50 & El DeBarge collab on new track

​If you're under 30, you can feel free to just move right along  while the rest of us nostalgically mind-fondle tracks like "Who's Johnny"* and "Rhythm Of The Night" and digest the idea of a new El Debarge's release. It's his first since 1994 and it hit shelves today, but whether Second Chance will actually prove to be one for the '80s-famous falsetto with the porny moustache remains to be seen.

DeBarge spent the majority of the last decade dealing with drug issues but appears to be cleaned up and in the mood for some smoov R&B croonin' again. 

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​Two Minneapolis art galleries will host two different locally rooted panel discussions about music, art, and community involvement this week.

Tonight at Intermedia Arts, MNOriginal and the Minneapolis Arts Commission will host an interactive discussion on "Minnesota Identity and the Arts" from 7-9 p.m. Moderator Andy Sturdevant (who curates Salon Saloon) will lead the discussion with photographer Wing Young Huie, dancer Ananya Chatterjea, MN Original's Chuck Olsen, and Adam Levy of the Honeydogs.

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​Here's a little free, unsolicited, pre-Christmas advice from Gimme Noise: Do let the iTunes gift cards Santa leaves behind burn a metaphorical hole in your stocking. No pain, no gain, after all - and if you're willing to hold your zombified-consumer rifle fire for a little while, the new year promises many, many treasures. Below are a few discs that we're already salivating for.

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Photo by Sean Smuda

MECA winner Jon Davis

​It's always reassuring when an organization recognizes the time and resources required for a musician to devote any significant portion of time to their art. So we were thrilled to hear that three local musicians have been selected by the American Composers Forum to receive Minnesota Emerging Composer Awards (MECAs): experimental multi-instrumentalist Jon Davis of Ghostband, rapper M.anifest, and drummer Pete Hennig of the Fantastic Merlins and the Atlantis Quartet will each receive $3,000 to complete a 12-month project of their choosing.

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​Ruby Isle, the catchy dance-rock collaboration between Mark Mallman, Dan Geller, and Aaron Lemay, just dropped a new video for one of their Guns 'N Roses covers from their forthcoming record, Appetite for Destruction, and it features a hilarious cameo: Dozer, the dog who belonged to band manager Murray on the show Flight of the Conchords.

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​Abercrombie & Fitch hoodies for the nieces? Rugby shirts for the nephew? Teddy Kennedy book-on-tape for Dad, calypso super hits re-ish for Mom, Twilight Blu-Ray discs for the significant other? Is this your life, diligent not-early-but-not-really-late Christmas shopper? Sticking to a list full of specifics and contingency options, checking it four or five or maybe six times? Calmly strolling up and down the aisles? Not breaking a sweat? Maybe stocking up on tissue paper and CD gift boxes? Then this mixtape is for you. Keep an eye out; there might be another one coming.
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Photo by Steve Cohen

​It's no easy feat pulling off three back-to-back nights at First Avenue, but the Jayhawks made it look effortless this past summer when they powered through one of the most memorable local music events of the year.

Ever since founders and lead singers Gary Louris and Mark Olson rejoined forces back in 2008, the Jayhawks have taken on a new life in the form of reunion shows, anthologies, and reissues; with news of more dates and a new album on the horizon, it looks like they won't be slowing down anytime soon.

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​Holiday weeks are hell on columns like this one. Not because nothing happens, but because nobody's around to report on what's happening. In any event, here's what we were able to find out about what went down while we were hanging Christmas lights, getting sick, and stuffing ourselves full of turkey last week.

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