Spotlighting Twin Cities' Music from the Basement Up.
Whisky Kisses blooms with growing slide guitars the moment “Baby I Miss You” opens. Flourishing and vibrant, Fringe Pipes’ new EP has the band cultivating a dew kissed alt-country that flowers brightly with some of the most colorful varieties found inside the genre. Whereas much of Americana is filled with amber waves of breezy prairies, the version found here is dense, grown tall and thick with greenery.
I fondly remember the first time I ever saw Alien Book Club live. It was one of those rare moments when a band rips into their first song, and you turn to your friend and go “holy shit, how have I not heard this band before?”
Read More“Vestiges,” was released back on June 1st this year. We remember what was going on around that time and for I/O, and everyone else, a lot of personal goals and projects took a necessary back seat. With the world changing and burning in front of our very eyes, most other things didn’t matter except protecting you and yours, and most importantly: justice.
Read MoreHave you found yourself worried, like I have, that unabashedly romantic, uncynical jazz was dead? Well, I come as the bearer of good news! Thanks to acts like Leslie Vincent and her debut album “These Foolish Things” this genre is very much alive and well.
Read MoreGrayBeat returns on his first full length album, Elemental Rhapsody, which continues the saga that began on the Whaelstrom EP. Elemental Rhapsody is best experienced in full, each song introducing a new idea and expanding on it fully. You are taken through the life of Graylien, the Astrarian from Xul, as he goes on his adventure, experiencing the unknown that lies ahead.
Read MoreI don’t think I can find enough words to describe how absolutely beautiful this entire album is, it is the kind of album that you just can’t pick a song to claim as a favorite because they’re all awesome, hitting you right in the core of your soul and stirring all kinds of feelings.
Read MoreI’m officially baptizing Sister Species as the Slipknot of chamber pop! For those of you who don’t know what I mean by that, Sister Species flouts the traditional three or four member line up, much like Slipknot, and instead has seven awesome musicians. All these individuals combine to create a compositional sound that is full and lush, and just plain good!
Read More“Nowhere is Safe,” a title that sums up the anxiety and fear most inhabitants of planet Earth are feeling right now, is a darker and grungier turn for the typically more pop-synth rock Admiral Fox. Released in April, the “Nowhere is Safe”’s five tracks seem to swell with anxiety until the penultimate song “Pictures of Drones,” then dial up the cynicism with a cathartic release on “So Proud.” Without knowing it Admiral Fox provided my pandemic experience with a perfect soundtrack.
Read MoreThe dynamic duo of the Prime & P.M. recently dropped “Creatures from the Basement,” on the first of April. If you don’t know which is which; Zaximus Prime is the mischievous, but bluntly charming emcee that acts as the narrator for this little tour of the dark and dingy basement of two hip-hop abominations. Jake P.M. the producer/DJ takes care of the soundtrack for this 8 track, 33 minute tour.
Read MoreGarage rock is not generally an avenue for sonic exploration. The rules of the game are simple and straightforward. 1) Be loud 2) Play fast 3) Wear your bleeding heart on your sleeve. Numerous bands dating back to the ‘60s have made their name following these three rules.
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