Tonight: Jenny Dalton @ The Nomad

Jenny Dalton MySpace Page
Boom Boom for Everyone MySpace Page
Scattered Trees MySpace Page
Nightinghales MySpace Page

9 pm doors
$5
21+

Jenny Dalton Announces Free Holiday Show @ Kitty Cat Klub

Download: Jenny Dalton - "Looted Fires"

What: "Home for the Holidays" music show
Who: Jenny Dalton & James Apollo (in town from NYC)
When: Saturday, December 27 at 9:30 pm
Where: Kitty Cat Klub
Cost: Free

Local songstress Jenny Dalton has announced a free holiday show at the Kitty Cat Klub. On Saturday, December 27th, the carrier of Rusalka's Umbrella will hit the stage with fellow songwriter James Apollo at 9:30 p.m. for what will be undoubtedly a evening of fine holiday music. The water subtext prevalent in Umbrella will be an apt one for the evening, with both Jesus' birth two days before, and with everyone freezing their huevos rancheros off because of a wide variety of winter conditions.

See above for more details.

Jenny Dalton - Rusalka's Umbrella

Jenny Dalton
Rusalka's Umbrella (Glossy Shoebox Productions, 2008)
Grade: B

Download: Jenny Dalton - "The Turn and the River"

Speaking of water, Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Jenny Dalton's sophomore album, Rusalka's Umbrella is thematically saturated in high-quality H20. Umbrella is the story of Rusalka, who is described by Dalton as a "the spirit of a young woman banished to the water where she plays along the banks at night and lures the curious into her depths. The Rusalka represents the dichotomies we have lodged into the fabric of ourselves." Accompanying the album is a book titled Daughters of The Dead Sea, a almost 30-page story which further explores the myth of Rusalka.

Needless to say, Dalton is ambitious. But what about the music itself? The answer is pretty straightforward. In terms of her sound, an ethereal, folk-derived, piano-based type of music, what Dalton brings isn't exactly new. Simply put, Kate Bush and Tori Amos got here first. That said, Rusalka's is always a compelling listen, due to Dalton's shrewd arrangements and composition skills. The former allows her to introduce elements such as electronic beats and collages ("Looted Fires"), unexpected tempo changes ("Merry Go Round" and "Bad Seed"), as well touches of world music, like Eastern European folk on "The Turn of the River" and "Alionshka", two energetic elements. Also remarkable, though perhaps unintended, is the Nirvana-like repetition of certain melodic phrases and lyrics. In some of her quiet moments, Dalton has the hushed, passionate calm of Kurt Cobain, particularly on the album's title track, as well as Camus-inspired "The Fall".

Those expecting a loud, Pixies-like catharsis should obviously look elsewhere. But is because of Dalton's soft, but confident vocals, and her ability to throw the occasional sonic curveball (my favorite being alt-rock anthem "Ladies and Gentleman", whose strong rock presence is provides a change in sonic scenery at just the right time) that should keep listeners compelled. While Rusalka's sound may immediately callback her musical foremothers, the narrative ambition and solid songwriting will keep the daughters of the dead sea paying attention.

CD Release party details:

Saturday, Sept. 6th
Ritz Theater in NE Minneapolis.
Doors open 7pm; show starts 8:00pm, and it will end by about 10:30.
All ages are welcome; tickets are $10 at the door (no pre-sales).

Jenny Dalton MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

New Jenny Dalton - "Looted Fires"

Download: Jenny Dalton - "Looted Fires"

Jenny Dalton's previous album, Fleur De Lily, had many different musical elements going for it, including many memorable songs, including "Cadence", in the same vein as the moody, piano-driven, and ethereal vibe as predecessors Kate Bush and Tori Amos. Dalton, however, is also ambitious enough to carve out an identity of her own, both in terms of crafting a memorable live show, and in terms of artistic experimentation.

But any trace of aspiration that's been present in her previous work will undoubtedly be dwarfed by her new, upcoming concept album titled Rusalka's Umbrella, which will be released sometime in October. Not only is the record, in Dalton's own words, inspired by "the water element... (and) Twin Peaks, the Morton Salt Girl, The Shipping News, ghosts, Memoirs of a Geisha, folktales, The Fall by Albert Camus, the 35W bridge collapse, Mermaids, and more." Not only that, but Umbrella will also come on heels of its own book, Dalton's first, titled Daughters of the Dead Sea, which will be released later this year.

Frankly, I'm not sure how much more can be fit into an entire album's worth of material, but if first single "Looted Fires" is any indication, the pleasure of finding out will be entirely ours. Starting out with a melancholy piano line and breathy vocals, Dalton sings the main refrain "Is it real/this desertion?/S.O.S" as a violin plays a counterpoint melody. Over the course of the track, electronic drums come into focus by playing a kind-of march, giving the "Fires" a determined drive that might not have been there without them. With cryptic lyrics and haunting melodies, Dalton once again piques the listener's interest with music that's both familiar and fresh.

Listen to "Looted Fires" at the top of the post.

Jenny Dalton MySpace Page

Check out the deets of Dalton's September CD Release party.

(Jonathan Graef)

Jenny Dalton Announces Second Annual Multi-Media Show

Though Minneapolis-based pianist/singer-songwriter Jenny Dalton may be compared to many other artists—Little Earthquakes-era Tori Amos is one; Kate Bush is another—the redheaded friend of the Twin Cities need not worry about being labeled as derivative. Even if she were, all she would need to rebut such claims would be point to her own visual creativity, as well as her penchant for re-arrangements. Last year, Dalton showcased her talent for images and sonic pastiches at the Bryant Lake Bowl by debuting several videos and remixes of tracks from her debut record Fleur De Lily. That re-mix album, Carbon Lily, was released later in 2007. Check out some of the handiwork:



But, in order to debut some of the material, as well as to flesh out her more well-established songs, Dalton put together a multi-media event with a 7-piece band.

The event was such a success that Dalton is doing it all again. And, like last year, this year’s multi-media extravaganza will surely enrapt the audience. Check this out, via Dalton herself:

This year's multimedia show will feature the Best of the 48-Hour Film Festival, and Dalton will be joined on stage with former Cloud Cult members Dan Greenwood on drums, Mara Stemm on bass, and Deborah Copperud on cello as well as by folk heroine Eliza Blue on violin and back-up vocals. The 2-hour performance will be accompanied by artist El Perdido's live illustrations and other surprises...

Other surprises? But what, who, could that be? Yup, you guessed it. Frank Stallone.

In all seriousness, the barebones details sound quite enticing. So set your calendar aside for July 24th, because that’s when it all goes down. Tix are $8 for an all-ages show. Doors are at six, and the two-hour performance begins at 7. Buy advance tickets here.

In other Dalton news, Ms. Jenny has released the latest episode of her podcast, which you can listen to here. here

Check out another video of Dalton in action. From last year's BSB show, she's performing her song "Awake".



Jenny Dalton MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

CD Release Parties: Jenny Dalton At The Kitty Cat Klub; Dan Israel At The Varsity

Download: Jenny Dalton - "Bad Day Vs. Nytwowl"
Download: Dan Israel - "News To Me"
Download: Martin Devaney - "Mockingbird Wish Me Luck"
Download: Stook - "When It All Comes Crashing Down"

Two of Minneapolis's premier singer-songwriters,Jenny Dalton Dan Israel, are going to be having CD release parties tonight. Israel will be playing the Varsity Theatre, along with Martin Devaney and Stook, and celebrating the release of his ninth album Turning. Dalton will be playing at the Kitty Cat Klub in support of her CD titled Carbon Lily Remixes.

Furthermore, Dalton's show doubles as a costume party, since its near Halloween and everything. I'll be going as "guy who lives 400 miles away and logistically cannot make the show". What are your costume ideas?

Details about the Israel show here and details about the Dalton show here.

Dan Israel MySpace Page
Jenny Dalton MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Videos: Jenny Dalton, The Little Ones

Jenny Dalton - "Cadence vs Hugo Varvoglis"

Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jenny Dalton has a new remix album coming out on 26th titled Carbon Lily Remixes. The albums, as you can imagine, is devoted entirely to the electronic remixes of her debut album, 2006's Fleur De Lily. Lily was acclaimed by many local scribes, so it will be interesting to see the reaction to this project of hers.

See for yourself if you like Dalton's dabbling with electronic beats and textures by watching her video for "Cadence vs Hugo Varvoglis" at the top of this post.

Tonight, Dalton will be playing at Java Jack's. On Oct. 26th, she'll have a Costume/CD Release party at the Kitty Cat Club. Read details about it here.

MySpace Page



The Little Ones - "Oh, MJ"

In looking for hyperlinks for April's Voxtrot review, I found myself wanting to check out more of The Little Ones. I am a sucker for precise, effervescent power-pop as well, and this definitely hit the spot. It's like The Little Ones are musical Robin Hoods: they rightfully steal musical sunshine and give it to the rest of us.

While the video for "Oh, MJ" is far from new, it's definitely worth a view.

MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Tonight! Special Multimedia Jenny Dalton Show At Bryant Lake Bowl Theater

Download: Jenny Dalton - "At Ease"

Jenny Dalton is playing a special multimedia show TONIGHT, July 27th, at the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater. The concert, sponsored by The Current, will consist of Minneapolis-based Dalton and her band playing songs from last year's debut release Fleur de Lily and will also showcase work from local film makers and artists. So get to the Bryant and support your local artists!

The show is an all-ages event, doors open at 7, and the show itself will be from 8 to 10. Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 in advance. Buy those tickets here.

Purchase Fleur De Lily here.

(Jonathan Graef)