​As the excitement continues to build over Now, Now's upcoming sophomore record, Threads, we get the first video taken from the new batch of songs, the snappy but all-too-fleeting "Dead Oaks." That number also served as the title-track from Now, Now's recently released digital EP, which was put out by Chris Walla's Trans Records. The label is also handling the release of the local trio's forthcoming full-length, which is due out March 6.

The playful video, directed by Mitchell Wojcik, captures clips of the band on the road, performing live, doing photo shoots, as well as plenty of goofing around, and is as exuberant as the song is. While "Dead Oaks" is just a brief glimpse of what the rest of the record will sound like, it still remains a strong introduction to the band's bolder new direction.

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​The local band the Cloak Ox had a ripping 2011. After all, they won last year's City Pages "Picked To Click" by a landslide as one of the most promising band's from our fair State. As any reader of Gimme Noise can attest, we've covered them extensively as they maintain their status as one of the more interesting acts and a highly potent combination of creative minds who not only slay as this outfit but individually in solo settings and with other artists that include Why?, Andrew Bird, Vicious Vicious, Alpha Consumer and most recently as lead singer/guitarist Andrew Broder has branched out making hip hop beats, sound collages with a one-off collaboration with Kill the Vultures. More >>

​The sonic experimentalism of Halloween, Alaska has always lent itself well to potential remixes. And while the latest effort from the Minneapolis quartet, All Night The Calls Came In, is a more refined, focused album than their more expansive past work, the musical groundwork has been laid for these textured songs to be considerably reworked.

February 28 will see the digital release of Fake Mistakes: Remixes, which features the recent songs of Halloween, Alaska reimagined by some stalwarts of the local music scene. Lazerbeak, Grant Cutler, Graham O'Brien, and Now, Now's Bradley Hale, as well as S. Carey from Bon Iver, are just some of the talented musicians giving the music of Halloween, Alaska their own unique twist on this inspired new collection.

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​By Sally Hedberg

Yes, Minneapolis is home to a punk rock record store. The 18-year-old Extreme Noise Records is indisputably cool, and it's a business that truly emanates the DIY ethos of the music it aims to support. During its tenure, Extreme Noise has established both an unparalleled selection of music and a resource base for musicians who make up a dynamic, under-acknowledged scene. In the spirit of getting their name out and raising a glass to some impressive local bands, they've continued a partnership with the Triple Rock Social Club to produce a series of music showcases. Tonight they present a lineup of marked diversity featuring Ambassador Gun, Tornado and Crimes.
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​Rhymesayers vet I Self Devine continues his onslaught of new music with the second of four free mixtapes dropped at the front end of every month. The Upliftment Struggle was released on Soundcloud this week in anticipation of another 7th Street Entry takeover on February 19.More >>

​Fresh off of bringing Wednesday night's Best New Bands showcase to a triumphant close at First Avenue, local MC MaLLy gives his fans a taste of what his hotly anticipated forthcoming LP will sound like with the brand new track "Future's Classic." The fresh, throwback beats were laid down by Miami producer Rem', but MaLLy truly carries the track with his spirited, emphatic verses and clever wordplay, giving everyone lyrical proof of why he was tabbed to be a big part of Atmosphere's sold-out Welcome to Minnesota Tour in February.

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Photo By Mike Vorrasi

​After recently signing with Chris Walla's Trans Records, local trio Now, Now have released their first new batch of songs today with the digital EP Dead Oaks. The catchy but fleeting "Dead Oaks" has been floating around since we reported on the band's signing to Walla's label back in December, while the wistful "School Friends" was shared earlier this month. Both tracks are set to feature prominently on Now, Now's forthcoming full-length, Threads, due out on March 6.
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​When describing the new video for his band, Fairfax, AK's singer/songwriter Pat Dougherty sounds more like a humble musician than a salesman, "I think selling music is a pretty cold process but music is very personal thing for both the performer and the listener, so we wanted to do something a little different."More >>

​Polica's in-studio performance featuring an interview with the Current's Mark Wheat recently hit NPR, not MPR, but the national one. With an impressive number of camera angles, we get a look at "Wandering Star" and "The Maker" that's not unlike any number of professionally created music videos involving studio time. With singer Channy Leaneagh employing her trademark Auto-tune, and Chris Bierden, Drew Christopherson and Ben Ivascu filling in the gaps, this is what those who didn't snag a ticket to the group's performance at the Current's birthday bash on Saturday will be missing. Will it get approval from Jay-Z? That remains to be seen. One aspect of the interview that might interest Mr. Carter: Leaneagh's fascination with a wealth of pop-oriented R&B singers, and no mentions of Portishead.
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​Many frequenting Minneapolis shows of late are familiar with the sex-laden "sea-punk" trio Chelsea Boys. And by "familiar," we're talking getting jabbed by a guitar or splashed with sex juice, AKA sweat, during one of their rambunctious live sets. Since the Boys' dissolution in August, songwriter Hunter Morley has been stirring his musical pot in seclusion, patiently awaiting the opportunity to serve the people. Today marks the day that Morley -- together with Chelsea Boys drummer Jacque Clark -- emerges from his creative cave as Enola Gay. Yes, today, ladies and gentleman, is the first G.A.Y. Friday.
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