My gorgeous, no, stunning Minneapolis, Minnesota, better known as the Venice of the Midwest -well, disputed nickname by many and unknown to others- is also a cornerstone in the history of music. Undisputed fact. First, Minnesota handled Prince to us in a silver plate. From a metaphorical hot spring located between First Avenue and Paisley Park studios, royal purple rain washed the fucking World. We owe you one, Minnesota; however, there is so much more. The Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) have inspired several musicians. It's corners, streets, and highways. Musicians have also reimagined the Twin Cities in response, as throughout words, we agree in descriptions and vibes that reshape our perception of our common spaces. I find this fascinating.
Art-A-Whirl happens to be one of the -if not the largest- open studio tours across the United States, taking place here, in Minneapolis. More specifically the Northeast neighborhood of our beloved city. What a great time of the year for Spring to stay for good. We are almost a week ahead of this great event, so I wanted to drop some words.
Last Friday, I had the fortune of watching The Federales' live perform at the KJ's hideaway. It was marvelous. The place was a surprise for me because I NEVER party in St. Paul, never. Since adopting Minneapolis as my place, I was indoctrinated to find St. Paul boring. Yuck, yuck, St. Paul. Nothing happens in St. Paul. Do people even live in St. Paul? People only work and sleep, work and sleep in St. Paul, repeat. To find such a music hub in St. Paul was an amazing surprise, so I decided that I have to write about it (and perhaps give St. Paul a new look).
How to describe this recording of Tash Sultana's Notion at the NPR tiny desk concert? It has to be labeled as supernatural as it's a piece of music that, in my opinion, just doesn't belong to this World. To watch Tash Sultana jumping barefoot between several looping pedals is just nuts. Her voice also reaches an intensity that I cannot find in any other recording of this song. Which makes my mind wander about the unique mixture of circumstances that made this recording a reality. To listen Tash Sultana signing hallelujah with her jimmy-Hendrix-kind-of arrangements in the solo. Watch from 07:30 (or just from the beginning, you will not regret it).
It has been a month and a half of being hooked to the Minneapolis songwriter rounds. Oh, boy. It has been a blast for so many reasons. Where should I start? A roulette of amazing musicians? No charge? It fucking happens every two weeks? Great selection of tap local beer at 331Club? Whoops, it's very harsh to pick just one. Keep reading.
I mean, concert season strikes back, dude. Bands flying around venues like hummingbirds grasping honey. Keep your expectations checked as well. Sites are starting to open as tours are being announced, so people are getting wild. Hold your fists up, keep your chin low. Don't quite it after seeing that it got sold, don't pay four times the price in a resale. A blow in your guts. Get creative and fight back! This is a free-for-all rumble.
