Western Europe

The Joy Formidable's Ritzy Bryan: Don't compare us to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Don't compare the Joy Formidable to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Don't compare them to Courtney Love for that matter, either. In fact, lead singer Ritzy Bryan doesn't want to be paralleled to any other female singer at all. "There's ladies doing their thing, and that's really great, but we're all very diffe ... More >>

The Ajax at Amsterdam Bar: Get down and go Dutch with this drink of the week

The Ajax Amsterdam Bar and Hall $7 Countryside tulips and wooden shoes aside, Amsterdam is a party city, and its namesake joint in downtown St. Paul lives up to the reputation. With live music careening off the walls and a bar menu stacked with creative ways to get tipsy on gin you've never heard o ... More >>

Girls Got Rhythm Fest announces 2013 Lineup

The inaugural Girls Got Rhythm Fest deserves an emphatic high-five. If not only for booking an astounding two-day lineup headlined by such esteemed talent as Ronnie Spector -- Gimme Noise is still levitating over her Johnny Thunders cover -- but also for getting Minneapolis's lazy bones over to the ... More >>

French Hen and Chez Arnaud offer Parisian charms

Mouthwatering French cuisine makes it big in St. Paul

Dave Fulton

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 >>

Weekend Checklist: The xx, Eric Hutchinson, Heartless Bastards

The weekend is off to a great start! Friday, First Avenue welcomes English duo The xx to the Mainroom while the Amsterdam hosts St.Paulapalooza. Saturday, all hell will break loose in the pre-teen scene as Justin Bieber makes his way to the Target Center while Eric Hutchinson plays a more mature set ... More >>

How to Survive a Plague Is a Stirring History of ACT UP

Documentary interviews AIDS activists about the darkest days of the crisis

Cloud Nothings at Amsterdam Bar and Hall, 9/16/12

Cloud NothingsWith Chomp and BloodnstuffAmsterdam Bar and Hall, St. PaulSunday, September 16, 2012See Also:Cloud Nothings' Dylan Baldi tells it like it isIf indie rock needs a new anti-hero to rally around, then Amsterdam Bar and Hall might have had just the guy onstage Sunday night. Cleveland-bred ... More >>

2 Days in New York strives for self-fulfillment

Julie Delpy revisits some friends and neuroses from 2 Days in Paris

Weekend Checklist: Die Antwoord, Sharon Van Etten and Dosh

We may not have Lollapalooza, but there are still plenty of bands in the Twin Cities this weekend. This Friday Dosh releases his new 7" at the 7th Street Entry while Haley Bonar takes on the Turf, fronting the new wave band Gramma's Boyfriend. Be sure to hang around First Ave and the Entry Satu ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Owl City, Hot Chip, Dirty Projectors, Kid Rock

The prodigal son Owl City will be perform a sold-out show at the Varsity Theater on Friday evening, but if you are older than 14, Hot Chip will rock the First Avenue stage in Downtown Minneapolis. MaLLy will perform a free show at Northrop Plaza, but make sure you show up in time to catch the infect ... More >>

Wabasha Days 2012 at Amsterdam Bar & Hall lineup

With this weekend's River's Edge Music Festival, next weekend's Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and the just announced Wabasha Days Saint Paul, the city that always sleeps is starting to really look alive for music fans.Presented by Lowertown Dutch-inspired pub the Amsterdam Bar and Hall and 89.3 the Cur ... 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 >>

The Growler, local beer magazine, launches today

Not many cities have their own beer-focused magazine. Although there may be others, Philly Beer Scene is the only one I'm aware of. But the Twin Cities are about to join that rarefied group. The Growler, a new brew-centric, bi-monthly published by beer-fest producer the Beer Dabbler launches today w ... More >>

New Belgium Urban Assault Ride

Girls Got Rhythm Fest Day 1 at Amsterdam Bar, 5/11/12

Girls Got Rhythm Fest Day 1With the Muffs, Pierced Arrows, White Mystery, Caroline & the Treats, the Pinsch, and Hot RashAmsterdam Bar & Hall, St. PaulFriday, May 11, 2012Related:Slideshow: Girls Got Rhythm FestivalGirls Got Rhythm Fest Day 2 at Amsterdam Bar, 5/12/12If anyone in the Amsterd ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Neon Indian, Retribution Gospel Choir, Culture Cry Wolf, Loudon Wainwright III

Looks like spring has brought a flurry of creativity with five local bands releasing albums this weekend starting with The Shiny Lights, who pulls members from many of other local bands in town. Other CD releases include The Lower 48, Pennyroyal, Big Villain, and Dave Olson; that's enough new music ... 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 >>

Weekend Checklist: Guster, Caroline Smith, First Aid Kit, Ferry Corsten

With the change in weather, there is a need to shake off the winter blues and socialize more. Headlining the Dakota fresh off their tour is Davina and the Vagabonds, while Guster share the stage at The Pantages with comedian Jeff Garlin. If you don't have tickets to the First Aid Kit at the Cedar Cu ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Needtobreathe, Fanfarlo, Nada Surf, Bowerbirds

​A big focus of Weekend Checklist is local music, because there is so much good local artists in the Cities, but we often forget that Minneapolis and St. Paul is not always a flyover area for national artists. This weekend we welcome to Fanfarlo, Bowerbirds, Nada Surf, and Needtobreathe; a few of ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: G. Love, Alison Scott, Dave Barnes, Kevin Steinman

​ Drinking and live music are of the utmost importance on St. Patrick's Day, a day reserved for celebrating Irish pride. Grab a dancing partner, and do a jig because most venues around town this weekend will be featuring live music along the Celtic vein to go accompany your Guinness or Shamrock Sh ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: The Honeydogs, Luke Redfield, Lady Antebellum, Matt Nathanson

​Austin, TX has become the mecca for performing artists of all genres.  The Twin Cities will have a strong presence in the land of hipsters mixed with corporate sponsorships and industry professionals.  For those that can't make the trip down south, catch them this weekend before they ma ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: The Melismatics, Get Cryphy, Dropkick Murphys, Orgy

​It's been said many times that the Twin Cities are a breeding ground for musicians.  This weekend alone we have five CD releases from locals; some, like the Melismatics, are veterans in this game, while others like the Readygoes are just getting their start in the scene. No matter where thes ... More >>

Drinking and learning on tap this week in food

Learning and drinking: two things we're not opposed to, especially when done together. If you feel the same way then this is your week. We've got classes, beer dinners, classes on making beer, and even an afternoon dedicated to healthy eating. Dive in.

Amsterdam Bar & Hall: A chat with co-owner Jarret Oulman

​There was a wave of excitement in St. Paul when Amsterdam Bar and Hall first opened its doors in September. The new 450-capactiy venue, along with neighbors Eclipse Records and Big Table Studio, marked a new venture to increase the cultural footprint of the city. With established scene figures ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Heartless Bastards, Martin Zellar, O.A.R, The Darkness

​ "My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary." - Martin Luther

Howler hit the right notes with debut album

America Give Up not burdened by big expectations

Astronautalis produces new Bleubird album 'Cannonball!!!'

​Recent Minnesota-transplant Astronautalis didn't take long to ingratiate himself in the Twin Cities music community, easily winning over local music fans with his high-spirited live shows and genuine talent. But he hasn't forgotten about his Florida friends, and has teamed up with his ... More >>

Holiday Trivia & Chesnut Roast

Coldplay will wrap up 2012 tour in St. Paul

​Am I the only one who has trouble reconciling the idea that Coldplay circa 2011 is the same Coldplay that released Parachutes back in 2000? Having never seen the group live, I always imagined my first Coldplay show would be in a stuffy theater somewhere, in a red velvet seat tailor-made for sitti ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: The Hold Steady, Mates of State, The Suburbs, Mat Kearney

​There are never enough days in the weekend.

Beaujolais Nouveau is coming: Here's where to celebrate like the French

All Beaujolais is not nouveau, bit it's a reason to have a good timeNovember 17! Mark your calendar. The third Thursday of November is the traditional debut of the world's freshest, least pretentious wine: Beaujolais Nouveau. One of the best places to celebrate this year may be at the Jeune Lune Ev ... More >>

SXSW announces first 2012 showcasing bands, including Minneapolitans Howler

​Oh lordy. It isn't time to think about SXSW already, is it? It seem like all that long ago that Minneapolis bands were swarming the streets of Austin, Texas in search of free beer and food trucks, and when Gimme Noise threw our first-ever Minnesota music showcase with First Avenue.But according t ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: They Might Be Giants, Lydia, Dessa, LIGHTS

Every show this weekend is Halloween-themed...​ make sure you have a costume ready.

Amsterdam Bar and Hall is a Dutch treat in St. Paul

Rock club also offers an unusual menu

Eclipse Records talk about their new location

Eclipse Records has had a challenging history, as has been covered rather thoroughly in the past by City Pages. The store spent 1999-2003 on Grand Avenue, re-opened on University Ave from 2008-2010, and is now settling into a downtown St. Paul location that, no doubt, owner Joe Furth would like to ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Peter Wolf Crier, Ani DiFranco, Mayda, Rural Alberta Advantage

​This change in weather must have brought along a wave of creativity...more CD releases this weekend!

New Belgium Urban Assault Ride

Amsterdam Bar & Hall pulls in a packed crowd for opening night

Photos by Erik Hess​The term "soft opening" hardly seems like an accurate way to describe last night's bustling first night of business for St. Paul's newest venue, Amsterdam Bar & Hall. Even the mayor of St. Paul, Chris Coleman, showed up to celebrate his 50th birthday in the new space, along ... More >>

Amsterdam Bar & Hall opens tonight for a preview with Red Pens and BNLX

Photo by Dave Wiegardt​As we reported last week, the new downtown St. Paul music venue Amsterdam Bar & Hall is opening its doors for the first time tonight for a preview, which will feature performances by Red Pens, BNLX, and Lillian and the Harveys in addition to offering concertgoers the fir ... More >>

Low release NYC subway-themed 'Especially Me' video

​Longtime audio/visual collaborators Low and local film and video director Phil Harder have churned out another stunning masterpiece together. The new clip for "Especially Me" -- from this year's C'Mon, the band's 9th full length release -- features vocalist/drummer Mimi Parker aboard a New Yo ... More >>

Independent labels suffer loss of stock as Sony warehouse burns in London riots

​As London recovers from its third straight night of rioting, news is spreading back to the U.S. that over 150 record labels that use PIAS UK to distribute their physical stock abroad have likely lost huge amounts of inventory in a fire. A massive three-story Sony complex that housed the entirety ... More >>

Amsterdam will take over former Pop! St. Paul site

First Fhima, then Pop!, now Amsterdam.​St. Paul's former Pop! at Sixth and Wabasha is turning into a nightclub/restaurant called Amsterdam run by Jon and Jarret Oulman, the father/son owners of the 331 Club. The Pioneer Press reports that the Oulmans recently leased the space and are hoping to ... More >>

Bon Iver helping to curate new Pitchfork Music Festival Paris

​This is just about the MOST PITCHFORK THING we've heard about in a great while, but bear with us, it also seems pretty cool. Ye Old P4k announced today that they will be taking a swing at their first solo-run festival abroad (they have previously collaborated with Barcelona's Primavera Sound Fest ... More >>

Kill-Me Kare Bare shares the "fun" that went into their new album

​I think Rebecca Black sums up Kill-Me Kare Bare's music best with her world-famous quote, "Fun, fun, fun."  The band even made a video promoting their album release, Just For Fun (hey, it's also in the title of their album) at Cause parodying Ms. Black's video.   While many new artists ... More >>

Chooglin' head abroad for a two-week tour of France

Photo by Dan Corrigan​Twin Cities boogie-rock favorites Chooglin' are about to head overseas again for the Spring thaw. Having traveled across Europe, including some festivals in Norway last year and a trip to the Netherlands, the band were invited back over the pond to do a small two-week tour of ... More >>

Pumpkin Fest

Minneapolis is a test market for "I am a Mormon"

www.mormon.orgDo you know Mormons?​Know a Mormon yet? The Mormon church's PR campaign has hit Minneapolis, in the form of a bunch of TV spots of normal folk who talk about their cool lives--and then casually mention "I'm a Mormon."

The best thing I ate this week

Crowning a new banh mi king!​The best thing to come out of France's colonization of Vietnam is, arguably, the banh mi. The pitch-perfect sandwich marries a pillowy, delicately crusted baguette with meat (often pork) or mock meat, pickled and fresh veggies (carrots, cucumber, and usually cilant ... More >>