Nomad Sound Unseen events this weekend . . .

There's still time to catch some great shows and events for Sound Unseen, which has been amazing eye and ear candy. At the Nomad World Pub tonight come out and support this great venue and it's equally great taste in musicians and events as they host the Vestals and Joanna James, who has a voice way beyond her years. Tomorrow, Saturday, enjoy one of the beautiful remaining autumn days with the Sound Unseen crew, playing croquet and indulging in yummy Thai food, from everyone's favorite new West Bank restaurant, Chai. Later that evening, the ever popular, Jack Brass Band, New Orleans style.

Time got away from me . . . I wanted to let everyone know how phenomenal the Sound Unseen shows and events have been this week. One of the coolest was Little Man giving it their all at the Oak St. Cin before the hilarious absurdist humor and allure of the T-Rex film. The sound was great for a live band and Little Man, (with Chris Pericelli looking uncannily similar to percussionist Mickey Finn) was the perfect precursor. The film about Townes van Zandt "Be Here to Love Me" was a true highlight, leaving an indelible mark as does his music . . . the film was done in a style similar to his music, and persona . . . sometimes hazy, often sad, with unexpected times of humor, things left as mysteries. . . he once said, I want to write a song I don't even understand. As enigmatic as he was, his haunting music endures.

There was nothing quite like being in the audience filled with musicians, filmmakers and music industry folks for the Scene: Minneapolis videos of: The Suburbs, the Wallets, Things that Fall Down, and Suicide Commandos. The videos were funny, as dated as they were . . . and I knew if I'd been here in time, I'd have gone to every one of their shows, esp. the art rock extravaganzas of the Wallets. Very cool seeing the "special effects" employed by the Husker Du videographer at the Entry in 1980 (I think) -- spinning, shaking and moving the camera back and forth. Very cool captured moment in time. Chatting with musicians at the Kitty Cat Klub, made it all the more fun, as they filled me in with stories of band members and what it was like to perform and influence in the "No-Wave" genre.

Favela Rising, about youth gangs in Rio de Janeiro, and some getting out and making music to combat violence and drug wars and police abuse, reaffirmed my belief in music as a political force to be reckoned with. The film was chilling and inspiring and very powerful.