The Current Music Blog: April 15, 2007 Archive

Decemberists at the U of M? I wish!

Posted at 11:04 AM on April 15, 2007 by Jacquie Fuller (1 Comments)

But there is a University of Minnesota - Decemberists connection. Carson Ellis, the artist responsible for most of the Decemberists' album art, contributed her work for the cover of the latest issue of Dislocate, the national literary journal run by students at the U of M.

I'd been a big fan of her work before I even realized (dusting off my Her Majesty CD one day) that she also did stuff for one of my favorite bands. Come to think of it, a lot of my favorite artists have done album art, like Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine, who did all that cool art on Andrew Bird's last album. Who's your favorite album or rock poster artist?

Note (added 4-15-07, 1:29 PM): The Editor-in-Chief at Dislocate, Emily Freeman, just informed me that, in addition to the cover art, Carson Ellis provided three pieces to the interior of the journal. They're from a book she's been working on with her partner, Decemberists front-man Colin Malloy. Also, I updated that headline so as not to plant any false hopes!

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Block Party Rockin'!

Posted at 1:51 PM on April 15, 2007 by Danny Sigelman (1 Comments)

Because we can never get enough Low or block parties, I was so excited to hear the band will be headlining my neighborhood'sf irst annual block party this year!

Equally groovy are the additions of my buds, Chooglin' and MC/VL on the bill as well. How cool is it there are so many opportunities for outdoor music and fun in this town?!

I have a great memory from my college radio years of hosting one of the first Cedarfests on the West Bank. It was the year Babes In Toyland were really blowing up and we had them headlining the Radio K stage. Right before the band was to hit the stage a man named "Spider" John Koerner walked up to a couple of us who were hanging out behind the stage. He introduced himself(as if we didn't know who he was!) and asked if he could play a little. Babes were getting ready to hit the stage and the crowd was ready to go nuts. We announced we had a special guest and Spider John set up his harmonica and plucked his guitar with a short but sweet blues set. It set the perfect tone like a calm before the storm kind of feeling. My friend, Jim and I just smiled at each other. It was incredible. I recently saw the film Factotum and noticed "Spider" John in a scene that takes place in Palmer's bar on the West Bank.

Speaking of Radio K, I will be making a triumphant return to their airwaves for their Spring Powersurge this Wednesday 4-6pm. Might have to spin a litte Koerner, Ray and Glover to bring it back all full circle!

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