Email Author Andrea Swensson

Awards

• 2010 - Page One Contest/Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists

  Year in Music

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2009 Stories by Andrea Swensson

• Mike 2600 releases EP, offers free mp3s

  published Dec 02, 2009

  Local DJ and Burlesque of North America owner Mike Davis, aka Mike 2600, has announced the release of his new EP, Ready to Rock, via Crossfaded Bacon. To promote this old school, part-R&B, part-di... More >>

• Guante and Big Cats! prepare for CD-release show

  published Dec 02, 2009

  As they prepare to drop their new collaboration next weekend, talented writer/MC/activist Guante and producer Big Cats! have created this promo video, shot in their practice space. Watch as Guante, in... More >>

• Off With Their Heads sign with Epitaph

  published Dec 02, 2009

  According to Rich over at Switchblade Comb, local punk rockers Off With Their Heads have recently signed a deal with Epitaph Records, which has housed national acts like NOFX, the Offspring, and owner... More >>

• Deep Blues Film Festival lineup announced

  published Dec 02, 2009

  After presenting the successful Deep Blues Festival this past summer, organizer Chris Johnson has announced a follow-up event that will take place next month as part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival: T... More >>

• Jeremy Messersmith plays "Skyway"... in a real Minneapolis skyway

  published Dec 01, 2009

  We got such an overwhelmingly positive response from the last MPLS.TV video of Jeremy Messersmith that we posted that they've sent us a bonus follow-up video: Here's a clip of Jeremy playing his cover... More >>

• McNally Smith hip-hop program featured in the New York Times

  published Dec 01, 2009

  Some of you may have seen this over on MNSpeak already, but the McNally Smith hip-hop program, a 45-credit study in hip-hop business, music, and history which was just formally launched this fall seme... More >>

• Win Doomtree Blowout V tickets today at 2 p.m.

  published Dec 01, 2009

  It's Free Ticket Tuesday once again, and today we are celebrating the fifth annual Doomtree Blowout by offering a pair of tickets to their First Avenue show this Saturday night. Be the first to answer... More >>

• The xx, "Night Time" and "Crystalised" live at the Triple Rock

  published Dec 01, 2009

  For those of you who missed last night's sold-out show at the Triple Rock, openers the xx lived up to the hype and played a solid set of songs off their breakout album, xx. The band only faltered in a... More >>

• Flyer of the Week: The Goondas, Power of 2, Farms

  published Dec 01, 2009

  Thanks to Max Becker, drummer for Power of 2 and mastermind behind Northern Outpost, for submitting this fantastic flyer for his show on Saturday night with the Goondas and Farms. "I made it with my t... More >>

• The 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute

  published December 2, 2009

  Rumor has it that on December 8, 1980, upon hearing the news of John Lennon's death, local legend Curtiss A stumbled into the 7th St. Entry,... More >>

• Total Babe

  published December 2, 2009

  Though their EP has already garnered a bit of positive press locally, Total Babe's debut, Heatwave, has yet to be made available to the... More >>

• So It Goes bid farewell this weekend

  published Nov 30, 2009

  "As some of you may have heard, the rumors are true: after several years of new-punk-wave dance rockin to our hearts' content, we're hanging up the spurs and giving up the ghost to chase new challenge... More >>

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  Slideshows: Ike Reilly, the Cranberries, and more

  published Nov 30, 2009

  Ike Reilly played to a packed, drunken house Wednesday night for his annual Thanksgiving Eve show at First Avenue. As the drinks flowed freely, Reilly intertwined songs from his new album, Hard Luck S... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Replacements tribute unites the local scene at First Ave

  published Nov 30, 2009

  Every so often, a special show comes along that calls on musicians from seemingly every corner of the local scene to come together and throw a big, communal party. More and more frequently, First Aven... More >>

• Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros at the Electric Fetus (videos)

  published Nov 30, 2009

  Before heading to the Varsity Theater for Sunday night's sold-out show, LA folk-rock group Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros crowded into the newly remodeled south wing of the Electric Fetus record... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Thanksgiving weekend concert guide

  published Nov 25, 2009

  Let's face it -- the best part about Thanksgiving isn't the turkey, or the pie, or the relatives, or the napping. It's the fact that many of us have a four day weekend on our hands, giving us no excus... More >>

• Dan and Matt Wilson announce duo show

  published Nov 24, 2009

  rThough they each play around town fairly often, it's a rare treat to see brothers Dan and Matt Wilson side by side -- Dan is most often seen playing solo or at Semisonic reunions, while Matt'... More >>

• Cryns #3, "Run, Run, Runnnn!"

  published Nov 24, 2009

  Local high-energy rock band Cryns #3 just released a new video for their single "Run, Run, Runnnnn!" Unsurprisingly, it includes footage of people booking it across the city. Thanks to Perfect Porridg... More >>

• The Hold Steady and Brother Ali collaborate on "Forest Whitaker"

  published Nov 23, 2009

  Thank you, thank you, thank you times 1.4 million to my friend Kyle for locating this video for me, it has made my week. After seeing Brother Ali's tweet that he was rushing from his second sold-out g... More >>

• Halloween, Alaska announce remix EP

  published Nov 23, 2009

  In case the thought of Haley Bonar back in town to play a pair of shows wasn't enough to get you over to the Cedar this weekend, co-headliners Halloween, Alaska are upping the ante by offering a new r... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Slideshows: A Prairie Home Companion, Stachefest, and more

  published Nov 23, 2009

  A Prairie Home Companion returned to the State Theater this weekend, delighting audiences with its down-home humor and engrossing storytelling and featuring some amazing musical talent. Host Garrison ... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Brother Ali's Fresh Air tour wraps up in Minneapolis

  published Nov 23, 2009

  Photos by B Fresh Photography, click here for slideshow.Pure joy. That's what a Brother Ali show feels like, and this weekend's pair of sold-out shows at First Avenue found the hip-hop heavyweight eve... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Mason Jennings returns to form at First Avenue

  published Nov 23, 2009

  First things first: Our hats are off to First Avenue this morning for giving the Twin Cities three consecutive nights of sold-out local shows in its Main Room over the weekend. After successful back-t... More >>

• Solid Gold footage from Brooklyn shows

  published Nov 13, 2009

  In anticipation for tonight's headlining gig at First Avenue, check out these videos of Solid Gold playing live in Brooklyn over the weekend of the CMJ Marathon. The first video was recorded at the Br... More >>

• Lazerbeak to speak at the Whole next week

  published Nov 13, 2009

  As part of the Whole's continuing Making Music series at the University of Minnesota, Doomtree producer Lazerbeak will make an appearance next week. "At 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 19th, he'll talk a... More >>