Land of 10,000 Bands
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
With all eyes on St. Paul during the Republican National Convention, we look at the vibrant local music scene in the Twin Cities. Radio host Mark Wheat of the eclectic music station The Current tells us about some of the acts carrying on a legacy that stretches back to the 1980s.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Minnesota’s Musical Muscle
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Minnesota’s Musical Muscle
Comments [7]
Why do you NEVER even mention black bands. Do you really think that all indie music is rock music? Do you really think that the only black musicians you need to feature are from Africa or at least 'respectable' jazz musicians? I know you occasionally have a major label RnB artist on like Angie Stone but your complete lack of interest in indie black music be it the Afro-Punk festival recently held in BK (not Williamsburg so you missed it) or the fertile nu-soul movement is disgraceful. The occasional sit down with Vernon Reid to talk about black rock or Greg Tate do not come near making up for your obsession with rhythmless bands from B'burg. And what about Latin music?? Represent the city not your own peccadillos.
Sorry Jeezy...that was meant for Zak.
Hey Jeezy...I thought Lifter Puller was from the Twin Cities...and the Hold Steady was formed in Brooklyn. But wth, you can have 'em!
Don't forget to give props for Minneapolis/St.Paul's string of extraordinary radio stations. Both public, (Radio K and The Current), and commercail (KJ-104 and Rev-105)
They consistently feed or fed local and fringe music to the city and I've loved each of them.
Brooklyn now brags of NPR darlings, The Hold Steady, but they, of course, are originally a Twin Cities product.
If I may give a shout out, the Minnesota Orchestra is one of the city's great treasures. Osmo Vanska has has been recording a new cycle of the Beethoven symphonies that were nominated for a Grammy last year and he's done a lot to bring in a younger audience to Orchestra Hall. It goes to show the city is a lot more than just alternative rock!
I lived in Minneapolis for most of the '70's, and the music scene, lots of Blues, Psychedelic, Rock (not Pop)was all over the Twin Cities, a very "happening" city for the Midwest. Also theatrical, dance mecca, even for New York actors/dancers. I MISS MINNEAPOLIS! When I lived there Minnesota Public Radio was home to Garrison Keillor before he became GARRISON KEILLOR and became the ICON he appears to want to be today.
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