I am back into the swing and decided I need to spend some time doing what I enjoy instead of worrying about the pile on my desk this morning.  There is a lot of great music this weekend in some less than typical venues and some other dates you should be putting on your calendar.  Enjoy all the music you can this fall, winter typically slows down when it comes to events.

Saturday September 8^th-Paint on the Water: St. Croix Valley Hip Hop Festival-it is always cool to see music and art come together in a show.  Check out my town, Stillwater before we shut the bridge down for three months!

Saturday September 8^th-Summit Backyard Bash-I won’t be making it because of the Gopher home opener (Ski-U-Mah!) but beer and music is another of my favorite combinations.  Doomtree and Halloween Alaska are playing plus Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps

Sunday September 9^th-Communist Daughter at the Cake Shop-an intimate show at a location only those of us who are going know about it should be tremendous to see them before they get ready to head off on tour, if you can’t see them then check them out on Thursday September 13^th at Mears Park in St. Paul for a make-up of their rained out show earlier this summer.

And for those of you planning out a ways I have these on my list:

Bob Mould at First Avenue-Saturday September 15^th.  Bob will be playing the “Copper Blue” album in its entirety and songs from his new album, “Star Machine”.  I cannot believe this is not sold out yet.

And last but not least there are three opportunities to see the hardest working band in the Twin Cities, 4onthefloor.   Tonight they are playing at the Twins game, might be the only reason to go out and see the Twins for the rest of the year.  On September 22^nd they are playing an early show at the Franconia Sculpture Park in Schaefer; guys what do think of a later show that same night in Stillwater since you are so close?  And 4onthefloor returns to First Avenue after their last sold-out show there on October 12^th, best thing about that is Retribution Gospel Choir is one of the opening acts.

See you out at shows this week and keep on rockin!!

It is always too bad when the work life takes away from the weekday music shows but that is how it has been lately; luckily I am cramming my music enjoyment into this weekend by attending the River’s Edge Music Festival at Harriet Island.  I have to admit I am looking forward to the opening acts more than the headliners (DMB and Tool) but I am excited to finally see Polica and check out the new music of Motion City Soundtrack from a local perspective.  With a multi-stage format my biggest disappointment is that Flaming Lips and Delta Spirit will be playing at the same time, I have not decided who to check out yet but am leaning towards the Flaming Lips assuming that there is less chance to see them again.  While I assume I won’t be spending a lot of time there I will have to check out the Silent DJ Stage with wireless headphones that are provided at the gate, interesting concept and it allows them to play longer into the night without violating St. Paul noise ordinances.

River’s Edge will be different for me since this will be the first time I will be attending as a member of the press.  Through my friends at the new music review site: www.twistedwire.com I will not only be posting reviews of shows at my site but also theirs.  They have a great new concept for communal reviews of shows and I am glad to be part of the start of something that has great potential.

In the upcoming shows department start thinking about tickets for:

The Current Music on a Stick show at the State Fair-with a fantastic lineup including Jeremy Messersmith, Dessa, The Jayhawks and Semisonic these tickets are sure to go fast.  They go on sale this coming Friday

Basilica Block Party-I will be there doing reviews for Twisted Wire, don’t forget it is only a couple of weeks away.  One of the strongest lineups in recent years

Soundtown Music Festival-single day tickets are now on sale.  You can see Weezer and Jane’s Addiction for $50.00 (and avoid fees by purchasing at the Depot).

Wow, it’s the first full week of June and there is definitely not enough time in the weekend to check out all the excellent shows out there.  Festivals kick into full gear but I am already buying tickets for September for Bob Mould.  Get out there, enjoy the warm weather and check out someone playing somewhere.

Shows I am going to:

Friday June 8 Rebel-Rebel David Bowie Tribute at First Avenue-this is the 9^th annual show and it has become a regular event for me.  I always look forward to the Venus DeMars and the excellent backing band and vocalists-including one of my favorites, Janey Winterbauer.  It is a very strong lineup again this year, maybe for year ten we can get Mr. Bowie!!

Saturday June 9^th-Rock the Vine at St. Croix Vineyards-a day in the Orchard and the Winery checking out local favorites like Savannah Smith, Halloween Alaska and Solid Gold plus many others.  You can check this out during the day and then still find something to check out locally in the great music venues in Stillwater.

Monday June 11^th-Cactus Blossoms at The Turf Club-these guys are incredible if you are into old-style country music and there is not a much better bar to kick it at than the Turf Club.

Other shows to check out:

Friday June 8^th Alison Scott and Kevin Bowe CD Release Party at the Varsity-both of these incredible local artists are playing their CD release party together.  Alison has some great duets that she will be featuring and Kevin Bowe is still coming down from being called “Dylan-esque” in the Star-Tribune.

Friday June 8^th Chris Koza-Works for Words-Chris is spearheading this year’s edition sponsored by The Current.  He will be performing with Rogue Valley and have several special guests including one of my favorites: Gabriel Douglas.

Sunday June 10^th-Stillwater Music Downtown-Paul Barber is doing a great job of increasing the local music choices in the valley.  Enjoy the view of the river, have a drink and check out the Stillwater local music scene.

Sunday June 10^th-Fattening Frogs at Palmers Saloon-Three-quarters of 4onthefloor will be saluting Howlin’ Wolf at the annual birthday bash.  The Palmers Patio is a great place to hang out on a summer evening.

Tuesday June 12^th-Dead Winter/Retribution Gospel Choir Residency at the Turf Club-the Turf continues its excellent residency series with more great local music.  If you cannot make it this Tuesday you have the rest of June to catch them.

I am taking a step back today and instead of sharing what you should be checking out this weekend I wanted to share the story of my dear friend, Brent Alwin, and his impact on me and the local music scene.  We lost Brent two weeks ago in California after he moved out there in January to start anew; those of you who follow me on Facebook might remember our chronicles from the road.

Brent and I met in seventh grade when he moved to Lakeville and we had English with Ms. Novak.  I was one of Brent’s first friends in Lakeville and through the next thirty years we weaved in and out of each other’s lives while we were growing up and going our own ways, we always reconnected around our mutual love of music.  Through high school Brent was always on the leading edge of what the cool music was and we enjoyed sharing new artists and even in high school were focusing on the local music scene, especially The Suburbs.  Brent and I shared many hours enjoying the Sex Pistols, U2, and Billy Idol, just to name a few.  Brent was not a traditional music student through high school, never being in choir or band, but through his love of music he began his music career playing in small bands like the “Radio Active Tomatoes” in high school.  Besides enjoying music together we also spent many hours of juvenile delinquency including epic high school parties at both of our parents’ homes and senseless teenage vandalism; it all played into our perspective of cutting-edge kids in a rural community (back then Lakeville was still rural).

We spent many nights watching SCTV and had a love of AWA professional wrestling.  This brought us to the creation of our wrestling tag team “The Afghan Rebels”.  I was known as the Masked Assassin who never wore a mask and Brent was the Tree Man who actually did wear a mask.  It is these off-beat memories that are the most memorable.  Even now in the Facebook generation I was always excited to see what band or YouTube clip Brent had posted, knowing it was going to be off-beat, entertaining and memorable.  It is my perception that Brent loved sharing these things with others to increase their world view and expand their horizons.

In high school everyone loved Brent, he was extremely likeable.  As I have reconnected with friends since his death I was amazed how many female friends mentioned that they had a crush on him.  Brent always had a friendly disposition and reached out beyond his usual circle of friends; it was this endearing trait that served him well as he entered adulthood.  Brent was always dating a pretty girl.  We hung out hoping some of their friends would hang out with us!  Brent was also an exceptional athlete who participated in Cross Country, Cross Country Skiing, and Long Distance Track, and lettered sixteen times.

After high school we went our separate ways, I took a more traditional path with college while Brent moved onto one year of college and then several years of deciding what he was going to do next.  I missed several of those years but the stories of the parties and good times by mutual friends I suspect Brent was still using his natural charm and good nature to expand his circle of friends.  Brent’s first successful band was Die Kunce Decadence, which had some local success and got him involved in the local music scene.  I remember catching them one night at 7^th Street Entry, the music might not have been perfect but the vibe in the room was great.  Brent was doing what I thought was the coolest thing:  living the rock and roll lifestyle.

Brent’s most musical success was found as the bassist for the Style Monkeez back in the 1990’s.  This was around the time that Red Hot Chili Peppers were popular and in my opinion the Style Monkeez were the RHCP of the Twin Cities.  When the album came out I was a crew foreman for a construction company and some of the kids working for me were big fans and had the CD, we rocked that CD back and forth to work in the Ford Ranger.  The Style Monkeez were very popular in the Twin Cities, playing venues like First Avenue and also some incredible house parties.  They toured nationally and some internationally I believe.  When Brent and I were together he always had stories to share about crazy antics on the road.  Most of them are at least “R” rated but always worth a laugh, it sounds like his band mates must have been very tolerant of his antics.  To me the best Style Monkeez song was a cover of Madonna’s “Justify My Love” – it had all the elements of a great cover including a completely new take on the original artist’s work.  Again Brent was forging his way in the world on his own terms while still working and mentoring other young artists who were playing with him.

After the Style Monkeez, Brent enrolled at Music Tech in the Twin Cities and became a sound technician.  He began a successful career working for national artists around the world and had great stories of the road, hard drinking and crazy partying.  Brent definitely had an ear for good production, when we attended shows he could always point out what was good and more importantly what could be improved in the sound quality.  We could walk into a venue and he could tell you what the struggles would be there, from where the sound board was located to the basics of amp placement.  Brent told me that he enjoyed most working front of house, making sure the band could hear themselves and their band mates.  Working front-of-house makes sense to me for Brent, there he could be in the inner circle and keep the artists happy.  As we all do, Brent did some work that he didn’t always enjoy (like a regional piano artist who will go unmentioned) but paid well.  Those stories were almost better than the hard rocking stories though, it was more about human nature and Brent’s take on that.

After getting married Brent began working for the Walker and from a sound perspective spearheaded events like “Rock the Garden” and “Movies and Music”.  Also I understand Brent started a wall of fame of artists who played the Walker which lives on today.  I think we all knew Brent would have preferred to have been on the road but he definitely wanted to make sure he gave his marriage every chance to succeed.  Brent still got the opportunity to head out on the road now and then.

Brent eventually got divorced.  While we had always kept in touch and quite often ended up doing something together (like a Liz Phair show on my birthday), it was after the divorce that we started spending more time together and catching up.  He teased me that I should be the one in the music business because I had more passion to check out new bands but I always appreciated his insight into any band that we saw together.  It was during these outings that I realized how well-connected Brent was in the Twin Cities music scene.  We always ran into someone who either had seen him play, worked with him, or was a mutual friend through someone else in the scene.  Brent was his usual genuine self to everyone; I assume that is why they all liked him.  Brent was always Brent, there was no alternate personality to him.  Everyone I have connected with since his death have been the some of the nicest people, I think that is because Brent never had much time for negativity and those persons quickly were off of Brent’s radar.

Since Brent’s divorce I had been fortunate to spend a lot of time with him.  A couple of winters ago we took a road trip to Lutsen to see The Suburbs with two other former classmates, Troy Carrick and Brad Mares.  It was a typical trip with Brent, we laughed a lot, critiqued the music we were listening to, and drove most jokes into the ground.  The most incredible part of the trip was the four of us staying up until 4:00 in the morning watching old Little House on the Prairie episodes (including the finale where they blow up Walnut Creek) and reminiscing. Other times we spent up at my family’s cabin where we would get up late and stay up late just doing whatever we wanted.  I know that Brent really treasured his time with his friends and that I was not the only one who was fortunate enough to share so much time with him.  Those of us who were close to him were lucky to know him and share in the experience that was Brent.

For many months Brent had talked about getting out of Minnesota and moving to California, I was excited for him and encouraged him to head west.  In January of this year he finally made his decision and we were off to California in his Dodge Durango with the CLASH license plates.  What a great trip it was.  We dealt with a temperamental overheating problem due to pulling a U-Haul trailer with two huge amps and his cat of thirteen years, Audrey.  I must have lost four pounds in my ankles on that trip because when we had to go up a hill we had to put the heat on full blast and roll down the windows.  When we got to our motel every evening one of the first things that came out were his guitars to make sure they were safe, I think he was really hoping to get more playing in once he got to California.  We made it safely to California and when I left he was excited to start a new life and reconnect with some of his close friends down there.    To Kirk, Tim, and Darcy in California, I want to thank you for watching over Brent and all the difficult work you had to do after Brent passed away.  Brent had ordered a boogie board that had not been delivered before he passed; he was planning on trying new things and creating a new life for himself.   One of the last times we spoke he was very encouraging about my new blog even though sometimes I struggle with my grammar and sentence structure, he thought it was really cool I was doing it and encouraged me to continue.

When Brent’s sister Liz called me to break the news I was devastated to say the least.  As I began to reach out to our circle of friends we all realized the same thing; Brent had touched each of us in some way by his kindness and always knew when to reach out when things were not going well for one of his friends.  Whether it was a short note, a Facebook post, or a voicemail, Brent always could make you feel better and realized that there was plenty of good in the world.

We are having a memorial service for Brent tonight.  I can only expect that it will be a night of great stories, great music, and laughter remembering a truly great man.  Brent, my friend, I am going to miss you but one thing I want to do in your memory is live my life more like you.  My goal is to see more of the positive and encourage others to do the same; I think this is the best way to keep your legacy alive.

This being my first blogging project it has definitely been the discipline to keep consistent that is the biggest struggle.  This probably explains the week lull in posts plus missing my self-imposed deadline of getting this out by Friday!!

I am out of town this weekend enjoying the great north of Minnesota and opening up the cabin.  I am missing a lot of great music but if I was in the cities this is what I would be up to:

Girls Got Rhythm Fest at The Amsterdam-The Amsterdam pulls off another great event this weekend dedicated to women who rock.  I was especially excited to see that The Pinsch was playing on Friday night; they are on my list of bands I have to check out after hearing some of their music on RadioK.  In addition there are some other great groups playing including L’assassins who are my to-see list and the legend Ronnie Spector.   L’assassins has one of the most intriguing Facebook “about us” I have ever seen:  “Post-apocalyptic vixen rock. Come watch them snarl their way through the roots of garage rock & female angst! Hop in the back seat, they’ll drive.”  The big shows are Friday and Saturday but there is an all ages show on Sunday night for only 10 bucks, you cannot beat that.

The Wolflords at the Dakota on Saturday night-I love this new late night concept that the Dakota is doing-for five bucks you get to see some great local music and enjoy a great venue.  Locals Aby Wolf and Grant Cutler (I could write a book on all the great artists these two have worked with) have formed an electric pop duo that combines both of their strengths.  Another one on my to-see list.  As the Dakota describes them-“This exciting new collaboration promises to straddle several genres, creating soundscapes that are at once lush and minimal, groove-oriented and sparse.”  This is exactly what I would expect from them too!!

Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys at Target Center on Tuesday May 15^th-it is not very often that I recommend a show at a bigger venue like Target Center but I am more excited that bands like the Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys are playing this size of venue.  Does this mean that the rest of world is realizing the crap on commercial radio is not the only option?  We can only hope so.  The Black Keys have grown the right way, by working their way up the ladder and not changing who they are.  I caught the Arctic Monkeys at First Avenue last year; you definietly want to get their early to catch them also.

Art Vandalay, Nikki and the Ruemates and Pine Deluxe at the Amsterdam Thursday May 17^th-if for only one reason Seinfeld fan should be showing up for this one!

Look for my special edition next week highlighting the Art-a-Whirl shows.  Back on schedule, now I just need to catch up on some reviews!!

Its been a crazy week and I am a little behind on everything.  May is shaping up to be a great month for local music, the challege is fitting it all.  Some great shows this weekend and upcoming week to check out and some dates to put on your calendar.

Shows I am checking out this weekend

Cinco de Mayo Pachango with Rock Steady Breakfast-local SKA favorites will be putting on free show in Minneapolis to support their upcoming June tour on Saturday afternoon.  The show is free but they are asking that you bring a canned good for their upcoming tour. Alex and I are going to pick up some Ramen noodles and head on over.

Melismatics Post Modern  Rock 10^th Anniversary Show at The Amsterdam Bar and Hall-celebrating 10 years since the release on Saturday night.  We will be enjoying the pop sensibilities of the Melismatics plus some great local acts including The Japhies and BNLX.  The Amsterdam is becoming on of my favorite venues, the sound is great and they have food until 2:00.

This week I am highlighting an artist and an event you want to make sure you have on your calendars.

A couple of weeks ago I was able to spend time with local artist Joel Kachel at Pub Monique in Stillwater. His music reminds me of a combination of Jack Johnson and Mason Jennings; great acoustic music with excellent songwriting makes Joel a much catch.  Joel has the three things required to make in music; very supportive parents, a day-job that affords him the ability to be flexible (Joel owns a landscaping company) and a work ethic that separates him from a lot of other artists.  You can catch Joel at Danny’s Bar and Grill in Stillwater (actually Stoneridge Golf Course) on Friday May 11^th.  Check out his website for more dates and check out his music there also.

If you want a weekend of great music plus our local art scene now is the time to block out May 18^th-20^th to check out Art-a-Whirl in Northeast Minneapolis.  An annual tradition for myself this years music is better than ever.  I am going to be checking out three venues, The 331 Club which in my mind is the center of the entire event.  There will be music there Friday-Sunday including music inside and outside.  I will also be checking out Grumpy’s NE for their shows on Saturday including one of my favorites, Pink Mink.  The newest edition to this year will be a day-long show headlined by 4onthefloor and including Maudlin and Savannah Smith at Psycho Suzi’s.  This is the first year Suzi is participating in the music so catch the show and and enjoy their great pizza.  Plus don’t forget there is tremendous local art to check out besides the music.

After seeing twelve shows last weekend at the Midwest Music Festival I had to take a break from concert going and actually concentrate on my job this week.    Plus I had to stay home and see Trampled By Turtles and Polica on National TV.  But all reved up and ready to go for a weekend of great music and this week I am concentrating on things my friends might find interesting.

First what I am going to this weekend:

Friday April 27-Freedy Johnson, Alison Scott and Kevin Bowe and the Okemah Prophets-Yes that Freedy Johnson-“You Know I Got a Bad Reputation” plays the Amsterdam Bar and Hall Friday night.  He is has two great opening acts with local connections.  Waiting to see Kevin Bowe playing with all three bands.  My friend Youa Vang will be there working for Freedy.  Plus I also have an extra pass if anyone is interested.

Sunday April 29-Rocksteady Breakfast, Umbrella Bed and Cantankerous Folk –Back to the Amsterdam on Sunday night for three local SKA acts.  Taking my biggest SKA fan, my son, to the show plus my concert going friend Troy Carrick will be attending with his boys; planning on seeing some other good friends there also.  For $5 you cannot beat it.

Other shows that would be of interest to my friends:

Friday April 27-Grace Potter and the Nocturnals I would expect my friends Dan and Ursala to be headed down for the show in Rochester on Friday night.  Saw Grace at the Zoo last year, she puts on a terriffic show bringing blues and southern rock together in blonde package.

Monday April 30-Machine 22 at 7^th Street Entry-for my good friend Paul Barber who has been booking some great bands here in Stillwater.  One of the best bands he has booked at Pub Moniques in Stillwater is Machine 22 and their garage rock sounds.

And Events that are worth thinking about sharing with your friends:

For my friends in Duluth this weekend begins the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival with Trampled by Turtles returning to their hometown for the show.  It runs for an entire week and next year it might need to be on the tour list.

Sue McLean Minnesota Zoo SRO Tickets go on sale tomorrow.  If you want a great way to see shows at the Zoo on the cheap and take multiple friends.  Last year ten admissions was $200; its worth the price and you can take one friend per show plus you will be amazed how many friends you will run into.

Presale tickets go on sale on tomorrow for the Soundtown Music Festival.  They have really ramped up the line up this year-it almost looks like Lalapalooza and they have changed the camping arrangements to encourage you to find a group of friends to share a site with (the more friends on a site the per person price goes down).  If you are thinking of going let me know I am looking at putting a group together.  The event is July 27 and 28.

One other noteworthy piece of news, City Pages and their Gimme Noise music blog has launched a new music calendar.  So far it looks like it will be great for looking up shows without all the hassle there use to be on the page.  Check it out to decide what shows you should be catching.

So with spring quickly turning into summer my mind turns to outdoor festivals.  Before I get to ones that have been announced so far here are some of my selections for this week ahead.

Shows I am attending:

Goldenboy at The Amsterdam Hall and Bar Saturday April 7th-Supporting their new album, Sleepwalker, the band will be playing one of the best sounding venues in town.  Have to be honest I don’t know a lot about this band but great instrumentation on their songs.   And going somewhere you can have a pot brownie later is not such a bad thing!

4onthefloor at First Avenue Friday April 13^th-the footstomping blues of 4onthefloor will be gracing the stage putting down their straightforward blues-rock.  One of my favorites I go home after every show with no voice left.

Shows that look good:

Pert near Sandstone with Charlie Parr at First Avenue Friday April 6^th-local favorites play the mainroom.  Local legend, Charlie Parr, opens.

Koo Koo Kangaroo at Cedar Cultural Center with Harry and the Potters Saturday April 7^th-an early show at noon so even the kids can see it.  Koo Koo Kangaroo always puts on one of the best live shows whether it is for kids or at the bar.  If you have not seen them you have to.

Thomas Dolby at Cedar Cultural Center-80’s icon plays his hits and Jake Rudh will be there too.  Don’t miss the opportunity to get into the time machine and leave a message for the future.  And of course “She Blinded Me With Science”

Outdoor Festivals, shows that I have seen announced so far include (I am providing the link the bands and dates are there):

The MN Zoo Music Series-if the $200.00 pass is available its your best bet

Lyn Lake Festival-Music for free and a great neighborhood

80-35 Festival-in Des Moines.  A festival I have to get to one of these days.

River’s Edge Music Festival-Flaming Lips and good local bands, Dave Matthews also that is probably why the two day pass is $99.00

And one of the biggest local music announcements:

Semisonic and Twilight Hours at the Blast Block Party in Mound on May 19^th.  Tickets go on sale Friday April 6^th for only $25.00.  If I didn’t already have tickets to Jeremy Messersmith that night I would be there for sure.

With the warm weather many people are thinking about heading to Stillwater for our antique shops, river views and excellent dining.  I want to add another component that is often forgotten but is seeing a resurgance, local music.  Back in the 1980’s Stillwater was known for having great local shows like the Suburbs, also we are known for our Lumberjack Days shows (none this year).  Now a local promoter has stepped up to bring great local music back to the area.

Local realtor Paul Barber has launched Stillwater Live Music and his artist management group is busy booking both local and national acts to venues here in the St. Croix Valley.  I was able to catch up with Paul on Tuesday night at Pub Monique for the Machine22 show.  Paul is dedicated to working with local artists and venues to improve the music for all of us; taking inspiration after his brother was stricken with a terminal disease Paul decided to pursue one of his passions: music.

Paul has tremendous energy and has a vision of bringing Stillwater back to the distinction of having great music every night of the week.  I look forward to seeing what Paul continues to bring to the area, Keep up the great work Paul.

I did want to include a brief review of Machine22’s show:  I happened to run into them at Palmers on Friday and was impressed.  Tuesday night I was able to spend time with the band and hear them not only play their own music; I would call it a power pop/post punk sound with some excellent musicianship not typically seen by a younger band.  Lead singer Jack Swagger has the perfect rock and roll name and the Pelowski Brothers take care of all the guitar (lead and bass) and backing vocal duties.  Karl Schmidt does an excellent job laying down the rhythm on the drums.  Since they played all night they also did  a lot of covers.  The covers showed me their dedication to musical history with excellent renditions of Bob Dylan, The White Stripes, The Strokes, CCR and also a great version of Jumping Jack Flash by the Rolling Stones.  Look for Machine22 to be moving to bigger venues as they refine their sound.  If I had to put on a local outdoor show this summer they would definitely be on my list.

So first show I want to highlight this weekend is the Cystic Fibrosis Benefit at Pub Monique on Sunday from 4-9pm.  Looks like Tim Mahoney will be the headliner, after the show the weekly open mic will be taking place.  Shout out to Monique of Pub Monique who is delivering live music every night in Stillwater and is a delight to hang out with.

Friday night March 31^st I am attending Aby Wolf and Her Claws and Rogue Valley at The Amsterdam in St. Paul.  The Amsterdam has an excellent sound system so I am looking forward to how they both sound with their excellent harmonies.  One of the best things about The Amsterdam is that they serve food all night, check out their pot brownies!

Monday night April I am going to The Ting Tings at First Avenue.  The duo is probably best known for their song; “That’s Not My Name”, but their catalog is much more expansive with great pop sensibilities.

See you out in the clubs, and I am always open to suggestions to shows you want me to cover.  By the way if someone knows a good place to stay in Winona for the Midwest Music Festival please let me know.

What I like March 23, 2012

After hiding out during the St. Patricks Day weekend I am now ready to hit the town this weekend.  Also some reminders of upcoming shows and festivals you should be thinking about tickets for.  Looks like I am going to:

Friday March 23^rd Communist Daughter at the Varsity Theater-Minneapolis Indie band Communist Daughter is brining their great folk sound to the Varsity.  Looking  forward to their continued development and a new keyboardist/guitarist.  The show will be filmed for Minnesota Original on TPT 2.  Joey Ryan and the Inks and Bethany Larson and the Bee’s Knees open.

Saturday March 24^th Megafaun at the Turf Club-I have been enjoying their single on the Current.  They are out supporting their debut album and Field Report opens.

Other Interesting shows this week:

Sunday March 25^th Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express at the Turf Club playing with local artist and author Dylan Hicks.

Tuesday March 27^th of Montreal at First Avenue-I always enjoy their melodic sound and lyrics.  Plus its an early show so I can get a good nights sleep.

And upcoming shows you should be considering:

4onthefloor at First Avenue-their foot stomping blues always keeps any venue rocking.  Can’t wait to see them in front of a full First Avenue.  Show is April 13^th but get your tickets now so you don’t miss out on one of my favorite bands.

Mid West Music Fesitival-Winona’s annual festival looks great this year with a great combination of local artists.  Planning on this being our first festival review; can’t beat $35.00 for a weekend of music.  By the way, if you know a good campground let me know-we plan on roughing it.!  Festival is April 19^th-21^st.

By the way, thanks to my friends Ann and Patrick for the www.mplsstpmusic.com T-shirt for my birthday present.  Look for me wearing it when you are out on the town!