Twin Cities
Articles, blog posts, and videos relating to Twin Cities artists, figures, or events.
- Local musicians unite for “The Minnesota Beatle Project” ()
Just when you thought that Jeremy Messersmith would never record a Beatles cover, the MN Beatle Project (Vol. 1) has made the dream a reality. The benefit CD, which will also feature the likes of Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, Ice Palace, and the Suicide Commandos, is being released in December with all of the proceeds from its […]
- Har Mar Superstar Interview ()
The more you get to know about Sean Tillman, the more it seems like the guy never stops living the American Dream. That is, of course, if your version of the American Dream includes becoming a spokesman for a vodka company. And winning an onscreen dance-off with Ben Stiller. And making out with Kate Moss. […]
- Fuck Knights battle zombies, drink cheap beer ()
Minneapolis trio Fuck Knights just released the band’s most recent music video for the track “Teenage Wasteland.” The three minute zombie spoof takes on a B-movie goofball aesthetic, one that leads to two things that few might have ever seen in a music video: 1) a zombie bonging a beer 2) that same zombie bonging […]
- Haunted House “Guess Who’s Not Coming To Dinner” Review ()
In a time when bands are able to buff out their every last blemish by way of modern production techniques, Mike Watton’s embrace of his monotone growl seems that much more unusual. On his band Haunted House‘s debut, Guess Who’s Not Coming To Dinner, the singer’s peculiar tone is the first sign of just how […]
- P.O.S releases “Never Better” video, shares Halloween memories ()
The perception P.O.S leaves with the video for “Never Better” almost suggests that the emcee has some serious hate in him for Halloween. After all, in the music video he gets into a rumble with all sorts of fiendish ghouls, only to take a serious beat down. Sharing some of his Halloween memories with MTV recently, the […]
- Retribution Gospel Choir to play 501 Club, release “2” ()
It’s been a busy month for Alan Sparhawk, and it doesn’t look things are going to slow down any time soon. In addition to having announced that Low will be performing a series of select fall/spring dates, his Retribution Gospel Choir is now deep in the production of its sophomore release 2. Having recently signed to Sub […]
- Lookbook “Wild at Heart” Review ()
Minneapolis is becoming increasingly known for being a hotbed of hip-hop and rock/noise acts, but somewhere in the shadows of the city lurks a stellar electronic scene that is just as remarkable. This often overlooked niche is arguably led by the duo of Grant Cutler (Passions) and Maggie Morrison (Digitata) who, under the Lookbook moniker, […]
- Solid Gold release new song, need your vote ()
As the teaser reads on mtvU’s site, “Your votes determine which videos get into rotation on mtvU each week only on The Freshmen.” Even if you’re one of the unfortunates who haven’t signed on with a participating cable or satellite provider to get the far-beyond-standard-cable network (myself included), you should still head over to their […]
- Brother Ali heads to Canada, collaborates with Gift of Gab ()
Rhymesayers has just released the second installment of its Fresh Air Tour video blog which is following Evidence and Brother Ali as they make their way across North America on their current tour. This video captures the the group as they head North of the border for shows up in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. […]
- Har Mar Superstar brings “Tall Boy” to Late Night ()
Har Mar Superstar made an unusually clothed (as in, he actually had clothes on) appearance last night when Late Night with Jimmy Fallon hosted a performance of “Tall Boy,” the first single from the new album Dark Touches. Originally penned for Britney Spears, the song is accompanied by a pair of music videos which were released earlier this month. The first features guest […]
- Toki Wright “Devil’s Advocate” Video ()
Currently on the Fresh Air Tour with Brother Ali and Evidence, Toki Wright has just dropped the first music video from his full-length Rhymesayers debut A Different Mirror. “Devil’s Advocate” just saw it’s debut on MTV—which also acts as Wright’s solo debut on the national station—where it is now acting as the emcee’s introduction to […]
- In the Stream Interview ()
Interview segment from the October 23, 2009 edition of In the Stream with T.D. Mischke. Full episode available here.
- Kill to Kill release “Sugar Sugar” music video ()
Aside from being a “band to watch” and having the “flyer of the week,” Minneapolis’ Kill to Kill have just released a video for the song “Sugar Sugar” which comes from their new Fighter EP (which is being released tonight at the Hex). “Sugar Sugar” comes produced by Northern Outpost, the local video site best known for its […]
- Red Pens “Reasons” Review ()
“It’s not every year that the winner of our Picked to Click poll blows the rest of the competition out of the water, but every so often a band comes along that manages to win over the hearts of the entire music scene.” Though a tad hyperbolic, City Pages‘ recent introduction of this year’s best […]
- Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles “Special Party Time for Everybody” Review ()
The past year has offered a world of change to the six members of Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles. Dropping the independently released Orange Peels and Rattlesnakes in the summer of 2008 only added to the budding attention that the band had already been attracting for its live performances around the Twin Cities. By […]
- “The March of Time” mixtape gets heavy on MPLS ()
Streetwear company The Airtime Collection & Pwelbs recently dropped an absolutely ferocious mixtape that is packed with some of Minneapolis’ brightest emcees. Here’s a taste of what you’re getting yourself into if you decide to take them up on the offer of downloading it at the low low price of free.99: Nero “Yep, Ya Dig”Dave Coresh “Keep It Movin’”Chuck L.I. “Contact”LA […]
- No Bird Sing “Devil’s Trombones” Video ()
In preparation for the release of No Bird Sing‘s self-titled debut earlier this summer, City Pages interviewed the band and attempted to draw an accurate description of its music. “[No Bird Sing] is a hybrid, a product of a city where the MCs listen to NPR, musicians feel free to mix partying and post-modernism, and […]
- Murs, Slug & Aesop Rock get their cake on ()
To express anything remotely resembling a slanderous shot at Rhymesayers is typically grounds for an ass-kicking in the Twin Cities. And if you take that one step further and talk smack about Atmosphere, you might as well start shutting down your Facebooks and your MySpaces, because some serious hate is coming your way. Even when […]
- To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie “In People’s Homes” Video ()
Continual Stereogum darlings Jehna Wilhelm and Mark McGee have popped up on the music site once again, this time debuting a new music video from their latest album Marlone. If anything, “In People’s Homes” is an outlier in terms of what can be expected from the band, but a diversion that is as enjoyable a […]
- To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie release “In People’s Homes” video ()
Continual Stereogum darlings Jehna Wilhelm and Mark McGee have popped up on the music site once again, this time debuting a new music video from their latest album Marlone. If anything, “In People’s Homes” is an outlier in terms of what can be expected from the band, but a diversion that is as enjoyable a listen as […]
- Jeremy Messersmith to perform live at lunchtime ()
“I figured that those of you trapped in cubicles eating your paper bag lunches may need a bit of cheering up on a cloudy day like today” writes Jeremy Messersmith on his blog today. But even if you’re not in need of some emotional enhancement it’ll likely be worth your time to tune into Messersmith’s online […]
- Total Babe “Heavewave EP” Review ()
Following a brief musical introduction Clara Salyer opens Total Babe’s six song EP with the welcomed sound of her voice. Her gently slurred verses are slightly elevated over the guitar, drums and organ throughout the song, allowing her distinct hum to immediately make an impact. And even though I can’t really tell you exactly what […]
- Moby at Fine Line Music Cafe (Minneapolis, MN) ()
Video of Moby‘s October 1, 2009 show at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, MN features performances of “Shot in the Back of the Head,” “Mistake,” Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” “Extreme Ways,” “Honey,” Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” and “Feeling So Real.” [This post was first published by Culture Bully.]
- Fuck Knights Interview ()
Last December Minneapolis’ Fuck Knights released its first album FuKn Live! Vol. 1, a compilation of songs recorded live from a variety of the band’s performances. Now following it up with a second release, Vol. 2 contains 12 tracks recorded throughout the Midwest from January to May of this year. The album will officially drop […]
- Mally Interview ()
The past decade has seen one of the nation’s strongest hip hop scenes develop in the Twin Cities, with acts such as Atmosphere, Brother Ali, P.O.S. and the Doomtree crew, Eyedea & Abilities, I Self Divine, and Toki Wright gaining national and international acclaim. But for every Slug there are a dozen MCs below the […]
- Mashups of the Week: Reba McEntire & Brother Ali ()
With all the love Brother Ali has been receiving for his newly released album Us, it’s no wonder that the MC has received a little love from the mashup world as well. DJ STV SLV of Chicago’s Hood Internet recently dropped a track that combines Ali with the brilliance that is Flying Lotus. DJ STV […]
- Lucy Michelle & the Velvet Lapelles Critics’ Pick ()
It’s been a little over a year since Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles dropped the band’s independently released debut album, Orange Peels and Rattlesnakes—and, oh, what a year it has been. A month and a half after the CD-release show, the band, led by the ukulele-strumming songstress Michelle, edged out Gospel Gossip by a mere two votes […]
- Clipse at First Avenue (Minneapolis, MN) ()
Video of Clipse’s August 14, 2009 Sneaker Pimps show at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN featuring performances of “Til the Casket Drops,” “Momma I’m So Sorry,” “We Got it For Cheap,” “Hot Damn,” “Riding Around Shining,” “Wamp Wamp (What it Do),” “Mr. Me Too,” and “Kinda Like a Big Deal.” [This post was first published […]
- In Defence Critics’ Pick ()
Few bands are able to trace their existence back to one memorable anecdote, but In Defence’s backstory is one for the history books. As the legend goes, the Twin Cities hardcore group was set to play its CD release show at Nate’s Dungeon in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Cops infiltrated the crowd at the house show and […]
- Solid Gold Critics’ Pick ()
While every year another set of musicians get labeled the next big thing to break out of the Twin Cities, this past year has seen one rise above all others: Solid Gold. Within the span of a little over a year the group of electronic-rockers have made the transition from headlining shows at the Uptown Bar […]