MUSIC REVIEW | Real Phonic Radio Hour with Kenny Vaughan, Gospel Machine, Ben Percy and Erik Koskinen

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Who doesn’t want to celebrate Christmas in the most majestic, rockingest library in town? That’s what we did Thursday night at the James J Hill. Everyone was so friendly and warm (that may have been the free samples of Two Gingers whiskey floating around) but it felt as much like a party as a show even though we aren’t musicians and this event was clearly a night of musicians for musicians.Headlining the show was Kenny Vaughan, who is Nashville cool – dressed and done up in a way that doesn’t sadly doesn’t happen in the Midwest that often. He’s the sort of guy you listen to and think he’s like another band and then realize that actually they’re probably like him.He started with an old school rock and roll instrumental—so old school that it could just as easily pass for country. The whole set was a retrospect of music genres from 1950 to present. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Understated timeless cool of Jeremy Messersmith at the Turf Club

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Man, woman, child, I don’t care who you are – everyone has a little crush on Jeremy Messersmith. He could fit into almost any era with pompadour, dark glasses and cardigan. He could play with Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly or the Bing Crosby, banter with Mr. Rogers, give him a pipe he could hang with Beaver Cleaver’s dad. The themes of his song – mostly love lost – are just as universal. And that adds to the crushability!I was a mostly passing fan of Messersmith until Heart Murmurs – so I was pleased to have him play many songs off the album at the Turf Club on Wednesday night. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Punk rock party at the Turf Club: Dillinger Four, Pink Mink, Whatever Forever, and NO SKIN

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This week I went to two nights of local music at the Turf Club—both sold out! A great sign for the Turf Club and Twin Cities audience appreciation of homegrown music. Wednesday night was all country (Cactus Blossoms and Erik Koskinen); Friday night was punk all night. It was also a 10 year anniversary party for Ben and Sheela. I don’t know them but I want to thank them for a great night. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Experimental jazz with Embezzler at Khyber Pass Café

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I have good news and bad news, my favorite quiet nights of music—Thursdays  at the Khyber Pass Café in St Paul—are filling up. I’m glad for the musicians. I’m glad for the Khyber Pass. But I’ve got to start being on time. Embezzler played this week, which is Paul Metzger on the guitar and other instruments, Adam Linz on the upright bass and JT Base on the drums and other percussion accoutrements. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Transitional Species, HACK, Surgery at the Hands of Machines and Lazarus Long at the Kitty Cat Klub

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The Kitty Cat Klub is great for a wide range of entertainment. Sunday night I saw a few experimental bands or bands that at least defy traditional labels or grouping. The set lists were abbreviated since Freddy Fresh took over the bar at midnight to shoot a video. (Always kind of fun!) But it was enough time to get a taste of each act.I walked in just in time to see Lazarus Long play briefly – too briefly really. I was just getting the groove and it was over–but I liked the solo bass with reverb. Continue Reading

“Here We Are Nice” at The Soap Factory: Creepy, cool, colorful, contemporary

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Here We Are Nice opened at The Soap Factory Saturday night; it includes art from 25 artists who volunteer at The Soap Factory. The theme of the show is explained on the website…A handwritten sign on the side of the road proved an unlikely impetus for The Soap Factory’s 2014 Volunteer Biennial. Spotted in its haphazard black scrawl, the sign read “ARE YOU EVEN NICE?”. This anonymous inquiry challenged not only the ubiquitous core of our Minnesota Nice aspirations, but brought us face to face with one of the most overused four-letter words of our common vocabulary. …And to answer that inquisitive piece of graffiti, we may not be able to vouch for the beneficence beyond our walls, but within the galleries of this local art space, given the many years of hard work and tireless volunteer efforts witnessed within The Soap Factory, it’s safe for us to at least offer this title as a kind of manifesto: HERE WE ARE NICE.It’s a great theme for a gallery known for very out there exhibits (Haunted Basement to Venus Demars’ Queer’s Book of Journey) because it strengthens the connection to Minnesota and mainstream. Continue Reading

Barbara Jean CD release at Icehouse

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Both on and off the stage, we were shoulder to shoulder at the Icehouse last Saturday night for the release of Barbara Jean’s latest CD, Darker Than Blue. I didn’t know the stage could hold eight musicians but the close quarters was worth it once the music started.Barbara Jean has a gentle voice almost wistful at times that suits the Americana traveling sound of her songs such as Siren Song or Small Town and the last song at the prom feel of Long Walk Back. But then she can pick up the pace easily for a song like What’s Right, which is much twangier with some impressive string accompaniment. I think What’s Right is the most memorable song from the night and the CD; it was fun to learn that the song was written in honor of her parents – both lifelong teachers and both in attendance on Saturday night. What For is another toe-tapping song with a sassy feel, a gypsy world beat sound and featuring Chastity Brown whose own lower, grounded voice blends so well Barbara Jean’s sweet voice.Amidst the Americana, there was also a Celtic flavor stemming from the violins and viola; my favorite part of the night was hearing the dueling violin-viola. Continue Reading