The Current Music Blog: March 11, 2009 Archive

Today In Music History, 3-10-09

Posted at 7:53 AM on March 11, 2009 by Steve Seel (1 Comments)

1950 - Bobby McFerrin was born.
1961 - Mike Percy (Dead Or Alive: "You Spin Me Round, Like A Record") was born.
1968 - Otis Redding's "Dock Of The Bay" went gold.
1968 - Lisa Loeb was born.
1972 - Neil Young's album Harvest was #1 in the US & UK.
1993 - Oasis recorded their first demos in Liverpool.
2005 - The front door of Ozzy Osbourne's childhood home went up for sale because the current owner was fed up with fans defacing it.

Music History Highlight: On this day in 1978, the debut single from Kate Bush, 'Wuthering Heights' a song inspired by the Emily Bronte novel, started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart. Bush's debut album, The Kick Inside, was a sensation in England when it was released, but failed to make a significant impression in the US. With the exception, that is, of those lucky enough to catch her performance on Saturday Night Live, perched atop a grand piano, dressed in (if I remember correctly) a leopardskin bodysuit, singing "The Man With The Child In His Eyes." I also remember the evenings host, Eric Idle, introducing her and saying she was "very nervous."

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The 9:30 Coffee Break for Tuesday

Posted at 9:37 AM on March 11, 2009 by Steve Seel (3 Comments)

I'd asked for "happy local tunes" today, in response to a new Gallup poll that came out yesterday ranking Minnesota as the "5th happiest state in the country." (We fall behind Hawaii, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. I know - Wyoming? Really?)

Anyway, your suggestions were wide-ranging and awesome - from Prince and Westerberg to Motion City Soundtrack, The Hang-Ups and Dosh. The winners:

1) Atmosphere, "Sunshine"
2) Best Friends Forever, "Handpocket"
3) Unknown Prophets, "Summertime"

Atmosphere and Unknown Prophets got a landslide of votes. (Does it say anything that MN's happiest music is apparently about summer?)

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Song Of The Day Info - Youth Group 03/11/09

Posted at 10:30 AM on March 11, 2009 by Barb Abney

Song Of The Day Info - Youth Group 03/11/09
Today on our Song Of The Day Podcast we're featuring Youth Group with the tune " All This Will Pass" from their fourth studio album, The Night Is Ours which will be released domestically on April 7th.
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Live Blogging 03/11/09

Posted at 11:01 AM on March 11, 2009 by Barb Abney

1:55 p.m. Calexico
They are the house band for tonight's R.E.M. Tribute Concert.

1:50 p.m. Gomez
They will release A New Tide on March 31st. But if you pre-order a copy here you can get it autographed!
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1:30 p.m. Andrew Bird
He's playing State Theater on April 11th.
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1:20 p.m. Local Music - Idle Hands
They're playing Are You Local? - The SXSW Send-Off Showcase at First Avenue Saturday night along with Solid Gold, Jeremy Messersmith, Sims (of Doomtree), Gospel Gossip, First Communion Afterparty, Bella Koshka and others.
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1:15 p.m. Dan Auerbach
Check out his recent in-studio interview/performance.

1:10 p.m. PJ Harvey and John Parish
Their sophomore project together, A Woman A Man Walked By will be released on March 31st.
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12:50 p.m. Local Music - Halloween, Alaska
Their forthcoming record, Champagne Downtown will be released April 7th. The CD release show is at First Avenue on April 10th.
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12:35 a.m. Local Music - The Dynamiters
They're playing His Mischief's CD release show at Turf Club Friday night.
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12:30 p.m. Morrissey
We reviewed his latest, Years Of Refusal last night on Musicheads.
He's playing State Theater on April 6th.
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11:45 a.m. Franz Ferdinand
They're playing First Avenue on April 28th.
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11:40 a.m. Local Music - His Mischief
Their CD release show for The Perfect Lover is Friday night at Turf Club.
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11:20 a.m. Raphael Saadiq
He'll be dropping by Friday afternoon for an in-studio interview/performance with Mark Wheat before his at The Fine Line Music Cafe. Mark Wheat will have another chance for you to win tickets to that show later this afternoon.
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11:15 a.m. Lily Allen
She's playing First Avenue on April 11th.
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11:10 a.m. Lady Sovereign
Her sophomore release, Jigsaw will come out on April 7th.
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10:50 a.m. Hot Chip & Peter Gabriel
Here's a little more information about the XL Sampler featuring the Vampire Weekend cover.

10:45 a.m. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Their forthcoming record, It's Blitz! and will be released on April 14th.
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10:40 a.m. The Gaslight Anthem
They're playing The Varsity with Heartless Bastards on April 4th.
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10:35 a.m. The Decemberists
The Hazards of Love will be released on March 24th. They'll be performing the album in full at SxSW at Stubbs on March 18th.
Steve Seel will interview Colin Meloy tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.
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10:25 a.m. BLK JKS (Black Jacks)
Their Mystery EP hit the shelves yesterday.
You can download the tune "Lakeside" here.
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10:15 a.m. Feist and Ben Gibbard
"Train Song" is featured on the Dark Was The Night compilation.
Just Announced! Dark Was The Night - Live at Radio City Music Hall on May 3rd.
In related Ben Gibbard news: Death Cab For Cutie are playing Roy Wilkins Auditorium with Cold War Kids and Ra Ra Riot on April 15th.
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In related Feist news: She's been nominated for a Juno Award in the Fan Choice category.
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My 3 Songs 03/11/09

Posted at 12:17 PM on March 11, 2009 by Barb Abney

My 3 Songs 03/11/09
John McCambridge from Edina picked this set because..

"I enjoy these songs immensely. In my own selfish way, I believe they represent who I am. Each has a groove all its' own. Yet together they create the atmosphere in which I live."

"Sugar Free Jazz" - Soul Coughing
"Driven To Tears" - The Police
"Blue Lines" - Massive Attack

Make your "My 3 Songs" requests here.