.

The Mentals were massive in Australia, we even wrote about them in 2008: “Again, there are a tonne of notable songs that I could talk about including the 1979 single "The Nips Are Getting Bigger" to “Mr Natural”, which was their most recent song to enter the Australian Top 40 charts in 1995. Two of the songs that figure most prominently in my childhood are “Live It Up” (1985) and “Too Many Times” (1981). Both more pop than rock, but Live It Up being significantly more reminiscent of what music was like in the mid-80’s.”

For the full death list head over to Musicians who died in 2019.

December (8)

[04 Dec 2019] Rosa Morena (Spanish flamenco pop singer), 78, cancer

[03 Dec 2019] Andrew "Greedy" Smith (British songwriter for Mental As Anything), 63, heart attack

[03 Dec 2019] Arthur Baysting (New Zealand musician), 72

[03 Dec 2019] Shaaban Abdel Rahim (Egyptian shaabi singer), 62

[02 Dec 2019] Jimmy Cavallo (American musician), 92, heart failure

[02 Dec 2019] Jacques Morgantini (French record producer and promoter), 95

[02 Dec 2019] Greedy Smith (Australian musician for Mental As Anything), 63, heart attack

[01 Dec 2019] Stuart Fraser (Australian musician for Blackfeather), 57, lung cancer

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