Well, we’re a couple weeks late on tipping this one off, but in our defense, there have been a helluva a lot of great shows going on the past few weeks, and even though we haven’t been able to catch them all, we would be lying if we claimed we weren’t pleasantly overwhelmed.  Experimental aficionados Prozac Rat are (have been) playing a series of Thursday shows at the NOMAD World Pub this monththey’ve brought along some friends for the ride.  Just check out the eflyer below.  Prozac Rat will be joined tomorrow night by Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Run At The Dog, and Come Fizzy Dolphin.  Our prediction?  Things will be getting a little nutty, so don’t miss it!

Here’s a taste.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/03-Go-Go.mp3]

“Go, Go” by: Prozac Rat

posted February 17th, 2010 at 8:46 pm Concert Announcements Come Fizzy Dolphin, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Prozac Rat, Run At The Dog

Our friends over at Dirty Laundry finally got a Minnesota artist in to wash some clothes, and that artist is none other than our Har Mar Superstar.  In addition to some quirky interactions between Har Mar and Malia James (Malia is a quirky, yet very cool girl), one may also witness Har Mar commenting on the greatest make-out records of all time, songwriting camp, and crafting a song for Britney Spears that never quite made it to her studio.

I remember the last time I saw Har Mar at the Triple Rock.  I brought my brother with, and he was terrified of the man in the tighty whites.  Sorry if anyone feels let’s down, but Har Mar keeps his clothes on in this one.

Links

Har Mar Superstar – Website / Myspace

posted February 17th, 2010 at 2:53 pm Video Har Mar Superstar

Word from the Northern Outpost crew is that they’re back on the content fast wagon again, and we couldn’t be more pleased.  Here’s the straight talk:

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone! We’re back! We’ve got a new video from a session we did with TARLTON, featuring their brand new song “Tapes”. Check it out! Keep checking back because we’ve got videos coming out almost every other week for a while now. Expect more from Tarlton, Self-Evident, Zoo Animal, Buildings and MORE!   – Northern Outpost

If Northern Outpost slipped past your eyes and ears in 2009, now is a good time to make some amends with your “think local” consciousness.  Get you over there and check out the back catalogue of videos from many of the brightest artists Minnesota has to offer.  Seriously sweet stuff!

Links

Tarlton – Myspace

posted February 16th, 2010 at 12:33 pm Video Tarlton

The parentheses reads “Homemade Video” on the Grain Belt Records Youtube page, but this video isn’t homemade in the same way as, say, a sheet of cookies is.  It’s a little rough around the edges just like a baby alligator, but the thing leaps out and takes a snap-at-yo’-ass  just the same.  A perfect black & white reeling!  Kudos to you – Howard and Laura.

Link

Red Pens – Website / Myspace

posted February 16th, 2010 at 9:17 am Video Red Pens

Yesterday Dan Wilson posted a Myspace bulletin wishing everyone a heartfelt Valentine’s Day, and as a special treat,  he embedded a video of a love song he recorded over this long cold winter named “Everything Green.”  True form, I say!  I remember a conversation I had with Slim Dunlap many years back where he told me the reason we have so many great artists and so much great music in Minnesota is largely due to the winter.  Indeed, Dan Wilson, what else are we to do when snowed in for so long?  Write songs, and, uh, blog?

Links

Dan Wilson – Website / Myspace

posted February 15th, 2010 at 11:26 am Video Dan Wilson

(Tracks is a feature on Borangutan that showcases local artists and their recent album. Many local artists generously donate their music to Borangutan writers, and part of our mission is to take that music and place it in your ears. Voila! Each feature offers a free, limited-time mp3 download (one track) from the highlighted artist’s album, and links to where you can listen to or purchase more.)

You Can’t Make A Ghost Without It’s Sheet: Paragraphs

Paragraphs You Can’t Make A Ghost Without It’s Sheet is the first six song record recorded by the Minneapolis instrumental quartet.  This band first hit our radar back in 2009 while playing a string of shows in the Twin Cities area.  Paragraphs strikes an interesting compromise in their music between ambiance and minimalism, and their DIY approach to making music in the 21st century stretches beyond the studio.  This band could be a model for any artist who has aspirations of charging forth with cavalier enthusiasm.  Truth be told, we heard of them because they insisted on being heard, giving us regular updates on what they were up to all over town.  We’re thankful they did, because they’re not in the business of wasting anyone’s time!  Other locals have taken notice too, including folks over at Switchblade Comb, Reviler.org, Vita.mn, and More Cowbell.

You can connect with Paragraphs via their Myspace or Facebook pages.  The band also keeps everyone up-to-date through their Twitter page.  In preparation for their next album, the band has even began a Kickstarter page to allow their fans to lend a helping hand.  In a modern world full of online promotional possibilities, Paragraphs is leaving few stones unturned.  The best way to get yourself a copy of this album is at a show, so next up?  Catch Paragraphs at the Whole Music Cafe on the UofM campus this Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7:30PM.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/LetsMeetHalfwayAndFallApart.mp3]

“Let’s Meet Halfway (and Fall Apart)” by: Paragraphs

Self-Titled: The Sextons

We were very pleasantly surprised recently when we opened the old P.O. Box and found ourselves a copy of The Sextons self-titled release.  This band had for all of 2009 slipped right under our noses, reminding us once again how much righteous music lurks just beneath the bustling veneer of the Twin Cities.  This band writes pop songs that come with all the allureable trappings, and we wouldn’t be surprised if locals get taken hook, line, and sinker in 2010.  We expect more buzz on the horizon!

The Sextons maintain an active Myspace page – the second best way to connect with the band and stream some tunes.  But what is the best way to connect with them, you might ask?  Hands down, at their CD Release show on March 5 at Sauce Spirits and Soundbar.  Doors open at 8:00PM, and they’ll be supported by mainstays These Modern Socks and The Small Cities.  Want an album ahead of time?  Go grab yourself one directly from the band by following this link.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/01-Full-Of-Holes.mp3]

“Full of Holes” by: The Sextons

posted February 15th, 2010 at 11:08 am Tracks Paragraphs, The Sextons