New Music: Atmosphere and Brother Ali - "Live in Sweden"

Download: Atmosphere and Brother Ali - "Live at the Hultsfred Festival" (Sweden)

Over the weekend, Midwest Broadcast posted a set from Rhymesayers emcees Atmosphere and Brother Ali from their 3 The Hard Way tour of Europe. Needless to say, the tape has been spreading like wildfire on the internet. You can download the hot mixtape at the top of the post.

Setlist (via):

Panic Attack
Cats Van Bags
Uncle Sam Goddamn
Puppets
Shoulda Known
Forest Whitaker
Blah Blah Blah
Guns and Cigarettes
Take Me Home
Truth Is

Atmosphere MySpace Page
Brother Ali MySpace Page

(Jon Graef)

MFR's Guide to SXSW: Mpls/St. Paul Bands

P.O.S.


*MP3: P.O.S. - "Goodbye"

Thursday, March 19 11:15 p.m.
Habana Bar Backyard (708 E 6th St)
&
Friday, March 20 11:00 p.m.
Buffalo Billiards (201 E 6th St)

Doomtree


*MP3: Doomtree - "Flex"

Wednesday, March 18 8:00 p.m.
Back Alley Social (303 W 5th St)

"Absolutely fucking nothing but Doomtree."

The "it" MC and his crew bring rhymes and beats down south to show the industry what hip-hop sounds like if you freeze it for nine months. In other words, fresh and freaking cool. Hip-hop fans, don't miss these shows.

Haley Bonar


*MP3: Haley Bonar - "Big Star"

Wednesday, March 18 11:30 p.m.
Victorian Room at The Driskill (604 Brazos St)
&
Thursday, March 19 2:30 p.m.
SESAC Day Stage Cafe Austin Convention Center (500 E Cesar Chavez St)

Ms. Bonar plays and sings country-tinged pop songs that would provide an adequate dictionary definition for 'smoldering.' Go and see TC's favorite heartbreaker, but don't stand too close to the flames. (*Note: Bonar is on Afternoon Records, however, is a staple of the TC scene and needs to be mentioned).

Brother Ali


*MP3: Brother Ali - "Good Lord"

Wednesday, March 18 12:30 a.m.
Back Alley Social (303 W 5th St)
&
Thursday, March 19 12:00 a.m.
Habana Bar Backyard (708 E 6th St)

Sometimes the hardest thing in this world to be is just one of the most gifted rappers in the country. The truth is coming to Austin, so give the man a mic and step back. But not too far.

Dosh


*MP3: Dosh - "If You Want To You Have To"

Wednesday, March 18 10:30 p.m.
Mohawk (912 Red River St)

When not recording and touring with Andrew Bird, Martin Dosh puts out records of distinctly emotional electronic, beat-driven music. His one man show will be a highlight of the festival.

et al.

* The 757s
* Solid Gold
* Josiah Wordsworth
* Toki Wright
* Eyedea & Abilities
* Gary Louris & Mark Olson
* John Gorka
* Grant Hart
* Elizabeth Hunnicutt
* I Self Devine
* Mark Mallman
* Marcy Playground
* Cecil Otter
* Plain Ole Bill
* Birthday Suits
* BK One

Venues and times can be found for all HERE.

Other local bands like Gospel Gossip and First Communion Afterparty will play their trade at unofficial gigs outside of the festival.

We have missed a band, please add them to comments below.

(Erik Martz)

New Brother Ali - "Good Lord"

Download: Brother Ali - "Good Lord"

No doubt that you know about the Pitchfork-approved new EP from Twin Cities rapper Brother Ali. Perhaps you saw the trailer for it. Now, courtesy of Nah Right, comes a newly liberated track from Ali's The Truth is Here extended play. Of course, it's a track that Ali has been promoting for a little while now. But still, no complaints about MP3s from Ali. Now all we have to do is wait for the full-length, to come this fall.

Listen to "Good Lord" at the top of the post.

Brother Ali MySpace Page

Best New Releases for March 10, 2009

Anni Rossi - "Rockwell" (4AD)


*MP3: Anni Rossi - "The West Coast"
Buy on Amazon.

Bishop Allen - "Grrr..." (Dead Oceans)


*MP3: Bishop Allen - "The Ancient Commonsense of Things"
Buy it on Amazon.


Brother Ali - "Truth Is Here" EP (Rhymesayers)


*MP3: Brother Ali - "Freedom Ain't Free"
Buy it on Amazon.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - "Advance Base Batter Life" (Tomlab)


*MP3: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - "Old Panda Days"
Buy it on Amazon.

Cursive - "Mama, I'm Swollen" (Saddle Creek)


*MP3: Cursive - "From the Hips"
Buy it on Amazon.

Handsome Furs - "Face Control" (Sub Pop)


*MP3: Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"
Buy it on Amazon.

Brother Ali Releases "The Truth Is Here," Is Reviewed On Pitchfork

Download: Jake One - "The Truth" (feat. Freeway and Brother Ali)
Download: Brother Ali - "Truth Is..."

If you've been over to Pitchfork this morning, then you've undoubtedly seen their sleeker, slicker website design. And, what do you know, one of the first records they've reviewed after unveiling the new design is MPLS emcee Brother Ali's The Truth is Here EP, which sees proper release tomorrow. The venerable independent artist website bestows a 7.4 on the record, not a bad score at all. Here's the lede:

If you want a striking glimpse at one MC's potential future, listen to Brother Ali's celebratory day-after reaction to Barack Obama's election on the web-released "Mr. President (You're the Man)"...Coming from a rapper who made his name on social contemplation, righteous anger, and battle-rap vengeance, Ali's joy and (guarded) hopefulness in the humbling face of history resulted in a rare but revealing moment of optimism. Question is, how much of that's going to carry into his subsequent work?

Read the rest here.

Though Ali might have conquered the likes of Pitchfork, he'll probably have an easier time meeting up with his fellow Rhymesayers labelmate Atmosphere tonight at the label's special Artist Meets Artist concert. That show promises several collaborative sets between the Twin Cities most notable hip-hop acts. Click for more details here.

However, if you're more inclined to see an artist in their own (fifth) element, then all you need to do is wait a day. Ali will be performing a free in-store over at the Fifth Element record store tomorrow to celebrate the new EP.

Watch the trailer for the EP at the top of the post.

Brother Ali MySpace Page

Brother Ali Announces Free In-Store @ Fifth Element

Brother Ali "The Truth Is Here"
In-Store Performance!
Tuesday, Mar 10th
6pm
all ages
FREE

In two weeks, Brother Ali is going to celebrate the release of his new EP, The Truth Is Here (and, lest we forget, a proper LP follow-up to The Undisputed Truth in the Fall) by playing a free in-store at Fifth Element. There, Ali will be signing copies of the new EP for those who want it so, plus also giving away posters and stickers--the customary "while supplies last" caveat goes here. The show will be located at Fifth Element.

Fifth Element
2411 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis
612-377-0044

Brother Ali MySpace Page

Whole Music Club Announces New "Making Music" Series, Posts Brother Ali Videos

(Brother Ali - "Good Lord" for "Making Music")


(Brother Ali on his early influences)


(Brother Ali on touring with Rakim)

If you liked those videos, posted by the Whole Music Club to their YouTube page, then get ready for the venue's new Spring edition of the "Making Music" series, in which they speak with various notable creative figures about their inspirations and processes.

Here's the schedule for the Spring 2009 edition of the series (via):

Thursday, March 5th: David Longstreth (Dirty Projectors)
7pm. Walker Art Center, McGuire Theater. Free for all ages.

Thursday, April 9th: Black Blondie.
Free for all ages. 8 p.m. Whole Music Club

Thursday, April 30th: Dan Wilson
Whole Music Club. 8pm. Free for all ages.

Thursday, March 7th: Jason Moran
at 7pm.
Co-presented with the Walker Art Center and Northrop Jazz.

For more info, go here.

Show Announcement: Rhymesayers' "Artists Meet Artists"

Atmosphere meets Brother Ali
Muja Messiah meets M.anifest
Toki Wright meets St. Paul Slim
Jimmy 2 Times meets Plain Ole Bill

Monday, March 9
Fine Line Music Cafe
9 PM | $20 | 18+

These performances of Rhymesayers crew members (and a few who aren't) will consist of "special combined sets." Sounds pretty promising. Thanks to MB, amongst others, for show information.

Brother Ali - "Good Lord" Promos 1 and 2

Brother Ali - "Good Lord" Promo 1 from Three/21 Films on Vimeo.


Brother Ali - "Good Lord" Promo 2 from Three/21 Films on Vimeo.

Nah Right has found a pair of promo videos shot by Three 21 Media in which Ali talks about his upcoming single, "Good Lord." The live footage was taken at a show las Saturday "at the Malcolm X & Betty Shabazz Center uptown" by Rik Cordero.

Watch both videos at the top of the post. (via)

Brother Ali MySpace Page

Live Video: Jake One Feat. Freeway and Brother Ali - "The Truth"

Taken from Jake One's performance at Fifth Element, and spotted at the Rhymesayers blog. It's Jake One performing "The Truth" with one Brother Ali. Watch it at the top of the post.

Video: Jake One Feat. Brother Ali - "The Truth"

Video: Brother Ali Interviews M.anifest, Performs New Track "Good Lord"

Brother Ali & M.anifest - Paling Around with Lyricists from M.anifest on Vimeo.

(Thanks again, Mike!)

New Brother Ali - "Obama, You're The Man"

Download: Brother Ali - "Obama, You're The Man"

The politically-conscious and politically-active Minneapolis rapper crafts a soulful-rap song that recalls Marvin Gaye's early 70s efforts, with a bite and edge that only hip-hop could provide (i.e., the word "fuck" is used). Ali's joy at the historic victory is barely contained. While he spends the first two verses lauding Obama's achievement, and the fact that the Illinois senator has inspired the downtrodden, Brother Ali, like the President-Elect, says that we have a whole lot more work to do. But for now? Pure celebration. Listen to "Obama, you're the man" at the top of the post.

Brother Ali MySpace Page

Video: Brother Ali and Jake One on KUBE 93 Seattle

Jake One & Brother Ali on KUBE 93's Sound Session (Part 1 of 2) from DJ Hyphen on Vimeo.


Jake One & Brother Ali on KUBE 93's Sound Session (Part 2 of 2) from DJ Hyphen on Vimeo.

Download: Jake One - "The Truth" (feat. Brother Ali and Freeway)

Minneapolis rapper Brother Ali and rap producer extraordinaire Jake One recently stopped by the studios of KUBE 93 to discuss the new Jake One record, titled White Van Music, amongst other topics. The session was from a while back, but Ali just dropped the video on his MySpace blog today. Watch it at the top of the post. Those of you who want a podcast of the session can download it here.

For another White Van Music treat, watch Elzhi and Royce da 5'9" perform their featured track "Glow" below.



(Jon Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

New Brother Ali - "Good Lord" and "Baby Don't Go"

Download: Brother Ali - "Original King"
Download: Brother Ali - "Truth Is"

Brother Ali stopped by the Radio K studios as part of an effort to promote their 15th anniversary. In doing so, the Minneapolis rapper premiered two new songs, "Good Lord" and "Baby Don't Go". "Good Lord" consists of a irresistibly soulful piano line and a steady, hi-hat heavy beat. Similar in vibe, "Baby Don't Go" instead focuses on a horn samples of funk, rather than a gospel-tinged piano track.

You can hear those songs, which will appear on Ali's forthcoming Truth Is Here EP, as well a track from The Undisputed Truth and a soundtrack cut, go here.

Brother Ali MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Brother Ali Talks About Jake One's White Van Music

Brother Ali Talks About "Explode The Vote" Concert

The concert to which Ali is referring is:



Broth​er Ali
Big Quart​ers
Usual​ Suspe​cts
Illum​inous​ 3
Green​ Sketc​h Crew

Hoste​d by I Self Devin​e
DJ'd by Justn​ine

18+
$​12/​$​15

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Video: Brother Ali Freestyle on B96 Radio

h/t Nah Right/Switchblade Comb.

I think Ali would do amazingly well on something like the Wake Up Show. Thoughts? Here's a Wake Up Show session featuring Eyedea (from Eyedeas and Abilities) and Slug from Atmosphere, added to YouTube this past May:


(Eyedea and Slug on "The Wake Up Show" - Part One)


(Eyedea and Slug on Wake Up Show - Part Two)

(Jonathan Graef)

Jake One and Brother Ali Post Behind The Scenes Footage of "The Truth"

Jake One & Brother Ali - White Van Music from Three/21 Films on Vimeo.

Spotted over at the Brother Ali MySpace Blog.

New Jake One - "The Truth" (feat. Brother Ali and Freeway")

Download: Jake One - "The Truth" (feat. Brother Ali and Freeway)

You may know Seattle hip-hop producer Jake One from his work with an impressive array of rap artists, including De La Soul, Nas, 50 Cent (which makes sense, what with being a member of the G-Unit production team) and MF Doom. In his many years in the game, One has managed quite an impressive resume. A document that does not, however, include solo artists.

Needless to say, that has changed. On October 7th, Jake One will release his debut album in front of the mic. It's called White Van Music, and it will be released via Rhymesayers, the Minneapolis label that also debuted the first single, "The Truth". The song features a verse from Brother Ali, who knows a thing or two about the truth, specifically its location. In contrast to Ali's reggae-derived sonic rabble-rousing, the beats here are a little more chill, letting the verses from Freeway and Ali take the spotlight. There's a distinctly gospel vibe here, whether is the preacher tone that the Brother takes in his verses, or the haunting harmonies hovering in the background. The focus point here, obviously, is the beat, and Jake One has created another set of rhythms that should look impressive against the rest of his diverse sonic portfolio. Listen to "The Truth" at the top of the post.

Here's the tracklist for White Van Music:

01. I’m Coming feat. Black Milk & Nottz
02. Gangsta Boy feat. M.O.P.
03. The Truth feat. Freeway & Brother Ali
04. Turn It Down
05. God Like feat. D. Black
06. Bless The Child feat. Little Brother
07. Oh Really feat. Posdnuos & Slug
08. Hi
09. Trap Door feat. MF DOOM
10. Dead Wrong feat. Young Buck
11. Kissin' The Curb feat. Bishop Lamont & Busta Rhymes
12. How We Ride feat. Freeway
13. White Van feat. Alchemist, Evidence & Prodigy
14. Big Homie Style feat. J. Pinder, GMK & Spaceman
15. Scared feat. Blueprint
16. Great Sound
17. Get 'Er Done feat. MF DOOM
18. Feelin' My Shit feat. Casual
19. Soil Raps feat. Keak Da Sneak
20. Glow feat. eLZhi & Royce Da 5'9"
21. R.I.P.
22. Home feat. Vitamin D, C Note, Maine & Ish

White Van Music is out Oct. 7th.

Jake One MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)