Kevin Bowe

Funkytown screening and live performances set for St. Paul

Like it or not, Lipps Inc's disco-fueled jam, "Funkytown," is an indelible 80's anthem that will forever be linked with the Twin Cities sound. Now there is a new European TV series named after the song called Funkytown, which highlights and examines the musical culture of six American cities -- and, ... More >>

SXSW 2013: A handy Minnesota music guide

The South By Southwest Music Conference seems perfectly timed each year with the exact moment when bands and music fans from the North have reached their collective breaking points with the interminable winter months, and communally head down to Austin, Texas in a grand, musical migration. Despite ... More >>

Local Frames: New videos from Cloud Cult, the Ocean Blue, Enemy Planes, and more

As the Twin Cities music scene grows, more and more artists are creating music that demands our attention. Combine the music with talented filmmakers locally and beyond, and you have a fruitful mix of distinct skills that generates more locally connected music videos than ever before. While it's im ... More >>

Zach Sobiech at Varsity Theater, 2/16/13

Up, Up, Up: A Benefit for the Zach Sobiech FundWith Vicci Martinez, Apollo Cobra, Kevin Bowe & the Okemah Prophets, and moreVarsity Theater, MinneapolisSaturday, February 16, 2013Forgive the heavy hearts at the Varsity Theater on Saturday. Zach Sobiech, a prodigious 17-year-old singer-songwrite ... More >>

The best concerts in the Twin Cities this week: 1/30-2/5

The Twin Cities is starting to thaw out as January comes to an end. Friday night is especially busy. Retribution Gospel Choir plays the Turf Club while Minneapolis pays tribute to Joe Strummer in the First Avenue Mainroom. Semisonic songwriter Dan Wilson and brother Matt Wilson play a set at Pantage ... More >>

The Replacements' Songs For Slim producer Ed Ackerson shares session details

Today is the day that longtime fans of the Replacements have been waiting anxiously for. At 10 a.m. Twin Cities time, 250 limited-edition copies of what the Songs For Slim website is calling "the first new Replacements release since 1990's All Shook Down," goes up for auction. The exclusive 10" viny ... More >>

The Replacements' Songs For Slim EP gets tracklisting and cover art as auction details emerge

As the excitement continues to build around the Replacements' new benefit EP, Songs For Slim, more information about the project continues to filter out. In addition to the full track-listing for the EP as well as the Chris Mars designed album art (featured above), details have also emerged about wh ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: The Bad Plus, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Soul Asylum

It's the last weekend of 2012! Why not squeeze in a couple of shows before the year closes? Local jazz heros The Bad Plus are continuing their Dakota Jazz Club stay into Friday and Saturday while the Trans-Siberian Orchestra makes their annual holiday stop at The Xcel. Friday, First Ave hosts Soul A ... More >>

MN Original leaps forward

New Lowertown Line series takes a closer look at live local music

Twin Cities Year in Music 2012

From P.O.S. to Prince to Polica, 2012 was a golden year in Minnesota music

Weekend Checklist: Bruce Springsteen, Communist Daughter, Actual Wolf

Election season is over...and so is this week! First Avenue is hosting Pert Near Sandstone this Friday in the Mainroom while Picked to Click finalist, Actual Wolf plays a set at the Harriet Brewing Company. Communist Daughter takes a brief stop from their tour to play a show at the Amsterdam, Saturd ... More >>

More Replacements benefit EP details as Slim Dunlap nears hospital exit

Paul Westerberg recently confirmed that he and Tommy Stinson reunited as the Replacements to record four covers for a benefit EP to help their pal Slim Dunlap. A longer interview with Rolling Stone has emerged today, and included in the details is some updated news about the condition of Dunlap, who ... More >>

The Replacements back together on covers EP to benefit Slim Dunlap

After six years apart, the Replacements' singer-guitarist Paul Westerberg and bassist Tommy Stinson have officially reunited. As tipped back in June, when Stinson said the old bandmates were working on a track together, the plan has expanded into a limited edition 10-inch vinyl EP, according to Roll ... More >>

Local Frames: Videos from the Tallest Man On Earth, Wiping Out Thousands, Toki Wright, and more

As the Twin Cities music scene grows, more and more artists are creating music that demands our attention. Combine the music with talented filmmakers locally and beyond, and you have a fruitful mix of distinct skills that generates more locally connected music videos than ever before. While it's im ... More >>

Paul Westerberg shares brand new track "My Road Now"

There really hasn't been anything conventional about the music or the means of Paul Westerberg's recent creative output. Whether it's surprising the music world by making a collection of his lo-fi home recordings, 49:00, available digitally on Amazon for 49¢ in 2008, then cheekily releasing a compa ... More >>

Alison Scott set to tour Minnesota on state's arts funding

A tremendous amount of creativity and talent has been fostered by the funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board's arts and cultural heritage fund since it was passed by the state's voters in 2008. Countless musicians and artists from all over Minnesota have received much needed support from the fu ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: West Bank Music Festival, Heiruspecs, Hugh Laurie

Friday is the night of tribute shows. We Are Not Ween rocks the mainroom of First Avenue, while The Big Pink performs their annual homage to The Band's last show known as "The Last Waltz". If you're in St. Paul, stop by the Amsterdam to hear Jonny James & the Hall of Fames cover The Be ... More >>

Local Frames: New videos from Poliça, Paper Tiger, Sleep Study, and more

See Also:Local Frames: New videos from Now, Now, Howler, Bloodnstuff, Astronautalis, and morePoliça sign to Mom Pop, unveil Dark Star EPAs the Twin Cities music scene grows, more and more artists are creating music that demands our attention. Combine the music with talented filmmakers locally and ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Rock for Pussy, Rock the Vine, Greg Laswell, Too Short

This is definitely a weekend reserved for rock with Rock for Pussy, a tribute to David Bowie at First Ave. on Friday and Rock the Vine, a day reserved for music and wine tasting, on Saturday. Minneapalooza will be taking over Nick & Eddie's and Joe's Garage on Saturday with many local musicians. ... More >>

Kevin Bowe on writing with Paul Westerberg, the current "scene," and his record release at Varsity tonight

Kevin Bowe has seen it all in the Twin Cities. After cutting his musical teeth opening for the Replacements and Hüsker Dü in the '80s, Bowe later directed his talents towards songwriting for artists as diverse as Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and 3 Dog Night. He ... More >>

Alison Scott collaborates with local musicians on new covers album

The soulful singer Alison Scott is about to release her latest studio album, Hiding Under the Covers, Volume II, a collection of covers that includes pieces by Elliott Smith, Radiohead, and Elton John to name a few.Deciding to intersperse her original releases with cover albums came as a natural de ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Freedy Johnston, Social Distortion, Florence and the Machine, Haley Bonar

This weekend in music is a throwback with Freedy Johnston in St. Paul and Social Distortion across town with a sold-out show. The rest of the heavy-hitters are also performing on Friday with Haley Bonar co-headlining with Peter Wolf Crier, while Rogue Valley performs a free show at the U of M, and r ... More >>

Paul Westerberg collaboration appears on Kevin Bowe's new record

As Twin Cities music fans wait patiently for any sign of stirring from Paul Westerberg, there is a small bit of creative activity from the former 'Mats frontman on the forthcoming new record from renowned Minneapolis songwriter/producer/guitarist Kevin Bowe and his band the Okemah Prophets. Bowe ... More >>

Valentine's Day: Celebrate on the cheap

​ With Valentine's Day falling on a Tuesday this year, we're guessing that many folks will procrastinate on putting together any special plans. But just because you elected to wait until Monday doesn't mean that you can't still plan something awesome for your sweetheart. Looking for ideas? We've p ... More >>

Mary Jane Alm comes full circle with her first album in 25 years

​Let's play Charades: Three words, four syllables. Musically talented, has sang in a production with David Byrne, and won multiple awards for her contributions to the music community.  The answer? Mary Jane Alm.More than just a respected musician, expressive singer, and accomplished songwrite ... More >>

The First Annual Alison Scott Escape from Your Weird Family Holiday Show

Al Kooper honored at the Dakota Jazz Club

All photos by Steve CohenAl Kooper with Ashleigh Still and Alison Scott​A sizable crew of esteemed local musicians gathered at the Dakota Sunday night to pay tribute to rock 'n' roll legend Al Kooper with a set of covers that spanned his entire career. According to photographer Steve Cohen, Al him ... More >>

Al Kooper

Amos Lee, the Bangles, Apples in Stereo: Critics' Picks

Al Kooper talks Dylan, Conan, Hendrix, and lifetime in the music business

All photos courtesy AlKooper.com​INTERVIEW BY RICK MASONKeyboardist, guitarist, songwriter and producer Al Kooper's uncanny presence and participation in landmark musical events over the past half-century have made him the rock equivalent of Forrest Gump or Zelig. His long association with Bob Dyl ... More >>

Patches & Gretchen brings her "freakout folk punk" to the Varsity

The avant garde singer-songwriter put on a fantastic show.

Patches & Gretchen (CD-Release)

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Afrika Bambaataa, and more

Patches & Gretchen: Sugar Head Pie

Local Music Yearbook '06

Prince went to Vegas. Smokers went to Maplewood. Tapes 'N Tapes went to the moon. And sometime after the last zombie dance party got busted, we wrote it all down for you.

In Da Club: Kevin Bowe and High on Stress at the Terminal Bar

Sound Check

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Sound Check

A Power of Ten

Slug's love bug, Kat Bjelland's exorcism, Dave Pirner's throbbing shins: Ten years of local music served on ten great platters.

Wrecking Balls, Meet the press, The rites of summer and Low-power readings.

Prairie Blues

A Native band plays slave music on the great plains.

Last Writes