Dark Dark Dark releases two CDs into the light, Friday at a private party (you're invited as long as you know them and/or where to find the poster — could be a Hard Time). They're also the featured band for the March 15 Electric Arc Radio Show a Literary-Musical Tragicomedy that's the perfect, darkly twisted match. Catch them before they embark on their long dark tour at various points in the U.S. through October.
This dark folk trio — Nona Marie Dark (accordion), Marshall LaCount (banjo) and Jonathan Kaiser (cello) play traditional and traditional-sounding East Euro/Klesmer/Old-timey/Gallic/Old-country blues/ polka-punk/Other music with the seemingly unseemly yet delectably dark combination of the accordion-banjo-cello.
The sonorous cello mournfully swoops and soars in and out with the melodic, sparse banjo, and Baltic and Klesmer sounding accordion , while Nona sings low and plaintive, perfect for their dark ballads, torch and sea shanty style songs. Marshall and Nona harmonize and trade off singing, Marshall's vocals remniscent to me of Andrew Bird. The trio are a harmoniously interwoven relationship of rhythms and strings and vocals mesmerizing to the ears, sending chills, and enchanting to watch looking as though they live the life and times of the songs they play.
The versatile Dark Dark Dark lead "a weird double-life," said Jonathan (Painted Saints, The Blackthorns). "We play restaurants and gallery openings, and then we have clubs life . . . "". . . underground or overground!" continued Marshall (Woodcat). They tend to play more traditional music for restaurants and galleries — old folk songs, jazz standards, gypsy and blues. In clubs they perform mainly their original music — "as original as traditional-sounding music can be!" quipped Nona.
Dark Dark Dark are releasing two CDs. The live EP Love You, Bye was released in France under the label What-a-Mess. Spontaneous, sparse and warm, Jonathan said, "We were trying to capture how we sound live in a living room — the core acoustic experience of Dark Dark Dark. They're also releasing The Snow Magic full-length CD. This one is more arranged, with more instrumentals, and friends joining in such as Martin Dosh playing drums. Those familiar with Dark Dark Dark will hear some new direction with the arrangements and some new songs. They're starting their new label, Blood Onion Records with The Snow Magic CD.
Go into the dark night for Dark Dark Dark treasures and treats before they embark on the long tour of the East Coast and other regions.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
(Mur/Mer) Murzik CD Release , Iron Mermaiden, Dark Dark Dark!
So much to do!
Exercise/Exorcize:
Friday night at 11 p.m. I'm participating in a Exercise/Exorcise panel discussion about experimental/avant garde/progressive work in the Twin Cities during the Exercise Exorcize "Best of Night." This will be aired on Twin Cities Radio and Gotham Radio, NYC! What is Exer/Exo? Director Jeremey Catterton describes:
* A variety of Twin Cities artists performing short works in an intimate setting, curated and hosted by Jeremey Catterton.
* Each evening includes: 6-8 new dance, theater and solo performances, with 2-4 films. Then an interview with each artist about their piece and other works.
* Based on On the Board’s 12Minutes Max, in Seattle.
* Occurs at the Bottling House Theatre in the Historic Grain Belt Brewery. The “best of night” March 7 features audience-voted favorites from the past 6 weeks, and concludes with a panel discussion with Twin Cities artists and experts in their field: Venus de Mars, Charles Campbell, Cindy Collins, plus many more.
Exercise/EXORCISE is also a benefit for upcoming Lamb Lays with Lion productions; Fort Wilson Riot Presents: Idigaragua and Massgraves (featuring Kill the Vultures), performed in repertory at the Bedlam Theatre April 3-13 (opening April 4).
Saturday, lots more fun!
Bedlam Theatre's Iron Mermaiden Mar 7, 2008 - Mar 23, 2008
a living film, created and directed by Kristi Ternes with the Iron Mermaiden ensemble
"An Iron-Man talent competition set in a genetically modified future- where mermaids, created as highly prized works of art, are pitted against each other to win the ultimate prize- the opportunity to be immortalized. Who will survive the cut? Who will survive the night? Who'd want to miss this?"
And, Saturday, is the Special International Women’s Day Benefit Performance
Saturday, March 8th $50 — includes drinks, hors d’ouvres, and an auction of local art, goods and services!
And, I'm excited about the Murzik "Buried" CD Release Party! at the Kitty Cat Club, with James Apollo and Black Audience (hurray! Can't get enough of Jayanthi's powerful vocals and skillful, unruly ensemble) I recommend Murzik highly, as a terrific a local "dark folk" band I've enjoyed seeing much since I first attended one of their live shows at the Hex about 3 - 4 years ago (singer Nathan first introduced the genre term "dark folk" as we were discussing how to describe them that night). And since, that genre has grown to easily be one of the most exciting and growing genres over these past few years in the Twin Cities. Murzik's music can be described as East-Euro folk tinged Americana, with accordion, glockenspiel, bells, mando and more. Filled with poignant lyrics, they could be described as gypsy music, but more quiet and mournful, something like sea shanties rough and dark Tom Waits style . . . ah, delightfully undescribable.
I'll suffice it to say, go see Mursik Sat. if you love, or want to hear more of what this "dark folk" thing is creeping through "both the underground and overground" as Marshall of Dark Dark Dark says. Note! 2 CDs are being released March 14 by Dark Dark Dark, an astounding, mesmerizing favorite dark folk band featuring the unimaginably beautiful trio of a banjo (Marshall), accordion (Nonah) and cello(Jonathan Kaiser — Blackthorns, Painted Saints) together. The CDs (one live, also released earlier on a small label in France, the other here on their forthcoming label, Blood Onion fe: performers such as Dosh) are being released March 14 at a private party — they say: if you know them or how to find their posters, you'll know where it is. And if you miss this, catch them March 16 as musical guests on Electric Arc Radio, before they go on tour for many months. More info, and an update closer to that date!
Exercise/Exorcize:
Friday night at 11 p.m. I'm participating in a Exercise/Exorcise panel discussion about experimental/avant garde/progressive work in the Twin Cities during the Exercise Exorcize "Best of Night." This will be aired on Twin Cities Radio and Gotham Radio, NYC! What is Exer/Exo? Director Jeremey Catterton describes:
* A variety of Twin Cities artists performing short works in an intimate setting, curated and hosted by Jeremey Catterton.
* Each evening includes: 6-8 new dance, theater and solo performances, with 2-4 films. Then an interview with each artist about their piece and other works.
* Based on On the Board’s 12Minutes Max, in Seattle.
* Occurs at the Bottling House Theatre in the Historic Grain Belt Brewery. The “best of night” March 7 features audience-voted favorites from the past 6 weeks, and concludes with a panel discussion with Twin Cities artists and experts in their field: Venus de Mars, Charles Campbell, Cindy Collins, plus many more.
Exercise/EXORCISE is also a benefit for upcoming Lamb Lays with Lion productions; Fort Wilson Riot Presents: Idigaragua and Massgraves (featuring Kill the Vultures), performed in repertory at the Bedlam Theatre April 3-13 (opening April 4).
Saturday, lots more fun!
Bedlam Theatre's Iron Mermaiden Mar 7, 2008 - Mar 23, 2008
a living film, created and directed by Kristi Ternes with the Iron Mermaiden ensemble
"An Iron-Man talent competition set in a genetically modified future- where mermaids, created as highly prized works of art, are pitted against each other to win the ultimate prize- the opportunity to be immortalized. Who will survive the cut? Who will survive the night? Who'd want to miss this?"
And, Saturday, is the Special International Women’s Day Benefit Performance
Saturday, March 8th $50 — includes drinks, hors d’ouvres, and an auction of local art, goods and services!
And, I'm excited about the Murzik "Buried" CD Release Party! at the Kitty Cat Club, with James Apollo and Black Audience (hurray! Can't get enough of Jayanthi's powerful vocals and skillful, unruly ensemble) I recommend Murzik highly, as a terrific a local "dark folk" band I've enjoyed seeing much since I first attended one of their live shows at the Hex about 3 - 4 years ago (singer Nathan first introduced the genre term "dark folk" as we were discussing how to describe them that night). And since, that genre has grown to easily be one of the most exciting and growing genres over these past few years in the Twin Cities. Murzik's music can be described as East-Euro folk tinged Americana, with accordion, glockenspiel, bells, mando and more. Filled with poignant lyrics, they could be described as gypsy music, but more quiet and mournful, something like sea shanties rough and dark Tom Waits style . . . ah, delightfully undescribable.
I'll suffice it to say, go see Mursik Sat. if you love, or want to hear more of what this "dark folk" thing is creeping through "both the underground and overground" as Marshall of Dark Dark Dark says. Note! 2 CDs are being released March 14 by Dark Dark Dark, an astounding, mesmerizing favorite dark folk band featuring the unimaginably beautiful trio of a banjo (Marshall), accordion (Nonah) and cello(Jonathan Kaiser — Blackthorns, Painted Saints) together. The CDs (one live, also released earlier on a small label in France, the other here on their forthcoming label, Blood Onion fe: performers such as Dosh) are being released March 14 at a private party — they say: if you know them or how to find their posters, you'll know where it is. And if you miss this, catch them March 16 as musical guests on Electric Arc Radio, before they go on tour for many months. More info, and an update closer to that date!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Brass Kings CD release, Old-Time, and Townes
Life's been good as I've been seeing some great shows . . . there are a few coming up very soon I'd like to recommend here as well.
The Brass Kings CD release party at the Cedar was fantastic as they hosted many good friends, fellow musicians playing their songs with them: Jon Rodine, Molly Maher, Jayanthi Kyle (who, with her band who opened, Black Audience were phenomenal — Jayanthi's vocals are stunning, in their skill and emotive qualities as they did traditional tunes such as Darling Cora, and Dylan's Queen Jane Approximately and the cheeky, playful "It Won't Make a Difference After Dark").
Also playing with the Brass Kings were Baby Grant Johnson ( I rec everyone check out his and Rich Mattson's folk duo project Bitter Spills) and an oft duo partner with Steve Kaul, Dave Babb which is always a treat. The Brass Kings new CD is as excellent as the first, which was one of my favorites of '05.
Attended the MBOTMA (Minn. Bluegrass and Old-time Assoc) fest at Plymouth Radisson yesterday, always a great time, and I hear that The New Bad Habits fe: Chirps Smith, Tim Foss, David Landreth and one more (sorry, let me know) are working on a CD — they were very fun, Chirps and Foss fiddles are incomparably great, and the twin fiddles are beautiful together.
Just a few recommendations live music coming up soon, tonight, Charlie Parr at the Turf Club, The Townes Van Zandt tribute at Lee's Thurs. not to be missed, with several great local musicians/bands doing the Townes songs justice — last year was great — one duo I'm aware of is Jake Hyer (Get Up Johns) and Megan Duddle (Ditch Lilies) together, a real treat. Magic Castles March 7 at Stasius, Murzik CD Release Party March 8 Kitty Cat Klub and Dark Dark Dark CD Release party March 14 and 15 (Check their myspace page for details).
I've been remiss with the fiddle playing and must catch up with it again, as I miss it much, and also must honor where it came from, one of the old time legends from W. Virginia. So practicing much in anticipation of upcoming workshop in April by Jimmy Triplett!
Ice fishing tonight for the first time. Laying low and reading Chabon (so good) and watching Deadwood (dangerously good, but my vocabulary has hit the gutter as I've begun swearing like a late 1880's goldminer as a result, because its so fun. Especially since I grew up near them thar hills, rife with tragic history conducted by hoopleheads.
The Brass Kings CD release party at the Cedar was fantastic as they hosted many good friends, fellow musicians playing their songs with them: Jon Rodine, Molly Maher, Jayanthi Kyle (who, with her band who opened, Black Audience were phenomenal — Jayanthi's vocals are stunning, in their skill and emotive qualities as they did traditional tunes such as Darling Cora, and Dylan's Queen Jane Approximately and the cheeky, playful "It Won't Make a Difference After Dark").
Also playing with the Brass Kings were Baby Grant Johnson ( I rec everyone check out his and Rich Mattson's folk duo project Bitter Spills) and an oft duo partner with Steve Kaul, Dave Babb which is always a treat. The Brass Kings new CD is as excellent as the first, which was one of my favorites of '05.
Attended the MBOTMA (Minn. Bluegrass and Old-time Assoc) fest at Plymouth Radisson yesterday, always a great time, and I hear that The New Bad Habits fe: Chirps Smith, Tim Foss, David Landreth and one more (sorry, let me know) are working on a CD — they were very fun, Chirps and Foss fiddles are incomparably great, and the twin fiddles are beautiful together.
Just a few recommendations live music coming up soon, tonight, Charlie Parr at the Turf Club, The Townes Van Zandt tribute at Lee's Thurs. not to be missed, with several great local musicians/bands doing the Townes songs justice — last year was great — one duo I'm aware of is Jake Hyer (Get Up Johns) and Megan Duddle (Ditch Lilies) together, a real treat. Magic Castles March 7 at Stasius, Murzik CD Release Party March 8 Kitty Cat Klub and Dark Dark Dark CD Release party March 14 and 15 (Check their myspace page for details).
I've been remiss with the fiddle playing and must catch up with it again, as I miss it much, and also must honor where it came from, one of the old time legends from W. Virginia. So practicing much in anticipation of upcoming workshop in April by Jimmy Triplett!
Ice fishing tonight for the first time. Laying low and reading Chabon (so good) and watching Deadwood (dangerously good, but my vocabulary has hit the gutter as I've begun swearing like a late 1880's goldminer as a result, because its so fun. Especially since I grew up near them thar hills, rife with tragic history conducted by hoopleheads.
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