Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sound Unseen 2008
Sound Unseen 2008 begins tonight. Check the website for all the awesome to-do's, and watch this groovy trailer for the event:
Art Is Resistance
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Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sound Unseen - Rock and Bowl next Monday!
On Monday October 20, 2008, you can have your chance to bowl against some local Minneapolis bands:10-20-2008
7pm -10pm at Memory Lanes
Sound Unseen Music Film and Art Festival Presents
ROCK AND BOWL - Come bowl with us at Memory Lanes!
2520 26th Ave S, Minneapolis, 55406
Cost: $5 - Includes Bowling
John Kass will be selling records and DJing this year's Rock N' Bowl.
Reserve your spot today! Sign up in teams of four. To do so, please email: info@soundunseen.com.
Participating Bands:
- Bella Koshka
- So It Goes
- Military Special
- The Guystorm
- Weaver at the Loom
- Zebulon Pike
- Gospel Gossip
- The God Damn Doo Wop Band
- Building Better Bombs
- The Soviet Machines
Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Review of the 2008 Flight of the Valkyries show
An impossibly amazing set of performances by the female-fronted bands attending the second Flight of the Valkyries show at Station-4.
It seems that every time there's an event at Station 4, I get to the event late. The only exception was the Jagged Spiral show a couple months ago, which is a good thing, because I was in it. Here, I thought the event started at 6PM, but it actually started at 3PM, and so I managed to miss Aria Sharp, Something to Fear, Earthen and Dendura. My loss.
However, I did get to meet Nathan Block, also known as 'The SwordLord' and the promoter of much of the harder edged music that comes to town. It was an honor to meet him and shake his hand. There was enough free stuff handed out by the bands that the $20 cover was well worth the price. I only wish I had gotten there sooner. Station 4 is a great venue for gigs like this, the only thing better would have been an outdoor show with awesome weather! Maybe next year???
Here are the bands from FotV I did get to experience:
Visideon - Visideon played the First FotV in 2007, and were invited back for this year's show. They're a great band, definitely worth hearing, I especially liked the vocals. Many metal bands (especially female-fronted ones) push vocals down into dog-barking obscurity or up into piercingly high-pitched screams, both of these techniques are spices to me, best used sparingly, and Visideon understand that. They call their music, "Classical Chording meets Heavy Guitar", add in some Angelic singing and synth-playing and you've got Visideon. Keep an eye on this band, and get out to see them while you can, they might not remain local for long!
Benedictum - The highlight of the evening, Benedictum (San Diego, CA) really stole the show for me. Their power and energy were set to 'Uber' and their lead singer, Victoria Freeman channelled and focused all of it. She really pulled the audience into the show, running into the crowd, even taking her wireless mic to the other side of Station 4 to make people watching from the "safe seats" feel like they were in the front row! And any band that can pull off a cover of Accept's 'Balls to the Wall'? Wow, these guys are really amazing!
Shadowside - South American Female Fronted Power Metal? Hell yeah! Shadowside was astonishing and beautiful onstage. Check out their myspace page to hear a band that pushes all the power, energy, and intensity of Iron Maiden into their music.
Unexpect - This year's headliner was Unexpect, a seven-piece band from Montreal. Now lots of bands use the term 'progressive' in their band descriptions, and I've pretty much crossed that word out of my dictionary, since it's been misused into meaninglessness. Everybody who writes a song with a bridge or a time-change in it calls themselves 'progressive'. But I might have to pull that word back out, because Unexpect is really, truly avant-garde. The SwordLord had this to say about them: "Think Cirque de Soleil goes black metal amidst an acid-trip version of The Dark Crystal", and I can't think of a better description. The nine-string bass guitar was a trip! I have to admit, their music was a bit over the top for me, chaotic and hard to get ahold of, the same way I feel about 'System of a Down'. Each member of the band is hyper-talented, but I think they are trying too hard to be different. For me, it was like listening to three bands at the same time, but check out their myspace and hear for yourself.
All in all a great festival, Minnesota is lucky to have an event like this here, and The SwordLord enjoys pointing out that it is the ONLY festival of this kind in the United States! Hopefully he will bring it back again, and it will grow in popularity.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
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It seems that every time there's an event at Station 4, I get to the event late. The only exception was the Jagged Spiral show a couple months ago, which is a good thing, because I was in it. Here, I thought the event started at 6PM, but it actually started at 3PM, and so I managed to miss Aria Sharp, Something to Fear, Earthen and Dendura. My loss.
However, I did get to meet Nathan Block, also known as 'The SwordLord' and the promoter of much of the harder edged music that comes to town. It was an honor to meet him and shake his hand. There was enough free stuff handed out by the bands that the $20 cover was well worth the price. I only wish I had gotten there sooner. Station 4 is a great venue for gigs like this, the only thing better would have been an outdoor show with awesome weather! Maybe next year???
Here are the bands from FotV I did get to experience:
Visideon - Visideon played the First FotV in 2007, and were invited back for this year's show. They're a great band, definitely worth hearing, I especially liked the vocals. Many metal bands (especially female-fronted ones) push vocals down into dog-barking obscurity or up into piercingly high-pitched screams, both of these techniques are spices to me, best used sparingly, and Visideon understand that. They call their music, "Classical Chording meets Heavy Guitar", add in some Angelic singing and synth-playing and you've got Visideon. Keep an eye on this band, and get out to see them while you can, they might not remain local for long!
Benedictum - The highlight of the evening, Benedictum (San Diego, CA) really stole the show for me. Their power and energy were set to 'Uber' and their lead singer, Victoria Freeman channelled and focused all of it. She really pulled the audience into the show, running into the crowd, even taking her wireless mic to the other side of Station 4 to make people watching from the "safe seats" feel like they were in the front row! And any band that can pull off a cover of Accept's 'Balls to the Wall'? Wow, these guys are really amazing!
Shadowside - South American Female Fronted Power Metal? Hell yeah! Shadowside was astonishing and beautiful onstage. Check out their myspace page to hear a band that pushes all the power, energy, and intensity of Iron Maiden into their music.
Unexpect - This year's headliner was Unexpect, a seven-piece band from Montreal. Now lots of bands use the term 'progressive' in their band descriptions, and I've pretty much crossed that word out of my dictionary, since it's been misused into meaninglessness. Everybody who writes a song with a bridge or a time-change in it calls themselves 'progressive'. But I might have to pull that word back out, because Unexpect is really, truly avant-garde. The SwordLord had this to say about them: "Think Cirque de Soleil goes black metal amidst an acid-trip version of The Dark Crystal", and I can't think of a better description. The nine-string bass guitar was a trip! I have to admit, their music was a bit over the top for me, chaotic and hard to get ahold of, the same way I feel about 'System of a Down'. Each member of the band is hyper-talented, but I think they are trying too hard to be different. For me, it was like listening to three bands at the same time, but check out their myspace and hear for yourself.
All in all a great festival, Minnesota is lucky to have an event like this here, and The SwordLord enjoys pointing out that it is the ONLY festival of this kind in the United States! Hopefully he will bring it back again, and it will grow in popularity.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews, Ubercool
Thursday, June 26, 2008
48 Hour Film Fest Awards Ceremony
In about 2 minutes, the 48 hour film fest awards for Minneapolis will go live, and you can see this years winners. I just got back from the awards ceremony, and I can give you a 2-minute heads up that "Birthmarked for Death" took best Picture, and a handful of other awards.
The group team Chiaroscuro was up against had 3 films go to the finals, so it's no surprise that our effort "Fort World" didn't make it to finals, but it's nothing to be ashamed of, we had some great company and great competition.
...next time....
Art Is Resistance
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The group team Chiaroscuro was up against had 3 films go to the finals, so it's no surprise that our effort "Fort World" didn't make it to finals, but it's nothing to be ashamed of, we had some great company and great competition.
...next time....
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
48-Hour Film Festival 2008
Tonight, Team Chiaroscuro got to view their latest work of art on the big screen. Our entry for the 48-Hour Film Festival premiered tonight, alongside a gaggle of some well-done works.
It was a crazy weekend.
Friday 7:30PM. The genre we drew was 'Film de Femme' which aside from being a blatantly sexist genre, is also pretty open to interpretation. The prop was a fish, of all things, and the line of dialog was "You look very familiar".
The group assembled over pizza and beer, and began brainstorming ideas. We tossed around a lot of great ideas, and I think it was the wide-openness of the genre that made it difficult for us to dial in on any particular one. It might have been easier to start with more limitations, but by 9:30 we had a plot roughed out. As part of the script-writing team, I helped to flush out a script by midnight, a heartbreaking work of staggering genius called 'Fort World'.
Saturday Fucking Early AM - I joined the team (late: typical) and began designing the set, which was the interior of FortWorld. I swear, when we got done, it looked like the inside of the bottle from "I Dream Of Jeannie" After shooting started, I headed back home and helped my friend Reid Rejsa put together a few foley sound effects. I actually had time for a nap before the gang came over laden with video. Things were going swimmingly. Josh and I sat down to pick through some music, and "The Sarahs" began slicing and dicing the video...
...when the power went out.
Saturday 10:00 PM - I called the power company, and was informed that power wouldn't likely be restored for 4 hours. So the Sarahs pulled the video workstation, and took it to their place. I went to bed eventually, around 3:30 AM, and still powerless.
Sunday 8:00 AM - Still no power. I pulled my entire goddamned studio apart and fit it into the trunk of a 96 Saturn, and lugged the whole thing over to Josh's place. While I put the foley FX into place, Josh and Colin came up with some quirky musical pieces to slip in. A little touchup on the audio, and we pressed a DVD around 5 on Sunday, leaving us 2.5 hours to turn it in.
Tonight, we got to see FortWorld on the big screen, and I was pretty impressed. Team Chiaroscuro certainly has made some progress since our 2006 submission; this year's entry was much more ambitious. Aside from the power outage, there were no major technical glitches.
The whole project makes me want to do more small film projects, but one thing at a time. I already have one live performance to focus on... plenty of time for video later...
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Event, indie movies, Minneapolis Event, Videos
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Theatre - Stare Down: A Tarantino Make 'Em Up
My opinion about Quentin Tarantino is that he couldn't direct a hooker into bed.
So it should be fun to see how much better an improvisation of his movies is, compared to the real thing.
Stare Down: A Tarantino Make 'Em Up - A one-hour improvised Quentin Tarantino movie, on stage and in your face. Fridays, July 11, 18 and 25 7 p.m. at the Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St.
Tickets $10, $8 for students and Fringe button holders.
Call (612)825-8949 for reservations.
Art Is Resistance
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So it should be fun to see how much better an improvisation of his movies is, compared to the real thing.
Stare Down: A Tarantino Make 'Em Up - A one-hour improvised Quentin Tarantino movie, on stage and in your face. Fridays, July 11, 18 and 25 7 p.m. at the Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St.
Tickets $10, $8 for students and Fringe button holders.
Call (612)825-8949 for reservations.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Minneapolis Event
Vita.mn Presents - Design Fiesta
The annual Design Fiesta blossoms once again at the Soap Factory. More than 40 vendors selling their arts and crafts, alongside DJ's A-Ray and TalkRadio are sure to make this FREE event a fun one. Food and Beverages available for purchase.
Open to All Ages!
Price: Free
When
Jun 7, Sat. -- 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where
Soap Factory
518 2nd St. SE.
Minneapolis, MN
612-623-9176
http://soapfactory.org/
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event
Monday, June 02, 2008
2008 National Conference for Media Reform
It isn't often that Minneapolis gets to host events like this. If you care about the state of media, here is the place to share ammunition for the revolution...
http://www.freepress.net/conference
Art Is Resistance
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http://www.freepress.net/conference
Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, Music Industry, Ubercool
Friday, May 16, 2008
Fearless Filmmakers - 5 June 2008
Strap In, Strap On, and Show Up at the St Anthony Main Theatre on June 5th for the next edition of Fearless Filmmakers. This one features "Mondo Bondo" by Tony Cane-Honeysett, and lets you Urban Kinksters release your inner freak (or possibly tie it down in an uncomfortable position for a while). Either way, should be an informative show.
The afterparty should be interesting as well.
Where: St. Anthony Main Theater (612) 331-4723
115 Main St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
When: Thursday, June 5th -- Event begins at 8:00 PM.
Who: Q and A will follow the screening with Emmy Award winning director Tony Cane-Honeysett (The Royal Academy)
What Else: Official After-Party to follow at a SECRET LOCATION revealed at the screening. After Party features free parking, free schwag bags filled with kinky goodness, live bondage exhibits, Fearless happy hour drinks all night, and the chance to experience the kinkier side of Minneapolis. Admittance with theater ticket only!
Tickets for this event are available at St Anthony Main Theater. Tickets will be available for pre purchase on May 28th. Check http://stanthonytickets.com to pre-purchase as this event will likely sell out. Ticket prices are $9 General Admission, $7 Students.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event
Monday, April 14, 2008
Review of Voltage 2008
It was about ten years ago that Anna Lee and her sister moved in next door. Xtina and I were living in South Minneapolis at the time, and I remember looking out the window, and seeing these two young and industrious former Fargoians hauling furniture into their new place. I helped them with the bedframe as Xtina put together some kind of neighborly gift for the "new kids on the block". Candles so they would always have light, Wine so they would always have drink, and Bread, so they would always have food, Condoms so they would...well, I don't remember exactly, but something like that.
Well, that was ages ago, and now look, our little Anna, all grown up...on the cover of the Star Tribune and Vita.mn...[sniffle]... I proclaimed Anna Lee as Fashion Maven of Minneapolis long ago, and its high time the rest of the world found out. But since no one reads my blog, at least now she's finally getting the press she deserves.
Now, before any of you mock my rock-hard hard-rock sensibilities because I've attended every Voltage fashion show...be not fooled. Voltage is a mash-up of a fashion show and a 'best new bands' night, and I'm mostly interested in the bands, but I'm all for Anna's vision, and I want to see her succeed, so color me supportive. Just keep in mind that my own wardrobe hasn't changed much since the 90's so I'm not really any kind of fashion authority, and my opinion should be considered more Proletariat than Bourgeoisie.
Here are the bands that played at Voltage 2008:
ZibraZibra - Listening to this band was like being trapped inside an Atari 2600 that was run by the Village People. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Their outfits were designed by Ivan Idland, and were an accurate representation of the band's music: gaudy, stunning, and outlandish.
The Haves Have It - Impressive. Think Jagged Spiral crossed with Heart. Three-piece band with female lead guitar/vocals, female bass player and male drummer. Catchy, punchy pop. Their new release "Friction" just came out last month, and I Have to Have it. I voted The Haves Have It as my pick for "Audience Choice Awards". Maybe they'd be interested in playing a show with Jagged Spiral down the road... Their outfits by EM/MA were cut as high as the price of gasoline, and smokin' hot.
Bella Koshka - I've seen Bella Koshka a few times before, and purchased their aptly named debut, "Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor", so I already knew they were good. Technical problems with computer loops during the show taught them the hard way what Greazy Meal meant when they said, "...get on stage and push Play? No Way!" Funny thing is, the Owls learned this same lesson at the first Voltage show when their drum CD skipped and completely wrecked their song. Aside from the glitch, their show was top-notch. Strangely, their outfit design by Ann Alyse Clothing was kinda boring. What happened to the cool outfits they were wearing on the cover of Vita.mm?
MC/VL - I think it's poetic justice that the Beastie Boys get ripped off like this. Lots of fun N-R-G and running around, including running into the audience. Xtina even got to participate in one of the songs! Their outfits by Erin Smith were a nod to the Licensed to Ill era just like the music; Members Only Jackets?!! Ha! and oversized fake 'bling' before it was even called that. Good times. If you didn't like Early Beasties, you won't like MC/VL. I thought they were great fun.
White Light Riot - The Minneapolis Darlings who made the "Best New Bands of 2006". I hadn't heard from WLR since they held an industry party for the record labels to come paw at them. They were by far the Best Dressed Band of the evening, looking quite dapper (and warm) in Olde English Velvet outfits designed by Elizabeth Chesney. A trip-up stole some of their energy about 5 sec into their set, but he got it back towards the end of their set. A good show. I'm told their CD recordings are better...have to check that out.
Birthday Suits and only "Birthday Suits", not "The Birthday Suits". A two-piece band; drummer and guitarist playing minimalist pseudo-punk. While Birthday Suits guitarist made better use of the stage than Gay Witch Abortion, the guitarist's tone and singing voice were both tinny. When you choose not to have a bass player in the band, you need something on the bottom end to hold it together. GWA know this and dial in some wicked tone on the guitar (Check out "Action Cop" on their myspace), Birthday Suits provide some overdubbed bass on their recorded works (check out "Cherry Blue" and "Flying Man Y2K" on their myspace) but their live show doesn't, and suffers for lack thereof. I can't recall their outfits by Dan Patrick, other than they truly were wearing clothing and not their birthday suits....
Overall, the band choices were all pretty safe, a good mix of musical styles to go with the various fashions. I would say this was the best production for Voltage yet, but since there's only been three of them, that's not high praise. The honor is that Voltage is still going strong, and still turns a crowd and a ton of sponsors. Anna Lee knows that Voltage on it's own isn't enough to shake the foundations of the local fashion industry, so she's been quick to tie it to other MNFashion events: the "Fashion Weekend" and the "MNFashion Flash" contest. Voltage is a stepping stone to an even bigger vision from the fashion maven, and it should be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Concert, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Monday, February 11, 2008
You Film Like A Girl - Feb 2008 Fearless Filmmakers
This month's Fearless Filmmakers is focusing on women filmmakers. The showing is at the Oak Street Cinema on Feb 28th, and the after-party will be at a secret location, disclosed at the showing, and accessible only with a ticket stub from the showing.
So come out and see some local women in film kicking ass and then schmooze with them at the secret afterparty!
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event, Movie News
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Jagged Spiral Concert - 31 Jan 08 at Club Underground
Come on out to Club Underground tonight to see Jagged Spiral perform live!
On stage!
They might even play some music!
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Concert, Cool Event, Jagged Spiral, Minneapolis Event, music
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Fearless Filmmakers Jan 2008
Fearless Filmmakers is on Jan 30th this month at the Oak Street Cinema. This month's Fearless will feature content from local bands; documentaries, music videos and such, including my personal favorite - Revolver Modele.
And don't miss the after-party at the Kitty Kat Club, with live music by Bella Koshka and To Kill a Pretty Bourgeoisie. (As if you needed a reason to hang out at the Kitty Kat?!)
Hope to see you there!
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event
Thursday, November 29, 2007
All Over but the Hangover
"You look like Bono."
"Um," I stammered, "Come again?"
"Spitting image, I swear. You must hear it all the time."
I handed Jim Walsh my purchase, not thirty seconds old. It was the book he had just released: "The Replacements - All Over But The Shouting".
Revolver Modele had just finished up their set, and a giant projection screen descended from the ceiling, separating the First Ave stage from the audience. I had just watched Jim Walsh onstage, pouring his drink all over the guitar player, and pushing him to the floor while he played. He even jumped on the mic for a verse or two. He wisely left the bass player alone.
The screen lit up with giant, glowing Tom and Jerry cartoons, as 'One For The Team' began setting up to perform the next set of Replacements covers.
Jim opened the book and paused, pen in hand, clearly drunk, off alcohol or the event or both, and clearly having the time of his life.
"Conrad Zero," I said, holding my right hand up in what I hoped conveyed a manual representation of a 'zero' but possibly also could have been interpreted as jacking off.
He started scribbling my name down in the book.
"Never heard that before?" he asked.
"I guess I've never seen Bono without sunglasses on," I responded, and suddenly wanted to talk about something else. "I tried to make it out to your book reading at Treehouse...," I started, in an attempt to change the subject.
"Oh, what good are book readings?" Jim interrupted with a laugh, "I mean you read the book to people, what is that? People can read it themselves, right?"
"Yeah," I laughed, "...and you had said that the reading was on the Wednesday *before* Thanksgiving, but..."
"Hey," Jim said, turning to one of the ladies at the nearby booth for 'The Onion', "Doesn't this guy look like Bono?"
She nodded her disapproval.
"No," I said, "usually it's Sean Bean. People always say I look like Boromir."
Jim started laughing, and had to pause in the middle of signing.
"Sorry," he laughed, "I don't want to screw up your book."
"It's not my book," I corrected, "it's yours." This just made him laugh more.
"No," he said, finishing the dedication and handing it over, "it's your book now. I hope you enjoy it."
"Um, thanks."
'One for the Team' got a great set of Replacements songs (Skyway among them, my favorite), and did a fine job with them. I left shortly afterward, book clutched in my December-chilled-and-chaffed hands, went home, and looked up Bono on the internet.
Review to come....
Art Is Resistance
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"Um," I stammered, "Come again?"
"Spitting image, I swear. You must hear it all the time."
I handed Jim Walsh my purchase, not thirty seconds old. It was the book he had just released: "The Replacements - All Over But The Shouting".
Revolver Modele had just finished up their set, and a giant projection screen descended from the ceiling, separating the First Ave stage from the audience. I had just watched Jim Walsh onstage, pouring his drink all over the guitar player, and pushing him to the floor while he played. He even jumped on the mic for a verse or two. He wisely left the bass player alone.
The screen lit up with giant, glowing Tom and Jerry cartoons, as 'One For The Team' began setting up to perform the next set of Replacements covers.
Jim opened the book and paused, pen in hand, clearly drunk, off alcohol or the event or both, and clearly having the time of his life.
"Conrad Zero," I said, holding my right hand up in what I hoped conveyed a manual representation of a 'zero' but possibly also could have been interpreted as jacking off.
He started scribbling my name down in the book.
"Never heard that before?" he asked.
"I guess I've never seen Bono without sunglasses on," I responded, and suddenly wanted to talk about something else. "I tried to make it out to your book reading at Treehouse...," I started, in an attempt to change the subject.
"Oh, what good are book readings?" Jim interrupted with a laugh, "I mean you read the book to people, what is that? People can read it themselves, right?"
"Yeah," I laughed, "...and you had said that the reading was on the Wednesday *before* Thanksgiving, but..."
"Hey," Jim said, turning to one of the ladies at the nearby booth for 'The Onion', "Doesn't this guy look like Bono?"
She nodded her disapproval.
"No," I said, "usually it's Sean Bean. People always say I look like Boromir."
Jim started laughing, and had to pause in the middle of signing.
"Sorry," he laughed, "I don't want to screw up your book."
"It's not my book," I corrected, "it's yours." This just made him laugh more.
"No," he said, finishing the dedication and handing it over, "it's your book now. I hope you enjoy it."
"Um, thanks."
'One for the Team' got a great set of Replacements songs (Skyway among them, my favorite), and did a fine job with them. I left shortly afterward, book clutched in my December-chilled-and-chaffed hands, went home, and looked up Bono on the internet.
Review to come....
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Authors, Concert, Cool Event, Minneapolis Event
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Fearless Filmmakers - 13 Dec, 2007
The December Fearless Filmmakers is approaching.
For those of you who haven't been yet; if you are remotely interested in Independent Filmmaking, the Fearless Filmmakers gatherings are a great opportunity to see what others are doing, and the Q & A after the showing lets you ask them how they did it. The after-party gives you the chance to do some networking in a safe, secure, and alcohol-lubricated environment.
For those of you who are interested in a cheap date, the $9 ($7 for students and $5 for MFA members) gets you into the movie, the Q&A, and the afterparty complete with entertainment, free buffet, and one free drink per ticket.
Here is the 411 on the next Fearless Filmmakers:
Fearless Filmmakers Presents www.fearlessfilmmakers.com
Midwest Premiere !!
"THE LISTENING PROJECT" thelisteningprojectfilm.com
When:
Thursday December 13th
Box Office opens at 6:30PM
Screening begins at 7:30 PM
Q and A with Filmmakers to follow
Where:
The Oak Street Cinema
309 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis MN 55414
What Else:
Official After Party to follow at STUB AND HERBS complete with FREE FOOD AND FREE DRINKS
Tickets for this event are $9 General Admission, $7 students and $5 MFA members
Box Office opens at 6:30 PM. Come early as this event will likely sell out!
Art Is Resistance
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For those of you who haven't been yet; if you are remotely interested in Independent Filmmaking, the Fearless Filmmakers gatherings are a great opportunity to see what others are doing, and the Q & A after the showing lets you ask them how they did it. The after-party gives you the chance to do some networking in a safe, secure, and alcohol-lubricated environment.
For those of you who are interested in a cheap date, the $9 ($7 for students and $5 for MFA members) gets you into the movie, the Q&A, and the afterparty complete with entertainment, free buffet, and one free drink per ticket.
Here is the 411 on the next Fearless Filmmakers:
Fearless Filmmakers Presents www.fearlessfilmmakers.com
Midwest Premiere !!
"THE LISTENING PROJECT" thelisteningprojectfilm.com
When:
Thursday December 13th
Box Office opens at 6:30PM
Screening begins at 7:30 PM
Q and A with Filmmakers to follow
Where:
The Oak Street Cinema
309 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis MN 55414
What Else:
Official After Party to follow at STUB AND HERBS complete with FREE FOOD AND FREE DRINKS
Tickets for this event are $9 General Admission, $7 students and $5 MFA members
Box Office opens at 6:30 PM. Come early as this event will likely sell out!
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Event, indie movies, Minneapolis Event
Friday, November 02, 2007
Concert / Book Release "All Over But The Shouting"
For all of you Replacements fans out there (sorry, but I refuse to call them 'Mats'. They aren't fucking Mats so stop calling them that. Call them 'Mints' or something.) Writer for City Pages and Reveille Magazine, musician and all-around local troublemaker, Jim Walsh, has written a book detailing the rise and rise of the Replacements.
The book release at First Avenue should be quite the shindig, and has a slew of bands covering Replacements songs. Revolver Modele will be there, so you should too.
Wed Nov 28th
First Avenue
7PM
18+
Tickets are $5.50 plus whatever "Fees" TicketBastard charges. I recommend stopping by First Ave and pick them up in advance yourself.
I have a couple 'essential' Replacements CDs, and I recorded "The Replacements A to Z" when it aired on KQ92 many years ago. But I don't share the popular opinion that they were the Greatest Minnesota Band That Never Was (although I do allude to that in The Demonslayer's Handbook) Then again, I never saw the Replacements live, and it sounds like they got more reputation from their live antics than their music. So it should be interesting to experience them second and third hand from people who lived through the chaos.
I can't wait to read the book, and might even make it out to the Reading/Signing at Treehouse Records on Thanksgiving Eve.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
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The book release at First Avenue should be quite the shindig, and has a slew of bands covering Replacements songs. Revolver Modele will be there, so you should too.
Wed Nov 28th
First Avenue
7PM
18+
Tickets are $5.50 plus whatever "Fees" TicketBastard charges. I recommend stopping by First Ave and pick them up in advance yourself.
I have a couple 'essential' Replacements CDs, and I recorded "The Replacements A to Z" when it aired on KQ92 many years ago. But I don't share the popular opinion that they were the Greatest Minnesota Band That Never Was (although I do allude to that in The Demonslayer's Handbook) Then again, I never saw the Replacements live, and it sounds like they got more reputation from their live antics than their music. So it should be interesting to experience them second and third hand from people who lived through the chaos.
I can't wait to read the book, and might even make it out to the Reading/Signing at Treehouse Records on Thanksgiving Eve.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Authors, Concert, Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, new release
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Best Buy to open Musical Instrument Store
Page 51 of this week's City Pages has an ad for the opening of a new Musical Instrument Store at the Richfield Best Buy. The grand opening party on Sat, Nov 10 will feature in-store performances by Shannon Curfman and local staple GB Leighton.
I am not surprised. Check out the latest Best Buy advertisement; the FIRST FOUR PAGES are Guitar Hero gear ONLY. I've said it before, the recent surge of popularity in shows like American Idol, Rock Star, and the smashing success of the Guitar Hero video game are jacking the interest in releasing your inner musician and goosing musical instrument sales. Guitar Center added on a Third store here in the Minneapolis metro area, which seems to be doing well, and now Best Buy is poised to dip a toe in the water.
Best Buy has always dabbled in music gear, carrying the Donkey Konga Bongos and maybe a Casio keyboard or two, and a smattering of Yamaha gear on their website. But it seems they have slipped into bed with a couple major distributors, Gibson, M-Audio, Suzuki, and Fender (although I've never heard of a Fender STARcaster before. Sounds kind of sketchy...)
Anyway, I read about a Best Buy in California which did the same thing. According to that blog post, it sounds like they really are giving it more than simply lip service, and even added on an isolated acoustic room in the store. Guitar Center certainly has to be nervous, because the distribution power of Best Buy far surpasses that of Guitar Center, both in Brick and Mortar stores and websites.
My suspicion is that if Best Buy's Musical Instrument Flagship takes off, they will add it as a feature to their larger stores in the same way they added the Magnolia Home Theatre section to certain stores.
I don't think Guitar Center needs to worry unless Best Buy spins off their musical instrument sales into separate stores and starts carrying real gear. Real musicians won't be fooled by the name 'Starcaster' and they will go to a real music store for their gear. And Guitar Center employees know music (for the most part) and while this might be a passing fad for Best Buy, making music is Guitar Center's lifeblood.
The worst thing that could happen is that a bunch of talentless and spoiled brats who look up to Nickelback and Bruce Springsteen get their hands on a Starcaster and post a bunch of shit-rock to their myspace page. But the internet has plenty of room for more music, and I'd rather see kids writing bad Emo music than selling Crack, and even playing a Starcaster poorly is better than playing Guitar Hero well.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
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I am not surprised. Check out the latest Best Buy advertisement; the FIRST FOUR PAGES are Guitar Hero gear ONLY. I've said it before, the recent surge of popularity in shows like American Idol, Rock Star, and the smashing success of the Guitar Hero video game are jacking the interest in releasing your inner musician and goosing musical instrument sales. Guitar Center added on a Third store here in the Minneapolis metro area, which seems to be doing well, and now Best Buy is poised to dip a toe in the water.
Best Buy has always dabbled in music gear, carrying the Donkey Konga Bongos and maybe a Casio keyboard or two, and a smattering of Yamaha gear on their website. But it seems they have slipped into bed with a couple major distributors, Gibson, M-Audio, Suzuki, and Fender (although I've never heard of a Fender STARcaster before. Sounds kind of sketchy...)
Anyway, I read about a Best Buy in California which did the same thing. According to that blog post, it sounds like they really are giving it more than simply lip service, and even added on an isolated acoustic room in the store. Guitar Center certainly has to be nervous, because the distribution power of Best Buy far surpasses that of Guitar Center, both in Brick and Mortar stores and websites.
My suspicion is that if Best Buy's Musical Instrument Flagship takes off, they will add it as a feature to their larger stores in the same way they added the Magnolia Home Theatre section to certain stores.
I don't think Guitar Center needs to worry unless Best Buy spins off their musical instrument sales into separate stores and starts carrying real gear. Real musicians won't be fooled by the name 'Starcaster' and they will go to a real music store for their gear. And Guitar Center employees know music (for the most part) and while this might be a passing fad for Best Buy, making music is Guitar Center's lifeblood.
The worst thing that could happen is that a bunch of talentless and spoiled brats who look up to Nickelback and Bruce Springsteen get their hands on a Starcaster and post a bunch of shit-rock to their myspace page. But the internet has plenty of room for more music, and I'd rather see kids writing bad Emo music than selling Crack, and even playing a Starcaster poorly is better than playing Guitar Hero well.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Business Phenomena, Minneapolis Event, Music Industry
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sandbox Theatre: War With The Newts
The Sandbox Theatre premiers "War With the Newts" on October 27th, 2007. Click on the picture or here for more info on dates and directions.
The show comes with a good recommendation from a credible authority (none less than Minnesota Fashion Maven, Anna Lee) So for those of you who are willing to skip the H.I.M. concert on the 27th, and if you don't know about the party, you might wanna head over to watch a play in the Sandbox...
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event
Friday, October 19, 2007
October Fearless Filmmakers
The next Fearless Filmmakers Fast Approacheth: Monday, October 29th at the Parkway Theatre in Minneapolis.
Who cares if it's a weeknight! Come on out and hang at the after-party for free food and drinks! Be Fearless! Besides, you don't get anything done on Tuesdays!
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Event, indie movies, Minneapolis Event
Monday, October 15, 2007
Dead Sexy - Zombie Fashion Show
How come I only hear about these things After they happen?
http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2007/10/12/72163779
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
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http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2007/10/12/72163779
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Event, Fashion, Minneapolis Event
Monday, September 10, 2007
Crypticon 2007
Looks like this Friday is the night to go if you were thinking of heading over to Crypticon, the Circus of Terror. Friday they will be showing some independant horror films. I don't think I can swing the $25 to get in, nor the $20 if you buy tix online. I don't know anyone who went last year, so I can't tell you if it's worth it or not. If you went to Crypticon, or know someone who did, drop a comment here.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
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KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Music Review: Battle of the Bands Round One at Club 3 Degrees
Just to prove that I actually DO attend some of the events I blog about, I swung out to Club 3 Degrees on Friday night and checked out the first night of their band competition. Several bands played just over a half-hour set each, and were judged by several industry/media pros. As the series of contest concerts progresses, bands accrue points during their performance, and the bands with lowest points bands will be eliminated. The series of concerts goes until next spring.
Since Club 3 Degrees is an Outreach (taking the church to where the kids are) that is a factor in all the bands and their music. Some bands were 'preachier' than others, some you wouldn't even know it. I don't let their motivations weigh in my music reviews, everyone has their own reasons for making music, and it doesn't have any bearing (to me, anyways) on whether I like the music or not. Choirs of Demons can sound every bit as good as Choirs of Angels to me.
Unfortunately, I missed out on the first band, so I can't tell you anything about them.
9-Ball - I'll be the first to tell you that I think Emo music sucks ass, and while 9-Ball's music didn't make me puke, it did make me nauseous. 9-Ball is from Kentucky, but don't hold that against them. They have asymmetrical haircuts and an overabundance of energy, so hold *that* against them instead. They looked like animals at the zoo just before feeding time. The lead singer/guitar player and the bass and second guitar all had wireless units and raced around the stage like maniacs. [Warning: Lots of Posing.] I like to know that the musicians are actually ALIVE when I go to see them play LIVE, so the exaggerated animation was refreshing, but they overdid it to the point where people were laughing. GREAT Bass tone, BTW.
Red Dress White - More Emo, although not as gut-wrenching as 9-Ball, but the same setup, (Bass, Singer/Gtr, second gtr and drums). Their songs were good (for Emo...), but their stage presence was far worse. They fretted with settings, cables and the lead singer's monologue was forced/nervous/clumsy. He would also forget to jump around, then suddenly flail like a madman (or he has severe mood swings). Anyway, this band's studio work is better, but their live show will improve with practice. They just aren't quite concert calibre yet. Their songwriting skills are better than 9-ball, and the acoustic song they performed was possibly the best song of the night. The bass player is about ten years old. I don't know if/why that is important.
Searching For North: This band was intense and professional, with intro score before they came onstage, and loud, tight, well-practiced music that is borderline Epic Metal. Lots of talent here, but their attitude onstage and in the crowd after the show makes me think are quite full of themselves, and they should have checked their egos at the door. The music was really punchy and powerful and smacks of Tool (whom they list as a reference), but the lead vocalist is thin, and doesn't cut through the mix.
Claret: Claret won the judges high score for the night. I think they had a good balance of being active onstage without looking like idiots. They seemed comfortable without being overconfident, good level of energy without looking like they were trying too hard. I like that their music is 'emotional' without embracing the puking whine of contemporary 'Emo' music. Their songwriting is very adult, and makes good use of dynamic range (check out their demo of Hold Fast on their myspace page for an example.) Their closing song, "Picket Fences" was a hit, and made clever use of the audience sing-along, but the repeated ending dragged on for too long.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
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Since Club 3 Degrees is an Outreach (taking the church to where the kids are) that is a factor in all the bands and their music. Some bands were 'preachier' than others, some you wouldn't even know it. I don't let their motivations weigh in my music reviews, everyone has their own reasons for making music, and it doesn't have any bearing (to me, anyways) on whether I like the music or not. Choirs of Demons can sound every bit as good as Choirs of Angels to me.
Unfortunately, I missed out on the first band, so I can't tell you anything about them.
9-Ball - I'll be the first to tell you that I think Emo music sucks ass, and while 9-Ball's music didn't make me puke, it did make me nauseous. 9-Ball is from Kentucky, but don't hold that against them. They have asymmetrical haircuts and an overabundance of energy, so hold *that* against them instead. They looked like animals at the zoo just before feeding time. The lead singer/guitar player and the bass and second guitar all had wireless units and raced around the stage like maniacs. [Warning: Lots of Posing.] I like to know that the musicians are actually ALIVE when I go to see them play LIVE, so the exaggerated animation was refreshing, but they overdid it to the point where people were laughing. GREAT Bass tone, BTW.
Red Dress White - More Emo, although not as gut-wrenching as 9-Ball, but the same setup, (Bass, Singer/Gtr, second gtr and drums). Their songs were good (for Emo...), but their stage presence was far worse. They fretted with settings, cables and the lead singer's monologue was forced/nervous/clumsy. He would also forget to jump around, then suddenly flail like a madman (or he has severe mood swings). Anyway, this band's studio work is better, but their live show will improve with practice. They just aren't quite concert calibre yet. Their songwriting skills are better than 9-ball, and the acoustic song they performed was possibly the best song of the night. The bass player is about ten years old. I don't know if/why that is important.
Searching For North: This band was intense and professional, with intro score before they came onstage, and loud, tight, well-practiced music that is borderline Epic Metal. Lots of talent here, but their attitude onstage and in the crowd after the show makes me think are quite full of themselves, and they should have checked their egos at the door. The music was really punchy and powerful and smacks of Tool (whom they list as a reference), but the lead vocalist is thin, and doesn't cut through the mix.
Claret: Claret won the judges high score for the night. I think they had a good balance of being active onstage without looking like idiots. They seemed comfortable without being overconfident, good level of energy without looking like they were trying too hard. I like that their music is 'emotional' without embracing the puking whine of contemporary 'Emo' music. Their songwriting is very adult, and makes good use of dynamic range (check out their demo of Hold Fast on their myspace page for an example.) Their closing song, "Picket Fences" was a hit, and made clever use of the audience sing-along, but the repeated ending dragged on for too long.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Claret Concert: Friday Sept 7 at Club 3 Degrees
Thought I would pass this along:
Click on the picture to head over to Claret's myspace page, where you can sample some of their work. Also, the band asks that you 'wear your claret' to show your support. In other words, wear some Red and Black, (and perhaps a splash of white) I doubt you will be mistaken for a member of the Crips; Club 3 Degrees is a non-profit ministry outreach - in other words, a pretty wholesome place. [Editors Note: If you read this blog at all, you could probably use a little outreaching.]
The show is the first in a series of contests where bands will be slowly eliminated, so you can be sure Claret and their competition will all be in fine form.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
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Click on the picture to head over to Claret's myspace page, where you can sample some of their work. Also, the band asks that you 'wear your claret' to show your support. In other words, wear some Red and Black, (and perhaps a splash of white) I doubt you will be mistaken for a member of the Crips; Club 3 Degrees is a non-profit ministry outreach - in other words, a pretty wholesome place. [Editors Note: If you read this blog at all, you could probably use a little outreaching.]
The show is the first in a series of contests where bands will be slowly eliminated, so you can be sure Claret and their competition will all be in fine form.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Mercedes Gorden Benefit Concert: 23 Sept 2007
For those who don't know, Mercedes Gorden was severely injured in the I-35W bridge collapse on 1 Aug 2007. She's one of the lucky ones: she survived. Shes had a lot of work done to repair her shattered ankles, shins and fractured spine.
I don't need to tell you that she's got a long way to go. I don't need to tell you that the medical bills will be astounding. But I do need to tell you how you can help. There is a benefit concert on Sept 23rd at the Fine Line, including a silent auction to help raise money for her medical expenses.
The lineup: Tapes 'n Tapes / The Ocean Blue / The Melismatics / So It Goes / The Deaths / Coach Said Not To
Details about the event and how to contribute can be found here.
Even if you can't make the concert, there are other ways you can help. Follow the link and there is a paypal account set up to receive donations, or an address to send mail. You can donate any item of value to the silent auction. You can get the word out about the event on your blog/website/word-of-mouth/e-mail/psychic-connection. Or I'm sure even some prayers or positive thoughts would be appreciated.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
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I don't need to tell you that she's got a long way to go. I don't need to tell you that the medical bills will be astounding. But I do need to tell you how you can help. There is a benefit concert on Sept 23rd at the Fine Line, including a silent auction to help raise money for her medical expenses.
The lineup: Tapes 'n Tapes / The Ocean Blue / The Melismatics / So It Goes / The Deaths / Coach Said Not To
Details about the event and how to contribute can be found here.
Even if you can't make the concert, there are other ways you can help. Follow the link and there is a paypal account set up to receive donations, or an address to send mail. You can donate any item of value to the silent auction. You can get the word out about the event on your blog/website/word-of-mouth/e-mail/psychic-connection. Or I'm sure even some prayers or positive thoughts would be appreciated.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Cool Event, Good Cause, Minneapolis Event, music
Friday, August 17, 2007
Nod to the Ladies
Ah, Fall. I love it when the Winter of Summer gives way to the Spring of Autumn. 69 Degrees sounds awesome right now, which almost inexplicably reminds me of some links I've been meaning to post about our female friends...
Fergie (The Dutchess) - At the MN State Fair Grandstand, 25 Aug 2007. Fergie is what I call a 'hussy trollop', [Editor's Note: ...and no good in the sack, either. Hey, don't shoot the messenger.] But if you can listen through the shit-syrup production and the roomfull of boyz (You know who they are, no need to mention them here) crowding her out, she does have a phenomenal voice, and I'm pleased to hear they actually let her shine on her latest single, "Big Girls Don't Cry". [Writer's Note: WTF, did you think I only listen to Suzanne Vega and Nightwish all day?]
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - at the MN State Fair Grandstand, 26 Aug 2007. Joan Jett actually sweat on me once, at a concert in Austin, Texas, and I swore I would never bathe again. Not the first time I've lied, nor the last, and I'm sure Joan would understand. Joan Jett is one of the few artists who never had to tell you she was 'going back to her Roots' because she never left them. She knows full well who she is, and what she does, and what she does is Kick Ass.
Suzanne Vega - 2 Oct 2007 at the Varsity Theatre. I'm sure I will get into trouble of Mythical Proportions for telling you this, but Suzanne Vega is a musical genius - a songwriting goddess with more talent in her toenail clippings than Sarah McLachlan, The Indigo Girls, Sade and Fergie combined [Editors Note: Great Z, thanks a lot. Let the hate-mail begin! And for the record, Fergie was a throwaway...]
The Dollys - 2 & 3 Sept at the MN State Fair, Heritage Stage. Now, I don't like country, but IF I did, then I would like the Dollys. My Image Consultant has asked me not to disclose the fact that they sound like Angels... [Image Consultant's Note: This section deleted.]
Andra Suchy - 9 Aug at Kozy's Steaks and Seafood, Galleria Summer Music Sampler. One third of the vocal brilliance behind The Dollys, Andra Suchy can also be heard as the voice of "Hookers And Blow" as well as branching out on her own. If you are looking for a more intimate and less crowded setting than her State Fair appearance with The Dollys, check her out at the Galleria on Aug 9th.
Nightwish - 28 Oct at First Avenue. I haven't quite caught the Nightwish bug, and the fact that they swapped out lead singers after the "Once" album means I have no clue what they sound like now, but one word describes their music: Epic.
Tank Girl Minneapolis - From what I can tell, this is a sort of 'Lifestyle Outfitter' store, run by women who most likely have a third "X" chromosome. [Editors Note: Three "X"s, get it? As in "XXX", as in "Triple X"? Come on people, work with us here! It just isn't funny when I have to explain it!] Anyway, the website is a little sparce now, but check back, because I personally would like to see more "Empowering Accessories for the Urbane Motorist"...
Anyways, a bloggers 'Tip O The Cap' to the ladies, thanx for making life here beautiful.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
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Fergie (The Dutchess) - At the MN State Fair Grandstand, 25 Aug 2007. Fergie is what I call a 'hussy trollop', [Editor's Note: ...and no good in the sack, either. Hey, don't shoot the messenger.] But if you can listen through the shit-syrup production and the roomfull of boyz (You know who they are, no need to mention them here) crowding her out, she does have a phenomenal voice, and I'm pleased to hear they actually let her shine on her latest single, "Big Girls Don't Cry". [Writer's Note: WTF, did you think I only listen to Suzanne Vega and Nightwish all day?]
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - at the MN State Fair Grandstand, 26 Aug 2007. Joan Jett actually sweat on me once, at a concert in Austin, Texas, and I swore I would never bathe again. Not the first time I've lied, nor the last, and I'm sure Joan would understand. Joan Jett is one of the few artists who never had to tell you she was 'going back to her Roots' because she never left them. She knows full well who she is, and what she does, and what she does is Kick Ass.
Suzanne Vega - 2 Oct 2007 at the Varsity Theatre. I'm sure I will get into trouble of Mythical Proportions for telling you this, but Suzanne Vega is a musical genius - a songwriting goddess with more talent in her toenail clippings than Sarah McLachlan, The Indigo Girls, Sade and Fergie combined [Editors Note: Great Z, thanks a lot. Let the hate-mail begin! And for the record, Fergie was a throwaway...]
The Dollys - 2 & 3 Sept at the MN State Fair, Heritage Stage. Now, I don't like country, but IF I did, then I would like the Dollys. My Image Consultant has asked me not to disclose the fact that they sound like Angels... [Image Consultant's Note: This section deleted.]
Andra Suchy - 9 Aug at Kozy's Steaks and Seafood, Galleria Summer Music Sampler. One third of the vocal brilliance behind The Dollys, Andra Suchy can also be heard as the voice of "Hookers And Blow" as well as branching out on her own. If you are looking for a more intimate and less crowded setting than her State Fair appearance with The Dollys, check her out at the Galleria on Aug 9th.
Nightwish - 28 Oct at First Avenue. I haven't quite caught the Nightwish bug, and the fact that they swapped out lead singers after the "Once" album means I have no clue what they sound like now, but one word describes their music: Epic.
Tank Girl Minneapolis - From what I can tell, this is a sort of 'Lifestyle Outfitter' store, run by women who most likely have a third "X" chromosome. [Editors Note: Three "X"s, get it? As in "XXX", as in "Triple X"? Come on people, work with us here! It just isn't funny when I have to explain it!] Anyway, the website is a little sparce now, but check back, because I personally would like to see more "Empowering Accessories for the Urbane Motorist"...
Anyways, a bloggers 'Tip O The Cap' to the ladies, thanx for making life here beautiful.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, music, Ubercool
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Rock-n-Bowl at Elsie's TOMORROW!
Sound Unseen is almost here – fest runs August 22-26 at the Ritz & Riverview, with a pre-festival Rock n' Bowl: Bands vs. Fans Bowling Tourney @ Elsie's.
www.soundunseen.com – Printed programs @ Electric Fetus and coffee/music shops around town.
Wednesday, August 15 @ Elsie's Bar in NE MPLS
9pm-midnight
$5 per person to bowl all night, shoe rental not included
18+
Grab a few friends and sign up to play against bands including
MC/VL
Chooglin
The Alarmists
The Haves Have It
Heiruspecs
Mystery Palace
White Light Riot
Revolver Modele
Heavey Sleeper
Jenny Dalton, Meg Ashling, Laura Boland, Hilary Davis
Live music from DJ's Lori Barbero and Steve Yasgar.
To reserve your spot (limited spots available), send an email to soundunseen@gmail.com - and let us know how many people you're signing up for.
Photo stream from last year.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
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Permalink
www.soundunseen.com – Printed programs @ Electric Fetus and coffee/music shops around town.
Wednesday, August 15 @ Elsie's Bar in NE MPLS
9pm-midnight
$5 per person to bowl all night, shoe rental not included
18+
Grab a few friends and sign up to play against bands including
MC/VL
Chooglin
The Alarmists
The Haves Have It
Heiruspecs
Mystery Palace
White Light Riot
Revolver Modele
Heavey Sleeper
Jenny Dalton, Meg Ashling, Laura Boland, Hilary Davis
Live music from DJ's Lori Barbero and Steve Yasgar.
To reserve your spot (limited spots available), send an email to soundunseen@gmail.com - and let us know how many people you're signing up for.
Photo stream from last year.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event
Friday, July 20, 2007
Reveille Magazine
Can't quite tell you how excited I am to see the birth of Reveille, a new local Minnesota music magazine .
My love for the City Pages as a local music reference has waned ever since the day the Twin Cities Reader gave up the ghost, and C.P. slowly declined to where it is today.
Part of the problem is that City Pages doesn't always focus on local, and it rarely focuses on music. It's ventured so far from its 'Sweet Potato' roots, that it seems to have forgotten where it came from, and worse, doesn't seem to care. And why should it? The advertising $$$ keep rolling in, the XXX ads in the back never change, and deciding ??? to do this weekend is Your problem, not the City Pages.
Sure it works fine to cover the garage floor when you were touching up the paint on that ugly ceramic animal you made back in grade school. What the hell was that thing? A chicken? A fish with a long neck? No telling anymore, maybe you could paint it and sell it at the Maple Grove Art Fair???.... [Author's Note: Um, where was I? Oh yes, the advertisements. I remember now.]
For me, the usefulness of City Pages is reduced to the advertisements for all the local clubs, whick are in one relatively convenient section. For many weekends it was my treasure map for discovering new local music. But I had always wished for something more.
So did others. That's why the Rake, Pulse, Siren, Rift, howwastheshow.com morecowbell.net and minneapolisfuckingrocks.com and about a thousand more online sources came into being. There is SO MUCH art being made in the Minneapolis area, people want someone who can collect it all to one convenient place, and give you an idea of who's who and what's what in the local music scene. Local art by local artists. Put ads in there if you want, and put all the personal ads in the back too, I don't care. But keep it free, keep it local, and keep it away from the sensational-pseudo-journalism. If I want to know about local sports or politics I have better sources for that. I wanna know who is playing, where, when, and why the hell I should go see them! As great as the 'alternatives to the alternative' are, they don't have the distribution and stamina that City Pages has. Siren went under some time ago, the Pulse is gone and Rift is floundering due to production costs, threatening to become web-only.
So I was pleased as punch to see vita.mn emerge. Although it's run by the Star Tribune, but don't judge it too harshly, they have their heart in the right place, and I suspect their distribution will rival the City Pages. Vita.mn pulls everything I liked about City Pages out and puts in in one place. On paper. And their website is fabulously useful, clean, informational and intuitive.
But I'm even more excited about Reveille. If nothing else this line from their mission statement makes me all tingly:
When mainstream media can't afford to cover the depth of music on offer in the Twin Cities and beyond, we're here to go deeper. When the internet seems like nothing but a glut of news tidbits and buzz, we're here to actually write about music. Original, insightful, informative, inspiring: This is what we seek to be.
At the very least, Reveille will provide real competition that was so sorely lacking before. Check out the full mission statement, and the cast of characters here.
http://www.reveillemag.com/about/
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Part of the problem is that City Pages doesn't always focus on local, and it rarely focuses on music. It's ventured so far from its 'Sweet Potato' roots, that it seems to have forgotten where it came from, and worse, doesn't seem to care. And why should it? The advertising $$$ keep rolling in, the XXX ads in the back never change, and deciding ??? to do this weekend is Your problem, not the City Pages.
Sure it works fine to cover the garage floor when you were touching up the paint on that ugly ceramic animal you made back in grade school. What the hell was that thing? A chicken? A fish with a long neck? No telling anymore, maybe you could paint it and sell it at the Maple Grove Art Fair???.... [Author's Note: Um, where was I? Oh yes, the advertisements. I remember now.]
For me, the usefulness of City Pages is reduced to the advertisements for all the local clubs, whick are in one relatively convenient section. For many weekends it was my treasure map for discovering new local music. But I had always wished for something more.
So did others. That's why the Rake, Pulse, Siren, Rift, howwastheshow.com morecowbell.net and minneapolisfuckingrocks.com and about a thousand more online sources came into being. There is SO MUCH art being made in the Minneapolis area, people want someone who can collect it all to one convenient place, and give you an idea of who's who and what's what in the local music scene. Local art by local artists. Put ads in there if you want, and put all the personal ads in the back too, I don't care. But keep it free, keep it local, and keep it away from the sensational-pseudo-journalism. If I want to know about local sports or politics I have better sources for that. I wanna know who is playing, where, when, and why the hell I should go see them! As great as the 'alternatives to the alternative' are, they don't have the distribution and stamina that City Pages has. Siren went under some time ago, the Pulse is gone and Rift is floundering due to production costs, threatening to become web-only.
So I was pleased as punch to see vita.mn emerge. Although it's run by the Star Tribune, but don't judge it too harshly, they have their heart in the right place, and I suspect their distribution will rival the City Pages. Vita.mn pulls everything I liked about City Pages out and puts in in one place. On paper. And their website is fabulously useful, clean, informational and intuitive.
But I'm even more excited about Reveille. If nothing else this line from their mission statement makes me all tingly:
When mainstream media can't afford to cover the depth of music on offer in the Twin Cities and beyond, we're here to go deeper. When the internet seems like nothing but a glut of news tidbits and buzz, we're here to actually write about music. Original, insightful, informative, inspiring: This is what we seek to be.
At the very least, Reveille will provide real competition that was so sorely lacking before. Check out the full mission statement, and the cast of characters here.
http://www.reveillemag.com/about/
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Product, Cool Website, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Fearless Filmmakers - July 2007
This month's Fearless Filmmakers is showing a documentary that delves into the sketchy waters of 'snuff' films.
Come support local film making!
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
0 Comments
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Come support local film making!
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Art-A-Whirl 2007
Don't miss the 2007 Art-A-Whirl!
FRIDAY, MAY 18th - from 5-10:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 19th - from 12-8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 20th - from 12-5:00 p.m.
http://www.art-a-whirl.org/
Blog on,
-CZ
0 Comments
Permalink
FRIDAY, MAY 18th - from 5-10:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 19th - from 12-8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 20th - from 12-5:00 p.m.
http://www.art-a-whirl.org/
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Event Review: Voltage - Fashion Amplified 2007
Local Fashion Maven*, Anna Lee, pulled out the stops again, for another top-notch production of Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2007, and showed the rest of the world what flyover land had to offer in terms of fashion and music.
This year's show was all the sweeter due to its absence last year, and now popular enough to pull the lead story in all the local press, and pack First Ave to the hilt. I mean, I've Never seen it that full up before.
One goal of Voltage is to not just 'present' bands and designers, but to connect them to the audience. To that extent, a well-designed "Look Book" was distributed at the show. People could pull the book out later and visually identify the designer and their designs. There were also short video interviews with the designers and bands, which aired before each segment of the show, and this helped the audience get a glimpse of their personalities. The "look book" and the videos really helped to connect the audience to the artists.
Voltage also helps the artist community in other ways. Proceeds from Voltage go to the Springboad for the Arts which helps artists gain access to healthcare, and Voltage has also birthed MNFashion.org which seeks to help designers access "professional development and resources so designers can establish a sustainable livelihood"
There are a lot of factors that make the Voltage show pretty fucking amazing, not the least of which is that Anna Lee is behind it. While she is quick to point out that it takes many people to make the show happen, it takes someone with the moxie that Anna has to pull it off.
Another amazing fact is that the show was Packed. I'm pretty sure it was sold out, and that really says something. People want to see this, and hopefully, the success (and continued success) of Voltage, Art-A-Whirl and such will pave the way for more showings of art and fashion. Hopefully they can learn from Voltage to set up symbiotic relationships with the community, instead of consumeristic nonsense like the Uptown Art Fair.
Congrats to Anna Lee, her team and all the designers and artists who made Voltage a big success in 2007. Click over to http://www.voltagefashionamplified.com/ and check out the bands and designers, go to their websites, go to their myspace pages and add them as friends, go see their live shows or designer studios, buy their music if you like it, and most importantly, Spread The Word, and support local art like this. It's something we are fortunate to have, and something people on the other two coasts take for granted.
Blog on,
-CZ
*It was in fact, I who first bequeathed Anna Lee the title of Fashion Maven...
...back in Feb of 2007 when Voltage 2007 was first announced...
...and originally way way back in 2005.
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Permalink
This year's show was all the sweeter due to its absence last year, and now popular enough to pull the lead story in all the local press, and pack First Ave to the hilt. I mean, I've Never seen it that full up before.
One goal of Voltage is to not just 'present' bands and designers, but to connect them to the audience. To that extent, a well-designed "Look Book" was distributed at the show. People could pull the book out later and visually identify the designer and their designs. There were also short video interviews with the designers and bands, which aired before each segment of the show, and this helped the audience get a glimpse of their personalities. The "look book" and the videos really helped to connect the audience to the artists.
Voltage also helps the artist community in other ways. Proceeds from Voltage go to the Springboad for the Arts which helps artists gain access to healthcare, and Voltage has also birthed MNFashion.org which seeks to help designers access "professional development and resources so designers can establish a sustainable livelihood"
There are a lot of factors that make the Voltage show pretty fucking amazing, not the least of which is that Anna Lee is behind it. While she is quick to point out that it takes many people to make the show happen, it takes someone with the moxie that Anna has to pull it off.
Another amazing fact is that the show was Packed. I'm pretty sure it was sold out, and that really says something. People want to see this, and hopefully, the success (and continued success) of Voltage, Art-A-Whirl and such will pave the way for more showings of art and fashion. Hopefully they can learn from Voltage to set up symbiotic relationships with the community, instead of consumeristic nonsense like the Uptown Art Fair.
Congrats to Anna Lee, her team and all the designers and artists who made Voltage a big success in 2007. Click over to http://www.voltagefashionamplified.com/ and check out the bands and designers, go to their websites, go to their myspace pages and add them as friends, go see their live shows or designer studios, buy their music if you like it, and most importantly, Spread The Word, and support local art like this. It's something we are fortunate to have, and something people on the other two coasts take for granted.
Blog on,
-CZ
*It was in fact, I who first bequeathed Anna Lee the title of Fashion Maven...
...back in Feb of 2007 when Voltage 2007 was first announced...
...and originally way way back in 2005.
Labels: Culture, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Fearless Filmmakers: 28 March 2007
The Fearless Filmmakers event this month was another mixed bag of great independent films, and...um....not so great independent films.
Joe Johnson: "Girl Next Door" - A cross between "Silent Hill" and "Scream", and somehow a parody of them at the same time. Would make a great Rob Zombie video (and I mean that in a good way), half-naked (actually 90% naked) smokin-hot babe gets covered in blood while battling creepy-looking creeps in her home, which has mysteriously inadequate lighting. Unfortunately, the ending was a complete Cheap Shot, one of those "Oh my Dog, look at the time! Damn, and we're almost out of tape too! Anyone know how we can end this in less than thirty seconds?"
355 Productions: "Love" - Hysterical mockumentary about a white-collar office guy who decides to encourage "Love" in his coworker's lives. Hints of "The 40 Year Old Virgin" crossed with "Office Space" and Poor quality sound. This worked great as a short, but I have a hard time imagining how it could be extended into a full-length feature film. I guess we will find out, because the full-length version, "Love: A Documentary" is in Post Production, and slated for release in Summer 2007.
Aaron Gelperin and Steve Blehert: "The Man Who Couldn't Stop Eating Cake" - Far and away the best short of the evening. Well done, funny, and although I didn't understand the ending AT ALL, I didn't even care. I laughed my ass off.
Orange Apple Productions: "It's Killing Me" - This film is based mostly on a poorly-written nursery rhyme, narrated by a child with cancer, who is killed by his own parents to put him out of his misery. This film is positively atrocious, and directly opposed to their 'Mission Statement'
to bring a positive message to its audience through the projects it produces. To show its viewers that the right choice made in even a bad situation can affect everyone involved in a positive way.
From: http://www.orangeappleproductions.com/aboutus.html
Not. Even. The writer/director/producer seemed to think it was "Pretty good". He was wrong.
Matt Osterman: "Turtle" - Square White Guy is commissioned by the Lord (in the shape of a turtle, hence the name) to build an ark. I was expecting hilarity to ensue, but instead the story moved from silly comedy to sad tragedy to disturbing thriller.
Ryan Schaddelee: "Manfant" - Billed as a 'Horror/Comedy with a Twist' This film was the exact opposite to "Turtle" in that "Turtle" went from comedy > tragedy > disturbing, "Manfant" moved from thriller > comedy > lighthearted fluff. During the Q&A after the showing, Ryan admitted that the entire movie was based off one of his friend's abilities to make accurate baby noises, and they got drunk and decided it would be an interesting plot for a short about a full-grown man who acted as an infant. He also apologized. This was one of the best produced movies shown tonight, but not nearly as good as his "Scream Like A Girl"
Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack: "Karen" - This is what happens when a musician decides to make a movie. Writing was thin and abstract. Way more attention was paid to the soundtrack, which was very good, and included the band 'Sweet J.A.P.' The end credits were WAY too long. If that many people were really involved, it should have been better.
Benjamin Martin of Chow Projects: "$$$ (In:love)" - Animation over audio conversations with a telemarketer. Very funny, and got the most laughs of the evening. This is part of a larger series of audio called "Wrong Answers" all of which are available on the web for free at this site.
Ryan Taylor from Prime Productions "MVP" - This entry in Grain Belt's 2006 "Make Your Own Commercial Contest" won Prime Productions first place, and a year's supply of beer. (I don't know how much a year's supply of beer is, and I forgot to ask at the afterparty, but they said it arrived in a truck.) "MVP" is Very pro, it looked like a real commercial.
Blog on,
-CZ
0 Comments
Permalink
Joe Johnson: "Girl Next Door" - A cross between "Silent Hill" and "Scream", and somehow a parody of them at the same time. Would make a great Rob Zombie video (and I mean that in a good way), half-naked (actually 90% naked) smokin-hot babe gets covered in blood while battling creepy-looking creeps in her home, which has mysteriously inadequate lighting. Unfortunately, the ending was a complete Cheap Shot, one of those "Oh my Dog, look at the time! Damn, and we're almost out of tape too! Anyone know how we can end this in less than thirty seconds?"
355 Productions: "Love" - Hysterical mockumentary about a white-collar office guy who decides to encourage "Love" in his coworker's lives. Hints of "The 40 Year Old Virgin" crossed with "Office Space" and Poor quality sound. This worked great as a short, but I have a hard time imagining how it could be extended into a full-length feature film. I guess we will find out, because the full-length version, "Love: A Documentary" is in Post Production, and slated for release in Summer 2007.
Aaron Gelperin and Steve Blehert: "The Man Who Couldn't Stop Eating Cake" - Far and away the best short of the evening. Well done, funny, and although I didn't understand the ending AT ALL, I didn't even care. I laughed my ass off.
Orange Apple Productions: "It's Killing Me" - This film is based mostly on a poorly-written nursery rhyme, narrated by a child with cancer, who is killed by his own parents to put him out of his misery. This film is positively atrocious, and directly opposed to their 'Mission Statement'
to bring a positive message to its audience through the projects it produces. To show its viewers that the right choice made in even a bad situation can affect everyone involved in a positive way.
From: http://www.orangeappleproductions.com/aboutus.html
Not. Even. The writer/director/producer seemed to think it was "Pretty good". He was wrong.
Matt Osterman: "Turtle" - Square White Guy is commissioned by the Lord (in the shape of a turtle, hence the name) to build an ark. I was expecting hilarity to ensue, but instead the story moved from silly comedy to sad tragedy to disturbing thriller.
Ryan Schaddelee: "Manfant" - Billed as a 'Horror/Comedy with a Twist' This film was the exact opposite to "Turtle" in that "Turtle" went from comedy > tragedy > disturbing, "Manfant" moved from thriller > comedy > lighthearted fluff. During the Q&A after the showing, Ryan admitted that the entire movie was based off one of his friend's abilities to make accurate baby noises, and they got drunk and decided it would be an interesting plot for a short about a full-grown man who acted as an infant. He also apologized. This was one of the best produced movies shown tonight, but not nearly as good as his "Scream Like A Girl"
Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack: "Karen" - This is what happens when a musician decides to make a movie. Writing was thin and abstract. Way more attention was paid to the soundtrack, which was very good, and included the band 'Sweet J.A.P.' The end credits were WAY too long. If that many people were really involved, it should have been better.
Benjamin Martin of Chow Projects: "$$$ (In:love)" - Animation over audio conversations with a telemarketer. Very funny, and got the most laughs of the evening. This is part of a larger series of audio called "Wrong Answers" all of which are available on the web for free at this site.
Ryan Taylor from Prime Productions "MVP" - This entry in Grain Belt's 2006 "Make Your Own Commercial Contest" won Prime Productions first place, and a year's supply of beer. (I don't know how much a year's supply of beer is, and I forgot to ask at the afterparty, but they said it arrived in a truck.) "MVP" is Very pro, it looked like a real commercial.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event, movie reviews
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Get Out the Vote
You don't even have to lift your lazy ass out of the chair, just click the link, and fill in what you can.
It's not just a survey, it's a test of how connected you are with the local area. Of course, the Best Rock Band would be "Jagged Spiral". You knew that already. But "Best R and B Group?" "Best New Restaurant?" Hmm. Some of these things I only find out by reading Last Year's 'Best Of' winners...
You will have to stay alert, because there are some trick questions:
Best TV Weatherperson?
Best Karaoke?
Make sure to vote for Anna Lee as "Best Girl Made Good".
And if you can't think of anyone else, vote for me for Best Villain. You probably don't know me that well, but trust me, I deserve it.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Culture, Minneapolis Event, Online Tests
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Concert: Revolver Model
The Uptown Bar
Saturday, February 24th, 2007
3018 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 823-4719
Cost: $5.00
Music Starts at 9:30
The Sweet Latrines (Opener) - www.myspace.com/thesweetlatrines
The Mood Swings - www.myspace.com/themoodswings
Mercurial Rage - www.myspace.com/mercurialrage
Revolver Modele (Headliner)- www.myspace.com/revolvermodele
Blog on,
-CZ
0 Comments
Permalink
Saturday, February 24th, 2007
3018 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 823-4719
Cost: $5.00
Music Starts at 9:30
The Sweet Latrines (Opener) - www.myspace.com/thesweetlatrines
The Mood Swings - www.myspace.com/themoodswings
Mercurial Rage - www.myspace.com/mercurialrage
Revolver Modele (Headliner)- www.myspace.com/revolvermodele
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music
Friday, February 02, 2007
Voltage - Fashion Amplified 2007
Mark your calendars! Minnesota Fashion Maven Anna Lee is bringing back Voltage after a year hiatus!
11 April 2007 at the First Avenue Mainroom.
If you haven't been to a Voltage show yet, you are missing out. Voltage: Fashion Amplified showcases local fashion designers, who have models parade their latest designs on a runway, while local bands perform on the stage behind them. A brilliant marriage of local music and local fashion. This is the kind of thing N.Y. and L.A. might take for granted, and the kind of thing that will help put Minneapolis on the culture map.
Check the new website for more info and updates.
Also, Anna is trying to raise money and awareness for Springboard for the Arts’s “Artist’s Access to Healthcare” program.
According to Anna, Springboard is also helping to establish a new non-profit- MNfashion, a resource for the local fashion community.
If you know of any companies, organizations, or individuals that you think may be interested in sponsoring, send them a link to the site, or have them contact sponsor@voltagefashionamplified.com
Even if you can't go or can't donate, you should send Anna Lee an e-mail ruby3annalee@gmail.com and tell her what a great job she is doing, supporting local music and fashion, and keeping Minneapolis from becoming a barren wasteland of culturelessness...
Blog on,
-CZ
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11 April 2007 at the First Avenue Mainroom.
If you haven't been to a Voltage show yet, you are missing out. Voltage: Fashion Amplified showcases local fashion designers, who have models parade their latest designs on a runway, while local bands perform on the stage behind them. A brilliant marriage of local music and local fashion. This is the kind of thing N.Y. and L.A. might take for granted, and the kind of thing that will help put Minneapolis on the culture map.
Check the new website for more info and updates.
Also, Anna is trying to raise money and awareness for Springboard for the Arts’s “Artist’s Access to Healthcare” program.
According to Anna, Springboard is also helping to establish a new non-profit- MNfashion, a resource for the local fashion community.
If you know of any companies, organizations, or individuals that you think may be interested in sponsoring, send them a link to the site, or have them contact sponsor@voltagefashionamplified.com
Even if you can't go or can't donate, you should send Anna Lee an e-mail ruby3annalee@gmail.com and tell her what a great job she is doing, supporting local music and fashion, and keeping Minneapolis from becoming a barren wasteland of culturelessness...
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Guitar Center Grand Opening
Eleven and I hit the G.C. Grand Opening in Maple Grove last night. We got there just after the doors opened...
...saw the line that was over a city block long...
...and went to Panara Bread instead. Hell, *YOU* go stand in the cold for an hour.
Eventually, the line evaporated and we got to experience the chaos. Elvis was there. So were ten-thousand wankers all under the age of 15, who pay more attention to who is watching them than to their own playing.
Nothing special about Guitar Center in general, and this one is the the worst laid-out of the Three. The selection of bass guitars is pathetic, and packed into a sardine can they dubbed "The Rumble Room".
Sigh.
I'm not as excited about Guitar Center itself as I am about the fact that the company feels Minnesota can support three of them. I hope this implies that GC believes making music is a booming industry here in the Twin Cities, and not that GC thinks all the rich brats in the NW suburbs are going to want daddy to buy them a Fender Strat after watching Lame-Ass-AntiReality-TV-Shows-About-Music.
Blog on,
-CZ
0 Comments
Permalink
...saw the line that was over a city block long...
...and went to Panara Bread instead. Hell, *YOU* go stand in the cold for an hour.
Eventually, the line evaporated and we got to experience the chaos. Elvis was there. So were ten-thousand wankers all under the age of 15, who pay more attention to who is watching them than to their own playing.
Nothing special about Guitar Center in general, and this one is the the worst laid-out of the Three. The selection of bass guitars is pathetic, and packed into a sardine can they dubbed "The Rumble Room".
Sigh.
I'm not as excited about Guitar Center itself as I am about the fact that the company feels Minnesota can support three of them. I hope this implies that GC believes making music is a booming industry here in the Twin Cities, and not that GC thinks all the rich brats in the NW suburbs are going to want daddy to buy them a Fender Strat after watching Lame-Ass-AntiReality-TV-Shows-About-Music.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Minneapolis Event
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Revolver Modele Concert - Sat Feb 3
THE DEBUT CD RELEASE PARTY!
w/ THE ALARMISTS, REVOLVER MODELE, and WHITE LIGHT RIOT
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3RD
VARSITY THEATER
1309 4TH AVE SE
$5 in advance $7 @ door, 18+, 9:00 PM
You really should come to see this show, and get there early. Revolver Modele always puts on a great live show, but this concert will be filmed, so it should be awesome! Also, we need lots of people in the audience in case Ehsan falls off the stage again, he will need something to land on...
Look sharp!
-CZ
0 Comments
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w/ THE ALARMISTS, REVOLVER MODELE, and WHITE LIGHT RIOT
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3RD
VARSITY THEATER
1309 4TH AVE SE
$5 in advance $7 @ door, 18+, 9:00 PM
You really should come to see this show, and get there early. Revolver Modele always puts on a great live show, but this concert will be filmed, so it should be awesome! Also, we need lots of people in the audience in case Ehsan falls off the stage again, he will need something to land on...
Look sharp!
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Best New Bands of 2006
Last night, I attended the "Best New Bands of 2006" at First Ave.
My thoughts:
First Ave is not the same without the smoke. Perhaps they could have a fog machine and some cigarette-flavored-incense? Is that too much to ask? Pissing in a trough always makes me feel like I'm at Renn Fest. Where else can you strike up a conversation with a girl using the men's room trough while peeing through a fake penis? You might have to pay to see that in San Francisco, but here in Minneapolis, it's included in the cover.
First Communion Afterparty - I missed all but the end of this band, so I can't give an accurate opinion. I liked what I heard, it was like used motor oil with lots of cream and sugar.
Jeremy Messersmith - With a voice Exactly Precisely like John Mayer from 'Your Body Is A Wonderland', Jeremy creates his own percussion and backup singing sections by doing live looping on stage - he records a short section of percussion and vocals which loop over and over while he plays and sings the song. A clever gimmick which turns a coffee-shop folk singer into a one man band, and certainly deserving of 'Best of 2006' status. Unfortunately, that talent is only appreciatable in live venues, and will probably be lost on CD/MP3/Radio..
Maria Isa - You probably saw Maria grace the cover of CityPages not too long ago. I missed the article because the City Pages is crap now, but Maria Isa? Stop the fucking press. Wow. Best way to describe this is Sade (remember Sade?) got some fucking balls and had a can of Rock Star Energy Drink. Or two. Think a female Matisyahu without the Jewdaism. This girl took the stage by the horns, rode it hard, and put it away wet. The ONLY act of the night with meaningful lyrics. Best of the Best of.
One for the Team - Unapologetic polished pop. I zoned out into a bizarre discussion (another blog post by itself) and missed most of this act.
The Alarmists - Of all acts this one sounded the most 'polished' and while I usually mean that in a bad way, this time I don't. The keyboard player needs to calm down though, or go play with the next band...
White Light Riot - Were clearly the crowd darlings of the event. WLR have a great sound and are well-practiced. Strangely, I didn't like their songs and found their hyper-spastic stage energy distracting.
Vampire Hands - Surprise, surprise! A truly experimental band gets billed as Best Of! I bought a CD before they even finished playing.
The whole 'Best of' left a kind of mixed feeling for me. On the good side, there were no 'Emo' bands or Dashboard Confessional wannabees, and Thank The Gods that shit is dead or I would probably give up on music forever. There was also a hint of experimentation with Jeremy Messersmith's looping and a WHOLE LOT of experimentation with Vampire Hands.
On the down side, there might have been a teensy-weensy too many short-haired-white-boy-lead-singers-with-keys-hanging-off-their-belt-loop-from-a-carabiner. I would have expected a little more diversity, maybe some colored hair or a mohawk. Where was the punk? Although Vampire Hands clearly has elements of punk, there were no real screamers. (Whatever happened to The Blue Up?? God I miss them.) Where was the metal? Not even something like progressive metal. No Grrrl bands like the Soviettes. I thought Radio K sponsored the show?
Blog on,
-CZ
0 Comments
Permalink
My thoughts:
First Ave is not the same without the smoke. Perhaps they could have a fog machine and some cigarette-flavored-incense? Is that too much to ask? Pissing in a trough always makes me feel like I'm at Renn Fest. Where else can you strike up a conversation with a girl using the men's room trough while peeing through a fake penis? You might have to pay to see that in San Francisco, but here in Minneapolis, it's included in the cover.
First Communion Afterparty - I missed all but the end of this band, so I can't give an accurate opinion. I liked what I heard, it was like used motor oil with lots of cream and sugar.
Jeremy Messersmith - With a voice Exactly Precisely like John Mayer from 'Your Body Is A Wonderland', Jeremy creates his own percussion and backup singing sections by doing live looping on stage - he records a short section of percussion and vocals which loop over and over while he plays and sings the song. A clever gimmick which turns a coffee-shop folk singer into a one man band, and certainly deserving of 'Best of 2006' status. Unfortunately, that talent is only appreciatable in live venues, and will probably be lost on CD/MP3/Radio..
Maria Isa - You probably saw Maria grace the cover of CityPages not too long ago. I missed the article because the City Pages is crap now, but Maria Isa? Stop the fucking press. Wow. Best way to describe this is Sade (remember Sade?) got some fucking balls and had a can of Rock Star Energy Drink. Or two. Think a female Matisyahu without the Jewdaism. This girl took the stage by the horns, rode it hard, and put it away wet. The ONLY act of the night with meaningful lyrics. Best of the Best of.
One for the Team - Unapologetic polished pop. I zoned out into a bizarre discussion (another blog post by itself) and missed most of this act.
The Alarmists - Of all acts this one sounded the most 'polished' and while I usually mean that in a bad way, this time I don't. The keyboard player needs to calm down though, or go play with the next band...
White Light Riot - Were clearly the crowd darlings of the event. WLR have a great sound and are well-practiced. Strangely, I didn't like their songs and found their hyper-spastic stage energy distracting.
Vampire Hands - Surprise, surprise! A truly experimental band gets billed as Best Of! I bought a CD before they even finished playing.
The whole 'Best of' left a kind of mixed feeling for me. On the good side, there were no 'Emo' bands or Dashboard Confessional wannabees, and Thank The Gods that shit is dead or I would probably give up on music forever. There was also a hint of experimentation with Jeremy Messersmith's looping and a WHOLE LOT of experimentation with Vampire Hands.
On the down side, there might have been a teensy-weensy too many short-haired-white-boy-lead-singers-with-keys-hanging-off-their-belt-loop-from-a-carabiner. I would have expected a little more diversity, maybe some colored hair or a mohawk. Where was the punk? Although Vampire Hands clearly has elements of punk, there were no real screamers. (Whatever happened to The Blue Up?? God I miss them.) Where was the metal? Not even something like progressive metal. No Grrrl bands like the Soviettes. I thought Radio K sponsored the show?
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Sound Unseen's Design Fiesta
All you artiste types: Check out this ad for the 411 on getting your art shown at the first annual Design Fiesta, part of the Sound Unseen fest.
Everyone else: set aside Saturday, Aug 19, 2006, from noon till nine at the Soap Factory and bounce on over to get your art-critique on...
Blog on,
-CZ
0 Comments
Permalink
Everyone else: set aside Saturday, Aug 19, 2006, from noon till nine at the Soap Factory and bounce on over to get your art-critique on...
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Event, Culture, Minneapolis Event
Monday, July 10, 2006
Christian Black Metal
J-man celebrated his 25th birthday last weekend, and I met him and Sarah to bang heads to some serious, hardcore, Christian Black Metal at the Star Central. I shit you not. Ordinarily, I prefer my Black Metal with a little cream and sugar, and this stuff was the full-on-espresso, but I enjoy it in moderation.
Not sure why the genre is 'Christian Black Metal' it makes sense that they would not want to call it Death Metal, but why not Life Metal, or White Metal (mmm...on second thought, maybe not)
For those who are interested, I saw Jesus Christ at the show, he was the front man for one of the Christian Black Metal Bands. Although Jesus Christ is not his stage name, it was not difficult to figure out who he was, and it wasn't the long hair and goatee that tipped me off. It was the fact that he was there on a Sunday, preaching to those who need it in a way they would understand. Did you really think he would come back wearing khaki shorts, sandals and a hemp necklace, cruising around Lake Nokomis, in a Ford Hybrid? Please.
The real tipoff was when he said that if anyone left the show before the headlining band (Crimson Moonlight) took the stage, that he would hunt them down, kill them, and drag their corpse back to the bar, and let the Christian Black Metal Music bring them back to life...
For those who are wondering, No, I did not ask Jesus for his autograph, and Yes, this does count as Church-Going, so I am covered for this year.
Blog on,
-CZ
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Not sure why the genre is 'Christian Black Metal' it makes sense that they would not want to call it Death Metal, but why not Life Metal, or White Metal (mmm...on second thought, maybe not)
For those who are interested, I saw Jesus Christ at the show, he was the front man for one of the Christian Black Metal Bands. Although Jesus Christ is not his stage name, it was not difficult to figure out who he was, and it wasn't the long hair and goatee that tipped me off. It was the fact that he was there on a Sunday, preaching to those who need it in a way they would understand. Did you really think he would come back wearing khaki shorts, sandals and a hemp necklace, cruising around Lake Nokomis, in a Ford Hybrid? Please.
The real tipoff was when he said that if anyone left the show before the headlining band (Crimson Moonlight) took the stage, that he would hunt them down, kill them, and drag their corpse back to the bar, and let the Christian Black Metal Music bring them back to life...
For those who are wondering, No, I did not ask Jesus for his autograph, and Yes, this does count as Church-Going, so I am covered for this year.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Minneapolis Event, music reviews
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
The Vote Is: In
Several members of Team Chiaroscuro and I attended the "Best of the 48 hour film festival" last night. Like most awards ceremonies, most of the winners deserved what they got, and some did not. I was sad to hear that one of the best films was disqualified for using footage that was shot prior to the start of the contest. That is cheating, but I know of other teams who used ideas and plots that were developed prior to the start of the contest. The same kind of cheating, but more difficult to get caught at.
There will be those, let's call them 'Americans' for the lack of a better term, whose goal is to 'win' the contest - to get the vote or award, to get on the DVD no matter what, and cheating is OK as long as you don't get caught. Too bad really, because there are other festivals those people could go to, and they can take ten years to make their movie if they like, but the 48-Hour contest is really about accessing that spark of creativitiy and spontenaiety that gets washed out when processed too much - like the difference between raw strawberries and strawberry jelly.
I was glad to see that Central Services "Dangerous Proximity" won the Best Cinematography and Best Picture awards at the 48. They deserved it. Their movie was simply based around one funny and interesting idea, and that idea made the movie entertaining. Anyone else could have had the same idea, and with some reasonable lighting and editing skills come out with a similar movie. I certainly don't mean to say that Central Services are a bunch of hacks, they did a very pro job. I'm saying that same movie with average lighting, sound and acting still would have had my vote.
When you limit the resources of time and format and movie length, it makes it easier for a hobbyist to compete with professionals in this contest. You don't need to be a wizard at Premiere or Final Cut to make a respectable movie in 48 hours. I should know, because Team Chiaroscuro did it. The video will be posted to the web soon, check back here for the link.
It also makes me feel better that our movie was beat out by "Dangerous Proximity", the same way I wouldn't feel bad losing in Snooker to Graeme Dott.
Blog on,
-CZ
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There will be those, let's call them 'Americans' for the lack of a better term, whose goal is to 'win' the contest - to get the vote or award, to get on the DVD no matter what, and cheating is OK as long as you don't get caught. Too bad really, because there are other festivals those people could go to, and they can take ten years to make their movie if they like, but the 48-Hour contest is really about accessing that spark of creativitiy and spontenaiety that gets washed out when processed too much - like the difference between raw strawberries and strawberry jelly.
I was glad to see that Central Services "Dangerous Proximity" won the Best Cinematography and Best Picture awards at the 48. They deserved it. Their movie was simply based around one funny and interesting idea, and that idea made the movie entertaining. Anyone else could have had the same idea, and with some reasonable lighting and editing skills come out with a similar movie. I certainly don't mean to say that Central Services are a bunch of hacks, they did a very pro job. I'm saying that same movie with average lighting, sound and acting still would have had my vote.
When you limit the resources of time and format and movie length, it makes it easier for a hobbyist to compete with professionals in this contest. You don't need to be a wizard at Premiere or Final Cut to make a respectable movie in 48 hours. I should know, because Team Chiaroscuro did it. The video will be posted to the web soon, check back here for the link.
It also makes me feel better that our movie was beat out by "Dangerous Proximity", the same way I wouldn't feel bad losing in Snooker to Graeme Dott.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event, movie reviews, Videos
Open Letter to Lame Assholes (L.A.)
I'm hard on Californians, but they deserve it, especially l.a.
For example: When faced with the fact that the 48-hour film project drew more teams in Minneapolis than in l.a. making Minneapolis the third largest draw in the nation, what did they do?
They did what any narrow-minded pack of self-important shitheads would do, they cheated. They reopened registration until they had more teams than Minneapolis. After all, you wouldn't want people thinking there were more creative and talented people in Minisoda of all fucking places...
Open Letter to l.a. - FUCK YOU you bunch of worthless hack cheaters! Your city falling into the ocean would be a refreshing herbal enema for the United States.
See you down in Arizona Bay,
-CZ
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For example: When faced with the fact that the 48-hour film project drew more teams in Minneapolis than in l.a. making Minneapolis the third largest draw in the nation, what did they do?
They did what any narrow-minded pack of self-important shitheads would do, they cheated. They reopened registration until they had more teams than Minneapolis. After all, you wouldn't want people thinking there were more creative and talented people in Minisoda of all fucking places...
Open Letter to l.a. - FUCK YOU you bunch of worthless hack cheaters! Your city falling into the ocean would be a refreshing herbal enema for the United States.
See you down in Arizona Bay,
-CZ
Labels: anti, indie movies, Minneapolis Event, rant, Videos
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Solstice Film Festival
The Solstice Film Festival begins today, and continues through the 25th. I think it is way overdue that Minnesota has it's own celebration of film, for the following reasons
1-There are many talented local people here in 'flyoverland'. Actors, filmmakers, musicians, audio producers... And there are even a few without issues and egos who can put together a decent film.
2-The world should be made aware that Minnesota is NOT LIKE ICELAND. In Iceland, all there is to do is drink, fish, and write progressive rock music. In Minnesota, we drink, fish, write progressive rock music AND make independent films. If you ever get confused, just remember Iceland has Bjork, Minnesota has Anna Lee (and that purple symbol guy, but we don't really talk about him anymore...)
3-Network television is a pitiful abomination. Watching it should make you either angry or depressed. Except maybe Public Television Channel 2.
I know Devin Halden and Bobby Marsden (ringleader of the local Fearless Filmmakers showings) have worked their tails off to help bring the Solstice Film Fest together.
I highly recommend that anyone with an interest in independent film check it out, and pretty soon the rest of the world will be calling Minneapolis "MinneWood" (wait a minute, that isn't such a great name after all.) OK, maybe Minnesota can be known as "New Hollywood" or "WinterWood" or something. Fine, maybe it should just stay Minnesota, but at least we can be known for having some talent other than tolerating temperatures of -1 degree Kelvin.
Blog on,
-C
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1-There are many talented local people here in 'flyoverland'. Actors, filmmakers, musicians, audio producers... And there are even a few without issues and egos who can put together a decent film.
2-The world should be made aware that Minnesota is NOT LIKE ICELAND. In Iceland, all there is to do is drink, fish, and write progressive rock music. In Minnesota, we drink, fish, write progressive rock music AND make independent films. If you ever get confused, just remember Iceland has Bjork, Minnesota has Anna Lee (and that purple symbol guy, but we don't really talk about him anymore...)
3-Network television is a pitiful abomination. Watching it should make you either angry or depressed. Except maybe Public Television Channel 2.
I know Devin Halden and Bobby Marsden (ringleader of the local Fearless Filmmakers showings) have worked their tails off to help bring the Solstice Film Fest together.
I highly recommend that anyone with an interest in independent film check it out, and pretty soon the rest of the world will be calling Minneapolis "MinneWood" (wait a minute, that isn't such a great name after all.) OK, maybe Minnesota can be known as "New Hollywood" or "WinterWood" or something. Fine, maybe it should just stay Minnesota, but at least we can be known for having some talent other than tolerating temperatures of -1 degree Kelvin.
Blog on,
-C
Labels: Hollywood, indie movies, Minneapolis Event
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Revolver Modele show / Wine Tasting
For those who don't yet know about Revolver Modele, you really ought to check them out. And if you don't know about the Suburban World Theatre, you really ought to check that out as well. If you haven't heard of either, you are in luck, because Revolver Modele is playing Thursday, Apr 27th 2006 at the Suburban World Theatre! The event is a wine tasting for Solovino wine (Chile), with wine and appetizers (as well as a cash bar) and the uncanny sound of Revolver Modele begins at 8ish.
Thursday, April 27th @ Suburban World Theater (Uptown Mpls on Hennepin) - Solovino Wine Tasting , wine and appetizers, cash bar also avail.
7-9pm $15
RM perform around 8pm
If you can't make that, make sure to catch Revolver Modele at Club Underground next month:
Saturday, May 27th @ Club Underground
Club Address: 355 N.E. Monroe St., Minneapolis, MN 55413
If you just can't wait, you can find their music on www.myspace.com/revolvermodele
Rock on,
-CZ
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Permalink
Thursday, April 27th @ Suburban World Theater (Uptown Mpls on Hennepin) - Solovino Wine Tasting , wine and appetizers, cash bar also avail.
7-9pm $15
RM perform around 8pm
If you can't make that, make sure to catch Revolver Modele at Club Underground next month:
Saturday, May 27th @ Club Underground
Club Address: 355 N.E. Monroe St., Minneapolis, MN 55413
If you just can't wait, you can find their music on www.myspace.com/revolvermodele
Rock on,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Event, Cool Website, Minneapolis Event, music
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