Local bands play copycat to benefit Spout Press

by Jay Gabler, TC Daily Planet • July 1, 2008 • I'm glad new songs are brought into the world at the current torrential rate—I've even brought a few into the world myself—but I also think that at least since Dylan's ascendance, the singer/songwriter has been fetishized in popular music. There are thousands—hell, millions—of great songs already existing in the world. What's wrong with simply performing them well? I think the world needs more Detroit Cobras, and the world really needs more Neil Dynamite and the Heartlightses.

Arts Orbit is a multisource blog about the local arts scene, featuring both original contributions by Daily Planet writers and entries reprinted from partner blogs and online publications.

Which is why I heartily endorse the notion behind the annual Spoutstock events held to benefit Northeast's adventurous Spout Press. Each year, Spout convenes a group of local bands to battle it out with cover tunes in the Gasthof basement, judged by notables such as Jim Walsh and Lori Barbero. Spout has just announced the date of this year's show—July 17th—but nothing yet on the lineup. Stay posted to Spout's Web site for details, and make plans to raise your boot in support of the literary arts. Update 7/14: This just in from Spout Press: Spout Press invites you to our sixth annual Spoutstock, 8:30 Thursday July 17th at Mario's Keller Bar, 2300 University Avenue NE in Minneapolis (lower level of the Gasthof)...Last year’s theme was “all-star” this year’s theme is “all new.” New performers, new judges, new feelings as yet unfelt. Our lineup of cover song artists includes Vampire Hands, TruthMaze, Eliza Blue, Lookbook, Olivia Rose Muzzy, Lucy Michelle, See More Perspective, Ugly Fat Kids, Jennifer Markey, and several sneaky surprises. This year's celebrity judges are also being kept secret to avoid controversy, so please don't ask. But it's guaranteed they will be highly skilled professionals.