One of the great things about living in the Twin Cities must be the crazy amounts of artistic sneak previews we receive every year.  Be it film, music, performing art, or otherwise, we’re truly spoiled!  Case in point, this coming Wednesday evening’s Sound Unseen sponsored screening of The White Stripes – Under Great White Northern Lights at the Trylon microcinema.  As I understand it, your appearance at Trylon microcinema will guarantee you a spot in the exclusive “I saw it first” club!

The film follows The White Stripes as they embarked upon a pan-Canadian tour in 2007, and if you’ve ever wondered just what it would be like being one of the busiest rock ‘n rollers in the industry (here’s looking at you Jack White), then this is your chance!  Expect lots of stellar live footage and behind the scenes action.  This film is brought to us courtesy of Sound Unseen, a locally based “films on music” organization devoted to bringing all of us the best in music and film entertainment.  As a special treat for those attending on Wednesday, an appearance by Gay Witch Abortion will occur sometime after 9PM at the XYandZ Gallery next door.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Gay-Witch-Abortion-Girl-Pop-Soda.mp3]

“Girl Pop Soda” by: Gay Witch Abortion

Tickets for The White Stripes screening on March 3 may be purchased via the Sound Unseen website.  Tickets are $8 a piece, and seats at Wednesday’s 6:00PM and 9:45PM screening are still available.  So hurry before they’re all sold out!

posted February 25th, 2010 at 5:16 pm Music News Sound Unseen, The White Stripes

Minor Kingdom is the musical offspring of local Minneapolis artist Kristian Melom.  You may have caught Kristian recently performing live at the Electric Fetus, but he’s been making his rounds around the local circuit for months now.  We’re fans on this end, and we always hope local artists receive the recognition they deserve both in town and abroad.  But sometimes recognition abroad can be a mixed bag.  Case in point – a Minor Kingdom  interview article forwarded to us today.  You can find the article by following this link, but here’s what really perked our interest.

…the record hardly feels cramped, but open, as if dug up from his native Midwestern roots.

Which brings us to Minneapolis, hardly known for being a musical bastion, but shadowy folk acts are continually excavated from the region.  – Verbicide Magazine

Well now, someone hasn’t been doing their homework as the journalism teacher prescribed, have they?

Great interview Kristian, you’re submissions were well received.  But as for the extraneous commentary…

Minor Kingdom performs tomorrow evening at the 331 Club.  Go check it out!

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

“Perfect” by: Minor Kingdom

posted February 18th, 2010 at 7:36 pm Music News Minor Kingdom

Back in December we reported on the announcement that Roster McCabe was hoping to raise at least $10,000 towards funding their new studio album via kickstarter.com. Well with 161 different backers and 5 days to spare, the band has so far succeeded with now $10,135 in pledges!

Roster McCabe will be hitting the studio in March to begin tracking their next release, which you can find demos, lyrics, and analysis for on their newrosteralbum.com mini-site.

Links

Roster McCabe – Website / MySpace / Kickstarter.com Campaign Page

posted February 4th, 2010 at 1:26 pm Music News Roster McCabe

Hey folks, I just wanted to direct your attention to an episode of MPR’s Art Hounds that aired yesterday.  One of Borangutan’s photographers, Mike Minehart, made an appearance to share a bit about Rock the Cause.  Other thoughtful submissions in the broadcast included that by Nancy Rosenbaum, speaking about Elements in Translation, and by Peter Flick, directing attention to the Frozen River Film Festival.

Listen to the broadcast below!

posted January 29th, 2010 at 10:24 am Music News Arthounds, Mike Minehart

Hot off the press, Minneapolis’ Red Pens are beginning 2010 with a bang, as FMQB has voted Reasons the #1 album on their latest SubModern Report.  This is big news for the local rock duo, since they notably beat out indie mainstays such as Miike Snow, Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), and Metric.  The Red Pens will also be featured on Minnesota Public Radios “All Things Considered” at 4:30PM CST today.  Don’t miss it!

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“Hung Out” by: Red Pens

Also cited within the report are Minnesota rockers Motion City Soundtrack who are due to drop their new album My Dinosaur Life on January 19.  Below is the latest single released from the record entitled “Her Words Destroyed My Planet.”

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“Her Words Destroyed My Planet” by: Motion City Soundtrack

Borangutan salutes both bands and congratulates them on their recent successes and a promising new year!

posted January 8th, 2010 at 2:04 pm Music News Motion City Soundtrack, Red Pens

For many people around the world the beginning of a new year marks the beginning of new resolutions, a time when people reflect on actions of the previous year and resolve to make the world around them a better place.  Here in the state of Minnesota we have an organization that commits itself to the betterment of our communities 365 days a year, and would you believe this organization rocks?

Believe it, Borang readers, and believe that 2010 will be the year of rock ‘n roll giving, spearheaded by Rock the Cause (RtC).  Rock the Cause is a 501c3 non-profit organization that works to create positive, life-changing experiences through the power of music and community.  Every year RtC partners with other charitable organizations to form a united front against some of our societies worst social and medical ailments including poverty, AIDS, and sexual / domestic violence.  This year RtC has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Great Twin Cities to raise awareness and sponsorship for children in need of mentorship.  RtC CEO Scott Herald shared some important points with us about the nature of the RtC / BBBS partnership that we’d like to share with you.

A premier event for this partnership will be Glitter Ball 3: Big Hair Big Hearts, happening at The Music Box Theatre on January 29, 2010.  Tickets for the event can be purchased through irockthecause.org for $15 in advance.  Tickets will be $20 at the door the evening of the event.  Happy Hour begins at 6:30PM with music beginning at 8:00PM.  Attendees will be treated to musical performances from White Light Riot, The Melismatics, Allison Scott, The Notties, The Bloodsugars, Stellar Vector, and Transmission’s DJ Jake Rudh.

Here is just a sample of the kind of rock  you can expect that night.

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“Soul Sucker” by: The Melismatics

Stay tuned into Borangutan for more information about the event as the date nudges closer.

Links

Rock the Cause – Website

Big Brothers Big Sisters – Website / Become a Volunteer

posted January 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am Music News Allison Scott, DJ Jake Rudh, Rock the Cause, Stellar Vector, The Bloodsugars, The Melismatics, The Notties, White Light Riot