W♥M (Archive)

R.I.P. Asa Brebner (The Modern Lovers)

Read More The Modern Lovers We love singer Jonathan Richman (of Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers), and always delighted to see that he’s back in town. …

Asa Brebner, the American guitarist, singer, and songwriter for The Modern Lovers has died at the age of 65. When Greg “Curly” Keranen left the band in 1977, he was replaced by Brebner (who would go on to play on The Modern Lovers Live (1978) and Back in Your Life (1979). Keranen came back and left again (!) in 1984, so the mid-80s Modern Lovers had Asa Brebner rejoining for the tour and recording from 1985-1988.

According to vanyaland.com: “Brebner was credited as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, cartoonist, author, and producer, and in addition to The Chartbusters and his own solo efforts, also played in bands like The Modern Lovers, Mickey Clean & the Mezz, The Grey Boys, The Family Jewels, The Naked I’s, and Asa Brebner’s Idle Hands. No cause of death has been made public.”

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

March (25)

[10 Mar 2019] Asa Brebner (American guitarist, singer and songwriter for The Modern Lovers), 65

[09 Mar 2019] Aťka Janoušková (Czech actress, voice actress and singer for Amadeus), 88

[08 Mar 2019] George Neikrug (American cellist), 100

[08 Mar 2019] Eddie Taylor Jr. (American blues singer and guitarist), 46, heart failure

[08 Mar 2019] Michael Gielen (Austrian conductor), 91

[06 Mar 2019] Carlitos Rolán (Argentine singer and band leader), 78, kidney failure

[06 Mar 2019] James Dapogny (American jazz musicologist and pianist), 78

[06 Mar 2019] Mike Grose (British bassist for Queen)

[06 Mar 2019] Oleg Kudryavtzev (Russian drummer), 42

[06 Mar 2019] Kayoko Moriyama (Japanese singer and actress), 78

[06 Mar 2019] Charlie Panigoniak (Canadian Inuktitut singer and guitarist), 72

[05 Mar 2019] Annie Brazil (Filipino jazz singer), 85, pneumonia

[05 Mar 2019] Jacques Loussier (French pianist and composer), 84

[05 Mar 2019] Doru Popovici (Romanian composer, musicologist, writer and concert manager), 87

[05 Mar 2019] Sara Romweber (American rock drummer for Let's Active), 55, brain tumor

[04 Mar 2019] Anthony Ríos (Dominican actor and singer-songwriter), 68

[04 Mar 2019] Keith Flint (English singer for The Prodigy), 49, suicide

[04 Mar 2019] Leo de Castro (New Zealand singer and guitarist), 70

[03 Mar 2019] Ger Cusack (Irish singer), 77

[03 Mar 2019] Peter Hurford (British organist and composer), 88, Alzheimer's disease

[03 Mar 2019] János Koós (Hungarian singer, parodist and actor), 81

[02 Mar 2019] Eduardo Vázquez (Argentine DJ and musician), 37, suicide

[02 Mar 2019] Janice Freeman (American singer for The Voice), 33, blood clot

[01 Mar 2019] Stephan Ellis (American rock bassist for Survivor), 69

[01 Mar 2019] Paul Williams (English singer for Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, Juicy Lucy), 78

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

Minneapolis: March 15 to March 17, 2018

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from March 15 to March 17, 2018.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

TMBG Tour Poster Read More They Might Be Giants The thing about They Might Be Giants is that they understand their fans. They get it; they know people don't automatically rush out to get the latest album, so they didn't bombard us with playing all 25 brand new tracks

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
First Avenue
Thu 03/15/2018 (8pm/$30)
first-avenue.com

We can't be silent, because they might be giants!

Yes, John and John of They Might Be Giants are back in town, with their all new album I Like Fun. We’ve been the Brooklyn band many, many times, and they are always such fun, like the title of their new album.

Although I know every TMBG’s song lyrics pre-Apollo 18, you don’t need to be a hardcore fan to enjoy their shows. TMBG’s songs are catchy, and you’ll find yourself singing along - even though it’s the first time you’ve heard it!

On this “An Evening with They Might Be Giants”, the duo will be playing a double set, meaning they are the opening band and headliner. They’ll likely play some songs from I Like Fun, but also promised “deep cuts”, so you’ll have to stick around for the second set to hear some old classics.

I Like Fun arrives on vinyl on March 16th, but I suspect you may be able to purchase it at the First Avenue show the day before.

Tour dates:

3/3 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
3/4 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
3/6 Eugene, OR @ HiFi Music Hall
3/7 Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
3/8 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
3/9 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
3/10 Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
3/11 Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
3/13 Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
3/14 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
3/15 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
3/16 Milwaukee, WI @ The Pabst Theatre
3/17 Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre
3/18 Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
4/13 New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall
4/14 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
4/15 Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre
4/17 Cincinnati, OH @ Madison Theater
4/19 Rochester, NY @ Anthology
4/20 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
4/21 Portland, ME @ State Theatre
4/22 Albany, NY @ The Egg
4/26 Northampton, MA @ Academy of Music
4/27 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
4/28 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

We Banjo 3 Tour Poster Jonathan Richman: A Penchant for the Stagnant 7” Ella Vos Tour Poster An Evening with Glen Hansard at the Palace Theatre Lights Tour Poster Marty Stuart at Hopkins Center Titus Andronicus: A Productive Cough Read More Jonathan Richman Whether you think Jonathan Richman is an untrained genius or an overrated man-child, you can’t deny that he’s entertaining… Glen Hansard Just a little backstory on Glen Hansard, we first saw him with Ireland's The Frames in April 2007 (but, of course, most of us have seen Hansard in the 1991 film The Commitments). .… Lights Canadian electro-pop singer-songwriter Lights had lost all of her lights. Thankfully, after some quick-thinking scrambling by her lighting director and after an only slightly ... Marty Stuart Five time Grammy-winner Marty Stuart (billed as Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives) will be at the Fine Line Music Café this Tuesday. … Titus Andronicus Merge Records' Titus Andronicus sold out show at Triple Rock Social Club. Spider Bags and Baked to open. (8pm/$15/Sold Out) …

Other shows in the area:

WE BANJO 3
+ Talisk
Cedar Cultural Center
Thu 03/15/2018 (7pm/$20)
thecedar.org

Come celebrate St Patrick’s Day with Ireland’s We Banjo 3 (brothers Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley), playing music they described as “Celtgrass” (Celtic bluegrass) at the Cedar Cultural Center on Thursday, March 15th.

Show up early to check out Scottish/Irish folk trio Talisk (Mohsen Amini, Hayley Keenan, and Graeme Armstrong).

JONATHAN RICHMAN
Cedar Cultural Center
Fri 03/16/2018 (7pm/$18)
thecedar.org

We love singer Jonathan Richman (of Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers), and always delighted to see that he’s back in town. He doesn’t use the internet, so we’re not actually sure how he’s getting word out whenever he’s in town.

Like last time, Tommy Larkins will join Richman on drums.

ELLA VOS
+ Freya Ridings
7th Street Entry
Sat 03/17/2018 (7:30pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

One of the most unique voice today, Ella Vos, is headlining the 7th Street Entry this Saturday in support of her debut album Words I Never Said. As a bonus, she’ll be bringing her friend, London-based singer-songwriter Freya Ridings on tour. Note: Sharaya Summers will only be joining on tour for the first five dates.

Tour dates:

03/3 Atlanta, GA Vinyl
03/5 Washington, D.C. U Street Music Hall
03/6 Philadelphia, PA The Foundry
03/8 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
03/9 Brooklyn, NY Rough Trade NYC
03/10 Cambridge, MA Sonia
03/11 Montreal, QC Petit Campus
03/13 Toronto, ON The Mod Club
03/15 Detroit, MI El Club
03/16 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
03/17 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
03/19 Denver, CO Lost Lake Lounge
03/22 Vancouver, BC Fortune Sound Club
03/23 Portland, OR Holocene
03/24 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
03/26 San Francisco, CA The Independent
03/28 Los Angeles, CA The Troubadour
03/29 Santa Ana, CA Constellation Room
03/30 San Diego, CA The Casbah

GLEN HANSARD
Palace Theatre
Sat 03/17/2018 (7:30pm/$35)
palacestpaul.com

What can we say about the former The Frames singer and actor (and sailor!) Glen Hansard? He’s just a talent. With his third solo album Between Two Shores out earlier this January 19, 2018, via Anti- Records, Hansard will be headlining the Palace Theatre in St Paul this Saturday.

LIGHTS
+ Chase Atlantic, DCF
Minneapolis Music Hall
Sat 03/17/2018 (7pm/$26)
musichallmpls.com

Canadian singer (and now comic book creator) Lights is playing the new Minneapolis Music Hall on Saturday. Show up early to check out Australian alt-pop trio Chase Atlantic (Mitchel Cave, Christian Anthony and Clinton Cave), on tour for their self-titled debut album.

Tour dates:

3/3 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
3/4 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club
3/6 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom
3/7 Pittsburgh, PA Mr Small's Theatre
3/8 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
3/9 Detroit, MI St. Andrew's Hall
3/10 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
3/12 Chicago, IL House of Blues
3/13 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
3/14 St. Louis, MO Delmar Hall
3/15 Kansas City, MO Madrid Theatre
3/16 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
3/17 Minneapolis, MN Music Hall MLPS
3/24 Melbourne, AU Download Festival

MARTY STUART
Hopkins Center For The Arts
Sat 03/17/2018 (7pm/$45)
hopkinsartscenter.com

Five time GRAMMY-winner, platinum recording artist, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Marty Stuart will be performing at the Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 17th.

Tour dates:

03/17 ­ Hopkins, MN ­ Hopkins Center for the Arts
03/23 ­ Madisonville, KY ­ Glema Mahr Center for the Arts
03/24 ­ Chattanooga, TN ­ Robert Kirk Walker Theatre
03/29 ­ Marietta, OH ­ The Adelphia Music Hall
03/30 ­ Cincinnati, OH ­ Memorial Hall
04/5 ­ Savannah, GA ­ Savannah Music Festival
04/6 ­ Alexandria, VA ­ The Birchmere
04/7 ­ Alexandria, VA ­ The Birchmere
04/14 ­ Boca Raton, FL ­ Southern Jam 2018
05/12 ­ Lancaster, PA ­ American Music Theatre
06/16 ­­­­­­­ Brandon, MS Brandon Amphitheater
06/22 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
06/28 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Amphitheater
06/29 Philadelphia, PA BB&T Pavilion
06/30 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center
07/13 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
07/19 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena
07/20 Portland, OR Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
07/21 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre
07/26 South Lake Tahoe, NV Harveys Lake Tahoe
07/27 Sacramento, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
07/28 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre

TITUS ANDRONICUS
+ Rick Maguire
Turf Club
Sat 03/17/2018 (8pm/$15)
turfclub.net

New Jersey indie/punk Titus Andronicus (named after William Shakespeare’s play of the same name) will be at the Turf Club on Saturday, March 17th. The band announced an “Acoustic” tour in support of their new album A Productive Cough.

Titus Andronicus on tour:

Mar 07 Kingston, NY – BSP Kingston
Mar 08 Boston, MA – The Sinclair
Mar 09 Providence, RI – AS220
Mar 10 Burlington, VT – Arts Riot
Mar 11 Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz
Mar 13 Toronto, ON – Great Hall
Mar 14 Detroit, MI – El Club
Mar 15 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
Mar 16 Madison, WI – The Frequency
Mar 17 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
Mar 18 Omaha, NE – Slowdown
Mar 19 Denver, CO – Globe Hall
Mar 20 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
Mar 22 Boise, ID – Treefort Festival
Mar 23 Seattle, WA – Crocodile
Mar 24 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
Mar 27 Sonoma, CA – Gundlach Bundschu
Mar 28 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
Mar 29 Santa Cruz, CA – Crepe Place
Mar 31 Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Theater
Apr 02 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
Apr 03 Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar
Apr 06 Ft. Worth, TX – Ridglea Room
Apr 07 Austin, TX – Barracuda
Apr 08 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
Apr 10 Birmingham, AL – Saturn
Apr 11 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
Apr 12 Durham, NC – The Pinhook
Apr 13 Washington, DC – Rock and Roll Hotel
Apr 14 Philadelphia, PA – UArts Black Box
Apr 15 Brooklyn, NY – Murmrr Theatre

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

Minneapolis: March 25 to March 26, 2016

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from March 25 to March 26, 2016.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Young Fathers I'm told that this show will likely sell out, so grab your ticket now. The Edinburgh-based rock/pop group, who won the Mercury Prize for their album Dead in 2014, is in the USA in support of their latest album ....

YOUNG FATHERS
with HXLT
at Fine Line Music Cafe
Friday, 03/25/16, 8pm ($15/$17)
finelinemusic.com

Scotland’s Young Fathers is back in the USA - mostly touring around the Coachella Music Festival. We caught the Mercury Prize-winning band last May 2015, and noted, “Energy from the three singer, all with different styles, remained consisting high, often dancing too hard and sweating throughout their nearly hour long set.”

The trio (‘G’ Hastings, Alloysious Massaquoi and Kayus Bankole) recently collaborated with Massive Attack for “Voodoo In My Blood,” which you can watch on youtube.

Opening the show will be HXLT, which Pitchfork described as “an undeniable live performer, full of charisma.”

Tour dates:

Mar 22 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
Mar 23 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
Mar 25 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe
Mar 26 Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
Mar 27 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
Mar 30 Toronto, ON, Canada - Horseshoe Tavern
Mar 31 Montreal, QC - Théâtre Fairmount
Apr 01 Allston, MA - Great Scott
Apr 02 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Apr 03 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel
Apr 06 Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5
Apr 08 Dallas, TX - Do214's 3 Year Anniversary Party at RBC
Apr 09 San Antonio, TX - Maverick Festival
Apr 15 San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine
Apr 17 Indio, CA – Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Apr 24 Indio, CA - Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
May 28 Liverpool, UK - Liverpool Waters

+ Notes Tour Dates Supporting Massive Attack

Read More Judah & the Lion Nashville based trio Judah & the Lion (not to be confused with Daniel & the Lion) is on tour in support of their full-length studio album Kids These Days entered Billboard's Heatseekers chart at #2 and the Folk Albums …

JUDAH AND THE LION
at Varsity Theater
Saturday, 03/26/16, 7pm ($15/$17)
varsitytheater.org

Nashville’s Judah & The Lion is back in town, supporting their sophomore album Folk Hop N Roll. The record entered the Billboard’s Heatseekers Album Chart at an impressive #2 and #1 on the Heatseekers South Central!

That’s not really a surprise considering we first caught them in 2014 and was blown away by their growing fanbase: “Many of their songs got their most dedicated fans to help sing along, especially on "Back's Against the Wall", where Akers stopped a second to hear his fans finish the lyrics... with the biggest grin on his face.”

Opening the show will be The Saint Johns. The Saint Johns is a duo who are quickly gaining popularity and have a new album, Dead of Night, which came out 4th. Their music has been featured on "Sons of Anarchy", "Nashville", and many other popular television shows. They have also had an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman".

Tour dates:

03/22 Turner Hall in Milwaukee, WI
03/23 20th Century Theatre in Cincinnati, OH
03/24 Deluxe in Indianapolis, IN
03/25 Metro in Chicago, IL
03/26 Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN
03/29 Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH
03/30 World Café Live in Philadelphia, PA
03/31 Gramercy Theatre in New York, NY
04/01 Sinclair in Boston, MA
04/02 Hamilton in Washington, DC
04/05 Off Broadway in St. Louis, MO
04/06 George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, AR
04/07 Granada Theater in Dallas, TX
04/08 Parish Room in Austin, TX
04/09 Warehouse Live Studio in Houston, TX
04/13 Common Grounds in Waco, TX
04/14 Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, OK
04/15 Waiting Room in Omaha, NE
04/16 Gothic Theatre in Englewood, CO
04/26 Complex in Salt Lake City, UT
04/19 Loft in La Jolla, CA
04/20 Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA
04/21 Chapel in San Francisco, CA
04/22 Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR
04/23 Crocodile in Seattle, WA
04/24 Hi-Fi Music Hall in Eugene, OR
04/26 Complex in Salt Lake City, UT
05/20-05/22 Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, AL
06/09-06/12 @ Bonnaroo in Manchester, AL

Read More Smith-Westerns It’s been two years since Chicago’s fuzzy dreamsicles Smith-Westerns dropped some teenage kicks on our skulls with their effervescent single “Weekend” and it’s equally energetic album Dye It Blonde. … Suzie And also local artist Suzie, aka Mark Ritsema, with his new album Born Single. Tour Dates 10/04 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry % ....

CULLEN OMORI
at 7th Street Entry
Saturday, 03/26/16, 8pm ($12/$14)
first-avenue.com

After the 2014 breakup of Smith Westerns, singer Cullen Omori decided to strike out on his own as a solo artist. His debut New Misery recently came out (March 18th) on Sub Pop Records.

We previously caught Smith Westerns before they broke up in 2013, and wrote, “The guys played well despite the oppressive heat (lead singer Cullen Omori, who was dressed in an ultra-thin, billowy shirt, looked like he might melt under the stage lights) and end-of-tour fatigue. Affable jams like ‘Best Friend’ and ‘White Oath’ worked well alongside choice cuts from the band’s breakout album 2011’s Dye It Blonde like the spritely ‘End of the Night,’ ‘Fallen in Love’ and a favorite of mine, ‘Smile.’”

Omori is currently on his “Sad Guy No More” tour with Canadian dream pop band Living Hour. Living Hour’s self-titled album is out now on Lefse.

Opening the show will be local “post-gender” artist Suzie.

Tour dates:

03/24/16 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
03/25/16 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
03/26/16 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
03/28/16 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge
03/29/16 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
03/30/16 Boise, ID Neurolux
04/02/16 Vancouver, BC Fortune Sound Club
04/03/16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
04/05/16 San Francisco, CA The Independent
04/07/16 Los Angeles, CA Teragram Ballroom
04/08/16 San Diego, CA The Casbah
04/09/16 Phoenix, AZ Valley Bar
04/11/16 Austin, TX Stubb's Bar-B-Q
04/12/16 Dallas, TX The Prophet Bar
04/13/16 Houston, TX Raven Tower
04/15/16 Atlanta, GA The EARL
04/16/16 Nashville, TN High Watt
04/17/16 Columbus, OH Basement
04/18/16 Washington, DC DC9
04/19/16 Philadelphia, PA Boot & Saddle
04/21/16 Allston, MA Great Scott
04/22/16 New York, NY The Bowery Ballroom
04/23/16 Montreal, QC Divan Orange
04/24/16 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern
04/27/16 Rock Island, IL Rozz Tox

Read More Jonathan Richman Whether you think Jonathan Richman is an untrained genius or an overrated man-child, you can’t deny that he’s entertaining…

JONATHAN RICHMAN
at Cedar Cultural Center
Saturday, 03/26/16, 7pm ($15/$20)
thecedar.org

Look, we just love Jonathan Richman, okay? The last time we caught the loveable singer, it was in 2012 and we had this to say, “Jonathan Richman has the kind of rock ‘n roll holiness reserved for someone like Leonard Cohen. But where Cohen is all hushed poetic passages and melancholy overtures, Richman inspires the kind of reaction that could only be found in a Baptist church on a Sunday morning. Dressed in yoga pants and slippers, with a long-sleeved green shirt over a black and white striped shirt, Richman padded across the Cedar Cultural Center’s stage looking like a Parisian street corner balladeer, his arms wide open ready to embrace the entire audience. An excited young fan near the front held up a glittery and feathered sign (“Jonathan, be my little dinosaur”) and Richman pointed at it and smiled and then patted his chest in gratitude as the entire room erupted in applause.”

As usual, he’s joined by Tommy Larkins on drums. The two are irresistible together.

Tour dates:

03/20/16 Edmonton, AB The Brixx Bar & Grill
03/21/16 Saskatoon, SK Amigos Cantina
03/23/16 Winnipeg, MB The Good Will
03/24/16 Duluth, MN Sacred Heart Music Center
03/25/16 Winona, MN Ed's No-Name Bar
03/26/16 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center
03/27/16 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
03/29/16 Cleveland, OH Survival Kit Gallery
03/30/16 Ithaca, NY The Haunt
03/31/16 Brooklyn, NY The Bell House
04/01/16 Brooklyn, NY The Bell House
04/02/16 Northampton, MA Pearl Street
04/03/16 Portland, ME SPACE Gallery
04/05/16 Pawtucket, RI The Met
04/06/16 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
04/07/16 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
04/08/16 Charlotte, NC Evening Muse
04/09/16 Asheville, NC The Altamont Brewing Company
04/10/16 Nashville, TN The Basement East
04/12/16 Springfield, MO Patton Alley Pub
04/13/16 Norman, OK Opolis

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

Jonathan Richman at the Cedar Cultural Center 6/03/2012

Tour Dates 06/05/12 Detroit, MI Magic Stick 06/06/12 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom 06/07/12 Pittsburgh, PA Downtown Pittsburgh 06/08/12 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer 06/09/12 Hudson, NY Club Helsinki 06/12/12 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom 06/13/12 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom 06/14/12 Richmond, VA The Camel 06/15/12 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle 06/16/12 Knoxville, TN Pilot Light 06/17/12 Birmingham, AL BottleTree 06/19/12 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jacks 06/20/12 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon 06/21/12 Houston, TX The Continental Club 06/22/12 Austin, TX The Mohawk 06/23/12 San Antonio, TX The Korova 06/24/12 Marfa, TX Marfa Book Company 06/26/12 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad 06/27/12 Tucson, AZ La Cocina 06/28/12 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom 06/29/12 Los Angeles, CA Echo 06/30/12 Costa Mesa, CA Detroit Bar 07/01/12 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room 07/02/12 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room 07/03/12 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room Read More Jonathan Richman Whether you think Jonathan Richman is an untrained genius or an overrated man-child, you can’t deny that he’s entertaining…

Jonathan Richman has the kind of rock ‘n roll holiness reserved for someone like Leonard Cohen. But where Cohen is all hushed poetic passages and melancholy overtures, Richman inspires the kind of reaction that could only be found in a Baptist church on a Sunday morning. Dressed in yoga pants and slippers, with a long-sleeved green shirt over a black and white striped shirt, Richman padded across the Cedar Cultural Center’s stage looking like a Parisian street corner balladeer, his arms wide open ready to embrace the entire audience. An excited young fan near the front held up a glittery and feathered sign (“Jonathan, be my little dinosaur”) and Richman pointed at it and smiled and then patted his chest in gratitude as the entire room erupted in applause.

Richman is a born showman, sashaying around the stage, spinning his guitar in his hands as he played to each corner during the course of the set, encouraging the audience to clap to the beat. Having never seen him before (and for that I am kicking myself), I was really impressed with how clear and strong his voice is and with how much energy he has. As his right hand man, drummer Tommy Larkins, provided a solid percussive backbone, Richman would abandon his guitar for a tambourine stick and jangle it while lithely jumping around to the delight of a clearly enamored crowd. Richman also showed off some sharp guitar skills, noodling on songs like “The World is Showing Its Hand” and the lovely “My Baby Love Love Loves Me” (both from his very excellent record Not So Much to Be Loved As to Love) to a point where he abruptly finished the latter, claiming “there are more songs to play!” An oldie but goodie “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar” had the whole place singing along while Richman shook his hips (no drinking sips!) and while singing “Old World,” Richman slipped into what I think was italian. With a catalogue of music heavily influenced by world music, this shouldn’t be a surprise. “English is okay for some things,” he said during an interlude in the gorgeous “Celestial,” “But this sounds so much better in Spanish.”

I really hate that Jonathan Richman’s name will forever be synonymous with the word “manchild.” It’s just condescending and lazy. I understand that his playful and eccentric demeanor is a departure from the usual cynical and self-aware behavior exhibited by a lot of modern musicians, but underneath the quirk is a passionate performer and lover of music and poetry and art. And maybe he isn’t explicitly spiritual, but there’s a transcendent feel to his songs and the way he sings them, most notably in “When We Refuse to Suffer” and “O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth.” In “When We Refuse to Suffer,” Richman sings about feeling sorrow instead of numbing ourselves with substances and in “O Moon” he mentions there is a special kind of loneliness that you feel when you are alone in the dark with nothing but the moon. It’s clear that Richman knows exactly what he is singing about. People will snicker at the way he talks and or find humor in his exuberant delivery and that’s fine, I think he enjoys it and perhaps that is what it’s there for. But there is a real beauty and honesty in those songs and that voice. Hallelujah!

Jonathan Richman at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (06/03/12)

emily () ♥ www.vaporrecords.com

The Rich and the Free

Read More Jonathan Richman Whether you think Jonathan Richman is an untrained genius or an overrated man-child, you can’t deny that he’s entertaining…

Would you rather be rich or free? …. Or both?

>>>
JONATHAN RICHMAN
vaporrecords.com

What? You've never heard of Jonathan Richman? Did you see "There's Something About Mary"? That's him singing in the tree.

His last album, O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth, came out in 2010, via Vapor Records. Surely he will have new material to work with… but if not, he does have a million songs from his days with The Modern Lovers to draw from.

The Cedar

Anyway, if things work out, Emily will be covering Jonathan Richman's show at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Of all the Minneapolis venues, I find the Cedar to have the best-sounding acoustics than the typical dive-bar venues and hardcore "rock" venue. I've never seen Richman live, but from what I've read of Richman's legendary antics, the Cedar will fit him nicely.

His current tour schedule below:

06/02/12 Fargo, ND The Aquarium 06/03/12 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center 06/04/12 Chicago, IL Millennium Park 06/05/12 Detroit, MI Magic Stick 06/06/12 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom 06/07/12 Pittsburgh, PA Downtown Pittsburgh 06/08/12 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer 06/09/12 Hudson, NY Club Helsinki 06/12/12 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom 06/13/12 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom 06/14/12 Richmond, VA The Camel 06/15/12 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle 06/16/12 Knoxville, TN Pilot Light 06/17/12 Birmingham, AL BottleTree

06/19/12 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jacks 06/20/12 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon 06/21/12 Houston, TX The Continental Club 06/22/12 Austin, TX The Mohawk 06/23/12 San Antonio, TX The Korova 06/24/12 Marfa, TX Marfa Book Company 06/26/12 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad 06/27/12 Tucson, AZ La Cocina 06/28/12 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom 06/29/12 Los Angeles, CA Echo 06/30/12 Costa Mesa, CA Detroit Bar 07/01/12 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room 07/02/12 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room 07/03/12 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room

Read More Free Energy If you haven’t heard of Free Energy by now, you are seriously missing out on life my friends. The five piece band is originally from Red Wing, MN but now resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

FREE ENERGY
freeenergymusic.com

We have seen Free Energy a few times here. They are always a hoot to see live, and I know they have a massive fanbase because the two brothers are from Red Wing, Minnesota.

What's Free Energy up to these days, you ask? All I know is that they have a new album called Love Sign coming out soon. The preview song you can hear is called "Electric Fever", via Soundcloud.com.

Wed Jun 13 - The Bishop - Bloomington, IN
Fri Jun 15 - 400 Bar - Minneapolis, MN
Sat Jun 16 - Cactus Club - Milwaukee, WI
Sun Jun 17 - Plush - St Louis, MO
Tue Jun 19 - Radio Radio - Indianapolis, IN
Wed Jun 20 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH
Thu Jun 21 - Shadow Lounge - Pittsburgh, PA
Fri Jun 22 - Strand Capitol Theatre - York, PA
Sat Jun 23 - Morgan's Pier - Philadelphia, PA

PS, as usual, Free Energy will be playing at the 400 Bar. This venue has been booking some interesting bands lately.

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

The Next Two Days

Here's your guide on what's happening in Minneapolis in the next two days.

FRIDAY                     
Ada Jane
Lara is covering Ada Jane at the 400 Bar. You can read more about Ada Jane here. Excerpt:

Matt Marka is one of those semi-elusive musicians—the kind whose name strikes a familiar chord even if you’re not quite sure why…you…know…him. Ninety percent of the Minneapolis music scene is covered in this amnesiac fog.

Meat Puppets
I am heading over to First Avenue to cover Meat Puppets. I don't think they need an introduction, these guys have been around since the 80s, but I first only heard of them during the Grunge-thing with their 1994 album, Too High to Die. Although the band broke up in 1996, they are now back together. As you recall, I wrote that they were together in 2009, when they had just released Sewn Together.

Their 13^th album, out last month on Megaforce Records, is called Lollipop. They will appear at First Avenue tomorrow, I'll be there to cover them. Full tour dates listed below.

May 6 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN * May 7 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO * June 8 - The Blue Light - Lubbock, TX June 9 - Santa Fe Brewing Co. - Santa Fe, NM June 10 - Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM June 11 - The Clubhouse - Phoenix, AZ June 14 - Casbah - San Diego, CA June 15 - Detroit Bar - Costa Mesa, CA June 16 - Echo - Los Angeles, CA June 17 - Independent - San Francisco, CA June 18 - Humboldt Brews - Arcata, CA		June 20 - Wild Buffalo - Bellingham, WA June 21 - Crocodile - Seattle, WA June 22 - Doug Fir - Portland, OR June 23 - Neurolux - Boise, ID June 25 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT June 26 - Abbey Theater - Durango, CA June 29 - Bluebird - Denver, CO June 30 - Record Bar - Kansas City, MO July 1 - Slowdown - Omaha, NE July 9 - Summerfest - Milwaukee, WI . w/ Slightly Stoopid *

Jonathan Richman
He is playing over at Triple Rock. We covered him last year, but unfortunately, I do not have anyone covering this event. I also don't have much details about his new tour dates, he doesn't really have a web pressence! I know he's old school, but, really, would it hurt to have a website ? What I have below:

Fri 05/06/11 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club
Sat 05/07/11 Madison, WI Orpheum Stage Door Theatre
Sun 05/08/11 Chicago, IL The Hideout
Tue 05/10/11 Indianapolis, IN Radio Radio
Wed 05/11/11 Louisville, KY Zanzabar
Thu 05/12/11 Louisville, KY Zanzabar
Fri 05/13/11 Nashville, TN The 5 Spot
Sat 05/14/11 Nashville, TN The 5 Spot
Sun 05/15/11 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone Cafe
Tue 07/12/11 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room
Wed 07/13/11 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room
Thu 07/14/11 San Francisco, CA Make Out Room

SATURDAY                  
Free Comic Book Day
The first Saturday of May is Free Comic Book Day! I try and make it to my local comic book store every year, but to be honest, I go to the comic store every other week. This year, you can pick up a Green Lantern Heroclix, which looks very cool. More details at freecomicbookday.com. I'll be looking out for The Tick free comic (I love Ben Edlund).

Lynhurst
I'm sending a few people over to the Dakota Jazz Club at 11pm to see Lynhurst for $5. I might head over there after I'm done seeing Arrington De Dionyso. You can read our previous articles on Lynhurst here.

No matter how young they look, these musicians are already seasoned professionals. Matt and Jake were regularly performing gigs before reaching their teens and Mari, the youngest, wasn’t too long to follow. What amazed me watching them play at such a young age is how comfortable and confident they looked on stage. Their debut album is no different.

Arrington De Dionyso
If you keep up, I find this guy's music so interesting because it's all sung in Indonesian, and he's really into paintings and stuff. I'm hoping to see him at the Turf Club on Saturday - and I'm also hoping to pick up a few 7" or artwork (I guess I'll see what's for sale when he comes here, also depending on my small budget to see what I can afford...).

Below is his tour schedule:

May 6, 2011 - Kansas City, KS - Riot Room May 7, 2011 - St. Paul, Minnesota - Turf Club May 8, 2011 - Dubuque, Iowa - TBA May 9, 2011 - Chicago, Illinois - Empty Bottle May 11, 2011 - Ann Arbor, Michigan - Arbor Vitae May 12, 2011 - Youngstown, Ohio - Cedar's Lounge May 14, 2011 - Albany (or Troy), New York - TBA May 15, 2011 - Boston, MA - BATV May 16, 2011 - Biddeford, Maine - Oak & the Ax May 18, 2011 - Brooklyn, NY - Issue Project Room May 19, 2011 - Baltimore, MD - Windup Space		May 20, 2011 - Washington, DC - Comet Pizza May 21, 2011 - Charlottesville, VA - Twisted Branch May 22, 2011 - Philadelphia, PA - TBA May 25, 2011 - New York, New York - Cake Shop May 26, 2011 - Providence, RI - Pawtucket May 27, 2011 - Lowell, Massachusetts - 119 Space May 28, 2011 - East Hampton, MA - Flywheel May 29, 2011 - Buffalo, NY - with Steve Baczowski May 30, 2011 - Buffalo, NY - Voice workshop Jun 1, 2011 - Bloomington, Indiana - House show - Jun 2, 2011 - Indianapolis Museum, IN

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Jonathan Richman at Bowery Ballroom, New York City (11/1/10)

Read More Jonathan Richman Jonathan Richman is always fun. This is a pretty typically fun song from Richman, "Abominable Snowman in the Market". I think the title pretty much sums up the song :)

Whether you think Jonathan Richman is an untrained genius or an overrated man-child, you can’t deny that he’s entertaining. At last night’s show at Bowery Ballroom, he had the audience laughing, dancing, and occasionally ‘aww-ing’ at his painfully honest lyrics and campy dance moves. As endearing as he proved to be, he proved his chops with some fancy guitar playing, accompanied by his right-hand man, Tommy Larkin on drums. Richman started the show with one of his many songs about famous artists, “No One Was Like Vermeer,” and the audience giggled at his overly sincere delivery and rambling narrative. On an old favorite like “Pablo Picasso,” he changed the words a little, noting that the phrase “to pick up” a girl had a much creepier context in 2010. It was such improvisation that had everyone cooing over his every move. The audience, a slightly older crowd, was much more reverent than a typical Williamsburg mob. The only contrary moment occurred when someone yelled, “Show yer tits!” during a dance number. Richman, ever the gentleman, coyly shook his head.

As the majority of Richman’s song are about love (and the lack of it), the show seemed like an ideal place to bring a date. Couples slow-danced to quirky songs like “When We Refuse to Suffer” and “My Baby Love Love Loves Me.” A song like “Springtime in New York,” though idyllic and sentimental, prompted the occasional laugh with its specific references to the constant construction in the city. And of course, there was the dancing. Richman went all out during “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar” had him busting out his most absurd moves, while the audience helped him with the chorus. In the span of an hour, he had the audience sighing and laughing at regular intervals. By the time he ended the show with an a capella rendition of “Even Though I Know I Am The Wind and The Sun, I?” from his new album, he had the crowd doing a little bit of both.

♥ Jonathan Richman at Bowery Ballroom, New York City (11/1/10)

kateg () ♥ vaporrecords.com

Jonathan Richman was never called an a**hole, not like you.

The Modern Lovers: Pablo Picasso                      Read More Jonathan Richman Jonathan Richman is always fun. This is a pretty typically fun song from Richman, "Abominable Snowman in the Market". I think the title pretty much sums up the song :)

Girls could not resist his stare.

I've always liked Jonathan Richman ever since the late Melinda introduced me to his song "Pablo Picasso" in the early 90s. Truth be told, I never really got into him, outside of a greatest hits compilation - but what I've heard, I love. His early stuff is really DIY-punk-ish, very raw and with a "don't care what you think" attitude.

Trivia: Since Richman's been around for ages, here are some Richman-spotting you should pay attention to.

• Burning Sensations' does a great cover of "Pablo Picasso" on the Repo Man (1984) soundtrack
• David Bowie covered "Pablo Picasso" on his 2003 album, Reality
• A bunch of bands got together to record Richman's songs on the 2001's tribute album, If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman
• Richman appears in all the key parts on the comedy film There's Something About Mary (1998)

Obviously, the man's well-loved. I'm happy to report that we'll be doing some coverage for him - including his November 1^st show at The Bowery Ballroom in New York. Pre-Sale tickets for his appearance in London is sold-out.

Mon 11/01/10 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Tue 11/02/10 Brooklyn, NY The Bell House
Mon 11/10/10 Powis Square London The Tabernacle

Can't make it his show? Jonathan Richman's latest album will be called O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth, to be out on November 9^th on Vapor Records. If Kate doesn't want to review it, I'd love to spend some time with it.

vu () ♥ vaporrecords.com

Let it Snow!

 

 

Dean Martin - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Dean Martin

It snowed non-stopped yesterday and it finally stopped this morning. I've been pretty much housebound today, watching The Food Network, Best Week Ever and Smallville.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to compile some snow-winter-related bands and songs.

DEAN MARTIN
We really have to start off with Dean Martin's "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

He's actually not the original singer (Vaughn Monroe was), but Dean "The King of Cool" Martin certain made it famous for his 1959's Christmas album, A Winter Romance.

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers - Abominable Snowman in the Market

JONATHAN RICHMAN
Jonathan Richman is always fun. This is a pretty typically fun song from Richman, "Abominable Snowman in the Market". I think the title pretty much sums up the song :)

I'll have to do a full entry for Richman later, because he's been around for years and years. A quick history on Richman: he is from Massachusetts, who moved to New York trying to break into the music industry. He eventually left and came back to Boston where he formed The Modern Lovers, around 1972.

Loads of stuff happened, but you probably remember seeing him in "There's Something About Mary"

Snow Patrol - Run (Acoustic)

SNOW PATROL
From Glasgow, Scotland, is Snow Patrol. I first heard of them through Belle & Sebastian's UK record label, Jeepster Records. They left that label for their third album (which proved a massive hit for them) Final Straw.

My favorite Snow Patrol song has got to be "Run", which is the strongest song on Final Straw. Whenever this song is done live, Gary Lightbody's heavy Scottish accent really shines through. You can find the live version on Live Lounge, or if you live in the US, you can find an exclusive EP from Park Ave CDs in Orlando, Florida.

Keane - Snowed Under

KEANE
Speaking of "college" band, Keane is my next band. I guess I'm not that keen on Keane, but I did want to talk about "Snowed Under" mostly because I have it through a Best Buy Compilation. I think Best Buy discontinued this tradition of giving away Sweet Tracks album around Christmas time (at least I don't remember getting one last year).

The Sweet Tracks are usually in a tin case and are given away if you shopped at their store and are a Reward Zone member. I've managed to scam a few extra tin by shopping multiple time ... which I'll have to admit is fairly easy for me as I go there every Tuesday. Anyway, perhaps I'll do a full article on each of the Sweet Tracks this xmas if anyone's interested in reading more about these... er... sweet tracks.

Tour 12/05/07 The Beat Kitchen Chicago, IL 12/06/07 Vaudeville Mews Des Moines, IA 12/07/07 House Show - Norman, OK

Zookeeper - Snow in Berlin

ZOOKEEPER
Lara uploaded "Snow in Berlin" - I thought it was just perfect to use for this Snow-related entry.

It seems like an odd title for a band from Austin, Texas, but this is Chris Simpson's latest project. I talked to someone who was big into his old band, Mineral and The Gloria Records, who seemed really excited about Zookeeper's debut album Becoming All Things, telling me about how diverse each of the songs on the album were.

They're currently wrapping up their tour, but you can still catch them for the first week of December.

Yes, there's probably a lot of Snow-related songs out there (including a Stars song, but I think we talk about them way too much!).

 12/03/2007 00:14:12  vu my♥posts www.weheartmusic.com