Gramma "EAT" Album Review
EAT is a triumphant display of sonic experimentation that sacrifices nothing in the way of catchy songwriting, and builds the artistic identity Gramma has been building for nearly a decade.
Read MoreAndy's Songs of the North Playlist Reviews - July 2024
It’s July and honestly when will that rain stop. We know we need it, but we will also need concerts to stop being rained out and roads to stop flooding. While we’re waiting for the water to evaporate check out the great mix of original music I found for this month.
Read MoreAndy's Songs of the North Playlist Reviews - June 2024
June is here, the Timberwolves continued a Minnesota tradition, and outdoor live music is back! Hope you have been able to catch some shows. I have done my due diligence of digitally digging through the Internet for some more fantastic original music from our great state —enjoy.
Read MorePsylo "Transit"
Psylo’s new EP Transit, released on December 8th, 2023, encapsulates the best of Minnesota indie rock music. The trio is composed of guitarist and vocalist Mark Idstrom, bassist Nicky Steidel, and drummer Dan Crist, each of whom display the full range of their talent on this record. The band's explosive live performances, coupled with the refreshing and appealing songwriting displayed on their debut EP, “Painting With The Sun,” granted Psylo a sizable cult following and regular audience at local performances. With the release of Transit, the band has shown no signs of slowing down.
Read MoreAndy's Songs of the North Playlist Reviews - May 2024
The warmer weather is back with more rain than we had all last summer, and the return of outdoor live music. While everyone else seems to be still consuming the new Taylor Swift record and debating Kendrick Lamar VS Drake, I’m filling that void of some new indie music from our great state. It’s got rock, country, and a whole lot more!
Read MoreAmanda Grace "Give Me Away"
Do you ever get the feeling that you should just hop into your car, turn your phone off and start driving with no GPS, just your intuition leading the way. You grab your favorite snacks (pizza flavored Combos and cool ranch Doritos obviously), fill the gas tank up and go. The only real question is what do you play on the radio. This is where Amanda Grace should come into play. When I played her first song “Give Me Away” I was instantly transported to my car with the windows down on I-94 or maybe it was 35W. Pushing the gas pedal a little too angsty while the Twin City skyline fades into the rearview mirror.
Read MoreAlbum Review: SURGEON "PETUNIA"
Deathcore is in an interesting spot in the year 2024. There’s been a resurgence over the past 4 (or 5?) years going on that has been really great for the genre. One thing I’d attribute this to is the increasing importance in the role of the producer. Oftentimes in deathcore, these producers are also band members that write and play the music, but I’d argue that we’re seeing a growth in the role of the producer in this sector of heavy music.
Read MoreFloodwater Angel "Dungeon Crawlers (Guide to the Cool)"
I adore how Dungeon Crawlers (Guide to the Cool) plays with rhythmic changes, it gets you amped and then it takes it down 50 notches. It becomes molasses, letting you hang there until it musically smashes a guitar right in front of your face. The lead singer is never the lead, it's never the same voice. It's like opening a box of cracker jacks and never getting the same prize.
Read MoreKYM & Dark Bunny - "Not 4 U" EP Anniversary Celebration
On Saturday, July 18th, I attended KYM’s “Better Late than Never” show celebrating the second year anniversary of the “Not 4 U” EP. With the hopes of an EP release show in 2020 being dashed by Covid - Kim Schneider (vocals and guitar) did not give up on sharing and celebrating her hard work. “Thanks for waiting two years with me!” Kim called out to the fully packed room of friends, family, and fans at Icehouse. Kim was joined onstage by Drew D’lakes (bass), Riley Jacobson (drums), Alia Jeraj (vocals), and Dierdre McQuillan (vocals). “March 2020 I released an EP and think, “I'm gonna hold a big EP show!” and here we are two years later.” This celebration was, without a doubt, worth the wait. KYM was supported that evening by Foe and Dark Bunny.
Read MoreArt-a-Whirl 2022
On the last Sunday of May, I was able to catch a friend of mine, Alyse Carbonell, play on the Q.arma (pronounced karma) stage in Northeast Minneapolis before playing a set with my own band, Foe, on the same stage. Art-a-Whirl is a three day extravaganza celebrating art, creation, and local businesses in Northeast Minneapolis. Events are hosted at countless venues, drawing thousands of people who are interested in local music, visual art, food, and drinks - to name a few. The weather cooperated brilliantly, giving us beautiful weather over the weekend, allowing participants to enjoy exploring the event, trying out food from local food trucks, and sipping on beers and iced coffees comfortably.
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