Tricky "Makes Me Wanna Die" and he’s coming to Minneapolis

Bristol bad boy, former member of Massive Attack, Tricky is back after 4 years with a new record Knowle West Boy, produced with Bernard Butler (Suede/Black Kids), new label Domino, of course various new vocalist and a full scale tour, with US dates including SXSW with Devo. The UK still adores him, Tricky will headline Shockwaves NME Awards in Feb. To coincide with US dates he will release “Puppy Toy” as a digital single with b-sides Mar.3rd. Tricky has taken many risk and often fell quite short (wacky collabos with Alanis Morissette and Red Hot Chili Peppers come to mind) still with the brilliance of his debut Maxinquaye with Martina Topley-Bird there’s always promise, “They can’t break you/Can’t take who you are/Remember boy you’re a superstar”.

Tricky tour dates
Mar 02 Farmingdale, NY Crazy Donkey
Mar 03 New York, NY The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Mar 06 Miami, FL Langerado Festival
Mar 07 St. Petersburg, FL State Theatre
Mar 09 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre
Mar 10 Baltimore, MD Ram’s Head Live
Mar 11 Boston, MA The Roxy
Mar 13 Chicago, IL Epiphany
Mar 14 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line
Mar 18 San Antonio, TX The Scout Bar
Mar 20 Austin, TX - SXSW with Devo Austin Music Hall
Mar 23 San Diego, CA Belly Up
Mar 24 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
Mar 25 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theater
Mar 26 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine
Mar 27 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Mar 28 Seattle, WA Showbox

Tricky -"Past Mistake"-mp3
Tricky -"Council Estate"-video
Tricky -"Makes Me Wanna Die"-video
Tricky ft. PJ Harvey -"Broken Homes"- (live on David Letterman)

We Know What You Did Last Summer at First Amendment Arts

The folks at BurlesqueDesign have printed a whole bunch of posters in 2008 and will have a party in their gallery First Amendment Arts to celebrate.

Sat Jan.31st
First Amendment Arts
1101 Stinson Blvd.
Free

Black hipster alert: Medicine For Melancholy

IFC Films present Medicine For Melancholy a love story of bikes and one-night stands told through two African-American twenty-somethings dealing with issues of class, identity in San Francisco. Village Voice writer Ernest Hardy pulls a quote from the main character, Micah, who says "Everything about being indie is tied to not being black". Wower!

Metric's new Fantasies

Toronto's indie darlings the fiercely independent Metric return April 14th with Fantasies (Last Gang in Canada & Arts-Crafts,Mexico) and self-released throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Fantasies will be their follow-up to 2005's Live It Out. Over at their site I Love Metric Emily Haines discuss getting away from the pressures of the "scene" in NY, London & Toronto and wanting to be more genuine. There's also a great acoustic version of the first leaked track "Help I'm Alive". big up WDIR

Fantasies track listing
1. Help I’m Alive
2. Sick Muse
3. Satellite Mind
4. Twilight Galaxy
5. Gold Guns Girls
6. Gimme Sympathy
7. Collect Call
8. Front Row
9. Blindness
10. Stadium Love

Metric -"Help I'm Alive-(acoustic)"-mp3

Nas -Surviving The Times (mixtape)

Queensbridge finest Nas classics mixed and collected here by Get Rights DJ Teddy King. The first disc features vintage and rare music from Nas, while the second disc is a rare Nas mix from Teddy King on the East Village Radio show in NYC.Get at Get Right Music for complete tracklisting.

download:DJ Teddy King-Surviving The Times

TV On The Radio -"Heroes (David Bowie cover)"-mp3 + "Stork and Owl"

TV on the Radio cover David Bowie for War Child Canada's Heroes compilation. It’s okay, I was expecting something a bit more exciting, however lead singer Tunde Adebimpe’s solo jump Fake Male Voice should be dropping soon. This will have to do until then.

Rock legends Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen and other icons pick their favourite new bands to cover their classic songs. Heroes, is released on March 3rd in Canada, February 24th in the US, and features 16 tracks. Among the highlights The Hold Steady does there hero Bruce Springsteen, Beck covers Bob Dylan, Yeah Yeah Yeahs the The Ramones "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker",Hot Chip going goth with Joy Division and Franz Ferdinand does Blondie’s “Call Me”. Check out their webisode series with "Stork and Owl".

TV On The Radio -"Heroes(Bowie cover)" -mp3
Fake Male Voice -"OMG!!!FMV!!!"-mp3
TV On The Radio -Webisode 3-"Stork and Owl"

Bomp Vol 0.0

New club monthly in Minneapolis with DJ sets from The Moon Goons,DJ Jimmy2Times, Wes Winship & Shanon Blowtorch every final Friday at Bedlam.

Jay-Z & Young Jeezy - "My Presidents Black (remix)" -mp3

Jigga is back with new remix of hip-hop's current anthem "My President Is Black" with new lyrics directed by Bill O'Riley & Dennis Miilers hate-a-thon on hip-hop.

"Bill O’Reilly eat a dick, nice try, you’re really being a racist asshole in a nice tie"

Young Jeezy ft. Jay-Z -"My President Is Black"(Remix)-mp3

Switchbladecomb rockin n'rollin' at the movies

Switchblade Comb & Uptown Theatre will be hosting a late nite rock n'roll at the movies program, artist perform right before midnight movie.

On February 7, 2009 they will be showing the movie Se7en with Minneapolis electro three-piece Nobot as our musical guest. Doors at 11:45 pm. $9. 17+. Past midnight movie guests include: Vampire Hands, DJ Plain Ole Bill, Small White, Military Special, Economy Team, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Brother Ali, and Gay Witch Abortion.

Upcoming Guests:
02/07 - Se7en with Nobot
02/14 - Boyz N the Hood
02/21 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Farewell Continental
02/28 - Audition with Haunted House
03/07 - The Last Dragon with Gospel Gossip
03/14 - The Departed with Dante & The Lobster
03/21 - Scarface with Muja Messiah

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah -"Crimonolgy 2"-mp3

Since Raekwon & Ghostface Killah are the Batman & Robin of Wu-Tang Clan, the hip-hop community has been awaiting the follow-up to their tag-team 1995 classic Only Built For Cuban Link. This is reportedly from OBFCL II. shout out Nah Right!

Raekwon & Ghostface Killa -"Criminolgy 2"-mp3
Raekwon & Ghostface Killa -"Criminolgy"-video

Scarlett Johansson "Last Goodbye (Jeff Buckley cover)"- mp3

Scarlett Johansson is everyone's favorite actress chick, still the Tom Waits covers record Anywhere I Lay My Head was for the most part forgettable, and we forgave her. So why do "Last Goodbye" by the highly beloved Jeff Buckley? Who cares it's Scarlett and she's like hawt!. via pma.

Scarlett Johansson -"Last Goodbybe(Jeff Buckley cover)" -mp3

Some kid named J.Loonz -"Nerd-Hop"

From the homie at Midwest Broadcast. Not sure what "Nerd-Hop" is considering most of the blog/hipster rap is just that.

download:J-Loonz -Nerd-Hop Vol.

P.O.S. -"Drumroll (We’re All Thirsty)”" -video

P.O.S. first video from Never Better droppin Feb. 3rd on Rhymesayers/Doomtree. Check out Never Better tour dates with DJ Plain Ole Bill, Mictlan & Lazerbeak, Sims dates. spotted at Culture Bully.

Grizzly Bear + Fiest -"Sevice Bell" -mp3

Brooklyn's Grizzly Bear reworks an old track "Service Bell" off their debut Horn of Plenty for Dark Was The Night. They hook-up with with Canadian friend & tourmate, Feist. Yet another richly textured ballad off charity compilation.

Grizzly Bear + Feist -"Service Bell" -mp3

Telepathe - "So Fine" - video

Brooklyn's Telepathe "So Fine" video from Dave Sitek(TVOTR)-produced album Dance Mother directed by Katherine Nolfi via p4k

Jay-Z - "When The Money Goes" -mp3

Fresh off killin' Young Jeezy & Nas'"My President Is Black",and rocking one of President Barack Obama's inauguration parties, Hova is back on his feel good status with "When The Money Goes" a rumored leftover from the American Gangster recordings. via 2db.

Jay-Z -"When The Money Goes"-mp3
Jay-Z -"Brooklyn Go Hard (Green Lantern’s Soundbwoy Mix)"-mp3

Andrew Broder of Fog solo - "I Must Fix All Problems"-ep

Andrew Broder of Fog, who also frequently works with Dosh,Why and other left leaning experimentalist, has released 2 recordings of improvised guitar, turntables and 4-track. shout out More Cowbell via gimmenoise.

download: I Must Fix All Problems

Bon Iver -"The Park (Feist cover)"- mp3

Bon Iver recently released The Blood Bank ep, here during a recent radio interview with Australia’s Triple J, he covers Feist "The Park" (from The Reminder) another lo-fi beauty off Dark Was The Night.

"The Park(Feist cover)" -mp3

K'Naan -"ABC's"- video

K'Naan's first video "ABC's" featuring Chubb Rock from upcoming Trobadour Feb. 24th. Also check his tour dates,Minneapolis date Feb. 11th at Varsity Theater with Muja Messiah and Manifest.

Radiohead to play the Grammys

Yup,yup Radiohead will play the Grammy's Feb.8th alongside pop music's current superstars including, T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne,Lil Wayne,Coldplay, The Jonas Brothers and Paul McCartney feat. Dave Grohl.

Radiohead -"House Of Cards" -video

The Cool Kids - "Pennies"- video

The first video from Chicago's leaders of the new school The Cool Kids debut When Fish Ride Bicycles,directed by GL Joe.

Wale - "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" -mp3

Last years hottest rookie,the Mark Ronson co-signed Wale jumps on UK club track after Twitter beef with DJ Semtex they hook up, peep the original,hilarious workout video by K.I.G., sorta of a UK version of a Souljah Boy meets Baltimore track. Shout out 2db.

Wale -"Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" -mp3
Wale -"Nike Boots" -video

Franz Ferdinand - "Ulysses" (live on Jonathan Ross show)

Franz Ferdinand perform their swanky hit "Ulyssses" on BBC One's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. You can also check out the controverisal Ross podcast at his BBC Radio 2 show.

Justice - Mini Mix (By DJ White Chokolate) -mp3

The homies at We Do It Right hook up with DJ White Chokolate from Greece for this fire-starter mix of Justice.

Justice -Mini Mix (by DJ White Chokolate) Tracklist
01. Intro
02. Genesis
03. Phantom part II
04. Phantom
05. DVNO
06. D.A.N.C.E
07. Mgmt - Electric Feel(Justice Remix)
08. New Jack
09. Britney Spears - Me Against The Music (Justice Remix)
10. Waters Of Nazareth
11. Party Ft.Uffie (Chewy Chocolate Cookie Remix)
12. Valentine
13. Stress

Justice -"Mini Mix(by DJ White Chocolate)" -mp3

Trouble Andrew ft. Diplo -"Run Hide"- mp3

Here's a sexy little banger from Whistler,B.C.'s snowboard champ, Santogold,Diplo affiliate Trouble Andrew. New music remixed & remastered Feb.11th on Virgin.

Trouble Andrew ft Diplo- "Run Hide"- mp3

Aby Wolf -Sweet Prudence, "Movin In"- mp3

Minneapolis Aby Wolf, a vocal stylist whose artsy soulful folk echoes Fiest, Cat Power and at times Bjork. The emotional joy of “Movin In” with it’s haunting arrangement and sweeping melodies are just one aspect of her soaring, angelic voice. It's one of several standout tracks ("Focus","Float or Forward","Death Ballad") on her debut Sweet Prudence, produced by Omaur Bliss with assist from many well respected musicians among them Joanna James and members of Dark Dark Dark. The record is rich in sonic layers, in a Daniel Lanois type of way. With Sweet Prudence earning rave reviews, features in City Pages, Star Tribune, Culture Bully, The Decider and yup Sound Verite, hopefully it won’t be long before folks everywhere discover the magic that is Aby Wolf.

Cedar Cultural Center
Sat Jan. 23rd
Aby Wolf
Black Blondie
Lucy Michelle & The Velvet Lapelles

Aby Wolf -"Movin In"- mp3

M.anifest on B96, "Time Is"- mp3

Manifest recently returned from Ghana and now he's back and kickin it on B96 with Peter Parker and debuts a new track "Time Is" . Manifest "Brooklyn Babylon" also shows up on Peter Parkers Home Grown HeatRocks Vol 1 mixtape. You can also catch Manifest with K'Naan and Muja Messiah Feb. 11th at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis.

Manifest -"Time Is" -mp3 via 2db
Muja Messiah ft. Manifest -"Paper Planes"-mp3 via Culture Bully.

Mos Def- "Life In Marvelous Times" -video + "Quiet Dog"-mp3

Mos Def fan video for "Life In Marvelous Times" from promised upcoming record The Ecstatic it will his debut on new label, the uber cool Downtown Records. Expect more experimental hip-hop abstractions. The video is directed by Omega 3600.

Mos Def -"Quiet Dog -mp3 via RCRD LBL.

Matt & Kim listening party at Robot Love

Matt & Kim listening party at Robot Love Thurs. Jan 22nd., er tonite.

Matt & Kim -"Daylight"- mp3

Hip-Hop Against Homophobia with Maria Isa, El Guante

Hip-Hop Against Homophobia, organized by one of City Pages Artist Of The Year, Culture Bully contributor and Tru Ruts recording artist, spoken word/emcee El Guante. El Guante’s been quite active over the past year or so building his rep by performing all over the place and releasing the well received El Guantes Haunted House and mixtape Conscious is Not Enough. All the hustle is paying off CMJ proclaims “Giving you something to think about…El Guante could very well follow Atmosphere and P.O.S. in the long-line of outstanding rappers to break out from the Midwest”. El Guante recruited a strong line-up including Bro. Ali touring partner Toki Wright, triple threat Maria Isa and hosted by flamethrower Tish Jones. Sponsored by Outfront.mn, Twin Cities Avengers, Culture Bully, Tru Ruts/Speakeasy & Join The Impact Twin Cities.

Fri. Jan 23rd at The Nomad
Toki Wright, Maria Isa,El Guante,Kredentials,Alicia Leafgreen and Tish Jones

El Guante - Conscious Is Not Enough-(mixtape)
Toki Wright -"State Of Emergency" -mp3

Animal Collective- "My Girls" video, "Blue Sky"(live)-mp3 and US tour dates

Animal Collective made a video for "My Girls",animated by Jon Vermilyea with visual effects by Chad von Nauoff off the free flowing gem Merriweather Pavillion Post. Check out "Blue Sky" a non album track recorded live at the Grand Ballroom, NYC Jan.20th.

Animal Collective US tour dates
05.11 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
05.12 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
05.13 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
05.14 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
05.15 - Montreal, Quebec - Metropolis
05.16 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
05.18 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Hall
05.19 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
05.20 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
05.24 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
05.25 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
05.26 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
05.27 - Big Sur, CA - Henry Miller Memorial Library
05.29 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern
05.30 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
05.31 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
06.01 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
06.02 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theatre
06.04 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
06.05 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s
06.06 - Oxford, MS - The Library
06.08 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
06.09 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
06.10 - Orlando, FL - Club Firestone

Animal Collective- "Blue Skies"-live in NYC via gvb

Building Better Bombs, Mel Gibson and The Pants tonite at Uptown Bar

P.O.S. other band Building Better Bombs/Marijuana Death Squad rock with Mel Gibson and The Pants,free tonite at The Uptown Bar.

Franz Diego- “It’s On You”- mp3

Minneapolis is swagger stacked and one the most vibrant hustlers in town Franz Diego is on a roll, after just having a crazy party a few weeks ago for one of his crews Illuminous 3’s Room record release show. Now Franz Diego is back with his solo jump with the free seven track The Franz Diego.com ep my favorite track on first listen is the soulful, Native Tongue-style “It’s On You”. Includes production from Big Quarters Medium Zach & Brandon Allday and Noah The Drummer. If that’s not enough you can also find Franz Diego at his radio show on Radio K at Beat Box Radio,or his podcast at listentompls, or see with tonight with Illuminous 3,Guardians Of Balance and Verb X at The Nomad.

Franz Diego- "It's On You"- mp3

Shawn Hewitt- "We May Not Be That Different After All"- mp3

In the spirit of unity, the Toronto singer/songwriter Shawn Hewitt’s hope-inspired “We May Not That Different After All” from last falls Spare Hearts. Hewitt may be Canadian yet he’s incredibly interested in American politics, check him and his band rocking Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton mask on MTV Canada during a performance of “Keep Them At Bay”.

Shawn Hewitt- "We May Not Be That Different After All"- mp3
Jay-Z- "My President Is Black(remix)"- mp3

Barack Obama- The United States President

Barack Hussein Obama,The 44th President of The United States.

Huffington Post

PRESIDENT OBAMA VOWS ERA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Brandon Allday of Big Quarters previews "Free Shipping"

Brandon Allday of Big Quarters, Minneapolis finest rap duo premiers a new verse from "Free Shipping" a song off of BQ Direct October. Don't forget to hola at them at From the Home of Brown Babies and White Mothers for $5 a month, they'll send you 5 new songs direct to your inbox.

Jessica Lea Mayfield- "Kiss Me Again" - mp3

Black Keys associate Jessica Lee Mayfield plays with The Annuals, supporting her new record With Blasphemy So Heartfelt!. Jon Behm has interview at Culture Bully.

The Annuals with Jessica Lea Mayfield Tues. Jan. 20th at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis.

Jessica Lea Mayfield-"Kiss Me Again"

Jay-Z -"My President Is Black-remix" (live)

Jay-Z goes crazy over Young Jeezy & Nas' smash,
"My president is black in fact he’s half white
So even in a racists mind hes half right
So if you got a racists mind its alright
My president is black but his house is all white"
jacked from NahRight via pleasedontstare.

Feist & Ben Gibbard - "Train Song (Vashti Bunyan cover)" - mp3

Feist & Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) cover Vashti Bunyan's "Train Song" for Dark Was The Night, a charity compilation produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National with 32 exclusive tracks from some indie royalty. Grizzly Bear,Feist,Blonde Redhead,Arcade Fire,Kevin Drew,Cat Power, Dave Sitek, Yeasayer and Bon Iver all make contributions. All the proceeds are going towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. The compilation releases February 17th worldwide by 4AD as a double CD or triple vinyl.shout out indieMuse

Feist & Ben Gibbard -"Train Song"- mp3

Mystery Palace goes on tour and gets some Brooklyn love- "Stepchild" -mp3

Minneapolis electro-pop experimentalist Mystery Palace hit the road and will appear at The Stone in NYC tonight, January 17th, and then again on Monday at Pianos. Brooklyn Vegan shows a little love.

Mystery Palace - 2009 Tour Dates
Jan 17 - The Stone NYC, New York
Jan 19 - Pianos NYC, New York
Jan 20 - 941 Theater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jan 21 - Bernie's Distillery Columbus, Ohio
Jan 23 - The Stonefly Brewery Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jan 24 - The Frequency Madison, Wisconsin
May 5 - Eclipse Records St. Paul, Minnesota

Mystery Palace -"Stepchild"- mp3

Young Jezzy & Nas -"My Presidents Black" - video

Atlantas grimest Young Jeezy and Queesbridge finest Nas Escobar team up for the new hip-hop anthem "My Presidents Black". My favorite track from last years The Recession from Jeezy finally get a video,just in time for Barack Obama's historical Inauguration.

RUN-DMC -The Kings of Rock, inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

Wow, I remember buying my lil' brother Run-DMC future classic Raising Hell, back when they made records. It's only right since they birthed a movement,lifestyle and culture. Growing up in Chicago in the 80's, hip-hop wasn't expected to last, house music was Chi-town's underground music, often heard "hip-hop will never make it mainstream". Really?

New York -- Run-DMC once hailed themselves as the Kings of Rock, so it's fitting that the pioneering rappers are being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Run-DMC joins heavy-metal band Metallica, guitarist Jeff Beck, soul singer Bobby Womack and doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials in this year's inductee class. Rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson. The induction will be held in Cleveland on April 4.

RUN-DMC- King Of Rock- video

U.N. Building in Gaza Strip Hit by Strike From Israel

GAZA — Israeli forces shelled areas deep inside Gaza City on Thursday, hitting the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and injuring at least three people among the hundreds sheltering in the compound, according to United Nations officials and witnesses.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed regret for the incident but said that Israeli forces were fired on by Hamas militants from just outside the compound and that the militants raced inside the compound to take cover, according to Mr. Olmert’s spokesman, Mark Regev. The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak had told him the strike on the compound was a “grave mistake.” Mr. Ban, who was in Israel Thursday to press fore a cease-fire, said he expressed "strong protest and outrage" to Israel.
-NYT

Jay-Z -"Pass The Roc (demo)", Nas- "Living It" & "Fear of Mandingo"- mp3

Fresh from two of NY's greatest, a brand new throwback from Jay-Z, a rare demo from early 1990's "Pass The Roc" off upcoming DJ Mike Nice's Brooklyn Bullshit mixtape. Hov sounds like Jay-O, flippin' it triple time flows. Meanwhile Nas keeps it raw with 2 unreleased joints, one rumored from Untitled the controversial racial- sexual innuendo of "Fear Mandingo" and the reflextive "Living It", both from Eldorado Black Project. Fear of Mandingo aka Fear (of the Black Man’s Dick) from DJ 31 Degreez. shout out to Nah Right & 2db.

Jay-Z - "Pass The Roc"- mp3
Nas - "Fear Mandingo"- mp3
Nas - "Living It"- mp3

Bon Iver - "Blood Bank" - mp3

Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver left his cabin in northern Wisconsin to discover widespread critical acclaim for his bedroom recorded debut For Emma, Forever Ago and that the world does love gentle, emotional strummers. "Blood Bank" is from his new ep Blood Bank out Jan.20th on Jagjaguwar.

Bon Iver- "Blood Bank" - mp3

Radiohead - MK1 (National Coalition for the Homeless)

Radiohead have donated "MK1", a track from the bonus disc of In Rainbows to be used in this homeless charity television ad for National Coalition for the Homeless.

Radiohead -"The Reckoner(Stephen Murray Remix)"- mp3

Solid Gold with Lookbook at Turf Club + "Get Over It" -mp3

Synthmates Solid Gold and Lookbook play Turf Club Fri. Jan. 16th.

Solid Gold- "Get Over It"- mp3

Santogold ft. Project Pat - "Shove It (Three 6 Mafia Remix)"- mp3

Santogold does it all, after slaying recent guest spots with Jay-Z, Kanye West, N.A.S.A., she stays crunk, here she teams with Memphis' Project Pat from Three-6 Mafia. Santogold's self titled debut Santogold topped many year end list including NME,Rolling Stone,Sound Verite, Pitchfork, but at URB's Readers Poll she captured New Artist of the Year,Album of the Year,Santogold x Diplo Top Rankin',Indie Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for "L.E.S. Artiste". shout out to xclusiveszone.

Santogold ft. Project Pat -"Shove It (Three 6 Mafia Remix)"

Aby Wolf with Black Blondie & Lucy Michelle + "Drama Queen (demo)" - mp3

Aby Wolf's record release show for debut Sweet Prudence Jan. 24th - Aby Wolf with Black Blondie and City Pages Picked to Click winners Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles at Cedar Cultural Center.

Aby Wolf - "Drama Queen(demo)" - mp3 via Culture Bully

P.O.S. talks Never Better

P.O.S. speaks on his much anticipated new record Never Better on Rhymesayers/Doomtree, expect frequent update as release date Feb.3rd nears. Check out interactive covert art featuring 22 solid and transparent inserta to create your own cover.

P.O.S.- "Goodbye"-mp3

The History of The Sound Sytem: Tokion Soundclass: Part 01

This short documentary from director Adam Glickman, seen here in an early rough cut, explores the history of Jamaican sound system and dub culture. The film uses interviews with Paul Simonon, DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash- via p4k.TV.

Franz Ferdinand - "Ulysses" - video + acoustic tracks

Glasgow, Scotland's finest Franz Ferdinand's first video "Ulysses" from promising "comeback" record Tonight:Franz Ferdinand Jan.26th (Domino). Nothing against Mogwai.

Update:
Franz Ferdinand - "Ulysses (Acoustic)" - mp3
Franz Ferdinand - "No You Girls (Acoustic)" - mp3

M.I.A., Spankrock, Santogold- "Whatchdoin?"- mp3

Another celebrity hister runoff,N.A.S.A.'s - "Whachadoin?" (Featuring M.I.A., Spankrock, Santogold, Nick Zinner). N.A.S.A.'s full length The Spirit of Apollo due Feb.17th. N.A.S.A. make their debut in the Twin Cities March 6 2009 -Triple Rock Social Club.spotted at MFR

N.A.S.A.- ft. M.I.A.,Spankrock,Santogold & Nick Skinner- "Whachadoin?"- mp3

Notorious BIG - "Love No Hoe", "Guaranteed Raw", "Microphone Murder"- (demos) -mp3

The Black Frank White,Christopher "Biggie" Wallace,what can you really say, he was the greatest. Shout out to Nah Right!

Notorious BIG- "Love No Hoe"- mp3
Notorious BIG - "Guaranteed Raw"- mp3
Notorious BIG - "Microphone Murderer"- mp3

Alexandra Hope - "Whatever You Want"- mp3

Back in the 1990's, in what seems like a long time ago I worked at record store and this charming young lady would buy incredibly cool shit for someone her age 16-18?. Now that girl is Alexandra Hope, all grown up and developed into a contender, an amazing new artist. The Minneapolis native, living in Paris,France for several years and mastering the arty lo-fi of "girl group" strummers, PJ Harvey, Francoise Hardy and inspired by Phil Spector's production. Her debut Invisible Sunday will be out on LA imprint Manimal Vinyl (Bat For Lashes) March 2009. Recently Alexandra moved back to the states, to New York City and recorded her debut in 3 days.

Alexandra Hope - "Whatever You Want" via RCRD LBL

Frankie Knuckles x Animal Collective- "Your Love/ My Girls" - mp3

Animal Collective,hiding from the upcoming hype?

Chicago's house music innovator and pioneer Frankie Knuckles gets the hipster ok with indie-rock band of the moment Animal Collective's sexy "My Girls" whispered about as somewhat inspired by Frankie Knuckles' Chicago house classic "Your Love". Glorious!

Frankie Knuckles x Animal Collective- "Your Love My Girls"- mp3 via gorillavsbear

for more chill-out action...


Also check for Santo Angelo Vancouver's producer,blogger(We Do It Right) Santo Angelo's electro thumper suggest New Order. From upcoming Last Nights Girls ep

Santo Angelo- "Perfect Plan"- mp3

Sound Verite's Favorite records & singles 2008

Sound Verite's fav records & singles 2008

Santi White owned 2008

1. Santogold - Santogold
2. TV On The Radio – Dear Science (Interscope)
3. Muja Messiah – Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy (Black Corners)
Turns out, last spring's well-received full-length mix-tape "Mpls. Massacre, Vol. 1" was just the start for Minneapolis' mouthiest, most street-centric rapper of note. This epic-sized, hard-knocks-filled disc arrived a few months later with 16 punchy tracks (never mind the skits), big guests such as the Roots' Black Thought, Slug and I Self Devine (who helped make "Patriot Act" a Bush-era classic) and ample proof that Muja really is as good as he says he is. Maybe even better.- Star Tribune
4. Shawn Hewitt - Spare Hearts (EMI Canada)
Though in Toronto live music circles his name has meant something for almost a half-decade, this is Hewitt’s first full-length (only a 2005 EP preceeds it), and Broken Social Scene producer David Newfeld’s fingerprints are on the soundboard knobs. It’s a hard set to pin down. The two have created a grab-bag musical landscape: arrangements veer from string-augmented rock ballads — indie and M.O.R. — through ’80s R&B to Krautrock. I hear a bit of Earth Wind and Fire singer Philip Bailey in Hewitt’s vocals and, at times, Thom Yorke. Sounds daft, but he really makes it work, wrapping his voice around ambitious lyrics that namedrop Frank Gehry and, on “Keep Them at Bay,” explore the sacrifices a politician makes for his loved ones. Well-executed, oddly compelling and likely a grower-EYE
5. Beach House - Devotion (Carpak)
6. Nas - Untitled (DefJam)
Opening the record Nas addresses haters with the stark “Queens Get The Money” with the eerily minimal abstract production of Jay Electronica, where Nas quotes himself before adding “I’m over their head like bulimic on a seesaw”…my queen use her milkshake to bring you my yard, …I’m like Huey P and Emmit. Wowzer. Nas finds the balance between street and pop on the Keri Hilton assisted “Hero” On the clever “N.I.G.G.E.R (The Slave & The Master) Nas proclaims “We trust no black leaders…” Nas jumps on the MF Doom and RZA sampled track “Ya Can’t Stop Us” and ponders, “Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, bet she has a nigger help her old ass” Ouch. For his political observations the Bill O’Riley taunt “Sly Fox” works best and to a lesser degree does “America” and “Testify”. Often critics complain for a lack of consistency, Nas is indeed a beautiful mess of contradictions. It’s a nice, if schizophrenic comeback after the shaky but cool Hip-Hop Is Dead, he brings back the hungry visuals we thirst for from one the hip-hop most conflicted authors as most great revolutionaries are. -Culture Bully
7. Erykah Badu- New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)(Motown)
8. Flying Lotus- Los Angeles (Warp)
9. Broken Social Scene present:Brendan Canning - Something For All Of Us(Arts&Crafts)
10. Young Jeezy- The Recession (DefJam)
10. The Roots - Rising Down (DefJam)
From the gloomy, end of the world cover art; you know right away this isn't your big brothers' The Roots. Following the past few records The Tipping Point and Game Theory having taken a darker, or let's just say straight-up hip-hop approach. Gone are the sprawling, eclectic tendencies of Questlove in favor of a more stripped down, raw sound musically and lyrically. With serious themes like Iraq, The Drug War and various aspects of the daily grind in the black and urban communities. The Roots want it known; they too are from the streets. The sound is grimer. Absent are the pleasantly safe, jazz excursions and hip-hop for NPR. The throwback "Get Busy" with DJ Jazzy Jeff may be the albums most upbeat track. On "Black's Reconstruction (75 Bars)" Black Thought stripping away the entire pretense and straight ripping it for 75 Bars using "Nigger" as a metaphor. The albums centerpiece is the fantastically defiant "I Will Not Apologize" featuring Porn & Dice Raw. Usual suspects show up on "Lost Desire" ft. Talib Kweli & Malik B and "The Show" with Common. "Rising Up" featuring the sassy vocals of Chrisette Michelle and rising rapper Wale hints at D.C.'s go-go flavor, has the albums strongest chorus /hook and verse. There are a few misfires, "Singing Man" and "I Can't Help It", but we can forgive that. As one of their song titles suggest they won't "Apologize" for who they are. And they shouldn't. Rising Down was exactly the record they should've made, aggressive, assertive and representative of the times while still musically challenging the listeners.- The Liberator




Sound Verite’ fav. Singles 2008


1. Santogold - "LES Artistes"
2. Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye West, Lil Wayne- "Swagger Like Us"
3. Young Jeezy- "Black President"
4. MIA - "Paper Planes"
5. Bloc Party - "Biko"
6. Beck - "Gamma Ray"
7. Kanye West - "Amazing"
8. TV On the Radio- "Love Dog"
9. Jay-Z ft. Santogold -"Brooklyn (Go Hard"
10.Solid Gold - “Who You Gonna Run To?”
10.Radiohead - "Reckoner Remixes" by Flying Lotus, Stephen Murray & Mux Mool

Jay-Z ft. Kanye West, M.I.A.- "Swagger Like Planes"- mp3

It was only a matter of time,M.I.A.'s massive "Paper Planes" and Jay-Z,Kanye West,Lil Wayne,T.I. jump "Swagger Like Us" together via Mike Boogie. Jay-Z's really been gettin' his swag on sampling M.I.A. and Santogold, rumored new record to feature production mainly by Mr.West. There's also a Minty Fresh Beats produced Jay-Z + Radiohead mixtape Jaydiohead. Also check Muja Messiah's M.I.A. jump with Manifest, still fresh.

Jay-Z,Kanye West,M.I.A.-"Swagger Like Planes"-mp3
Muja Messiah ft. Manifest - "Paper Planes"- mp3

Idle Warship -"Try It On (Howwedoitoverhere)"-mp3

Idle Warship this time Talib Kweil,RES & Graph Nobel rock over Busta Rhymes' Dr.Dre-produced track "How We Do It Over Here”. Kweli's camp also gets in the blog game with YearOftheBlacksmith with features,updates from Kweli and Blacksmith affiliates Reflection Eternal, Jean Grae, Amanda Blank, Pete Rock, Anjulie,Strong Arm Steady & Inverse. Check out Idle Warship Jan. 16,The Roxy - Los Angeles,Ca.

Idle Warship-"Try It On (Howwedoitoverhere)"-mp3

Atmosphere, Haley Bonar leads Twin Cities Critics Tally

Atmosphere and Haley Bonar on top of Twin Cities Music Scene

For the second time in Vita.mn's two-plus years, Atmosphere has won the Twin Cities Critics Tally, our survey of local music writers and commentators on their favorite local albums of the year. Either the 20 music pundits who took part in this year's poll are a predictable lot, or the best-selling, top-drawing, most nationally televised local music act of the moment* really deserves everything it has gotten, and more. "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold" became the highest-charting Twin Cities album of the decade** in April, debuting at No. 5 in Billboard.
By CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Star Tribune

1. ATMOSPHERE, "WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, YOU PAINT THAT [EXPLETIVE] GOLD"
2. JEREMY MESSERSMITH, "THE SILVER CITY"
3. HALEY BONAR, "BIG STAR"
4. SOLID GOLD, "BODIES OF WATER"
5. VAMPIRE HANDS, "ME AND YOU CHERRY RED"
6. DOOMTREE, "DOOMTREE"
7. MUJA MESSIAH, "THEE ADVENTURES OF A B-BOY D-BOY"
Turns out, last spring's well-received full-length mix-tape "Mpls. Massacre, Vol. 1" was just the start for Minneapolis' mouthiest, most street-centric rapper of note. This epic-sized, hard-knocks-filled disc arrived a few months later with 16 punchy tracks (never mind the skits), big guests such as the Roots' Black Thought, Slug and I Self Devine (who helped make "Patriot Act" a Bush-era classic) and ample proof that Muja really is as good as he says he is. Maybe even better.
8. BEN WEAVER, "THE AX IN THE OAK"
9. HEIRUSPECS, "HEIRUSPECS"
10. GARY LOURIS, "VAGABONDS"
11. DILLINGER FOUR, "CIVILWAR"
12. (TIE) Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak, "Hand Over Fist"
TAPES 'N TAPES, "WALK IT OFF"
14. CITY ON THE MAKE, "$1,000,000"
15. (TIE) Chris Koza, "The Dark, Delirious Morning"
LUCY MICHELLE & THE VELVET LAPELLES, "ORANGE PEELS & RATTLESNAKES"
PAUL WESTERBERG, "49:00"
18. THE ABSENT ARCH, "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON"
19. KID DAKOTA, "A WINNER'S SHADOW"
20. (TIE) Cecil Otter, "Rebel Yellow"

Star Tribune-TCCT '08: Best songs, live acts and signs of life

Sound Verite's Favorite Minneapolis records 2008

Sound Verite's Fav Minneapolis records 2008

Muja Messiah on the rise

1. Muja Messiah – Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy (Black Corners)
2. Muja Messiah – MPLS Massacre vol.1 (Black Corners)
Muja Messiah the hard-core rapper delivers two critically acclaimed records, the 27-track mix-tape MPLS Massacre vol.1 with its internet jumps "Amy Winehouse", "Paper Planes", "True Lies" with exclusives from St. Paul Slim, I-Self Devine, Manifest & Dodi Phi. Followed by an explosive full length Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy, riding shotgun are The Roots' Black Thought, Slug, Maria Isa, Black Blondie, Musab,Nikki Jean & I-Self Devine. In 2008 Muja Messiah finally begin to put a few cracks in the ceiling that is Minneapolis emo-centered hip-hop.
3. Solid Gold - Bodies of Water
Solid Gold- the bands massively seductive 'Who You Gonna Run?" single suggest Beck and MGMT. The critically acclaimed Bodies of Water leads the band to blogs, years end list, cover of City Pages and review in UK's Guardian. Minneapolis enters the indie- electro era with grace.
4. Aby Wolf - Sweet Prudence
The laptop, electro-folkie writes warms strummers and tosses in glitchy cool, imagine Bjork doing Joanna Newsome with a healthy dose of Patsy Cline.
5. Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons... (Rhymesayers)
6. Tapes N Tapes -Walk It Off (XL)
7. Haley Bonar- Big Star
8. Doomtree – Doomtree (Doomtree)
The massive collect delivers in 2008 with an array of records, DVD, national touring, press in Pitchfork, CMJ. Also a new POS record Never Better on deck.
9. St. Paul Slim – The Slim Files ep (Interlock)
10. Trama - Barack O’Trama

Star Tribune& Vita.mn's Best of 2008:Music In 2008 Atmosphere went for 'Gold'and for Culture Bully's Year-End-List Top Musical Moments of 2008 :: Part One (Guest List)-The Top Five Reasons Why Minneapolis Music Continues To Grow