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
Carrie Underwood is the first act announced for the 2015 Grandstand Concert Series at the Minnesota State Fair. She will be performing on Sat. Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Her special guest-opening act was not announced. Tickets are all reserved seating for $65 and $75. Continue Reading
Packed to capacity, Shakey Graves played at Cedar Cultural Center and along with his distinct sound, brought some very talented musicians with him to round out a four-hour concert. Esme Patterson opened first, followed by Sean Rowe. Each a wealth of talent, Patterson and Rowe complimented Graves with their abilities and sound, as all three performers are standouts in the singer-songwriter world where it’s stage presence, creativity, and singing that captivate the audience rather than flashy costumes, dance troupes, and elaborate stage lighting. Graves has built momentum during his short career, selling out The Turf Club last year and now The Cedar. Next time around, don’t be surprised if he fills the main room at First Ave and the show sells out within a day or two. Continue Reading
Pre-note, side comment, and recommendation: In light of current events it seems almost superfluous to write about a meeting of the Board of the Minnesota Orchestra. There is a great deal happening on the national scene, most recently the non-indictment of the policeman involved in the death of Eric Garner on Staten Island and Ferguson, Mo and spreading unrest around injustice. And all signs suggest that the U.S. Congress will be even more dysfunctional and confrontational with President Obama in 2015 than it is now, attempting its own power play with no good ahead for our country.
We are a country at war within ourselves. Still, a few words about an Orchestra organization trying to heal after one of the worst lockouts in American labor history seems worthy of some time. Continue Reading
I had never seen Mason Jennings live before Friday night. I’m not sure what I was expecting. Mason Jennings is mellow. He’s very cool on stage, very natural. I heard someone in the crowd describe him as “Dylanesque.” I know this won’t win me any fans but I think that’s damning with faint praise he’s much better than Dylan. Continue Reading
A.Win Music’s hip-hop artist G. Rice along with music producer MOsh unleashed their new track at Honey in Minneapolis as their performance concluded Optimystic’s Hennepin and Hyperspace Release Show, on Nov. 24.“It was dope, it felt good to release some new music out [sic] for all these people out here and it’ll give them something to follow-up on my SoundCloud GRiceProductionsMN,” G. Rice said.On Nov. 24, SOFTPORECORN hosted “Optimystic’s Hennepin and Hyperspace Release Show.” The event featured live performances from the following artists: Optimistic and his brief collaboration with Lifted Mindz, Exxe, North star Wisdom, Aftermind (Counter Culture) and G. Rice as he capped off the night with the final performance, which was past midnight. If G. Rice’s track was any indication, he came ready to give the audience a show.“Twelve o’clock I’m ready, my lyrics are far from petty, we blowing shit like confetti,” G. Rice rapped while performing the lyrics to one of his tracks.“A lot of people showed up [and] showed a lot of love,” G. Rice said.In a night with hip-hop performances and a hippie tinged performance by Optimystic, G. Rice brought an element that wasn’t heard that night as he performed his trap-styled music.“My style of music is like trap music, mixed with drug experimental,” G. Rice said in the documentary “Dosin’ Twin Cities with Musical Medicine.”He opened with the release of his new track “Hoe,” which G. Rice said is “a banger.”MOsh produced the track.“It’s a good song,” MOsh said. “It’s just dope.”Afterwards, G. Rice went on to perform a few of his other bangers including Mayday, SlowSip and his cover to 0-100 to present what he calls “Minnesota Music.”“I’m G. Rice and this is MOshbeatz and we from Maple Grove, Minnesota…we out here just trying to make some Minnesota music,” G. Rice told the crowd during a break after their opening tracks.Although the two, G. Rice and MOsh, faced some technical difficulties during their live performance, MOsh said he looks for them to have more performances at Honey.“My mic wasn’t working, but whatever,” MOsh said. Continue Reading
Celtic Thunder, a group of Irish male singers, performed a 90-plus minute (with one intermission) Christmas special at the State Theatre on Nov. 28, 2014 to a mostly sold-out audience. The group was conducted by their music director, David Monroe, and was backed by the Minneapolis Theatre Orchestra. The voices do sing in perfect harmony and occasionally in strong solos, but rarely “thunder” when merged with a symphony the size of the one accompanying them.The show consisted of standard Christmas tunes, typical of the season, including: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” “Mary, Did You Know?,” “Oh, Holy Night” and others. There were two Irish highlights: “Christmas Morning, Donegal” (an original by Celtic Thunder) and “Fairytale of New York,” the Pogues classic. Continue Reading
Lydia Loveless and her band returned to the Twin Cities Saturday, November 29, filling up the reopened Turf Club with a furious noise. The crowd was bigger than her last show in April at the 7th St Entry. That has to be as a result of word of mouth as the last time The Current played her music was a week ago, on the Americana show. Though country-rock is somewhat of a staple of The Current’s playlist, Loveless’s most recent album Somewhere Else and her Boy Crazy EP is not getting the same attention as a Dawes or First Aid Kit or Lucinda Williams does on that station. Maybe we shouldn’t care, but it seems a disservice to radio listeners and music fans. Continue Reading
The Minneapolis Chapter of the Roustabouts performed “Set Sail” & “Black ‘em Out” on KFAI’s “Live From Studio 5!” on November 19, 2014. Hosted by Dew Glass, Doug The Thug and Cher Dial. Check out our radio show every Wednesday night at 10pm. “Live From Studio 5!” is on KFAI Radio at either 90.3 or 106.7 on the FM dial or live on the Internet at kfai.org. Continue Reading
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
