W♥M (Archive)

Guide to July 2011

Apologies to non-Minnesotans, I'm sure you're sick of hearing about how our government basically shut down last week (with 23,000 state workers laid off!) and none of our state parks and rest areas are open to visitors!

Here are things happening in the Twin Cities:

400 BAR
400bar.blogspot.com
When: Friday, July 8, 2011 and July 22, 2011
Price: $8 Advance/$10 Door

I'm going to at the 400 Bar tonight, to see a bunch of girl bands. You know that I do like my riot grrrls, so here's a preview and background on each band.

Jettison Juliet looks tough. Their influences include The Donnas and Motion City Soundtrack. All I know about them is their drummer, Amy, used to be in Fuzzy Machete, who are pretty dorky, singing songs about Star Trek (in particular Scott Bakula) and zombies and bunnies.

Having just survived NXNE, I can tell you that the city has a lot of different ethnics food offering: Korean, Indian, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Italian, etc. So, Torontonians, Hunter Valentine, must be eating well. I've seen them before, they have great stage presence.

Sick of Sarah who also just survived Canada last May, got their name from singer Abisha Uhl's ex-roommate, Sarah. They are heading out on a national tour next week.

It looks like the odd band out is Julie Puppets, the only all-dudes band on the bill. It looks like they've been around since 2001, but have maybe reformed recently?

Oh, I was also on the 400 Bar's website, I see that The Blow is coming back to Minneapolis, on July 22nd. We like the Blow, so I'll try and see if I can make it to that show.

BASILICA BLOCK PARTY 2011
basilicablockparty.org
When: July 8, 2011 to July 9, 2011
Price: Expensive ($80 for both nights)

A few W♥M people are going to be there, this year looks like an all-star lineup: Including David Gray, The Jayhawks, Lissie, Scars, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Fitz and The Tantrums, G. Love & Special Sauce, White Light Riot, Usonia, Zoo Animal, Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs, Amos Lee, Gomez, Stuart D'Rozario, Drive-By Truckers, Citizen Cope, 4onthefloor, The Pines, Hunting Club and The Arms Akimbo.

Not much to add, except there's quite a few bands that we've previously covered here, including Citizen Cope, The Jayhawks, Amos Lee, Gomez, 4onthefloor, etc.

UPDATE: Dan sent in a photo from 7/8/11.

The Jayhawks at Basilica Block Party, Minneapolis (07/08/11)

HIGHLAND FEST 2011
highlandfest.com
When: 7/15/11 to 7/17/11
Price: FREE

This three-day festival is organized and promoted by the Highland Business Association, who said that they draw in about 60,000 and 65,000 visitors each year. I believe most people turn out because there are massive fireworks each night, plus, it's free.

The bands on two stages are typical of an event like this, mostly bands I've never heard of. I believe to see the bands might cost you money, Sell Out Stereo (Friday), Rocket Club (Saturday), and Power of 10 (Sunday).

Band of interests, I was told to look out for Maudlin, a power pop/rock trio, who just recently opened up for Urge Overkill (which regrettably I was not in town when they stopped by, but they are one of those 90s bands that will be forever remembered for that Neil Diamond cover). Maudlin is set to go on at 3pm. Since the show actually costs money, I'm told it's $30 in advance, and I haven't really heard of the other bands, I'll likely not attend this one.

LAKEFRONT JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL 2011
lakefrontjazz.com
When: Saturday 7/16/11
Price: $5 advance/$10 at door

Not exactly in the Twin Cities area, this Jazz & Blues festival takes place in Prior Lake, Minnesota, which is about a half an hour drive south.

Haven't heard of any of the bands on the lineup, but the price is right ($5).

Buddy Guy
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Lamont Cranston Band
Tim Mahoney
Jessy J
Steve Oliver

BASTILLE DAY BLOCK PARTY 2011
bastilledayblockparty.com
When: Sunday, July 17, 2011
Price: FREE

This will be my third time seeing Bastille Day. This year, the lineup includes our favorites Solid Gold and Rogue Valley:

Clementown
Brass Messengers
The Evening Rig
National Bird
Pink Mink
Tony Sandler
Rogue Valley
Faux Jean
Solid Gold

Event is from 2pm to 10pm, each band plays a brief set, with various street entertainers when bands are setting up.

BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL MINNEAPOLIS 2011
bicyclefilmfestival.com
When: 7/21/11 to 7/24/11
Price: FREE (Thursday and various activities)/$8 per movie program/$27 for full pass

Bicycle Film Festival, aka BFF, is taking place this late July. UPDATE: You can buy individual programs each for $8 + $1.43 fee, which includes one movie ticket (with the exception of Thursday, which is free). All other activities are free.

If you've got a thing for bicycles and movies and beers see below:

THURSDAY JULY 21
Group Ride To M.I.A. Bike Night | Gold Medal Park
M.I.A. Bike Night M.I.A. | 2400 3rd Ave. South
MPLS BIKE LOVE NIGHT RIDE | M.I.A.

FRIDAY JULY 22
Bike Happy Hour
Bike Movies St. Anthony Main | 115 SE Main St.
After Party Red Stag | 509 1st. Ave. NE

SATURDAY JULY 23
Bike Brunch
Bike Scavenger Hunt Gold Medal Park
Bike Movies St. Anthony Main | 115 SE Main St.
After Party One On One | 117 Washington Ave. North

SUNDAY JULY 24
BFF & MPLS Bike Love Picnic

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

W♥M112: Splendour in the Grass Preview

W♥M112 (50 mins) Listening options: Archive.org: W♥M112

Happy holidays! It's also Sally's birthdate week, as she was kind enough to stop in to preview Splendour in the Grass, which takes place this July 29th to 31st. Doors at 9am, music starts at 11 and ends after midnight. Details at splendourinthegrass.com.

Before we get into the meat of the matter, we did wrap up NXNE, which you can read more details at nxne.weheartmusic.com and all my exploits and adventures and lessons learned.

I did touch a bit on Jo Williamson, not literally, but I kept running into her. Saw Washington played twice, saw loads of other bands too. Disappointed with Brian Wilson, but Men Without Hats, Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield saved the festival. Outro song is "Everybody Loves Me But You" by Hatfield.

Splendour in the Grass 2011 will be covered by the fine Festival Ladies, but Sally and I looked over Coldplay (it was all yellow!), Kanye West (he just shows up everywhere). A good bunch together of Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Gomez, and Regina Spektor in a block is pretty amazing. Also, Grouplove, who I saw a few months ago, they are on the up and up. Yelle, the French girl is pretty hot too. Of course, Foster the People are a really good band, love their songs!

Amazed that DJ Shadow is still around, he pretty much was the first guy that made a whole album of just entirely out of samples.

Song of the Podcast is: British Sea Power's "Georgie Ray" from their new album, Valhalla Dancehall.

BONUS
More Pulp than you can stand. Fitz & The Tantrums are playing the same night as Pulp, so Sally will have to miss out.

Britpop class of '95 article available on independent.co.uk spotlights on Justine Frischmann, Louise Wener, Debbie Smith, David Roundtree, and Tim Brown. Where are they now and what they are doing. Kind of glad to see Debbie Smith is still playing in several bands (I met her a long time ago in a bar and she asked about my t-shirt - it was my penpal's artwork of Morrissey).

Subscription Options
Subscribe on iTunes
Subscribe via RSS
Add to Google
Add to Yahoo
____
Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on mypodcast.com

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

The 90s won't leave me alone

THAT DOG
annawaronker.com

In a recent discussion of Steven McDonald's appearance at NXNE, we were remembering Anna Waronker is married to him. If you know your 90s indie bands, you'll remember that Waronker, along with Rachel and her twin sister Petra, were in a band called That Dog (who had that "Minneapolis" song that we Minnesotans love).

I just found out, but That Dog have reunited to play one gig at The Troubadour on August 26^th:

That Dog REUNION show
Troubadour, Los Angeles
Fri, August 26, 2011 8:00 pm
$15.00 - $18.00
This event is all ages

I did read that the show is almost sold out, so you better get your tickets now if you want to see them. It's really a shame that I don't live in California anymore, but I would love to attend this event.

SALLIE FORD & THE SOUND OUTSIDE
sallieford.com

Speaking of Minneapolis, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside are coming to Minneapolis to play at the Cedar Cultural Center. If any bands are playing at that venue, I automatically say "yes" to covering it. The Cedar is one of my favorite places to see music.

Reading about her, it sounds like her music is both "classic" and "modern", so expect to hear jazz/blueish sound mixed with rock. Should be fun. She's playing with Jolie Holland, you may remember her from another 90s band, The Be Good Tanyas (and, yes, they covered a Prince song, "When Doves Cry").

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside's latest release is called Dirty Radio and is out now on Partisan Records. Tour dates listed below.

6/25 - Thomas, WV @ Mountain State Brewing 6/28 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom 6/30 – Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt 7/1 – Erie, PA @ The Crooked 7/2 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place 7/5 - Cambridge, MA @ Club Passim* 7/6 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall* 7/7 – Portland, ME @ The Space* 7/8 - Montreal, QC Canada @ Le Cabaret du Mile End* 7/9 - Toronto, ON Canada @ Horeseshoe Tavern* 7/11 - Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark* 7/12 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall* 7/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Centre*		7/16 - Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar* 7/20 - Dallas, TX @ Kessler Theater* 7/21 - Austin, TX @ Lambert's* 7/22 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's* 7/23 - New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina's* 7/25 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar* 7/26 - Orlando, FL @ The Social* 7/31 – Holyoke, MA @ Mountain Park 8/2 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java 8/3 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live 8/27 - Eugene, OR @ Eugene Celebration * with Jolie Holland

SQUAREPUSHER
squarepusher.net

Remember Squarepusher? Yes, that electro d&b guy from the mid-90s, Tom Jenkinson, is recently in the news.

He's on the spotlight for The Creators Project, an ongoing program that focus on artists working through technology. Here's the description of the Squarepusher episode:

In this behind-the-scenes video, Squarepusher talks about his 15-plus year music career. From how he brings his solo studio composition to a live setting, to insights about future collaborations with director Chris Cunningham, whom he collaborated with on his infamous "Come on My Selector" video and the LED mask he used for his “Megazine” video. He also goes in depth about his "hard headed" nature and, even though his collaborations have yielded amazing results, he would screen out suggestions from everyone and compose, record and engineer himself make his sound completely his own.

Gomez: Just As Lost As You

GOMEZ
gomeztheband.com

Gomez's seventh album, Whatever's On Your Mind, came out last Tuesday (June 21st). Don't have a copy, but you can download a freebie song at Spin.com. Having already seen the band live last year, I can tell you the boys knows and loves their guitars (over nine guitars are on stage!)

They are returning to Minneapolis at Basilica Block Party, which I am not attending, but I have someone on the ground to cover this event for me. I may be in St Paul for this night anyway.

Yep, more tour dates:

July 8 Kansas City, MO @ Crossroads
July 9 Minneapolis, MN @ Basilica Block Party
July 10 Chicago, IL @ DMB Caravan
July 12 Boston, MA @ The Paradise
July 14 New York, NY @ Terminal 5
July 15 Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
July 16 Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Blues Fest – LeBreton Flats Park
July 17 Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
July 18 Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
July 20 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre Outside*
July 21 Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore*
July 22 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle*
July 23 Glen Allen, VA @ Innsbruck After Dark*
September 16 Austin City Limits Festival
September 29 Saratoga, California @ Mountain Winery #

* with John Butler Trio
# with Devotchka

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Splendour in the Grass - Line-up announced today!

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2011 

“…you could barely wipe the smiles off our dials. Thank you Splendour for anticipating our every whim, and fulfilling them. A truly unforgettable weekend.” Groupie 

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS - the annual, ephemeral city of sounds that exists solely for sweet music and good times will transform Woodfordia, near Woodford, south east Queensland from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July. 

The eleventh SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS event will see 81 acts giving their splendiferous best across three stages.

COLDPLAY (only Australian show) * KANYE WEST (only Australian show) * JANE’S ADDICTION * THE HIVES * PULP * THE LIVING END * THE MARS VOLTA * REGINA SPEKTOR (only 2011 show…anywhere) * BLISS N ESO * PNAU * MOGWAI (only Australian show) * DJ SHADOW * GLASVEGAS * THE GRATES * DEVENDRA BANHART AND THE GROGS* MODEST MOUSE * THE MIDDLE EAST * KAISER CHIEFS * JAMES BLAKE * KELE * THE VINES * ELBOW * ESKIMO JOE * NOAH AND THE WHALE * CHILDREN COLLIDE * THIEVERY CORPORATION * CUT COPY * ISOBEL CAMPBELL AND MARK LANEGAN * BLUEJUICE * THE KILLS * BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS (featuring THE RELATIVES) * ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI * FOSTER THE PEOPLE * THE PANICS * FRIENDLY FIRES * JEBEDIAH * THE VACCINES * GOMEZ * BOY AND BEAR * GOTYE * DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH? * CLOUD CONTROL * MONA * SPARKADIA * WARPAINT * MUSCLES (Live) * FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS * THEJEZABELS * DRAPHT * BRITISH SEA POWER * TIM & JEAN * LEADER CHEETAH * GROUPLOVE * SEEKER LOVER KEEPER * YELLE * KIMBRA * PHRASE * OH MERCY * DANANANANAYKROYD * THE BLACK SEEDS * MARQUES TOLIVER * THE HOLIDAYS * GHOUL * LIAM FINN * THE HERD * YOUNG THE GIANT * GUINEAFOWL * HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY * JINJA SAFARI * WILD BEASTS * ILLY * CUT OFF YOUR HANDS * GARETH LIDDIARD * ALPINE * WORLD’S END PRESS * MOSMAN ALDER * LANIE LANE

 

Pretty exciting right?

So for further information (including ticket prices) head this way: http://splendourinthegrass.com

Gomez and One eskimO at the Fine Line Cafe, Minneapolis (03/06/10)

Gomez - Revolutionary Kind (live) Gomez Tour Dates 03/08/10 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO 03/09/10 Belly Up Aspen Aspen, CO 03/12/10 The Orpheum Vancouver, BC 03/13/10 Crocodile Cafe Seattle, WA 03/14/10 Crocodile Cafe Seattle, WA 03/15/10 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR 03/17/10 Great American Music Hall SF, CA 03/18/10 Great American Music Hall SF, CA 03/19/10 Great American Music Hall SF, CA 03/20/10 El Rey Theatre LA, CA 03/21/10 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA Read More One eskimO http://weheartmus... One eskimO, a band out of London, is giving away "Kandi" for Valentine's Day at their website. Of...

At first, I was a little worried that few people will show up to see Gomez, considering that pre-sale ticket prices at the Fine Line Cafe were $25 and that you had to be over eighteen to buy them... but all that was thrown out the window when I heard that the show sold-out while I stood in a huge line outside the venue an hour before the doors opened. I suppose it's not all the surprising, considering the size of the Fine Line (it's tiny) and that many of Gomez's fans would've been with them since their Mercury Prize-winning debut in 1998, and that they're probably all much older and gainfully employed. That's exactly the kind of audience there last night, mid-30's fans... but not older hipsters, more like settled down parents-type.

One eskimo - kandi

This audience wholly welcomed and embraced the opening band, One eskimO (official / myspace). They seem really calm and laid back, playing most of their songs from their self-titled album.

"Givin Up", "Kandi", and "Hurricanes" (incidentally this track is not on their album) were the most well-received of the songs played. The later had an extra snare drum as well as possibly their most energetic song on their set. Also, as you can see from the message found on their setlist that they had specific instructions to the soundboard person. As written, they sometime switch out songs, but there was never a point where they seem indecisive on stage.

Apologies for the bad photos on One eskimO, they had insisted on playing a projection movie (the animated Eskimo shorts that is associated with the band). This required very low light, so resulting in poor pictures. Also, it seems kind of pointless for the projected movie, because the way the Fine Line Cafe stage is set up and Gomez's massive drumkit, that you only saw 20% (the top part) of the movie. Still, despite the lack of movie, the audience still loved them.  I'm absolutely sure that they've gained a few fans this night.

The thing you should know about seeing Gomez, is that they love guitars. Three guitarists, over nine visible guitars on stage (there were a few offstage too!).   The other thing you should know is that they seem to have quite a huge following.  One girl said she'd seen Gomez three times in a row on this tour, with Chicago being the best night of what she's seen.

I was also a bit taken back that they had three singers: Ian Ball, Ben Ottewell, and Tom Gray. The three of them rotate through songs and the highlight for me was when they all sang on "Ruff Stuff" with the catch "darling (come back!), I've given up fags and drugs now, baby".

I was told that most of their setlist consists of songs from the new album, which I actually don't have a copy, but from what I've heard, it's good done live. But then again, all their songs are great live - perhaps that's why the band is releasing a series of live albums, with their first called Europe 2009. I saw the cardboard (with a sticker for a cover) at the merchandise table and was told that the band will (or was it have?) sign the album if you buy it. At the moment, the band is offering "Revolutionary Kind" as a free download, so you can check out the clear soundboard recording.

Anyway, they ended their set with "Shot Shot" (but minus the German intro) and "We Haven't Turned Around", both older songs and fan-favorites. By the way, you may recognize the later song from the movie American Beauty.

Normally, I will post one or two photos from my show, but most of these turned out really well, so I'm feeling generous.

PS, since many of their shows have been selling out, they've been adding additional shows on their schedule, particularly in San Francisco and Los Angeles.  If you really want to see them, I suggest buying tickets early.

Gomez - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010 (Setlist)z	Gomez - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010 (Ian Ball)z	Gomez - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010 (Ben Ottewell)z	Gomez - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010 (Tom Gray)z
One Eskimo Setlist - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010	One Eskimo - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010 (Kristian Leontiou)z	One Eskimo - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010 (Face)z	One Eskimo - Fine Line, Minneapolis 3-6-2010 (Adam Falkner)z

 03/07/2010 03:17:16 ♥ vu () ♥ gomeztheband.com ♥ myspace.com ♥ twitter.com