MPR's Arthounds searching for your hot tips

By Greg Swan, on February 27th, 2009%

E-mail from Chris Roberts:

Attention Minnesota artists, art advocates and art lovers,

MPR News has developed a new weekly segment we want you to know about, and consider being a part of. It’s called “Arthounds.” Each weekly installment of “Arthounds” will feature three members of the Minnesota arts community talking briefly about a performance, opening, or event they’re excited to see or want others to see. The only stipulation is that it can’t be your own work or work you’re professionally associated with.

We’d love it if you could keep in touch with us on local art that you’ve discovered or expect will be . . . → Read More: MPR's Arthounds searching for your hot tips

An Horse : "Postcards" (mp3)

By Greg Swan, on February 27th, 2009%

Australian duo An Horse hit Minneapolis’ 7th Street Entry on Tuesday, March 3.

An Horse : . . . → Read More: An Horse : "Postcards" (mp3)

2009 SXSW Local Band Sendoff, March 14 @ First Avenue

By Greg Swan, on February 26th, 2009%

. . . → Read More: 2009 SXSW Local Band Sendoff, March 14 @ First Avenue

Super Finale 8-Bit Remix ala Super Mario

By Greg Swan, on February 25th, 2009%

To promote Finale‘s upcoming album, A Pipe Dream and a Promise, is introducing Super Finale.

Although this version doesn’t let you win the heart of the Princess, you do receive an exclusive download of the Black Milk produced “One Man Show Remix.”

Here’s a snippet below:

Finale : One Man Show (A Rival 8-Bit Remix) . . . → Read More: Super Finale 8-Bit Remix ala Super Mario

The Low Anthem : "To Ohio" (mp3)

By Greg Swan, on February 25th, 2009%

Providence, RI folk rock trio The Low Anthem are coming to town on Feb. 26 to play the Varsity Theater with Lisa Hannigan.

Low Anthem has been compared to everyone from The Band to Fleet Foxes to â€œa late-night ride home in Joni Mitchell’s car.â€ (NPR) They’ll be featured in the Rolling Stone issue that hit stands last Tuesday.

Here’s a track off their third album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, which came out last September:

The Low Anthem : “To Ohio” . . . → Read More: The Low Anthem : "To Ohio" (mp3)

the guy : "Icarus" (mp3)

By Greg Swan, on February 24th, 2009%

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the guy! He may look like Willow in this picture, but the guy, aka Christopher Schreiner, is the epitome of a Berklee-trained professional guitarist.

the guy released first solo album, Only Human, last summer and just returned from a tour of Nepal and India. Check out this track from the album below:

the guy : “Icarus” (mp3)

From the press release:
Known in some circles as “the guy,” guitarist Christopher Schreiner is not what one would expect of an instrumental guitarist. Although possessing substantial technique, his compositions are never dominated by the intention of demonstrating it. . . . → Read More: the guy : "Icarus" (mp3)

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys : "Trouble Weighs A Ton" Video

By Greg Swan, on February 23rd, 2009%

Check out this video of Dan Auerbach and his uncle, James Quine, playing â€œTrouble Weighs a Ton,â€ the first track on Keep It Hid, in Danâ€™s Akron, OH studio.

From the press release: It was Danâ€™s uncle, who taught him how to sing and play guitar. The first 2 songs that Uncle James taught him were â€œPeggy Dayâ€ (Dylan) & â€œSingle Girl, Married Girlâ€ (Carter Family tune â€“ he learned the Stanley Brothers version.) Itâ€™s not an official video, just a little peek inside Danâ€™s studio, where he recently recorded Jessica Lea Mayfieldâ€™s record and the record for the band Hacienda, who . . . → Read More: Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys : "Trouble Weighs A Ton" Video

Dan Bull : Safe

By Greg Swan, on February 22nd, 2009%

Twenty-two year-old British musician Dan Bull just released his debut album, Safe, and he sent me these tracks to share with you.

“Outbound” is a hip-hop track constructed entirely of samples of Dan’s voice with ~50 overlaid parts. “Cut” is more of a pop track that starts out happy and descends into anger and despair.

Dan Bull : “Outbound” (mp3)

Dan Bull : . . . → Read More: Dan Bull : Safe

Story of the Sea : "Own Devices" (mp3)

By Greg Swan, on February 21st, 2009%

Minneapolis rockers Story of the Sea are sharing the single off their latest, Lunar Co.:
Story of the Sea : “Own . . . → Read More: Story of the Sea : "Own Devices" (mp3)

La Strada : "The Sun Song" (first $99 Music Videos release)

By Greg Swan, on February 20th, 2009%

This is the first video from $99 Music Videos, which gives musicians and filmmakers the opportunity to produce and broadcast high-quality original music videos for no more than $99.

From the press release: In addition to connecting great independent talent with new waves of potential fans, $99 Music Videos also appeals to a new generation of filmmakers by demonstrating innovative techniques to produce innovative music videos using limited resources.

$99 Music Video will feature different combinations of musicians and directors each week. Directors include Jack Ferry, Dan Meth, Ana Veselic, Kathleen Grace, and Matthew Semel, The network will initially consist of two . . . → Read More: La Strada : "The Sun Song" (first $99 Music Videos release)