In this week's local music column, we listen locally but think globally. Or something like that. Just read on, it'll make sense.
Psymun’s Tracks Highlight FKA Twigs’ Caprisongs
Has FKA Twigs ever set foot in Minnesota except to perform? I don’t know and I don’t care. What I am aware of is that Twin Cities producer Psymun has two production credits on her new “mixtape” Caprisongs (named apparently for everyone’s favorite pouched childhood beverage), thereby making that album (and indeed Twigs’ full oeuvre) local music by proxy. The dominant sound on “Careless,” besides Twigs’ own layered vocals, is what sounds like a synthesizer learning to speak; “Darjeeling” cuts a gentle harp-like backing with drum skitters out of a late ’90s Timbaland track. Locally, Psymun may be best known as a founding member of thestand4rd and for his collaborations with Dua Saleh, but this is hardly Psymun’s first brush with high-profile artists—in the past he’s worked with The Weeknd, Juice Wrld, Young Thug, Gunna, and more. You can listen to his full writing/production playlist here—I guess everyone here is now, by my twisted logic, also a local musician? This is a dangerous game I’m playing here.
Is Pitbull Also Local Music?
This is a tricky question, because, as Mr. Worldwide, Pitbull is local music wherever he goes. His skull is literally a globe. But his saxophonist/guitarist, Lucia Sarmiento, is a (Peruvian-born) Minneapolis jazz musician, which sure tips the scales in our favor. This week she spoke about her Pitbull experiences and much more with percussionist Paul Jennings. (Thanks to Racket contributor/pal Jay Gabler over at the Current for the rip-offable Sarmiento write-up.)
Bundle Up, Dummies, It’s Festival Season
OK, not quite yet. But it’s festival announcement season, which is more fun in some ways. (Don’t ask me which.) Big Turn will take place in Red Wing once again on February 18-19, though in a slightly curtailed fashion—rather than sprawling across the city, there will be two nights of music in one venue. Night one is Heiruspecs (who’ve released a new song), Annie Mack, and Brothers Burn Mountain. Night two is Cloud Cult (who’ve also released a new song), Low, and Bad Bad Hats. Pert Near Sandstone’s Blue Ox Festival is also getting into promotional gear. This year’s version, June 23-25, again in Eau Claire, features Bela Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart and Old Crow Medicine Show, as well as numerous other practitioners of the rootsy musical arts. But maybe the wildest announcement this week is for the Mid West Music Fest in Winona on April 29-30. It’s headlined by Poliça and Haley, but just about every Minnesota musician you’ve ever heard of is listed here as well. I’d double check to make sure your own band isn’t on the bill. Hell, I’m double checking to make sure I’m not listed here.
Time for Sounds of Blackness
The NAACP Image Awards nominations were announced this week, and local gospel institution Sounds of Blackness received a nod for “Time for Reparations.” The fiery demand for racial equity is up for Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song, and it’s great to hear a troupe that’s been at it half a century and has gotten no less militant. In the past, the outfit has received five NAACP Image Award nominations and won in 2012.
This Week's Music Listings
Remember to check and make sure the show hasn't canceled. I try to prune fully but last-minute changes do occur.
Friday, Jan 21
DaBaby @ Armory
Nick Hensley & The Love Songs For Angry Men @ Aster Cafe
High & Mighty @ Bunkers
Bob James Quartet @ Dakota
TVÆR, BURNING, PAIN APPARATUS, SÜCHTIG, SHADOW ON GLASS and STOMACHACHE @ Eagles 34
The Kings of Cole @ Icehouse
Airlands: An Intimate Winter Evening With @ Icehouse
Keys N Krates @ The Loft
With A Gun For A Face, Dirty Junk, Rat Chasm, Sad Boy Dave @ Mortimers
Tommy Goodroad, Pit Stop, and Luke Callen @ Palmer’s
Kane Brown @ Target Center
Poolboy, Willow Creek Brothers, Is this Thing On? @ 331 Club
Rich Mattson and the Northstars, St Dominic's Trio, and Doug Collins and the Receptionists @ Turf Club
Briefcase with Goodbye Mordecai, Alley Mattress @ White Squirrel
Saturday, Jan. 22
The Johnny Sincerely Quartet with Lonesome Dan Kase and SOLIDSTATE @ Amsterdam
The High 48’s Bluegrass Brunch @ Aster Cafe
Chase & Ovation: The Music of Prince @ Bunkers
Eivør with Emily Jane White @ Cedar Cultural Center
Bob James Quartet @ Dakota
The Piss Mints, the Side Effects, Velahsa, and Small Town Sindrome @ Eagles 34
The Floozies with Sunsquabi @ Fillmore
The Current’s 17th Anniversary Party @ First Avenue
69 Dodge @ Icehouse
The Sapsuckers @ Icehouse
Courtney Barnett with Julia Jacklin @ Palace Theatre
Jung Yeller, the Key Kids, and Loser Magnet @ Palmer’s
NEIL! Martin Zellar’s Tribute to Neil Diamond @ Parkway Theater
CARM with Chris Bierden @ 7th St Entry
Liquid Stranger @ Skyway Theatre
The Vibro Champs 30th Anniversary Show with guest Jake La Botz @ Uptown VFW
Repeat Bias with Trash Catties @ White Squirrel
Sunday, Jan. 23
Dr. Mambo’s Combo @ Bunkers
Kaki King: Modern Yesterdays @ Dakota
Red Hot Django Peppers @ Icehouse
Charanga Tropical @ Icehouse
Power Rager Sundays @ Icehouse
Cornbread Harris: Church of Cornbread @ Palmer’s
The Sapsuckers @ Palmer’s
The Kernal @ 7th St Entry
word no words, Paul Bar Lament @ 331 Club
Charlie Parr (Sunday Residency) with Superior Siren @ Turf Club
Luke Callen with Anima @ White Squirrel
Monday, Jan. 24
Ana Popovic @ Dakota
LA Buckner and Big Homie @ Icehouse
Mother Banjo & Friends @ 331 Club
Matt Arthur & Friends @ 331 Club
The Cactus Blossoms (Monday Residency) with Geoffrey Lamar Wilson @ Turf Club
Trench Size Trio @ White Squirrel
Tuesday, Jan. 25
International Reggae Allstars @ Bunkers
Ana Popovic @ Dakota
Houndmouth with Ona @ Fine Line
Punch Brothers with Madison Cunningham @ Palace Theatre
Patty Griffin with Parker Millsap @ Pantages Theatre
The Brook & The Bluff with Izzy Heltai @ 7th St Entry
January Conspiracy Series featuring Gabe Barnett & them Rounders (electric) with Serious Machine @ 331 Club
Trevor McSpadden & Mary Cutrufello @ White Squirrel
Kinda Fonda Wanda (Tuesday Night Residency) with the Infernos @ White Squirrel
Wednesday, Jan. 26
Dylan Saifer @ Bunkers
Nunnabove @ Dakota
Falling in Reverse @ Fillmore
Smith and Thell @ 7th St Entry
KFAI House Party Presents Katey Bellville and her S.O.B.’s @ 331 Club
Lenz and Frenz @ 331 Club
Matthew Logan Vasquez with Maya Lucia @ Turf Club
Brian Fallon and the Howling Weather with the Dirty Nil and Worriers @ Varsity Theater
Nights With Tim @ White Squirrel
Thursday, Jan. 27
Jay Bee & the Routine @ Bunkers
Masters of Hawaiian Music @ Dakota
Zacc Harris Trio @ Icehouse
Yellow Ostrich with Tabah + Val Son @ Mortimer’s
Wet Denim, KENMUJO, Catcher Foulee, and Shrimp Olympics @ Palmer’s
Reptaliens and Yot Club with Renata Zeiguer @ 7th St Entry
Minneapolis Songwriter Rounds @ 331 Club
Prints @ White Squirrel
