I have only read one Harry Potter book. But I have seen Harry and the Potters twice. This band is the real deal. That is, their live shows truly are an experience to embrace and enjoy. The reaction they get from their crowd of followers is uncanny from a band of their…ummm…muggleness. Seriously. When I saw them at the Minneapolis Public Library a couple of years ago, the hundreds of high school kids that showed up to support them gave them a Beatles-esque reception, screaming as the band made its way from the concert hall to the merchandise table where they signed autographs.
It is with great anticipation that I await the documentary, We Are Wizards, which opens on November 14. The genre of “Wizard Rock”, led by the aforementioned genre pioneers, has, it seems, experienced enormous growth under the band’s tutelage. The genre succeeds on a message of wholesome “good-vs-evil” story lines covered in a thick layer of fun. Check out the movie trailer:
Last night I had the pleasure of catching two of the Twin Cities finest bluegrass/folk groups – Pocahontas County and LOUDRAY – at the Acadia Cafe on the West Bank of the U. Pocahontas County played a laid back set of new and old stuff, while LOUDRAY burned through their set in their signature rawkus manner, highlighted by a clapping solo by their new box-bass player.
Jenny Dalton truly is a gem. An enigma to be embraced. An artist in the purest sense of the word. A musician that pushes boundaries. Rusalka’s Umbrella finds new ways to mezmerize, scare, and outright entertain. Crafted with precision and the perfect mix of great musicianship and the right amount of flair, Rasulka sits somewhere in that enchanted place between pop and avant-garde art rock.
According to Dalton’s website, “a rusalka is a female water spirit in Slavic folklore….the overarching theme (of the album) is water as an element of change.” Change clearly defines this album. It is Dalton’s best to date, her most melodic, and her most daring. It builds on the momentum developed in her early recordings and Fleur De Lily, but the way that the songs are presented has changed dramatically. If her earlier recordings were shiny, these are brilliant. If her earlier heartbreak was on display for all to see, her emotions on Rasulka remain thoughtfully hidden under an ocean of dangerous currents that say, “Enter if you dare.”
The CD-Release party for Rasulka’s Umbrella will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Ritz Theater in Minneapolis. It will no doubt be a night of artistic celebration, as Dalton will be co-performing with Lamb Lays with Lion Theater Company. Also performing are Fort Wilson Riot, Massgraves, and Kill the Vultures.
It’s actually not that bad, but I had to do a whole lot of computer nerd stuff to fix the website. Now we are back online, free of computer-transmitted-diseases (CTD’s), and ready to roll! If you have recently emailed, called, or bat-signalled us asking us to write up a review, we MIGHT be totally in the dark about your communication. Please feel free to re-send!
Very Truly Yours,
Toby C.
Editor, Lunch of Champions
