Clarence Reed

Throwing a David Lynch-themed dance party, but have no idea what to play? Wonder no more, massive Twin Peaks fan KPT, pronounced "kept," crafts the perfect tracks for the occasion. KPT is a genre-bending dark electronica producer based in Minneapolis. His music, at once sparse and complex, has a distinct element of unpredictability. It's professional, polished, fresh, and just the right amount of weird.

KPT works his magic live at Honey tonight at his event EDM IT THEN. Billed as an evening of intimate, innovative electronica, it showcases artists from a range of worlds within EDM and features Phenetik, Trouble Lights and Elevated States. Whatever your flavor you'd be hard-pressed to find a better spot for electronica on a Tuesday night.

Ahead of the show, Gimme Noise caught up with KPT to talk the local EDM scene, getting love from Linkin Park, and why dubstep makes his head hurt. Plus, check out the exclusive premiere of his newest track, "Fine," below.

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Four reasons Lollapalooza needs EDM
EDM showcase Electrovember to nurture local dance music's next generation

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Rachael Kilgour doesn't immediately seem like the kind of girl who would take on the social injustices of the world in a song. She's sweet-faced, fast with a bright smile and sunshine energy. A few minutes into knowing her, though, and it's suddenly impossible to see her in a role besides activist. The Duluth-based folk singer-songwriter has a lot of ideas, and she speaks animatedly, as though she's in front of a classroom or heading up a meeting.

As she talks with Gimme Noise about her brand new EP, Whistleblower's Manifesto: Songs for a New Revolution, out today, Kilgour focuses on the role her music plays.

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Photo by Athena Pelton

Thanksgiving is a mere 48 hours away, and if you aren't already in the holiday mood, we have just the thing to get you there.

Local singer-songwriter Brynn Andre releases a Christmas EP today called Let it Snow, featuring Andre's take on the classic title track, plus two original holiday jingles, the sweet up-tempo "Everything On My List" and the New Year's Eve ballad "Chandelier." Let it Snow listens like a sugary guilty pleasure, as Andre's folk-pop voice sticks like glittery frost to the holiday scenes she sings about. 

Gimme Noise caught up with Andre on the ideas behind Let It Snow, recording with some notable Twin Cities musicians at the Library Recording Studios, and what's next on her list.

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Brynn Andre sings her heart out for Kids Against Hunger tonight

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Photo by Thomas Dunning

Since releasing their third disc last year, Big Quarters have taken their message to new levels, opening for Atmosphere on the "Welcome to Minnesota" tour and maintained their monthly showcase for aspiring producers, the Last of the Record Buyers.

Brothers Brandon "Allday" and "Medium" Zach Bagaason have been as passionate about mentoring young artists as they have been about promoting their own work. Their new EP, Somos no Joke, captures the duo as full of pride and passion as ever. They'll celebrate its release on Friday at the Icehouse. Gimme Noise met the brothers in their south Minneapolis neighborhood to talk about the past year.

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Big Quarters change things up: Brandon Allday and Medium Zach release best album yet
Rap duo Big Quarters make big waves: It's self-distribution, hard work, and hustle, all day, every day

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"She is fugly, the bitch doesn't shave, and what's going on with those eyebrows?"

These thoughts are on the mind of everyone who doesn't like Amanda Palmer... and perhaps even some people that do appreciate her. The kicker is that these words come straight from the lips of a drag queen in Palmer's newest video for "Do it With a Rockstar."

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Slideshow: Amanda Palmer at First Avenue, 10/3/12
Review: Amanda Palmer at First Avenue, 10/3/12
Amanda Palmer on crowd-sourced musicians, Emily White, and kerfuffles
Amanda Palmer on Theater Is Evil, Twitter and assless pants
Halloween costume ideas, 2012: Music icons

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Photo courtesy of Big Hassle

Attention Current listeners and Mumford and Sons aficionados: We've got what amounts to a bit of ear porn for you this morning.

Our beloved Mumfy went on the BBC's Radio One yesterday, where they played a seven-song set, composed of songs from Sigh No More and their recently released sophomore album Babel, along with one very special cover of Alt-J's "Tessellate."

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After Mumford and Sons' "I Will Wait" video, life isn't the same
Mumford and Sons releasing new record, be still our beating hearts

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Mumford and Sons release new single, "I Will Wait," to adoring sighs
Mumford and Sons releasing new record, be still our beating hearts
The 4onthefloor releases "Mumford & Sons Crap"

Mumford and Sons' new single "I Will Wait" (from the band's upcoming album Babel, due September 24) has been playing on the airwaves almost incessantly since its release just last month in early August, and now, finally, fans have some eye candy to attach to the unavoidably uplifting track.

The official music video was recorded live at the band's much-anticipated performance at Colorado's stunningly beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater. The video is shot in this grainy, vintage-y filter, and as the camera glides over the overwhelmingly sold-out crowd, warm bodies bouncing with an enthusiastic bliss, it's suddenly hard to imagine Mumford and Sons ever performing to a smaller audience.

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Photo By Stacy Schwartz

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Bob Mould bringing Copper Blue to First Ave in September
Craig Finn and Bob Mould agree that rock is often noisy

There has been a flurry of activity from Bob Mould as of late. In addition to the just-released remasters of the entire Sugar catalog, and a lengthy U.S. tour which finds Mould rolling into First Avenue on September 15, the celebrated Twin Cities music legend is also set to release a new album, Silver Age, which is coming out on Merge Records on September 4.

The first musical taste we get from Mould's forthcoming release is "The Descent," a blistering, guitar-driven track which certainly echoes the finer moments from Mould's halcyon Sugar days. The number churns with an urgency that has been lacking as of late in Mould's somewhat restrained recent output. And that current spark is perhaps due to the involvement of his new band mates, Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster and Telekinesis bassist Jason Narducy, who provide an energetic, youthful rhythm to support Mould's urgent melody and distinct vocals.

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Photo courtesy of Big Hassle

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The 4onthefloor releases "Mumford & Sons Crap"
Interview: Mumford & Sons' Marshall Winston chats backstage
The Current Effect, in progress

It's finally happening. Three years ago, Mumford and Sons released their debut album Sigh No More, and hoedown enthusiasts (and Current listeners) everywhere went crazy for the dynamic, mostly acoustic quartet. Now, at long last, the London-based folk rockers are ready to release their highly anticipated second album, titled Babel.

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Screenshot from ZZZ Top.

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Review: Soundset 2012 at Canterbury Park, 5/27/12

There's good news for the Aesop Rock fans who've been impatiently itching for a follow-up to 2007's None Shall Pass: By all indications so far, Skelethon is going to be well worth the five-year wait. Aesop Rock's newest video, "ZZZ TOP," premiered on MTV today. It's the second single off the upcoming solo album -- being released by Rhymesayers on July 10 -- and it doesn't disappoint. More »