New Video: Jayber Crow - "Freeze and Thaw"

The first video from the folk duo finds the naturalistic Midwest natives creating an entire snowy world from paper cut-outs. The results are quite impressive, considering the pain-staking effort that making this video no doubt took. Normally, I try not to share dialogue from email correspondence, but this note from Crow member Zach Hawkins is to good not to:

"We made the video...just a mere nine months after [2008's Two Short Stories] came out in its tangible form. (Heck, we rarely use microphones when we play, so we figure people can't blame us too much for our tardiness in getting to the digital party.)"

Now that we've seen the results, all we can say is "indeed, welcome! And what the hell took you so long?"

Jayber Crow MySpace Page


Disclaimer: One of the writers of this blog has worked with JB in a professional capacity. The author of this post, however, has no relationship with JB, personal or professional.

Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson Work On New Material

The second part of Rhino's Replacements re-issues, the focus of which is the legendary alt-rock pioneers' major label catalog, has been in stores for two weeks now, allowing both fans and newbies to discover the group's mid-period classics, as well as less regarded efforts. In light of this renewed recognition, a likelihood of a reunion is sadly unlikely. But those hoping to hear collaborative music from principal members of the band can be cautiously optimistic.

Billboard is reporting that Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson are "Messin' Around" with new material.

So sayeth Billboard:

Stinson told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that the trio didn't roll any tape, because "that's getting to first base. We're sort of still in the dugout chewing gum." But he assured that he and Westerberg are "good friends, and I'm sure we're going to work together again."

Hey, so that's something. Let's hope that the duo can create a video as brilliantly satirical as their clip for "Bastards of Young"



(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Gospel Gossip To Record New EP In The Fall

Download: Gospel Gossip - "Shadows Are Bent"

There's something about Gospel Gossip and fall, specifically, it's potentiality. How fitting, then, that the neo-shoegazers are recording a new EP later this month. Here are the deets:

In other news, we'll be recording an EP later this month. Neil Weir is on board and we're going to do a bit at Pachyderm and a bit more at Old Blackberry way. So far, it's going to be a vinyl only release on Guilt Ridden Pop.

And you heard it here first folks, we're going to stay in Minneapolis for a while (contrary to rumors started by us that we'll be moving to NYC). After a long while on the road, we can't ween away from the Minneapolis' teets.

I also heard that the group might have been moving to Chicago. But it looks like that's not coming to fruition. Consider yourself, lucky, MPLS!

*sigh*.

Well, there's always awesome orch-pop and kickass synth-punk

In other GG news, the band placed second on "Picked To Click 2008". Check it out by scrolling down.

Gospel Gossip MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

New Rhymefest - "Make Love" and "Exodus" (Live)

(Rhymefest - "Make Love") via Nah Right and Always Hustle.


(Rhymefest - "Exodus") via Nah Right and Always Hustle.

Chicago rapper Rhymefest, who in 2006 put out one of the year's best albums, Blue Collar, recently debuted two new tracks at the Save Darfur Now concert at UCLA. Always Hustle got video of the performances, and Nah Right reposted it. As for the quality of the songs themselves, both which will likely surface on El Che, Fest's upcoming sophomore album, the second seems to be much, much better than the first, with Fest spitting some truth about the the fragility of life in "Exodus". Although, maybe "Make Love" is supposed to be satire and I'm misreading it. Still, you gotta like the fact that he references both Skype and Okayplayer in the same track.

Watch both videos at the top of the post.

Rhymefest MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)