Erik Hess

Sobiech at the Varsity earlier this year.

SoulPancake released a short documentary Friday on Zach Sobiech, the terminally ill, ever-optimistic Stillwater teenager whose song "Clouds" has been viewed by millions on Youtube.

Sobiech was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, more than three years ago. After learning his condition was terminal, he wrote "Clouds" and other songs as goodbye letters to his family and friends, and has since signed a deal with BMI and played to a packed house at the Varsity.

SEE ALSO:
Zach Sobiech: I hope a music career doesn't change who I am
Review: Zach Sobiech at the Varsity

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Inside Llewyn Davis stars Oscar Isaac in the titular role of a folk musician with a cat

Locally bred Oscar-winning auteurs Joel and Ethan Coen have never shied away from drawing inspiration from their Minnesota upbringing to use in their films. Both Fargo and A Serious Man candidly reflect all-too-familiar aspects of life around these parts as well as lasting impressions that the creative filmmakers gleaned from their childhood spent in St. Louis Park.

The duo have also used music to great effect in their films, with the success of O Brother, Where Art Thou? spawning a resurgence of interest in classic American folk music, as well as a blockbuster soundtrack that resulted in a live concert and corresponding DVD that perhaps outshines the lasting impact of the film itself.

Now the Coens are back with a new forthcoming film, Inside Llewyn Davis, that blends their love of music with the legendary folk scene of Greenwich Village in the '60s that helped spawn and nurture the early career of one of Minnesota's favorite sons, Bob Dylan.

See Also:
Bob Dylan's most memorable Minnesota performances (1998-2008)
Mumford and Sons on Austin City Limits, a play-by-play of sorts

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Photo by Noah Abrams

It has never been a secret that Los Angeles-based Dawes has called the Twin Cities a second home, and that the locals get a little touchy-feely about it. With the April 9 release of their third album Stories Don't End quickly approaching, the group will support local record stores on an intimate tour, which takes the band to Austin for SXSW, and includes an anticipated stop in Minneapolis at Electric Fetus in April.
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Photo By Daniel Yang

After the sold-out success of last year's socially conscious Nobel Peace Prize Forum, Augsburg College will once again be hosting the three-day event geared around raising awareness and understanding within the areas of human rights, business and economics, health and science, as well as the arts. The overriding theme of this year's Forum is "The Power of Ideas: People and Peace."

One of the clear highlights of this year's Nobel Peace Prize Forum will take place on Saturday, March 9, as a special evening is planned featuring presentations and performances by the acclaimed Minneapolis MC Brother Ali, as well as Syrian-American rapper/activist Omar Offendum. Both artists will give Ted-style talks on the subject of "Hip-hop and Peace," (akin to Dessa's enlightening presentation and Q&A last year on the topic "Ethics & Hip-Hop") prior to each of them performing short sets alongside a live band, followed by a moderator-led discussion as well as an audience Q&A .

See Also:
Cover Story: Brother Ali in His Own Words
Brother Ali: The day I met Dr. Cornel West
Dessa's Nobel Peace Prize Forum presentation at Augsburg College, 03/02/12
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Chastity Brown performing with a familiar logo behind her.

There's no question that since it's arrival on the local airwaves eight years ago, the Current has changed the musical landscape here in the Twin Cities. With their adventurous playlist, top notch in-studio performances, and sharp focus on Minnesota music, there would be few who would argue that the area's music scene isn't better off with their involvement and influence.

But rather than dig in their heels stubbornly now that they have established a solid foothold in the Twin Cities, the Current has continued to work hard at keeping the lines of dialogue open between the station and their listeners/members. And that sense of community and level of discourse is about to get even more enhanced by the Current's first ever Public Music Meeting tonight at Amsterdam Bar and Hall, where the staff from the radio station will be on hand encouraging its listeners to provide opinions and ideas about what new music should be added to their playlist.

See Also:
The Current's 8th Birthday Party, Night One, 1/18/13
The Current's 8th Birthday Party, Night Two, 1/19/13

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Rodreick is the band's lead singer, and writes most of the music.

Treading North frontman Gabe Rodreick has been making music nearly all his life. When he was a sophomore in high school, having played piano since age 5, Rodreick was accepted to the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley. But the summer before his junior year began, Rodreick traveled to Costa Rica for an exchange program, and suffered a devastating spinal cord injury while body surfing at Manuel Antonio National Park.

See Also:
COVER STORY: Stalking the Blue Demon
Sen. Jeff Hayden introduces spinal cord research bill

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Photo By Erik Hess

Last November, a talented array of modern musicians (including Dave Grohl, Britt Daniel, Ryan Adams, Craig Finn and Tad Kubler) gathered at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles to celebrate and pay tribute to the music of Bob Mould. Those of us who weren't able to travel to the West Coast to witness this wonderful, intimate evening have just had to make due with shaky YouTube videos of the various performances and second-hand stories from those who were lucky enough to be there. Until now.

The entire evening was thankfully captured in high-quality audio and video by filmmaker Justin Mitchell, and Bob Mould himself has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the past and future fees necessary to bring a film documenting the night, See A Little Light: A Celebration of the Music and Legacy of Bob Mould, to completion.

Check out the trailer for See A Little Light below, as well as some of the exclusive Kickstarter rewards on offer for contributing to the cause.

See Also:
Bob Mould at First Avenue, 9/15/12
Bob Mould is rock-solid

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Left - from myspace 2007, Right - from facebook 2012

Former Solid Gold guitarist Paulie Heenan, 30, died early Friday morning in what is being called an altercation with a police officer in Madison, Wisconsin.

In a report in Madison's Isthmus, conflicting stories suggest that this was likely a tragic misunderstanding when Heenan entered his neighbors' house accidentally while he was heading home. More information about the altercation from the arresting officers is in this story.

See Also:
Paulie Heenan remembered by Solid Gold's Matt Locher
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Photo by Tony Nelson

Madonna says: Vote No on the Marriage Amendment!

Madonna took to the stage at the Xcel Center last night to urge fans to Vote No on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment.

"We are a Democracy and we should have the freedom to choose who we want to marry!" the Material Girl screamed, before enjoining the crowd in a call and response. "Did you hear what I said? Are you going to vote no? Are you going to vote no?"

See Also:
Slideshow: Madonna at Xcel Energy Center, 11/3/12
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Andrew Craig

Deemed one of the most beloved video games of all time, The Legend of Zelda has continued to gain popularity over the past 25 years. This Saturday, the celebrated Nintendo game will be brought to life in The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Tour, a live orchestral performance at the Orpheum Theatre.

With a 66-piece orchestra, two harps and a 24-voice choir, the concert, conducted by Eimear Noone, features songs from The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask.

"The music just lends beautifully to this type of orchestral presentation. Much like film music, it really tells a story and that's what we've done with the music through our concert," Jason Michael Paul, CEO and executive producer of Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc. says.

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