Big Wu bassist Andy Miller.

​This year marks the 20 year anniversary of Minneapolis band The Big Wu's formation at St. Olaf College. Bassist Andy Miller lovingly refers to the band's aesthetic as "White Guy Jam Rock," and confirms that the songwriting process hasn't changed much at all. "The songwriter brings in the bulk of it and then you just start hitting it with the band," he says. "We start playing stuff that we're not sure how to get through on stage because we're gonna play it anyway. We're the Big Wu, and we're gonna fucking wreck it."
More >>

​There are plenty of sappy, romantic things to do in the Twin Cities over the weekend before Valentine's Day, but more than likely there isn't anything as interesting and decidedly off-the-wall happening as Ice Rod's Chatroulette show Saturday night at the Turf Club. Michael Gaughan will once again assume the role of Ice Rod, a 22-year-old college student, delivering comedic freestyle raps at whoever comes up on Chatroulette, all for the entertainment of the audience.

The Turf's stage will be decorated to look just like a typical college dorm room to complete the illusion for the various Chatroulette participants, with all the hilarious reactions and unplanned moments projected on a large screen so that everyone at the Turf can share in the fun.

More >>

​No matter how accustomed to Minnesota winters that you are, they eventually take their toll on everyone. The shortened days, the bitter cold, the treacherous roads all wear on all of us to varying degrees as winter just drags on.

But in the case of Tasha Pruitt, last winter was especially cruel. While Pruitt was leaving her apartment building, a large chunk of ice fell off the awning of her complex and struck her, leaving her with a spine injury and numerous recovery disabilities -- all of which have left her unable to work at a normal level or ride her bike at all for the past year. Her good friends in the Twin Cities music community have rallied behind Pruitt and arranged a benefit concert and auction for her at the Turf Club Friday.
More >>

​The exuberant Detroit party band Electric Six returns First Avenue, a room that they claim is one of their "favorite venues in the world," on May 11. And to prove just how special the legendary local club and their Twin Cities fans are to them, the band will be recording this show (as well as the next night at the Double Door in Chicago) as part of a planned live double-album.
 

Unsurprisingly, the first disc will feature the band's celebrated debut album, Fire, in its entirety, which they will play front-to-back during their second set at the Ave. The second disc will feature non-Fire material culled from the band's other albums, and these songs will be part of the first set that E6 plays at First Avenue. Now Fire has a majority of the band's big hits, so "Danger! High Voltage" and "Gay Bar" will obviously be played. But here are five Electric Six's lesser-known, but still explosive, songs that we hope still find their way into their first set.

More >>

Photo by Matt Luem

​On March 22 and 23, a collective of young, folk-rooted composers who were drinking buddies back in Vermont will perform at the Walker's William and Nadine McGuire Theater. If you read that sentence and a certain level of pretentious cultural superiority didn't come to mind, go back and read it again. Better yet, attend the show in March.

To be fair, people these days often mistake pretension for sophistication, and consequently miss out on some quality stuff. This March show is quality stuff. The 802 Tour -- which features Nico Muhly, Sam Amidon, Doveman and Nadia Sirota -- makes for a night of good, clean fun with a class of music to match its luxurious setting. And it will sound more expensive than the actual ticket price (only $22, $18 for Walker members).
More >>

Photo by Gilliane E. Mansfeldt

​After taking some time away from music last year, T.Q.D. of the Background Noise Crew sat down and wrote his latest album Taketh Away in under a month. "I don't like to work on things slowly. My attitude is, let's get it done," says The Quiet Dude. "I've never made an album this fast. I know what I need to say,". Listening to the record gives the impression the topics have been stewed over and are finally seeing full expression.More >>

​The yearly celebration of West Coast G-Funk great Dr. Dre's legacy, Dre Day, turns 10 this year. As has been the case for the previous nine Februarys, this thing is a serious dose of hip-hop and history.

Though its roots are in Minneapolis, the event has spread around the country and will even keep their heads ringin' in Paris this year.
More >>

​Holly Newsom apparently didn't let the recent dissolution of the original Zoo Animal line-up affect her much creatively. She has just put the finishing touches on a brand new EP, Departure, an appropriately titled batch of stellar but subdued new songs. The EP has just been made available for fans to preview ahead of an eventual CD release show planned in February. But Zoo Animal have a more immediate show this Friday night at Nick and Eddie, which features a stellar quadruple-bill along with Fort Wilson Riot, Greycoats, and Village Industry. Newsom most likely will perform a few of these gorgeous new tracks at the show, giving fans a clear idea of the distinct new direction she is taking her sound in. More >>

​Your guide to all the best musical events happening on New Year's Eve.


More >>

​Jewbilee! is a highly entertaining holiday alternative to Christmas Eve for Jewish people and non-Jewish alike. This new "holiday" began seven years ago when local multi-faceted creative artist/musician/DJ/journalist Danny Sigelman, living in Austin, Texas at the time, was inspired to create something for Jewish people to do on Christmas Eve. When Sigelman moved to Minneapolis, he and his friend, Jewish hip-hop artist Yoni Reinhardt, co-launched Jewbilee!, held over the years at 331 Club, Grumpy's Downtown, and the Kitty Cat Klub. Now returning for its sixth year, it's being held this Saturday, December 24, at the 7th St. Entry.  More >>