You Can’t Unsee This
In some ways it’s hard to believe that the Minneapolis-spawned music/film series Sound Unseen is in its 22nd year already. In others, it’s hard to remember a time when Sound Unseen didn’t exist. This year, the series leads with the much-discussed new Alanis Morissette documentary, Jagged, at the Parkway Theater; closing night will be in the Walker, where you’ll get to see Emily Branham’s Being BeBe, the story of Cameroon-born drag queen BeBe Zahara Benet. Other artists spotlighted in film include a-ha, known only for “Take on Me” in the U.S. but still superstars back home in Norway, and Kenny G who’s profiled by the same director who once examined anti-Christian tricksters the Satanic Temple. Oh and there’s that Kickstartered Poly Styrene doc I’ve personally wanted to check out for a while and maybe you have too. And a lot more, which you can read about here.
Ladies and Gentlemen... Gaelynn Lea
Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea is headed to Broadway. Or at least her music is. Lea will be scoring the new production of Macbeth, featuring Daniel Craig (who apparently has a movie coming out soon) and Ruth Negga (the star of Loving). Lea announced the news via Twitter on Wednesday, promising that the accompaniment will be “spooooky,” which is a lot of o’s!
Under Violet Kicks off a Month of Release Shows at the Parkway
The Parkway Theater is raring to go. Movies, concerts, whatever... they are booking that room solid. As part of this onslaught of public entertainment, they’re doing a series of album-release shows in October, which begins with the local folk-pop trio Under Violet celebrating their lovely Threes (released back in January) on Saturday. Other upcoming release shows include Them Coulee Boys with Namesake on October 8, the Barley Jacks with Coming Down The Mount on October 9, and Sarah Krueger with her self-titled debut as Lanue on October 16.
Muun Bato Catch the ‘Vapors’ with New Album
Speaking of new music (which is kinda the point of this whole column), Muun Bato’s Paraphonic Vapors drops today. (Oh, and it's Bandcamp Friday too. How about that?) The band’s second album drifts and tumbles with the same hypnotically tuneful wash of psych-guitar that made their self-titled 2019 debut so bracing, but with tauter songwriting and an even fuller sound. They’ll celebrate the new album’s release at the Entry on Saturday, with Magic Castles and Waveless opening.
Here's some more live music to check out this week.
Friday 10.1
Yeti Steady @ Amsterdam
Double Grave + 26 Bats! @ Icehouse
New Power Generation @ Dakota
Saturday 10.2
Services, Sidestep, GI Bill @ Part Wolf
The Toxenes, Low Rats. the Unnamed, DJ Megan O @ Mortimers
Sunday 10.3
Zacc Harris Trio @ Icehouse
Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound with Jon Rodine Band @ Hook and Ladder
Monday 10.4
Chris Bates’ Red 5 @ Icehouse
Wednesday 10.6
Superheater, Big Salt, Mojo Jet @ 331 Club
M.T. Foyer, Loud Sun, Jung Yeller @ Mortimers
