Posted March 27, 2007
I also look at those sports power rankings things, and thought maybe their should be a local music version. I didn't relate it to any album sales charts or by what I like, more on perception of who is maybe making money and selling a few albums, downloads whatever. There is probably someone big I am missing.
[ ] Posted March 12, 2007
I was forced to stop listening to KOOL 108 because of the new format. So I went to internet radio, which I found to be the greatest thing ever. But now, the (CRB) finds it necessary to make them start paying outrageous royalty prices.
Will internet radio be a thing of the past? There's a petition at . So, if you're like me and were forced to change your listening habits, please go to the above website and sign the petition to help overturn this ruling.
Posted March 9, 2007
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has posted their , which is sure to drive anyone with any taste at all into conniptions. Minnesotan Bob Dylan is in the Top 10, as he should be. Husker Du?
Not so much. The Replacements? No.
Purple Rain is number 16, which is pretty decent. But, then, this is a list with Elvis Presley's Sun Sessions at 53, no Velvet Underground at all, and includes the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack, Top Gun, Forrest Gump, Titanic, and Footloose soundtracks, as well as Kenny G at 107 and AVRIL FREAKIN' LAVIGNE at 162. Have at it.
Posted March 2, 2007
I am really in need of some fine dance time. Back popping, disco swirling, sweat breaking dance-a-thon, kind of time and I am out of touch with where such a good time can be had. Please, please help this disco girl get her groove on, with some suggestions about where, why and what club is a good club.
Music styles are open, disco, hiphop, salsa, etc. but mosh pits - not so much. How do you lovely MNSpeakers shake it?
Posted March 1, 2007
While perusing the strib today, my eyes landed on about owners of local clubs. I read it and had to shake my head in wonder. I mean, since when is The Blue Nile a "club?
" In fairness, I spotted in "related content," and figured that maybe the job would be finished. Alas, I was left wanting. What's the deal?
Where are Visage, The Lounge, Barfly (upstairs,) The Cabooze, and others? Furthermore, is it just me or does the second piece look like nothing more than info lifted off of websites, with no interviewing? What do you think?
Anybody here still go clubbing enough to feel my pain on this? Posted February 8, 2007
Sure, Bob Dylan taking best album in the venerable --in which 494 critics, including the Strib's and , tally their favorites--isn't necessarily a score for Minnesota, but other : for best album, The Hold Steady is at #4. And while Prince (#142), Golden Smog (#154), Soul Asylum (#399) and Low's Alan Sparhawk (#530) aren't surprises on the list, it's great to see Rhymesayer P.
O.S. (#161), Jessy Greene (#756), Zebulon Pike (#720) and--oh yeah--Tapes 'n Tapes (#137) get their props.
What's your take on (purportedly) the best music of 2006? Posted February 2, 2007
Punk legends and Bush-haters , have a song about the . It is an all ages venues for live music.
one of the few that I know of. I'm sure you have all heard of it. The cover of their latest release "Wolves in Wolves' Clothing" looks a lot like the old Suburbs logo.
What is the Minneapolis connection? scheduletwo has shot and posted live video from The Hold Steady's performance at First Avenue on October 25th, 2006. Watch them or download them to your iPod here: They also have the opening sets from and It's almost like being at the show.
almost. Posted January 31, 2007
City Pages has just released a ' '. I haven't downloaded and installed it yet, but it's a desktop program that allows you to listen to, keep track of, and buy music from local artists.
Cool. Posted January 18, 2007
But here's the , an extracurricular project of Minnetonka High School's Percussion Ensemble, performing works by ( ) on May 16 of 2005. That's right: trip hop performed acoustically by high school kids.
Posted January 2, 2007
Posted December 29, 2006
Idolator has had two MSP posts in the last two days (and it's not even run by a bunch of from the Twin Cities!). Yesterday the Gawker music mavens connected the dots on (including the corresponding CP ) and then today mentioned the upcoming Prince themed produced by none other than, yep, Prince.
Posted December 26, 2006
Posted December 19, 2006
We can handle another music best-of list this week right? has his list of the best local shows of the year, complete with pics, videos and links. Anything to add?
Posted December 18, 2006
Hans Eisenbeis over at is wondering who you think is the best music critic in town. . There are a few MNSpeakers in the poll, so be nice.
.. they're probably listening.
Posted December 8, 2006
Last weekend was GNR (I went to Doomtree instead), last night was Aerosmith (I went to Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood), and tonight's the Who/Pretenders (I'll be in 5th row, center!). Apparently, the shows have been great from these legends of rock, so MNSpeakers, which bands of today will have the staying power to rock your kids 20-30 years from now?
Posted November 22, 2006
What are your plans for tonight, Thanksgiving Eve, which has unofficially become the ? Posted November 16, 2006
Posted November 2, 2006
Are the Erte snobs unable to enjoy their steaks in peace, or do the powers that be just think there's no point now that the chicks with the accordions are gone? Posted October 18, 2006
In honor of their baby nephew, Jacob, raconteurs Davy + Peter Rothbart visit Jake's hometown (Madison, Wisconsin) and a couple other towns along the way -- including Minneapolis.
Stop by tomorrow, October 19, at 8 p.m. (2201 NE 2nd St.
, 612-706-7879) to see some of Davy's favorite brand-new finds and hear Peter dazzle us with brand-new songs based on FOUND stuff. And bring along your finds. Posted October 17, 2006
Great news music lovers.
Barb from has landed at , and is now living in the Cities. She has been on the air three weeks - I've been listening to Barb for five years, since I've had broadband access. Alas, WOXY is no more [ ], but people, we have Barb !
!! 9 a.
m. to noon. Posted October 4, 2006
is at First Avenue Friday night.
I've got 3 pairs of tickets to give away. The writers of the best three poems in this thread will win. (I'll choose the winners.
) They can be limericks, sonnets or haikus; it doesn't matter how they're formed or what they're about. At least one of the words has to be a link to something having to do with the poem. All winners must be registered users or provide an email address with their poem so I can verify their identity.
Deadline is 9 a.m. Friday.
[The winning poems are listed inside.] Posted October 2, 2006
The wrapped up last night at First Avenue with , , , and taking some of the awards. , among many others gave a strong performance and most everyone missed out on one of the most intimate sets Minneapolis has seen.
Wrap-up from , . . Posted September 27, 2006
Music is in the air.
.. or at least in the media.
of The Rake today's music scene to that of the 80s and highlights local musicians and . There are also short interviews with local like of HowWasTheShow.com and of First Avenue.
City Pages also just published new music editor inaugural " " issue, which reviews 11 of the best new acts in town, with and topping the list. Posted September 20, 2006
From to ? Zak Sally, self-described "cartoonist and music expert" pontificates on how Tool continues to "rock like hell" [via ] Posted September 8, 2006
In a , MSP-alum Craig Finn says his favorite record store of all time is Treehouse Records (née Oar Folkjokeopus) on Lyndale.
Given the recent demise of Let It Be and Aardvark Records, is the independent-minded music fan running out of consumer choices? (And can you answer that question without citing Electric Fetus?) Posted September 6, 2006
Methinks the reason MNspeak is a little quiet today is because all the regular posters are camped out in front of the Target Center for this week's .
For you tweens, choir geeks, Claymates, and budding Kelly Clarksons camping out overnight, the Star Tribune published a of what to bring (and not bring). And of course, . For progress reports from the Target Center, check out the myspace blogs of Idol hopefulls , , , , , , and .
And if you find First Ave. blocked off at some point this week, it's not because there's been another shooting..
.for once. Posted August 31, 2006
To promote their new album, Boys and Girls in America, Twin Cities expats are looking for detailing your best and worst experiences with the opposite sex.
How many MNspeakers are willing to expose their love lives on the internet? Will all the videos attempt to reference Minneapolis, St. Paul, and ?
Posted August 24, 2006
OK, I'm sure most of us think we are way too cool for most of , but is anyone going to the Fair to hear some music? And can someone please tell me what happened to Kenny Rogers's face? Posted August 21, 2006
Love or hate Pitchfork, it is definitely feeding the buzz ( , , ) for 's upcoming release, "Boys and Girls in America.
" For those of you who are curious what the new album will sound like, P'fork is now serving an mp3 of the first single, . Posted August 15, 2006
If you've ever wondered what happens to good MNspeak posters, the answer is that they abandon the site for more lucrative gigs at local publications. Sarah Askari, who you know here as (and the purest ), has been named .
Congrats kid -- see ya at the Triple Rock every night for the rest of your life. Posted August 14, 2006
The fifth annual Minnesota Hip-Hop Festival will be at First Avenue/Seventh Street Entry this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be shows by Brother Ali, MC Lyte, Ruthless and Playaz Lounge Crew (Serial MCs), Maria Isa, and many more.
The cost for this event is $7 on Friday, $13 on Saturday and Sunday, and $22 for a Saturday/Sunday pass. The shows are all ages. There will be a lot going on inside, and lots of stuff in the streets.
So come on, bring your families, and support local hip-hop artists. The event is sponsored by , a non-profit organization sponsoring safe, local events in the Minneapolis area. Posted August 9, 2006
So the has released it's nomination ballot, which for the first time ever is open to everyone.
Usually it was reserved to members. This would be a good time discuss what local artists, cds and musicians have been popping your cork for the last year. Fill in your ballot and discuss.
Posted August 7, 2006
, the Minneapolis indy group that has exploded out of the SXSW music festival has seen sold out crowds around the country, and recently sold out the First Ave mainroom on the 22nd. As much success as they are seeing, they still are not getting enough local support from Minnesota. In New York City, they sold out the Bowlery Ballroom.
Three times. At the Electric Fetus, TNT isn't even on the top 10 albums list, and Rolling Stone put "The Loon" as one of the top five albums to get in 2006. Why is this?
Posted August 1, 2006
It appears that CBS has a very short memory. Remember the heat they took in 2004 for Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" at halftime of the 2004 Super Bowl. Apparently, CBS has forgotten.
SPORTSbyBROOKS.com and Pete McEntegart, who writes The 10 Spot for ESPN, are reporting that Prince will be the headline performer during halftime at Super Bowl XLI in Miami on Feb. 4th.
So, CBS has nobody to blame but themselves if their phones light up like Christmas trees during his performance like they did for Jacksons. Why? Call us crazy, but we get the feeling Prince will think the Super Bowl is the absolute perfect time to resurrect the ass-less pants he used to wear on stage.
Consider yourself warned CBS. Posted July 24, 2006
has made a high-quality recording of its July 2 concert in Duluth available for free on . Jeff Tweedy tells the crowd: "This has got to be one of our favorite states.
Never been to Duluth before, but it lives up to all the Minnesota expectations. You guys, dare I say, are superior." [Via ] More fun with Google Maps.
The Current's " " asks listeners to pick a spot in the Twin Cities and associate a song with it. Most of the songs are available for streaming. Posted July 11, 2006
What seemed like a potential harbinger of the eventual deconstruction of the record label system has itself been dismantled.
After five years of independent music experimentation, Prince has pulled the plug on the (that page is now completely black, similar to a certain from 1987). The site's tiered membership structure -- $7.75 U.
S. for basic monthly access; $100 for a premium annual membership -- seemed like a legitimate model to many people experimenting with new music distribution techniques. In a statement on the site's closure, Prince said, "In it's current 4m there is a feeling that the NPGMC gone as far as it can go.
" Prince launched the web/music distribution experiment on Valentine's Day in 2001, and it won this year. The entire syntactically-challeged statement from the Purple One . Posted June 20, 2006
David Carr, the NYTimes guy who could never quite get over Minnesota, talks to Paul Westerberg about from The Replacements.
Posted June 15, 2006
The is playing at this Saturday, and they happen to be I can't wait. Get there early, 'cause the sight lines tend to be difficult with performers that are even shorter than Prince. There has to be a story angle for DeRusha in here somewhere.
Posted June 13, 2006
For those interested, a few Pearl Jam fans have set up a at Patrick McGoverns Pub Restaurant in St. Paul. Festivities run from 2:00 p.
m. - 5 p.m.
with a raffle at 4:30 p.m. (on both 6/26 6/27) Posted June 7, 2006
Local photographer Steve Cohen did, and has posted a rather nice collection of his photographs, including some of local bands.
Posted June 5, 2006
Actually, as you may already know, at First Avenue. I walked by it this morning and it didn't seem especially burned up (although the deejay area apparently went bye bye), so perhaps it is just more evidence that Matt Jenings is one hot son-of-a-gun. Nobody knows what started the damn thing, so, MNspeakers, it's time to play armchair detective.
What do you think caused the fire? Posted June 1, 2006
are playing Lee's next Wednesday night..
.can you say can of sardines? Tix were only available @ Electric Fetus Lee's and they sold out in 48 hours.
Plenty of people are asking for tix on Craigslist, but nobody seems to be selling. I thought that Motley Cure was about the best you could ask for @ the State Fair (other than cheese curds) but dust off your animal costumes..
.. are playing @ the State Fair on August 25.
Tickets are still available for this one. Posted May 19, 2006
We know some of you can drink, but do MNspeakers dance? One of my co-workers is co-hosting a at (yes, ) place on 354 N Wabasha St.
in St. Paul on Saturday, May 27, 2006. It's a fundraiser for , and the $10 cover buys you a night of swing dancing, salsa music and tango lessions at 8:30 p.
m. Posted May 15, 2006
SoCal pop-punk oldsters NOFX dropped their new for their single "Seeing Double at the Triple Rock", an homage to Mpls's best small club. While the snooty aesthetes at TCPunk will have none of it, I love it -- with every touring band making a cliche First Avenue/Purple Rain namecheck, it's about time another club gets its due.
What's your favorite song about a place in Minnesota? What's the drunkest you've been at the Triple Rock? Posted May 14, 2006
He was .
He looks great in . He was . Cornbread Harris and Prince's father played on his one .
He was booted off the stage after opening for becaue ""Colonel Parker was afraid that Elvis would be outplayed by a bunch of locals." What local legends do you think go sadly unrecognized? Posted May 11, 2006
And not in a dirty way.
Our own has of the current edition of Pulse. It's a profile on Andrea writes: "The album shows an interesting dichotomy between old and new Mason styles, and the dual nature is intentional." Mason's album is out next Tuesday, May 16.
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