LOOSE-LEAF LIVING New DEMO website!
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Patrik Tanner & the Faraway Men played a set of British covers
Wednesday, Feb. 8th for England Swings V.
701 First Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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| Jon James singing, Patrik Tanner to the right, Michelle Tanner behind. Brandon Fjetland on drums. | Photo credit: howwastheshow View other photos here. |
Recently Patrik Tanner opened for Martin Zellar at the Pioneer Place on Fifth in St. Cloud, MN. The photos below were taken at that concert by Michelle Robb Tanner.
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Two exceptional musicians and wonderful people are pictured below:
Tina Schlieske and Patrik Tanner.
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The photo was taken on 23 November 2005 by Michelle Robb Tanner. Patrik Tanner backed Tina Schlieske up on guitar for her solo show at 318 Cafe in Excelsior, Minnesota.
I have posted Michelle Robb Tanner photos of both (a) the Tina Schlieske Slow Burn CD Release Show (held 12 Nov 2005 at First Ave), and (b) the after-show party.
The photos are posted here on my sister site these befuddled photos.
Please play our series theme song in the background, while you read this posting. ThkQ!
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Ali Gray is the first subject in the Turn It On! series introducing new indie music acts. Ali is from Minneapolis, MN.
If your only experience with Minneapolis is a drab airport and an airline with cramped, hard@$$ seats, then you're in for a pleasant surprise on your next business trip to Minnesota. The Twin Cities (Minneapolis, St. Paul) have a very active music scene (performers include Tina Schlieske, The Faraway Men, Martin Zellar, Jon James, Johnny Clueless, and many others). In fact, a great many bands and singers have come from Minneapolis. You will , of course, remember The Great Purple One! (What is his name now?)
Ali Gray has worked her way up through the ranks, and paid some dues. Now she is ready to step into the spotlight. (In a later posting in this series, I will write more about Ali's personal and professional background.)
Whenever I told someone I was going to be working with Ali Gray, they invariably said, ``You'll love her. She's a sweetheart!" Now that I've had the chance to work with Ali awhile, I have to admit that she is, in fact, a sweetheart.
The first thing I want to tell you about Ali is that you will love her. She is a sweetheart. The second thing is that Ali Gray has just released her debut CD, and it is a very impressive first effort in every respect.
As I've suggested elsewhere, indie music is a difficult business. Even new indie acts need a personal website and an initial CD that shouts, ``Hey, buster! Here I am! I refuse to be ignored."
I know I'm not doing a formal review here, but let me say that I am absolutely and totally knocked-out by the graphic design and layout of Ali's website, her CD label, and her CD inserts. Good design sells. Sex feels good. Some things are just facts of life. Good work Ali!
If you are in Minneapolis on Thursday, 17 November 2005, please make an effort to attend Ali Gray's CD release party concert. I know you will have a great time. Her band is outstanding.
Thursday, November 17th - CD RELEASE PARTY!
Ali Gray with her full band
Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN - Doors Open at 9:00 PM
Ali's PR flier describes her music as a ``flavorsome recipe of rock, soul, and country." Ali writes catchy crossover tunes, and she has a great band. Her voice is deep and rich!
The next posting about Ali Gray will include an interview. Among other things, I'll ask her how she managed to get such a great band. I'll also ask her about my favorite Ali Gray song, ``Picture of You." This song includes lyrics about all sorts of nefarious activities that seem out of character for someone who is everyone's sweetheart (activities such as sneaking up back stairways, taking care not to shake the bed during lovemaking, driving all night in stolen cars).
I'd say Ali Gray has got some explaining to do!
She will have an opportunity to explain the story behind the song, when she and I have a recorded telephone conversation later this week. I will convert the recorded interview into an MP3 file, and it will be included in the next posting about Ali Gray. Be sure to watch for:
Turn It On with Ali Gray: Q&A
Until then, check out these photos of Ali and her acoustic band.
Technorati Tags: music, people, photo, befuddled photo
Photo Credit: James Gross
Jon James song ``Turn It On/High On A Flashback" is the theme song for this befuddled universe's Turn It On series.
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In October Michelle Robb Tanner from Dark One contacted me.
She asked if I would review Ali Gray's first CD, Let You In.
I absolutely love free stuff, so naturally I told Michelle,
``Sure, send me Ali's CD."
Later, while I waited for Ali's CD to arrive, I had some second thoughts about doing a CD review.
Should new indie acts be subject to the same scrutiny and criticism as mature acts?
New independent acts have enormous pressures on them these days. If they're going to survive, they need to quickly get a website up, and a CD out as soon as possible. The website is like a storefront. The CD serves as product, portfolio, and business card. Given all these pressures, it's not unusal for the first CD to be uneven. And first CDs are rarely indicative of a performers lifetime career. We all know these things, so why ``beat up" new artists with critical reviews that tell folks what they probably already know? Maybe the focus should be on what folks don't know about a new artist.
As I've mentioned elsewhere, it took John Mellencamp several LPs to establish both his musical sound and develop his writing style. It's also well known that Bruce Springsteen had to get two LPs under his belt before he was able to transform his live act into a studio band. And Bob Dylan's first LP wasn't much more than OJT. (I'm sure most people agree Dylan's ``real" debut album was his The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.) Also, I would wager, that in today's musical environment, Bob Dylan's first LP would have ended his career. In other words, as you already know, it ain't easy.
Furthermore, the scuttlebutt I hear about the labels is that their artists have to score big with their first CD, or they're out the door. Also, even if ``labeled" artists do catch the brass ring, I often get the impression that many don't do their best work until they're middle-aged men fresh out of rehab.
As an observer and commentator on the independent music scene, I hope indie music takes a different tact, and I believe it does. Unlike the labels, I believe the indie community tries to help and nurture new acts. That's one of the many things that makes the indie music scene so appealing.
And I've decided it's not enough for me to talk the talk. I need to walk the walk, as well.
Next week I will run my first postings in a new series designed to introduce new independent acts. I will call this series: Turn It On! This series will even have it's own theme song. The theme song will be Jon James' song ``Turn It On/High On A Flashback" (lyrics).
The Turn It On! series is for new independent singers or bands that are about to release (or have recently released) their first CD. Email me to see if you, or your band, qualify. The postings in the Turn It On! series will typically include the following postings on either this befuddled universe or these befuddled photos:
The first subject for the Turn It On! series will be Ali Gray.
Early next week look for my first Turn It On! posting: Turn it on with Ali Gray! (Photo credit: Michelle Robb Tanner)
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Put down your dust pan! |
It's no secret that my house has been a mess. It's been both a private and public embarrassment for some time.
Yesterday the ``Clean Up Crew" came in the form of my daughter and unlicensed ``son-in-law." Like the oldest daughter, Ginni Sorelli, in the marvelously hilarious WB show Related, and her ``Clean Up Crew," my daughter totally took charge.
By the end of the day there was floor!
So if you're like me, and ``putting things back is the knack that you lack," check out Parachute Express and their ``Clean Up Crew" song. The song is available for download at the Apple Music Store and many other fine establishments.
Likewise, I have been doing some cleaning around the old website.
OK, I guess that's all the news for now. I'm going to listen some more to the Parachute Express and their ``Clean Up Crew" song. But I don't care what they say, singing and dancing is a lot more fun than cleaning!
Technorati Tags: music, people, television
