I had no idea that Jason Schwartzman was putting out a new album. In a way, it sounds like it could be a new album by Ben Kweller, but nope - it's everyone's favorite actor/little guy/son of Talia Shire. I just stumbled upon it, I like it. Give it a listen.

Suggested spins:

Easy Girl
West Coast
Minding My Own business

Rhapsody users, it's in there. Others, try the myspace. Whee!!

PAGE FRANCE TONIGHT AT THE ENTRY!

Michael Nau of Page France (photo by Stacy Schwartz)

It really shouldn't be missed. These guys are fantastic. Stacy Schwartz took this the night we saw them for the first time. They're playing with Minneapolis' own One For The Team and Starflyer 59 from California.

Doors at 8 - $6 and it's 21+

An Open Plea to Art Brut:

Photo by JM Luneau of lolitanie.com - Click on Eddie to check out his amazing concert photography

Enjoy your awesome summer of European festival shows. But I am begging you - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come back to Minneapolis. I apologize for not getting into you guys until now and that I missed your show last year at the Entry. I beg of you, don't punish me because of that. I'm hardcore now and must have you back in my town so I can dance like I am having a music-appreciation seizure. I don't mean to put my personal safety into your hands, but if I don't see you guys, I might just die.

It's been known to happen.

FIVE QUESTIONS FRIDAY
(a little late because i had to work)

This week's special guest: Daniel Corrigan

I found this picture online and it was perfect so if you took it (Robb Long, possibly? Great photo, by the way) please tell me to take it down if you don't want it up on my obnoxiously pink blog...

What are your favorite bands?

It's tough to say just because I get exposure to a lot of different kinds of music. I really like John Koerner's music and I really like Birthday Suits' music. It's hard to even write about them in the same sentence and ranking them against each other is futile. I was a big fan of Cows and went to a lot of thier shows. Some other local bands that I liked alot were Run Westy Run, Soul Asylum, Guzzard and Hammerhead. Bands that I go see now when I'm not working are The Brass Kings, Mike Gunther and his Restless Souls, Gee as in Jesus, and The Tin Star Sisters to name a few.

Is Music Photography your favorite subject, or do you have other preferences? If so, what are they?

I've been an assignment photographer for 27 years now and that is what I am most interested in shooting. I never know what the next one to come in is and I like that. Every day is a field trip. I shoot a lot of music related stuff but it really only makes up about half of my work. The only thing I really don't like shooting is weddings, but I get talked into them as well sometimes. I think my strong suit is straight-up portraiture.

What have been your favorite shows to shoot in the past year? Of all time?

To be honest, they all start to blend together a little bit. The DMBQ show in the entry was super-fun to shoot. Probably my favorite show of all time was the Soul Asylum show supporting "While You Were Out". I toured with the band in Europe for that one and got to hear it twenty times. I still love hearing "Closer to the Stars".

When you are taking photos at a show, do you feel that it takes away from the experience or adds to it?

When I am shooting a show I am so concentrated on what I am seeing that what I am hearing is lost a little. I'm sure I notice things on stage that others don't, so it takes away and adds at the same time. I don't drink when I am shooting, so for sure it is different.

If you had to give one word of advice to the aspiring local photographer who shoots shows, what would you say?

Keep your elbows in and wait for your shot.


A delicious sampling of Corrigan's body of work can be seen on his website. Also, an exhibit of his work - Daniel Corrigan Music Photography: The Analog Years will be at the Mill City Museum until September 30th.

What happened, Fancy?

Ok, so for some reason I seem to always end up watching Last Comic Standing on Wednesday nights. I am not especially proud of this, but what can I really say in defense of myself? Nothing. It's usually sort-of a trainwreck and last night's episode was the last round of their "International Search For the Funniest Person in the World!!!" So, where did they end up? Minneapolis.

The only person that they actually showed from Minneapolis (well apparently lives in California now) was Fancy Ray. Ok, so Fancy Ray amuses me. Or at least I thought he did. But his shtick at the preliminary cattle-call audition was embarrassingly bad. But he sure has being loud on his side. God - the look on the faces of Ant, Kathleen Madigan and the nice, bug-eyed judge almost made me feel sorry for him - it was that bad.

I will pray for you, Fancy Ray.

Decided Song of the Day

My Favorite Mutiny (with Black Thought and Talib Kweli)

Yeah, I'm sorry. I can't wrap my brain around how to post mp3's so just click and let this song liquify your brain over on their Myspace.

That, and if you can stand still while it's playing, there is something seriously wrong with you.

A Brief Wham! Symposium (for Mr. Landry)

Yeah, I have a few obvious favorites from these guys - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Careless Whisper, and OH HELL YES - Last Christmas. A seasonal song, yes... but it's sad, cheesy satisfaction can be enjoyed on the hottest day of the year as well.

Wikipedia's background on the bubblegum-on-the-bottom-of-your-shoe glory that is/was Wham! (you know I am obligated to put that exclamation point on there, I'm not yelling at you)

Allmusic.com has a good bio, albeit terrible photographs on their Wham! page...

And for your occular cavities -

Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Careless Whisper (live)
And yes...

Last Christmas

Ah, what better for a Saturday's blog reading than an exciting episode of Link Attack!

Not super musical, but heartfelt just the same...

I have found Craig Thompson's blog online. Thompson is a writer/illustrator of graphic novels and his book Blankets is one of my favorite things ever printed. This blog has all kinds of kick-ass details and tidbits and makes me quite happy in various segments of my brain.

Snap, Snap, Snap...

Alexa Jones gets fine-printed in Vita.Mn!
Her Blog
The Vita.Mn pimpage
Her other fantastical photos on Flickr. Crazy Flickr photographers! you know what I'm talking about, Jonesie...

Listen up, eardrums!

Staciann loves Glasgow over at Cake in 15...

Can you hear that? Baby, it's The Cates, breakin' your <3...

Culture Bully has some neato stuff from the upcoming Yeah Yeah Yeah's EP over on his site, I suggest you get over there and learn yo'self...

Minneapoliscast's Dave Kemp has an interview with Ed Ackerson over there. That Ackerson guy is dreamy. I can say that, right? It's an observation I made.

The Rich Girls Are Weeping have a really freakin' neat "Prelude to Interpol's Our Love To Admire" Mix/Collection of Songs in protest of people leaking crappy MP3's of the tracks. I can stand by this. Start at Part One, make your way up.... and hey - where can I hear those crappy leaked MP3's?


Internets Talk

Mitchum reviews the new Art Brut over on Pitchfork. Ugh, I wanna get my hands on this album! Like, NOW. Eddie Argos kills me...

Oh yeah, speaking of Pitchfork, here's something on Idolator that cracks me up. The title mostly...


That's all for now, ladies and germs. Tune in next time, same tigerbeatpoet time, same tigerbeatpoet channel. There will be espionage! Elegant damsels in distress! And yes... as usual, exquisite tidbits from here and the beyond!

FIVE QUESTIONS FRIDAY

This week: Troubadour, Scribe and Hero - Jim Walsh

Photo by Alexa Jones

Sorry I skipped out on y'all last week. But this week's will more than make up for it. The Mad Ripple Hootenanny was a staple of many a person's Friday night this fall, winter and Spring. As the Hoot withdrawl gets a little easier to bear, I thought it would be fun to catch up with everyone's friend, Jim Walsh.

What are some of your favorite shows you have attended?

The first one that comes to mind is the cat from Procol Harum, who did “Whiter Shade Of Pale” as part of Ringo’s All-Star Band. I was sitting alone in the second row, reviewing it for the Pioneer Press, and it was really moving. Other than that, I loved seeing all my friends get up and sing with Steve Wynn and Zuzu’s Petals at the Hexagon Monday night. “TV Eye” and “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Final Solution” were highlights, and John Munson is my hero.

When you listen to a record for the first time, do you listen to it from start to finish, or do you listen to parts of each song first?

Start to finish, or I find a song I like and keep going back to that. At the moment I’m listening to Brianna Lane’s “Porchlight” (maybe the best lover-stalker song since “I Just Wanted To See You So Bad”.) , Wilco. “What Light” - the entire White Stripes record, which my Irish fooken fighter pals Brianna and James turned me onto tonight (we actually went to the C.C. to celebrate some good news) along with their very erotic videotape of Jack and Meg’s Hoot on Conan.

I read about a bunch of stuff in MOJO and Uncut and Q when I was in Wisconsin last weekend that sounds good. I’m gonna try and check that out before I start recording in a couple weeks. Also stuck on that song “Life Effect” by Stars (love the line about “now you’ve finally lost me, rest your weary head,” which echoes Jack White singing about cause and effect, which echoes what all the spiritualists say: “Respond, don’t react”, “Be simple, be kind, get your rest”, “Listen to your heart,” “Trust your gut,” and when in doubt there’s “This Is The Sea” by the Waterboys.

I’m gonna buy that White Stripes record for my son.

What is one of your favorite things about the Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene?

All the hot chicks.

Have you seen the Falls? My nephews’ band. Punk rockabilly. They blew the roof off Lee’s the other night, in front of 20 people. They’re the real deal. Good stock, etc.

What is your preferred way to find out about new music, may it be local music or national acts?

My family and/or friends and at the Current. MySpace. I love it when people make me mixes, which doesn’t happen like it once did. I like songwriters. The Hoot is great for that. There’s an amazing amount of talent in this town. It feels like Minneapolis is happening again.

If you were one of the freaks in a circus sideshow, what would your sideshow talent or oddity be?

Hunchback fire-eater/sword-swallower.

Added Bonus Question: In lieu of sitting in the basement of Java Jack's tonight, pick one song you feel would be perfect for listening to while watching the stars on a beautiful summer night.

“Out There In The Night,” the Only Ones. Peter Perrett says he wrote it about his lost cat, but I like to think -- as I do about all good songs—that he wrote it about you and me and everyone we know.

Busy Bee?

I'm really impressed with myself. I've just finished another review, making this my third one in about four days. This is most definitely a record for me.

While my Ryan Adams review is being edited, please peruse my last two, just to humor me... if anything.

Air Guitar Championships at the Varsity
Fakebook with Laurie Lindeen at The Fitzgerald Theater
Aaaaaand you can see a gallery of Steve Cohen's perfectly captured moments HERE

Enjoy!!

I'm done being productive. It's movie time.

Ryan Adams Day!!

It is Ryan Adams day in my cube!!! I got almost all of my Ryan discs together, bootlegs and all - including some Easy Tiger action....



Tonight at 8pm at The Cedar, people...

Well here is the short version -

The Mad Ripple Hootenanny has been a staple of my Friday schedule for a while now. I was intimidated to go at first. And then it became almost like church. A meeting place for friends, a cramped sanctuary in a basement of a coffee shop where musicians would pour their hearts out for us, while the water pipes clanked above and the sounds of heavy things moving upstairs served as percussion during heartfelt ballads. It became busier and busier as people took note as the ringleader, Mr. Jim Walsh brought us all together. There was a marriage proposal and there were newborns - and more often than not, people inconspicuously crying when a song touched the core of them. My moment being during an Allison Rae song where tears streamed down my face and I tried my best to keep it together, or at least go unnoticed.

Friendships were forged or became stronger, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that lives were changed forever. And as I sit here with my morning Red Bull, I am forced to think what Friday nights and Saturday mornings will be like without it.

I don't need to be sad about it right now, even though last night was the last Hoot of the season. Because we were treated to a FOUR HOUR Hoot extravaganza. It started out with a whole lot of promise - Our leader Jim, master storyteller& singer-songwriter extraordinaire Stook, Leslie Ball, my first experience with the utterly amazing Cates, and Strange Friends holding court with attitude in the back of the basement. They made the rounds and served up the glory until about 8:30.

That's when I saw my first glance of Marc Perlman, bassist for the Jayhawks and Golden Smog, among others. I had seen that he was at the Hoot before, so I took note, but I didn't think twice. It wasn't until I glanced upon a tall, curly mop of hair that I really did a double take. Gary Freakin' Louris. My heart skipped a beat. Then I spied with my little eye... Kraig Jarrett Johnson. My brain and my mouth spilled out "Oh my God, oh my God..." for who knows how long. All while noticing that Dan Murphy has also walked his way in also. We were about to have ourselves a little Golden Smog Hoot action at our get-together...

Ha, ha... suckers. It was awesome!

The HowWasTheShow.com 5th Anniversary Party is tomorrow at the Turf Club. Can you freakin’ believe it??

As if I haaaaave to remind you, there will be five-for-five...

Five bands, Five Bucks, Fifth Anniversary… It’s gonna be rocktacular...

The Slats
First Communion Afterparty
Jeremy Messersmith
Mouthful of Bees
Estate

I know there are a bajillion things going on that night, but you know you’ll pretty much HATE yourself if you miss it!

Five Questions Friday!!

This week's guest is:

Stook!!

I figured it was time to start an actual feature on here. And I couldn't think of a better person to start 'er off than Stook. He and his band The Jukes are currently wrapping up their sophmore effort after the amazing debut "The Soundtrack to My Minneapolis." Stook will be playing tonight at the last Hoot of the season down at Java Jacks in South Minneapolis. It shouldn't be missed.

What’s your favorite Journey song?

I worked at a gas station in high school with a guy named Scott who claimed to be the biggest Steve Perry/Journey fan that ever was. One day he borrowed 5 bucks from me because he was broke on account of his paycheck was being garnished. Apparently he became addicted to some psychic friends 900 number. Last I heard he was going to seminary. His fave Journey song was "Open Arms," so in honor of Scott I will have to say "Open Arms."

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?

That would be tough. How about top 5?

1. Any Jayhawks show ever including last Louris/Olson tour

2. Bill Kirchen, The Ark - Ann Arbor, Michigan

3. Run DMC, Club Soda - Grand Rapids, Michigan

4. Tom Petty, Louisville Gardens - Louisville, Kentucky

5. Alex de Grassi, Elco Theatre - Elkhart, Indiana

Who do you think would win in a fight? Gary Louris or Hulk Hogan?

(I'd like to point out that this is not the original question. Stook has modified the question.)

Gary Louris for sure!

What’s the worst thing, musically, that has ever happened to you?

I can't really think of anything bad.

What’s your favorite candy? (Since you have such a notorious sweet tooth)

Probably the fine, delectable Nut Goodie from Pearson's in St. Paul. But Nerds and Nerd Ropes are way up high on my list. Tangy Taffy is way awesome or circus peanuts or Big League Chew or Sour Patch Kids or Ju Ju coins or Charms suckers or Pixie Sticks or Super Ropes also Cherry Chan's or Cowtails. The occasional Peanut Butter Twix is good too. And Runts! The banana ones! And flavored Tootsie Rolls.

HowWasTheShow on Minneapoliscast.com!!

We're back!! For June we're covering the bands that are playing the HowWasTheShow 5th Anniversary Party on June 9th. Ch-ch-check it out HERE...

This includes the introduction of what might just be my new catchphrase... and some great insights on music and memorable moments from my friends and yours, HWTS founder David de Young, Editors Andrea Myers and Bob Longmore and the popular Pat O'Brien. Hit it.

Tomorrow is Sunday, June 3rd. First Sunday of June means Grand Old Day, my friends! And in the evening it means The Rosebuds and Land of Talk at the 7th Street Entry. To those of you who are not in the know - this has been sub-titled "Stacy and Jen's Day of Rock" by the city of St. Paul. Ok, I made that up. Here is a sort-of hard to understand run-down on the day's Grand Avenue events. liiiiiiink!!

This is actually my first Grand Old Day in the eight years since I have moved back to Minneapolis. I missed Guided by Voices in 2004 and The Hold Steady in 2005. That is pretty much unacceptable if you ask me. And heartbreaking.

I am really looking forward to The Rosebuds and their mega-danceable indie rock Sunday evening. I wanted to say mega-danceable indie electropop - but this isn't quite that. And for some reason I have been throwing around the term "Electropop" almost as often as I say "Dude." Ok, that's an exaggeration. I say "dude" a lot.

All my rambling aside, though - tomorrow is just a fantastic day to be out and about if you like music. The next couple weekends are going to be INSANE for local music fans. Next weekend, you've got the HowWasTheShow 5th Anniversary Party on Saturday, June 9th, along with a million other shows that day that I just won't mention out of completely unabashed bias. And the weekend after that you've got the insane awesomeness of the concert stages at the Stone Arch Festival of the Arts as expertly booked by my friend and yours, Stacy Schwartz.

The next couple weeks is gonna be one for the bloggers, baby!!

Those Pretty, Old-Timey Jams of Meg Ashling

photo of Meg Ashling at the Hexagon (9/30/06) by David de Young

Good Hoot last night at Java Jacks, I gotta say. I especially enjoyed hearing Meg Ashling for the first time. Click on her name to check out some of her songs and her lovely voice on her MySpace page. Just listening to it makes me want to hop in the car and just drive wherever the road takes me... but I got season two of Lost to finish, and that pull is stronger. For shame!

Her next show is at the 400 Bar on June 7th with Gabe Barnett, Jack Klatt & Anthony Newes. Definitely worth a look-see if you ask me, kids.

Don't look at me!!

Don't look at me when I am throwing a fit of epic proportions. Don't!!!

The Ryan Adams show at the Cedar is SOLD OUT. I never do that wait on hold, go crazy and call at the exact moment tickets go on sale thing. So of course, the times that I have I never get my way... that last Weezer show at First Avenue - nope. I got owned on that one too. I am extremely upset now and must go sulk and cry into my lunch.

and by the way, Ticketweb sucks. First I am on hold for almost twenty minutes, while simultaneously trying to buy tickets online. Their website is slow as hell, and then keeps telling me (after I have waited FOREVER for the pages to load) that I haven't chosen how many tickets I want... about five times. Then I finally get a person on the Ticketweb phone line - he tells me he's sorry, that their servers are down and I should call back. Right away. HUH??? So I do, and for five minutes i press redial... over and over and over and over again while trying my luck on the website. Then that tells me that, even if I choose one ticket, that they don't have enough seats left to process my request. I have finally gotten through on the hotline after this - ten minutes if not more pass until I get a rep on the phone again just to tell me it's sold out.

Dude, Jen Paulson loves Ryan Adams with all her heart, even after all the shit shows she's seen of his. She is not happy. She is enraged and pissed and a whole bunch of other adjectives. Enough of the third person crap.

Over and out, bitches.