(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!

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.

Magic Castles live review

Phantasmagorical. That was the live Magic Castles show tonight at the Uptown, as their other two shows I've seen at Kitty Cat. I urge all you kitties out there to climb on board this magickal mysticore tour, and trip and dance to Magic Castles, one of the most authentic psych folk/acid rock band I've heard during this current resurgence of psychedelia.

The dreamy, jangledy songs with fantastical lyrics and groovy layers of keys, primal drumming, sweetly eerie harmonies, ghost-like echoes and vacuums of sound, tambourines perfectly accentuating those layers, melodic bass . . . weave a web of intricate layers of sound beautiful to both hear altogether, and to isolate from each other (as if hearing 2 or 3 songs beautifully intertwined) in the mind. Magic Castles, drawing from late '60s and early 70s psychedelia, had excellent timing and space jams, approaching Zappa, and also featuring haunting Joy Division moments. Definitely strong Pink Floyd (Sid B. days) V.U and Jefferson Airplane references abound in a delightfully dark way. It was a trippy fun musical experience that you couldn't help but dance to and get caught up in inextricably. They have beautiful periods of slowing down,and messing with time and breath-catching transitions. Their slight off/minor/flat keys cause delicious shivers. The harmonies are perfectly eerie, playful and dark. Songs such as entirely memorable "Emory" you'll find yourself hearing over and over in your head long after the show is over.

Definitely catch their next live shows: March 7 at Stasius, and March 11 at Lee's with
the band currently known as The Lapdance Band of Horses ( a better name than their last one; who knows what it will be next? Stay tuned for 2nd Tuesdays at the Turf beginning April for more on this great new local supergroup and the bands they host).

Valentines, Theatrical shows, Ice, Puppets, and Bedlam's Bleeding Hearts Romp

Well its been awhile . . . but have seen some very interesting new stuff. Just a brief overview . . . last Tues. at the Uptown the first of a 2nd Tuesday series put on by a band with no name (yet). 9-piece, formerly calling themselves "The Bukkake Party" fe: lots of strings (cello, fiddle, innumerable guitars :) organized by lead Jacob Grun (parts for all makes, Ice Palace). This is an amazing large group with much potential, using big soaring vocals, heavy strings and layers of guitar and percussion that may bring to mind other large groups like Arcade Fire (in scale, and big sound) yet darker, more psychedelic remniscent of: Pink Floyd, maybe Sonic Youth, a little bit Velvet Underground. Their March show is second Tues at Lee's with a relatively new (about a year-old) absolute new favorite of mine, Magic Castles. Magic Castles authentically captures the essence of late '60s early '70s psychedelia with mind-bending minor chords and dreamy layers of sound, eerie vocals and beautifully long space jams to space out to and escape to other realms of the mind. They are not. to. be. Missed. They're turning out a phantastically magical mystical mysticore (hint) CD that I reckon will be one of the best local CDs of 08. Mark my words, and look out for it. Meantime check out their great live show.

Feb 13 Pre-Valentines La Belle Epoque Fetish Bash, hosted by Venus (All the Pretty Horses) was a real ball, of the best kind. Lots of lovely costumes, many of which were Victorian era, but more risque. Great music by theatrical punk band Dangerboard (also performing tonite at the Bedlam!), the Melismatics, Sirens of Titan and All the Pretty Horses. MC poetess Laura Brandenburg was very cat-like on the catwalk as she introduced the fetish fashion show, with beautiful XXX-travagant fashion, including ink, feathers and silk ribbons in strategic places.

All the Pretty Horses were in their element(s) as they took the 1st Ave stage with incredible big sound, intense rock and through the course of the show, a few pyrotechnics and engaging theatrical interpretations of songs such as Ice, Fallen Angels, Wild Horses . . . depicting love, love lost, rejection, angst and passion in its various facets — with fantastic deep red lighting and spotlights on the dancers and the room, and Venus' vocal prowess with a balance between control and raw release, this was truly one of the most memorable ATPH shows I've seen.

Last night: Super Furry Animals, a looong-time favorite, were phenomenal at the Varsity, stripped down (no films or furry costumes this time) their show was as always futuristic and weird and wonderful.

Today, if you get this in time . . .get out on the ice! Puppet shows at 3:00 at the Black Box Theatre Shanty fe: Vermont, Texas and Wisconsin puppeteers/musicians who have been involved with Bread and Puppet from Vermont. Lots of live music and fun at Medicine Lake on this, the second to last weekend. Go to Art Shanties and you can see the schedule.

If you miss this, or even if you don't, you can catch more puppet mischief at The Bleeding Hearts Romp at Bedlam Theatre tonight at 10! A perrenial fun event featuring the ever-popular 5-minute movie (cheesy movies condensed to their best moments colliding together in high hilarity), bands! Puppets! and cabaret. . .tonites show features:

the dance antics of Mad King Thomas , bard love by bEn Krielkamp, sumptuous drag by barbara gordon, the WYXY news and a bedlam 5 minute movie ....with your host, the lovely DITZY POOFBALL.

PLUS travelling Puppet shows. Pinata. Prizes. Heart -shaped Sake jello shots. Skits and Surprises including Anti-Love meter readings and The preimer release of Ape and COffee's first zine.

STARTS AT 10PM and AFTER SHOW THEATRICAL PUNK BAND: DANGER BOARD

Must get out on the ice. Enjoy the shows.

Lost Love at the Bedlam Theatre thru Dec. 16

This weekend is the last chance to experience Lost Love, performed at the Bedlam Theatre through Dec. 16. Lost Love is the first in a trilogy of plays premiered by area playwright Peter Papadopoulos, a Bedlam Theatre collaborator.

Lost Love is an innovative, edgy play juxtaposing personal and worldly catastrophies. From a hurricane/flood leaving a new bride (Kristi Terns) alone and stranded accompanied by a valet,(John Cole) seemingly the only other survivor, to the breakdown of a relationship, rife with conflict over possessions and loss of love, sanity and possessions. The clashing of wills and desires are sharply contrasted as the bride and valet have lost their people and homes and are desperately alone and hungry, while the lesbian couple played by Heather Wilson and Maren Ward, haggle over the discontent and loss of love because of cheating, the loss of trust and disintegration due to compulsive shopping and overspending ways. Disillusioned Ward, inspired by brooding French Art Film Guy on Television, decides to tune in and drop out, discarding the possessions, and taking in the stranded bride and valet. Compassion, bewilderment and collisions ensue, climaxing with a very late pizza. This play is a fantastic, raw, edgy look at perspectives about love and possessions and loss from shallow to shattering. Don't miss it!

Shows Thursday through Sunday @ 8pm - Novemeber 30th-December 16th.
Plus 3pm MatineeSaturday December 15th.

Tickets $15-18
plus $5 discounts for Under 25 / Over 65 / Performing Artists / and Collective Workers
AND a $2 Rebate when you Walk, Bike, take the Bus or Train ("How did YOU get here?)

Pre-show Dinner available as well. The food is excellent! And the drinks are very reasonably priced. Great Wine and Beer selection.

$15 Prix-Fixe Dinner features your choice of:
Citrus Roasted CHICKEN
Sunflower Seed encrusted TILAPIA
or a vegan SWEET POTATO w/ Parsnip Puree
all with salad, your choice of sides, dessert, and coffee

All the Pretty Horses acoustic show Postponed

Due to the snow and bad roads, All the Pretty Horses acoustic premiere is postponed until likely February 8 at the 331 Club. Stay tuned for more on this.

Also Nikki Matteson and Rich Rue cancelled at the Hat Trick tonight.

Stay in and stay warm (unless you, like myself, are planning to attend Our Frida exhibit at the Art Jones Gallery in the Casket Arts Building!

What's Happenin' This Week?

Cyn’s Acoustic and Folk Picks for the Week Nov. 29 – Dec 5:
Thurs., Nov. 29:
• Tonite is Louisiana Rhythms fe: The Rockin’ Pinecones zydeco, Cajun and New Orleans dance music at the Eagles Club at the Eagles Club from 8 – 11 p.m.
• Nikki Matteson and Rich Rue perform at the Mill City Café during
Dinner hour 7 – 9
Friday, Nov. 30:
• Front Porch Swingin’ Liquor Pigs this Friday’s Happy Hour at the Eagles Club 7–9 pm
• The Bitter Spills fe: Rich Mattson and Baby Grant Johnson, playing old country blues and and old-timey folk songs at the 331 Friday Nov. 30
Saturday, Dec. 1:
• DAKOTA DAVE HULL: Concert Celebrating the release of his new CD, Time Machine Dec. 1 — 8 p.m. at Patrick’s Cabaret, 3010 Minnehaha Avenue South, Minneapolis. Tickets at the Podium and the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor.
• Ben Glaros CD release with special guest Slim Dunlap
8pm $12 advance, $15 day of show
• Don’t miss this one! All the Pretty Horses play all-acoustic, You heard it right . . . acoustic for the first time ever, at the 331 Club at 9.
Sunday, Dec 2
• Jen Markey’s acoustic Jam at the 331 Club 1 – 4
• Charlie Parr and the Bitter Spills play the Turf Club Old Stage at 9
•Womenfolk at Gethsemane concert series welcomes Alison Rae. Ellen Stanley of "Womenfolk" curates this monthly event at Gethsemane Church on 4th Street in downtown Minneapolis.
Monday, Dec 3:
• The Roe Family Singers weekly Mondays at the 331 Club
• Willie Murphy 1st Wednesdays at The Commodore Hotel Lounge December 3 —
• First Monday Old-Time Square Dance fe: members of the Lulu Gals and more, at the Eagles Club 7;30 – 10:00
Wednesday, Dec. 5
• Dreamland Faces perform every Wedsnesday at the Bedlam Theatre on the West Bank, 9 p.m. till late, great food and beverages are available till late as well
• Jackson’s Juke Joint presents: Max Hey at the 331 Club at 7 p.m.

Fort Wilson Riot Idigaragua Indie-Rock Opera review

Idigaragua, the indie-rock opera performed by Fort Wilson Riot and directed by Jeremey Catterton at the Bedlam Theatre Sept. 6 - 16 was wildly fast-paced and fantastically light-years ahead of its time, in creativity, collaboration and complexity. Inspired by two Paul Bowles short stories ("Tapiana" and "A Distant Episode"), "Idigaragua" centers on the epic adventures of a naive American journalist abroad. Captured by pirates, he saves himself by glorifying them in the media, then escapes to an idyllic village, only to destroy it through globalization.

Having attended many Fort Wilson Riot performances over the past three years and hearing and seeing Idigaragua evolve from a short song about 3 minutes long to an hour-long five part song I looked forward to the indie-rock opera with high anticipation. I attended Idigaragua three times — it grew increasingly intense, and heartwrenching with each attendance, and as familiarity with the drama set in, as well as clarity of the vision and messages (naive ideology, falsifying media to glorify unjust war sacrificing many "to save your own skin," imposing class divides via globalization and capitalism, choosing to follow rules out of fear, and more . . . ), themes we were confronted by via a well-constructed hour-long song performed phenomenally by Fort Wilson Riot, and magnified vastly by the theatrical performers lip-syncing the lyrics and acting melo-dramatically drawing out the horrors and the humor of Idigaragua. Swords and flashlights jabbed, and puppet parts flew intensely close. The music smoothly transitioned from melodic and idyllic, to ominous and dark, to chaotic and carnivalesque, as Fort Wilson Riot members performed in costumes mirroring their actor counterparts.

The rock opera performance was just what this already perfect hour-long song needed to reach its fullest potential in its epic scope.

Idigaragua, a bird nobody likes, dog puppets attacking, being made into a circus geek, pirates beset with the problem of a bad reputation, dancing cactuses, an ominous rider, and anti-capitalism protesters are but a few of the nightmarish events that besiege the journalist, a naive Western journalist who responds in ways that leaves a trail of destruction, angry mobs and innumerable dead wherever he goes.

The magic realism of the rock opera was enhanced by lightning fast costume changes, numerous puppets, great tricks with lighting, a simple set with symbolic props. One highlight of several climaxes was a 4-minute found film collage shown on a roll-down screen with styrofoam blocks, showing a rapid building and decay of a civilization by globalization and capitalism, then being torn down by rebels against the class divide and poverty the new civilization created.

The show Idigaragua, one of the most successful fait accomplis performed by any rock band in decades or perhaps years to come, must go on, and hopefully it will continue, here and throughout the world! There is great potential for Idigaragua to spread throughout the land as an amazing song/story/drama by one of the most visionary eclectic rock/funk/jazz/punk bands around.

my KFAI "Who's Spinning Who" series debuts tonight!

Please tune in to KFAI 90.3 FM Mpls., 106.7 FM St. Paul tonight, Thursday from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. to hear the debut of my new KFAI series, "Who's Spinning Who?" when I interview musicians, producers, bookers, record store and label staff, and other music fans about their favorite music, both new and old. They'll spin samples of these picks giving you a taste of what may also become your favorites. They will also fill you in on upcoming new projects they're working on!

This episode of "Who’s Spinning Who" features special guest Jacob Grun, The Sound Gallery co-owner, recording engineer and live sound engineer for the Uptown Bar and booker for Rossi's Blue Star Room. He also does booking for the Turf Club, and formerly the Hexagon. Grun is also a musician with
Parts for All Makes and Ice Palace.

Grun recently finished working as sound and tech engineer with Fort Wilson Riot on their indie-rock opera, Idigaragua performed at the Bedlam Theatre during the first half of September. Grun hosts Sound Gallery events regularly such as a recent art show by local artist Kyle Pettis and soon, an afterparty for a fashion show at the Aveda Institute for MN Fashion Week.

Grun is working with Tuesday's Robot on their next record coming up this Fall, and enjoys playing out with his bands. His next performance is with Ice Palace, for the Twin Town High Release Show at First Avenue Main Room featuring Mark Mallman.

Electric Arc Radio Season Premiere Review

The best comedic/dramatic/live radio show not on the radio, Electric Arc Radio season premiere kicked off September 15 at the Women's Club (Loring Park) to a sold-out crowd of hundreds. Detailing the lives of four tormented writers, with Alan Greenspan living in their backyard treehouse, and neighbor, notorious punk poet Paul D. occasionally dropping by to "lay down a few soft words about life, living and the pursuit of whatever."

When I first saw Electric Arc Radio perform at Creative Electric for an audience of several dozen, I laughed till I cried. Even snorted. Meaning its really funny. Bac then, over two or three years ago, I knew it was the most hilarious thing out there, replete with wacky (and wacked) characters, hilariously bad one liners that'll make you bust your gut, hot tub humor, squirrel and pidgeon hunting in the backyard by Greenspan, writers compulsively bursting into sentimental song and Britney and Madonna covers, and telling sad but true tales of life in a little house in a big city.

Electric Arc Radio makes lit hip, not highbrow, and no subject is sacred as the writers candidly reveal their hopes and fears, anger and angst "getting lost in their forest minds, wondering why the world left them behind." The shows are filled with storytelling and songs, including music throughout by local musical guests such as The New Standards, the Owls and Walker Kong.

The Fall 2007 season premiere featured performances by Little Man, whose big dramatic energy was a perfect psychedelic rock-n-roll match for the rock energy of Electric Arc Radio's sold-out show at the Women's Club in Loring Park.

This episode began when a new light rail stop was put in the writers' front yard because a councilmember (who wakes up to German techno) had eyeballs that went bad. Punk poet Paul D. cuts his lawn with scissors, Brady goes on a light-rail adventure to the Mall of America and gets sick on Cinnabons, Sam finds possible love, possibly not a potential killer, on Facebook which is hosting a new meetup campaign: "poke 'em on the lightrail" and Mark Wheat of the Current poses the philosophical question, "If you meet love on myspace, is it a person, or persona you're in love with? And, if girlfriends in the past have threatened to shoot you, can you fall in love again?" The lightrail brings life to the small street, and Steph learns how to make salmon loaf with brandy. Herbach learns from Clerky the liquor store clerk, that rollerskates (two mini-lightrails), are really where its at, he sings a sentimental ode to his shiny new skates as he flies past dumpsters and between cars, and punk poet Paul D., torn up about the lightrail, shares a poem, and decides to tear up the rails for scrap metal, making enough to throw a kegger with a bonfire in the backyard.

Electric Arc Radio is hilariously demented, sending gales of laughter through the audience. One of the best comedic dramas I've ever seen with humor ringing reflectively of the idiosyncracies of life, I addictively look forward to new episodes every couple weeks.

Upcoming shows feature musical guests: Haley Bonar (9/29), Storyhill (10/13), Fran King (10/27), Mary and J.G. Everest (11/10).