W♥M

Minneapolis: February 13 - February 15, 2015

Here are some shows taking place in Minneapolis/St Paul from February 13 to February 15, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More All Them Witches Nashville's All Them Witches took their name from Roman Polanski's 1968 Rosemary's Baby and released their debut Our Mother Electricity in 2012. They quickly follow up with Lightning At The Door ... The Well Austin-based power trio The Well will be releasing their debut album Samsara this September 23, 2014, via RidingEasy Records. Check out the new track "Mortal Bones" ...

ALL THEM WITCHES w/ The Well
at 7th Street Entry
Friday 02/13/15, 8pm ($8)
first-avenue.com

Nashville-based All Them Witches are back in the Twin Cities, this time at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, on spooky Friday the 13th! We previously mentioned that they took their name from Roman Polanski's 1968 Rosemary's Baby and their latest Lightning At The Door was recorded in a matter of days.

The last time All Them Witches were here in Minneapolis, they triple rocked at the Triple Rock with Windhand and Jex Thoth... this time, Austin's The Well (not to be confused with Norwegian six-piece band also called The Well) set to open the show. We previously mentioned that The Well trio (singer/guitarist Ian Graham, bassist Lisa Alley, and drummer Jason Sullivan) had an album called Samsara.

Also Minnesota's Hotel San Sebastian set to open the show.

Tour dates:

02/05/15 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
02/06/15 Cambridge, MA Middle East
02/07/15 Ithaca, NY The Haunt
02/08/15 Rochester, NY The Bug Jar
02/10/15 Pontiac, MI Pike Room
02/11/15 Indianapolis, IN Hi-Fi
02/12/15 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
02/13/15 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
02/14/15 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club
02/15/15 Rock Island, IL Rozz Tox
04/06/15 Phuzz Fest

Read More Sleater-Kinney Sleater-Kinney are selling out their 2015 shows... Which is fine, as I've seen the band many times and unfortunately they are playing the winter time. Read more details about the new Sub Pop album ... Lizzo It was a typical grrrl prty with Lizzo and Caroline Smith at First Avenue last night, as they unite to celebrate women power. …

SLEATER-KINNEY w/ Lizzo
at First Avenue
Saturday 02/14/15, 8pm ($30/Sold Out)
first-avenue.com

What are you doing on V-Day? If you're a Sleater-Kinney fan, you'll be at this sold out show. According to my bad memories and physical ticket stubs, I've seen Sleater-Kinney at least three times, and have expressed sadness that the trio broke up in 2006. Nothing made us happier to hear that they've returned last year, and obviously the W♥M crew was looking forward to this Sleater-Kinney show since the 2015 tour date announcement.

Also, if you follow news.weheartmusic.com, we already announced that local artist Lizzo is on a national tour with SK. We are very proud of this, as she's been empowering women to voice their thoughts, but breaking across music genre and newfound fans! There are only a handful of local Minneapolis bands that can say the same thing. Very excited to see her name listed on the bill.

Tour dates:

02/08/15 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
02/09/15 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
02/10/15 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
02/12/15 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
02/13/15 Omaha, NE Slowdown
02/14/15 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
02/15/15 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
02/17/15 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
02/22/15 Boston, MA House Of Blues Boston
02/24/15 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
02/25/15 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
02/26/15 New York, NY Terminal 5
02/27/15 New York, NY Terminal 5
02/28/15 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
03/01/15 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
03/02/15 Toronto, ON Sound Academy

Read More Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate return to North America on the heels of a triumphant debut in 2014. After the release of their acclaimed album Faya by Cumbancha Discovery and a successful tour in the summer of 2014 ....

JOE DRISCOLL & SEKOU KOUYATE
at Cedar Cultural Center
Sunday 02/15/15, 7pm ($18)
thecedar.org

There's something compelling about seeing two different people from two different worlds teaming up together (for example Habib Koite and Eric Bibb; Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal). Guinea's Sekou Kouyate, known in France as the "Jimi Hendrix of the kora", with Bristol-based Joe Driscoll, whom Cee-Lo Green labelled "the gangsta with an iron lung", are currently making music together... and currently in America supporting their latest Faya album.

Kouyate best described their collaboration as simply that he doesn't speak English and Driscoll doesn't speak French, but somehow they understand each other.

See them live at the Cedar on February 15th at the Cedar.

Tour dates:

Jan 29 Johnny D's Somerville, MA
Jan 30 ArtsRiot! Burlington, VT
Feb 01 Joe's Pub New York, NY
Feb 02 Falcon Marlboro, NY
Feb 05 Ballatou Montreal, Canada
Feb 06 The Haunt Ithaca, NY
Feb 07 The Lost Horizon Syracuse, NY
Feb 08 Lula Lounge Toronto, Canada
Feb 09 University of Guelph Guelph, Canada
Feb 12 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
Feb 13 Grounds For Thought Bowling Green, OH
Feb 14 Leglon Arts Cedar Rapids, IA
Feb 15 The Cedar Minneapolis, MN
Feb 16 Mayne Stage Chicago, IL

Royal Teeth and CHAPPO w/ Parade of Lights - Triple Rock, Minneapolis (26 Feb 2014) concert review

Royal Teeth/CHAPPO Tour Poster Setlist Hold Me Stay Something in the Night (new song) Heart Beats (The Knife cover) For Keeps Rich (new song) Honey Mais La Monster Wild Tour Dates 03/03 Pontiac, MI - Pike Room*^ 03/04 Columbus, OH - The Basement*^ 03/05 Cincinnati, OH - 20th Century Theater*^ 03/06 St. Louis, MO - Demo*^ 03/07 Stillwater, OK - Tumbleweed Ballroom* 03/11-03/13 Austin, TX - SXSW 04/25 Lafayette, LA - NiteTown 04/27 New Orleans, LA - Jazz + Heritage Festival 06/19-06/22 Dover, DE - Firefly Music Festival 07/11-07/13 Cincinnati, OH - Bunbury Music Festival * w/ CHAPPO ^ w/ Parade of Lights Read More Royal Teeth New Orleans’ own Royal Teeth returns to town with their own version of happy, jumping dance pop, as evidenced on their full-length debut, Glow (Dangerbird Records)and brings the Mardi Gras party atmosphere, to their ... CHAPPO Brooklyn based psych-rock band CHAPPO (vocalist/multi-instrumentalists Alex Chappo and Chris Olson, drummer Zac Colwell, guitarist Dave Feddock) promise to bring the party to you! …

Mardi Gras came a little early for Minneapolis.

Two bands with Louisiana connections, Royal Teeth and CHAPPO, rounded out a high-energy lineup at the Triple Rock Social Club, warming the crowd inside as yet another sub-zero winter’s night lay outside.

Parade of Lights

Los Angeles/Las Vegas alt-electro band Parade of Lights got the evening started with a buoyant set of fresh songs, culled from their two EPs the latest called Golden, was just released on Astralwerks. The songs from the quartet (Ryan Daly, Anthony Improgo, Michelle Ashley, Randy Schulte) are nicely polished, incredibly catchy, and very radio-friendly, buoyed by solid electronic and traditional percussion.

The EP’s title track was appropriately just featured in NBC’s Winter Olympics campaign, and despite their somewhat forgettable name, expect bigger things from this band as they work toward their first full-length album.

Alex Chappo

The evening then took a spaceship detour for a trippy performance from Brooklyn psych-rock band, CHAPPO (vocalist/multi-instrumentalists Alex Chappo and Chris Olson, drummer Zac Colwell, guitarist Dave Feddock) debuting songs from their upcoming second album, Future Former Self, which follows their debut, Moonwater (Major Domo Records).

Though now based in Brooklyn, the band is originally from Baton Rouge, LA, which reflects in an underlying southern charm in the roots of their music. Their first single, ‘Come Home’ was an attention-getter, having been featured as a soundtrack for an Apple commercial, and the evening got started in high-tempo, with singer Alex Chappo crooning similar to The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins falsetto with a rock growl.

Alex in confetti sticks

The new album is said to chronicle a man’s journey through space to a black hole and while he reflects, and their second song of set, “about drifting away into paranoia” played into that theme. Influenced by The Doors, early Pink Floyd, and The Flaming Lips, the band promotes a full a/v palette to take in—a LED-lit reflective moon that changes patterns, psychedelic swirling background projections, and confetti sticks that the band and audience were flinging into the air.

CHAPPO

Another new song, about “drifting into the underbelly of the earth” and “discovering an underwater séance” became a musical journey of changing chords and trippy effects with the set ending with first album closer, ‘M.O.O.N. Water’. The band has the weirdness elements of a MGMT or Grandaddy, but musically is more rooted in traditional melodies which are enhanced by space-born keys and anchored percussion.

Lafayette, Louisiana’s Royal Teeth closed out the evening with their bubbling and buoyant positive pop sound that begs for greater radio attention. Their full-length debut, Glow (Dangerbird Records) has been out a while, so the band has been working in some newer songs into their set as well. Opening with ‘Hold Me’ about a moment right before the end of the world, any somberness in the lyrics is completely counter-balanced with the pure joy of their sound, with its jangling guitars, boy/girl vocals, and a throbbing collective drum sound.

Royal Teeth

Vocalists Gary Larsen and Nora Patterson trade off together perfectly, like a younger, more upbeat version of Canadian band Stars, while the rest of the band (Stevie Billeaud- guitar, Joshua Wells-bass, Andrew Poe-keys, Josh Hefner-drums) ably hold everything down musically. Their smoldering mid-tempo cover of Swedish electronic duo The Knife’s ‘Heart Beats’ adds extra percussion and makes the song their own, while ‘Mais La’ (French for “I can’t believe it”) pays tribute to their Louisiana roots with an effective audience call-and-response chorus.

Surprised that as many people came out in the extreme cold as did, the band their 45 min. set ended nicely with ‘Wild’, with its catchy, wailing vocal and singer Larsen taking the drum from the stage onto the venue floor for a booming finish.

Enduring the end of a long and brutally cold winter, it was a refreshing release to come and see three positive and energetic bands bring some warmth to the night.

Royal Teeth at Triple Rock, Minneapolis (26 Feb 2014)

john () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Minneapolis Music Guide: February 24 - March 2, 2014

Ritual Tradition Habit The Belle Game Read More Bomba de Luz Bomba de Luz vocalist Lydia Hoglund rocked the show with her fiery voice and folk rock sound. The crowd responded well to the show, and at one point they even sang along to the chorus when prompted by Hoglund. … Strange Relations The evening started with the ethereal Beach House-esque sounds of local trio Strange Relations. Not only was their sound unique and enjoyable, but lead singer Casey Shaw also rocked the drums - giving Phil Collins …

Here is a guide of some Minneapolis (and St Paul!) shows NEXT week: February 24-March 2.

FEBRUARY 24: TURF CLUB
The Belle Game w/ Bomba de Luz and Strange Relations

Vancouver's The Belle Game (Andrea Lo, Adam Nanji, Katrina Jones, Alex Andrew and Rob Chursinoff) is currently out on tour in support of their debut album Ritual Tradition Habit.

You can hear some tracks on their Soundcloud, including a few remixes from their Remix EP, and a track from their Ritual Tradition Habit album.



The tour kicks off in St Paul, with two local bands to open: Bomba de Luz and Strange Relations. Ski Lodge and Starlight Girls joins them on tour when they arrive in Brooklyn, New York.

02/24/14 Saint Paul, MN Turf Club
02/25/14 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
02/26/14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
02/28/14 Brooklyn, NY The Glasslands Gallery
03/01/14 Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar
03/03/14 Washington, DC Sixth & I Historic
03/04/14 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
03/05/14 Atlanta, GA Star Bar
03/06/14 Charlotte, NC Evening Muse
03/07/14 Savannah Stopover
03/14/14 SXSW - Maggie Mae's
03/18/14 Phoenix, AZ The Rhythm Room
03/19/14 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
03/20/14 Los Angeles, CA Bootleg Theater
03/21/14 San Francisco, CA Milk
03/23/14 Seattle, WA Vera Project
03/24/14 Portland, OR Holocene

Glasvegas US Tour 2014 Poster Read More Glasvegas Speaking of Glasvegas, I did also catch them at the same Scottish Showcase at SXSW in Austin. As you can see from their setlist, they only had a 30-minute set (as well as all the million of bands at SXSW). … The Ceremonies The Ceremonies opened up the show. The Los Angeles band is made up of mostly three brothers: Matthew, Mark, and Michael Cook. The Cook brothers all seem extremely excited to be on the same bill with The Fratellis …

FEBRUARY 25: 7TH STREET ENTRY
Glasvegas w/ The Ceremonies

Scottish indie quartet Glasvegas is saying ‘hello’ to America again with a three week coast-to-coast club tour of intimate venues that give the audience a rare chance to see the band up close and personal.

Though it marks their 8th tour of the U.S., it’s been three years since we’ve last seen them on these shores, and they come in support of their third studio album, Later...When The TV Turns To Static (BMG), which was released late last fall.

Singer-songwriter James Allan again sets lyrics of heartbreak and melancholy against an epic wall of sound, as seen in the video for “If” from the album, which features a cheeky intro from William Shatner himself.

Freed from the pressures of any band’s second album, the new third record retains the emotional core of their debut and re-affirms boldly, that they are a band still worthy of attention.

Los Angeles band The Ceremonies, which feature the three Cook brothers, open the show with their own blend of indie-rock, chiefly influenced by UK 80’s bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen and The Cure, with poets William Blake and writer Aldous Huxley cited as major inspirations by oldest Cook brother and lyricist, Matthew. The band is supporting their debut self-titled EP (Atom Factory/Capitol Records), which features a heartwarming cover photo of the three brothers together when they were toddlers.

Glasvegas Tour Dates:

February 19 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
February 20 Brooklyn, NY Rough Trade
February 22 Toronto, ON Mod Club
February 24 Chicago, IL Schubas
February 25 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
February 28 Seattle, WA Columbia City Theater
March 1 Vancouver, BC The Venue
March 2 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
March 4 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
March 6 San Francisco, CA Popscene / Rickshaw Stop

Royal Teeth & CHAPPO Tour Poster Read More Royal Teeth Tour dates with Royal Teeth: 06.27- Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern ∞ 06.28- Portland, OR – Star Theater …

FEBRUARY 26: TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB
CHAPPO/Royal Teeth/Parade of Lights

…You’ll feel like you stepped into your own surprise party.

Brooklyn based psych-rock band CHAPPO (vocalist/multi-instrumentalists Alex Chappo and Chris Olson, drummer Zac Colwell, guitarist Dave Feddock) promise to bring the party to you!

In 2012 the band released their debut album Moonwater (Majordomo Records) and found themselves with a lot of attention after single, “Come Home”, was the soundtrack for an Apple commercial.

The band returns with their follow up, Future Former Self, to be released this spring, which seems to be a concept album of sorts- “the record follows one man's journey through space to a black hole to help save mankind, while he struggles with the abstract concept of time and its fleeting nature.”

In addition to any space-borne theme, expect a full-on sensory experience featuring costumes, confetti, props (including an LED moon!) and a high-energy performance (Flaming Lips fans, take note…).

New Orleans’ own Royal Teeth returns to town with their own version of happy, jumping dance pop, as evidenced on their full-length debut, Glow (Dangerbird Records)and brings the Mardi Gras party atmosphere, to their own live performances.

Alt-electro Los Angeles band Parade of Lights rounds the bill out in Minneapolis, with Blondfire opening other dates. “Golden”, currently featured in NBC’s Sochi Olympics campaign, will be the title track off Parade of Light’s forthcoming EP, out on Astralwerks later this year.

02/20/14 Boise, ID Neurolux 02/21/14 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court 02/22/14 Denver, CO Marquis Theater 02/24/14 Lincoln, NE Vega 02/25/14 Kansas City, MO Czar Bar 02/26/14 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club 02/27/14 Milwaukee, WI Mad Planet

02/28/14 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge 03/03/14 Pontiac, MI Pike Room 03/04/14 Columbus, OH The Basement 03/05/14 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century Theatre 03/06/14 St. Louis, MO The Demo 03/07/14 Stillwater, OK Tumbleweed Dance Hall 03/15/14 SXSW The Parish Downstairs

Memorial Sargent House Read More Russian Circles Set within a 15th century Germanic corridor, where gothic murals depicting Sirens of old swirl ... The Parish at The House of Blues in New Orleans is host for one of my favorite instrumental acts, Russian Circles. …

FEBRUARY 27: TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB
Russian Circles w/ KEN Mode, Inter Arma

We recently covered Russian Circles in New Orleans and writer Kyle described the stage as "minimalist light show, and an unbelievable clarity in sound which I’ve yet to find comparison, they delivered in waves..."

Russian Circles is currently touring in support of Memorial, the new album from Sargent House. Touring mates KEN Mode and Inter Arma makes up the 'triple rock' at the Triple Rock next Thursday in Minneapolis.

Tour dates:

02/19 Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts #
02/20 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom #
02/21 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East #
02/22 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus #
02/23 Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar #
02/24 Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop #
02/25 Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig #
02/27 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock#
02/28 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room #
03/01 Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre #
03/02 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge #
03/03 Boise, ID @ Neurolux #
03/04 Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s *
03/05 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
03/07 San Francisco, CA @ Great American*
03/09 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *
03/10 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre *
03/12 Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom *
03/13 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad *
03/14 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory *
03/15 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar *
03/16 Chicago, IL @ Metro *

# w/ KEN Mode, Inter Arma
* w/ Helms Alee, KEN Mode

We Were Promised Jetpacks Poster Poster Read More We Were Promised Jetpacks We Were Promised Jetpacks will be returning with E Rey - Live in Philadelphia, an album that was recorded at Philadelphia's Union Transfer. The live album will be out February 25th via FatCat …

FEBRUARY 28: TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB
We Were Promised Jetpacks w/ Honeyblood

Friday, we see We Were Promised Jetpacks will be playing at the Triple Rock Social Club.

Like many bands currently on tour at the moment, their goal is to end up near or around Austin, Texas, where they are scheduled to appear at some SXSW showcase. And yes, incidentally, I caught the band when they played SXSW a few years ago, at the Scottish Showcase.

Glasgow's Honeyblood (Shona McVicar on drums and Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale) will be opening.

Tour dates:

02.21 - Los Angeles, CA @ The El Rey
02.22 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's 365 Club
02.24 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
02.25 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo's
02.28 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social
03.01 - Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
03.02 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
03.03 - Cleveland, OH @ the Grog Shop
03.05 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
03.06 - Wilmington, DE @ Arden Gild Hall
03.07 - Washington, DC @ The Black Cat
03.08 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
03.09 - Richmond, VA @ The Camel
03.11 - Chattanooga, TN @ Rhythm And Brews
03.14 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.15 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.16 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Pasajero

Read More Aaron & The Sea Aaron and the Sea performed in virtual darkness with lights momentarily lighting the stage now and then, illuminating the smoke-filled stage. …

MARCH 1: TURF CLUB
Aaron & The Sea/The Kickback/The Noise FM/Fort Wilson Riot

Aaron & The Sea is listed as headliner for this March 1st show.

Also on the bill are Minneapolis' Fort Wilson Riot, Chicago's The Noise FM and The Kickback.

The Kickback is prepping for a new Summer album called Sorry All Over The Place, so I think they will be testing out the new songs on this tour (which 'kicks' off next week).

The Kickback Tour Dates

02/27 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
02/28 - Milwaukee, WI - Club Garibaldi
03/01 - Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club
03/02 - Sioux Falls, SD - Bigs Sports Bar
03/03 - Sioux Falls, SD - White Wall Session
03/04 - Omaha, NE - O'Leaver's
03/05 - Lincoln, NE - Vega
03/06 - Columbia, MO - The Bridge
03/07 - Ames, IA - M Shop
03/08 - Lawrence, KS - Replay
03/09 - Topeka - Boobie Trap
03/10 - Wichita, KS - Barleycorns
03/11 - Dallas, TX - Prophet Bar
03/12 - Austin, TX - Amped
03/13 - Austin, TX - TBD
03/14 - Austin, TX - Papi Tino's
03/15 - Kansas City, MO - TBD
04/05 - Kansas City, MO - Middle of the Map Fest

Dune Secretly Canadian Read More Gardens & Villa Starting off was Gardens & Villa, a band that we previously mentioned here. They did a brief forty minute set and surprisingly did a few songs with flutes. …

MARCH 2: 7TH STREET ENTRY
Gardens & Villa w/ Waterstrider

Gardens & Villa are back with Dunes, their second LP, which came out two weeks ago on Secretly Canadian.

Gardens & Villa tour dates:

02.19.14 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC
02.20.14 DC9 Washington, DC
02.21.14 Boot & Saddle Philadelphia, PA
02.22.14 Middle East Club Cambridge, MA
02.25.14 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
02.26.14 Il Motore Montreal, QC
02.27.14 The Drake Hotel Toronto, ON
02.28.14 Hope College: Park Theater Holland, MI
03.01.14 Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL
03.02.14 7th St. Entry Minneapolis, MN
03.04.14. Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
03.05.14 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
03.07.14 The Independent San Francisco, CA
03.08.14 El Rey Theater Los Angeles, CA
03.09.14 U31Club San Diego, CA
03.11.14 03.15.14 SXSW Austin, TX
03.24.14 Shepherds Bush Empire London, UK *
03.25.14 Birthdays London, UK
03.27.14 La Cigale Paris, FR *
03.30.14 Postbahnhof Berlin, DE *
03.31.14 AB Flex Brussels *
04.01.14 Melkweg Amsterdam, NL *
04.03.14 La Fleche D'Or Paris, FR
04.04.14 Motel Mozaique Festival
04.05.14 Let's Get Lost Festival Zwolle, NL
04.07.14 Ideal Bar at VEGA Copenhagen, DK
04.08.14 Haus III & 70 Hamburg, DE
04.09.14 Kantine am Berghain Berlin, DE
04.10.14 Karstorbahnhof Heidelberg, DE
05.11.14 The Holland Project Reno, NV
05.13.14 Barboza Seattle, WA
05.14.14 Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, BC
05.15.14 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR

* w/ Broken Bells

vu + john () ♥ weheartmusic.com