MUSIC REVIEW | The 4onthefloor with Communist Daughter, All Tomorrow’s Petty, and American Scarecrows at First Avenue

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Saturday night’s show at First Avenue was sold out! I love to hear that for local bands. The place was packed—but true for nearly every 4onthefloor show I’ve attended, the crowd was friendly and fun. They sounded great and played all of the old and new favorites. People were hopping to older songs such as “Bricklayer” and “Drunk on Tuesday” and singing along to the newer songs off Spirit of Minneapolis released last spring. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Buddakao at the Kitty Cat Klub

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Maybe 2013 will go down as the year I started listening to local rap. This year I’ve seen Brother Ali, the Chalice and Carnage. And on Friday night I saw Buddakao at the Kitty Cat Klub. I went because of a friend. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was glad I went.Not to totally age myself and out my shallow knowledge of the genre but when I walked in and I was reminded more of Body Count than solo Ice-T. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Anais Mitchell on Real Phonic Radio at James J. Hill Library

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Thursday, December 19 was an evening of sung stories at the James J Hill Reference Library for the monthly Real Phonic Radio Hour with Anais Mitchell, Dave Simonett and regular Real Phonic Radio folks.Hailing from Vermont, Anais Mitchell headlined the show with her stories of reading and babies and boats. Mitchell is a little bit country, a lot of folksy and kind of modern. She borrows stories from old sources and puts a lighter, modern spin to the sound. She did a rendition of Willie of Winsbury, a remake of an old English ballad from the Francis James Child collection. It’s the story of a princess found unexpectedly pregnant by a proud servant while her father, the king, was in Spain. Continue Reading

What aren’t you online? There are some common reasons

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This weekend I am doing basic computer and Internet Introduction training on the Fond du Lac reservation. Many class attendees qualify for a free computer through PCs for People. It’s a nice one-two punch at the digital divide – get people who aren’t online a computer and some training and as a bonus, they meet other people in the community who are in the same learning curve so that they can help each other. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Paul Metzger, Suzuki Junzo, Jesse Peterson and Forgotten Works at Seward Café: Secret gem of a concert

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Sunday night I saw a show that should have been standing room only in almost any venue. As it was there was plenty of room at the back of the Seward Café for four stellar, yet unconventional, musicians. Headline was Suzuki Junzo on tour from Tokyo. Apparently this was his second time to Minneapolis. Last time he played, it was more of a noise set; this time is was an eerie set of love songs. Continue Reading

Technology credited with rural revival – what if we boosted technology?

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Over the weekend the Minneapolis Star Tribune ran a story of rural revival. The article features towns such as Osakis, Jackson, Mankato, Brainerd, Kiester, Benson, Hancock and Morris and notes their progress and growth. Technology – broadband technology – is given some of the credit for progress and growth. That’s exciting and I’m sure that technology has played a role BUT it also feels as if maybe the towns could do even better with more technology or as if maybe we’re being satisfied with minimal improvements when we should be aiming higher. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Fathom Lane CD release with batteryboy at the Icehouse

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While it was freezing cold outside, two Minnesota bands got a little steamy inside at the Icehouse Saturday night as Fathom Lane released their new CD and batteryboy released their new line up.Fathom Lane started with a video of Sugardown, which is a catchy song and a very appealing video. I thought it was an unusual start, but it worked. Fathom Lane is pop for grown-ups, reminiscent of several bands I liked in the 90s. The lap steel guitar brings in a folksy, country feel. The unusual guitar playing in Snow Bride gives the music a stormy sound. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Amy Helm and Martha Scanlon on Real Phonic Radio

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Thursday night the stacks were swaying with Amy Helm and Martha Scanlan on Real Phonic Radio at the James J. Hill Reference Library. Real Phonic Radio is a monthly show featuring local and national music – generally with a country drawl – at the library. It was the largest crowd I’ve seen at event – with standing room only and plenty of folks watching from the second tier stacks.Amy Helm (daughter of The Band drummer Levon Helm and singer Libby Titus) brought passion to her songs. He voice has am almost twangy crooner quality. She sings sexy sounding songs that make you want to wiggle. Continue Reading