Electric Orange Music Collective

Have you heard of The Electric Orange Music Collective yet? EOMC is a St. Paul based music collective that currently consists of Dragons Power Up!, Wizards Are Real, Power of 2, The Japanese Space Program, Haroh, Company Inc. and Mr Mustachio. As you can see from the Myspace page they already have a series of shows booked on both sides of the river to start out the new year. If you're into Facebook perhaps you would like to keep up with them there.

As of January 1st 2010 EOMC has already put out their first sampler. In the works is a quarterly release that will alternate between samplers and a zine as well. The first zine can be expected in early April if not before with the second sampler to follow in June and the next edition of the zine sometime in September et cetera. The track listing for Sampler Number 1 is:

01. Dragons Power Up! - "House Fires"
02. Wizards Are Real - "Flavor of Coal
03. Mr. Mustachio - "Helicopter, Baby!"
04. Haroh - "Curses"
05. Power of 2 - "The End is Near Here"
06. The Japanese Space Program - "Superchunk Was the Jam"
07. Company Incorporated - "Science"

Paragraphs @ The Entry

Download 320kbps mp3s here.

Paragraphs
The Entry
Minneapolis, MN
Friday August 28th 2009

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB (cm, º), left drink rail, 20' back, ~8' ^
Source: SP-C4 > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > TLH lvl 6 + Tested > FLAC]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. A Hilltop Like A Fallen Parenthesis
02. Believerything
03. There's Still Time, Pea Pod
04. Time Still
05. We Talk About Enemies More Than We Used To
06. Donna Martin Graduates!
07. The Dead of Night Has Never Been More Alive
08. It's Sunset At Midnight

Dan - drums
Chris - guitars
Brigitte - keyboards, et al.
Chad - electronics

Myspace | Facebook

Paragraphs is one of the best Minneapolis bands to come out of 2009 that you've likely never heard of before. There are people who've been fortunate enough to have seen them 2 or 3 times by now. This Saturday Paragraphs will be having their EP Release Show at The 501 Club. To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie, a local band who's praised on both sides of the river and in Europe will be supporting alongside Canyons of Static, a band from West Bend, WI who I've enjoyed listening to for at least four years. 10pm doors and no cover! This is a lovely sounding recording from The Entry supporting Ice Palace and Wheat.

So this week.

Well, to rewind to last week shows were recorded Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Just when I thought I was going to have a night off Monday I got last minute word that The Chickadee Mountain Martyrs were playing Memory Lanes. My New Years resolution is to not miss any CMM shows. I'm amazed at how well these Memory Lanes recordings have been sounding. Tuesday and Wednesday were nights off. I didn't make it to The Triple Rock for Where Astronauts Go To Hide but you can't win 'em all. Not sure what's going to go down tonight. There's action at both The Nomad and The Turf Club. Friday is another predicament. I'm tempted to record First Avenue's "Best New Bands" for the second year in a row but that could possibly mean missing Private Dancer at The Turf.

Saturday is a little more clear cut. I would definitely recommend Paragraphs EP Release show at the 501 Club. Stellar support in the form of Canyons of Static and To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie is included. Doors are at 10PM and there is no cover. After the 501 I'm hoping to catch up with Sleeping in the Aviary if they haven't went on yet. Email me if you would like the location of that show.

Finally, it may be apparent that I get most editing and uploading done on the weekend. I certainly have a back log to catch up with. Looking forward to having Monday off so expect a marathon weekend with uploads Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Some top priorities include but are not limited to; The Good Life, Old Canes, Where Astronauts Go To Hide, Birthday Suits, The Blind Shake and Vampire Hands.

Weekends Start on Wednesdays

Wednesday the 13th:

Where Astronauts Go To Hide + Lissie + Alison Scott @ The Triple Rock

Thursday the 14th:

Dragons Power Up + Kill to Kill + Puppies and Trains @ The Turf Club

Sorry OK + Teenage Moods + Anders Ponders + The Floorbirds @ The Nomad

Friday the 15th:

Private Dancer + Teenage Strangler + Disasteratti @ The Turf Club

First Avenue's "Best New Bands" @ The Mainroom

Gay Beast + Daughters of the Sun + Seawhores + Total Babe @ The Entry

Saturday the 16:

Paragraphs + Canyons of Static + To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie @ 501 Club

Sleeping in the Aviary + Best Friends Forever + Jewel Electric @ xxxxxx

France Has the Bomb, Tiger Bones, Bombay Sweets, Invisible Boy @ The Entry

WHY? :: 2010 European Tour

WHY? has booked 40 European dates through the months of March and April. The most up-to-date information on cities & venues can be found on their myspace page.

Friends overseas, I would consider it a huge favor if anyone were able to record on this tour! Even if you want to check them out in a non-taping capacity this band is not to be missed. Both the band and their Tour Manager/FOH are cool with audio and video documentation. I know things are a bit stricter in Europe when it comes to recording in clubs. Sometimes house rules trump whatever the band says but if you'd like me to contact their TM for you to try and get something worked out shoot me an email at emptystapes AT gmail DOT com

Jeremy Messersmith & Andy Thompson @ The Cake Shop

As mentioned in the previous post those who gathered in the warmth of The Cake Shop's living room were treated to one of the two intimate sit down sets by Mr. Jeremy Messersmith and well known local multi-instrumentalist Andy Thompson. These fellas are working together on an album concerning the themes of murder and death. Without giving to much away there I wanted to share a couple of the superbly done (in my opinion) covers played by this duo last night. You know the songs but you have not heard them in this fashion before. Special thanks again to Cake In 15 for hosting.

Jeremy Messersmith - "He Stopped Loving Her Today" (George Jones)
Jeremy Messersmith - "Murder Was the Case" (Snoop Dogg)

The Cake Shop

Plenty of people in South Minneapolis care enough about the local music & arts scene to keep it alive and thriving but this post is about two people in particular. Without disclosing their location outright I'll just say if you're into local acoustic music there are opportunities to indulge your addiction. Tonight we were treated to a couple of sets of Murder and Death from Jeremy Messersmith and his homeboy Andy Thompson. Those who were there for either of the two sets can testify that it was a grand evening of music featuring beautiful acoustics. If you're interested in seeing a tastefully stripped down line-up of The Pines on February 21st please contact Cake In 15 to secure your seats. Tickets are limited and both shows will go fast so whether you'd like to attend the 4PM or 7PM show I'd suggest acting quickly. For more info please visit Cake In 15.

Kitten Forever @ The Nomad

320kbps are located here next to the hotcakes.

Kitten Forever
The Nomad
Minneapolis, MN
Thursday January 7th 2010

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~7' ^
Source: Studio Project C4s > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > RazorLame > 320kbps mp3]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

Official | Myspace | Facebook

Corrie - Drums
Laura - Bass
Liz - Voice

It's been a while since I've seen Kitten Forever but they only get better. Their 2008 LP "Born Ready" was very well received and you should check it out if you're so inclined. There's also the Fat Crush single and the Sissy Party cassette. More releases can be procured through emailing the band.

Dance Band @ The Nomad

320kbps mp3s are located here.

Dance Band
The Nomad
Minneapolis, MN
Thursday January 7th 2009

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~7' ^
Source: Studio Project C4s > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > RazorLame > 320kbps mp3]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

Myspace | Facebook

You know Dance Band. You love Dance Band. Here's a tasty recording from The Nomad this past Thursday evening. Dance Band has music for sale on iTunes, Amazon and eMusic.

Gay Witch Abortion @ The Triple Rock

Gay Witch Abortion
Learning Curve Records Xmas Party
The Triple Rock
Minneapolis, MN
Saturday December 19th 2009

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: DINish (cm, º), right drink rail, 25' back, ~10' ^
Source: MBHO 603a KA200N > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > RazorLame > 320kbps mp3]
Edit: None

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

The entire set can be downloaded at this link.

(Right Click and Save As on a PC or option-click on a Mac)

Myspace | Facebook | Learning Curve Records

I've been meaning to get this out there but wanted to make sure it was cool with the band. This is not tracked out but it's a really nice recording nonetheless. Please support GWA and Learning Curve Records by picking up the official releases.

inBOIL @ The Nomad

320kbps mp3s can be had here.

inBOIL
The Nomad
Minneapolis, MN
Thursday January 7th 2009

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~7' ^
Source: Studio Project C4s > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > RazorLame > 320kbps mp3]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. How Many Times?
02. Bro-choice
03. Hotdoggin'
04. Starin' at the Moon
05. Axis and Allies
06. When I Die
07. This Aching Heart
08. I Miss the War
09. Machines
10. A Tomato in the Sun

Phil Mahlstadt - guitar, vocals
Kyle Sobczak - bass
Elliott Kozel - drums
Michael Sienkowski - keys

Myspace

So apparently Phil is only in bands that leave you looking for your jaw on the floor. I kind of like this about him. There on 10 tracks on inBOIL's debut album and I haven't found myself skipping any of them. I was given a choice of titles and had to go with "No Makeup Never! Not Now, Not While I'm Dead" without any second thought. Sure, I'm probably substituting definitions but in a dark corner of the Nomad it all rang true. In a way I'm glad I obtained a copy on the upswing. Hearing "How Many Times?" "Starin' at the Moon," "This Aching Heart" and "A Tomato in the Sun" a year ago would have probably left me in a sobbing mess on the floor and that's always embarrassing, right? This is no doubt a compliment to Phil's song writing. While it's not likely "Machines" will leave you in a ball on the floor it's still one of the best songs I've heard in years. Word is inBOIL will have a proper release show for the album the first weekend in February so keep an eye out for that. Every Thursday during the month of January you can stop down to The Nomad to catch great local bands and support the Sisters Camelot fundraiser.

Monday Night at Memory Lanes

Memory Lanes
Minneapolis, MN
Monday January 4th 2010

Source: Studio Project C4s > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > RazorLame > 320kbps]

Sleeping in the Aviary - "Write On"
Zombie Season - "Palm Reader"
Teenage Moods - "The Sugar Band"

www.myspace.com/sleepingintheaviary
www.myspace.com/zombieseason
www.myspace.com/teenagemoods

What we have here are three Minneapolis bands worth your time in checking out. Look they even have easy to remember myspace URLs...first to last that's how it went down. Tom was on it. Besides a few stray pins you wouldn't know that these tracks were recorded in a bowling alley. Thanks to Memory Lanes for letting me stay warm inside your walls.

Caspian Returns to Minneapolis...

Yesterday I received reliable information that Caspian (Beverly, Massachusetts) will be returning to Minneapolis on April 9th 2010. Empires (Minneapolis) and Arms and Sleepers (Boston) are set to support. Word is this may go down at The Triple Rock but that is still to be confirmed.

Empty's Tapes was there to document Caspian's first visit to Minneapolis back in September 2007. That recording is available for free via The Live Music Archive. Several other Caspian recordings are available on the Archive here.

Finger Pressure @ Community Gardens

Get some.

Finger Pressure
Community Gardens
Minneapolis, MN
Friday January 1st 2010

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: in front of the action
Source: Sony PCM D50 internal mics +6dB?
Transfer: D50 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > RazorLame > 320kbps mp3]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades, normalize)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Cobrastyle (Robyn)
02. Space Bass
03. Rastafury
04. Girls' Night Out
05. You Better Forget
06. Bassy (Kelis)
07. Fingerlicious (Fergie)
08. Male Prima Donna (Subtle Sexuality)
09. LoveGame (Lady Gaga)
10. After Party

Myspace

On the dawn of the new year people who had made it to the Community Gardens basement were about to be treated to the annual NYE set from the mighty Finger Pressure. The inner archivist in me knew this had to be documented but I wasn't about to set up a full rig in the middle of party central. In a moment of spot clarity and snap ingenuity it came to me; "the D50 has internal mics and they don't suck." I sprinted the stairs making my way to Sean's room where he was kind enough to stow my gear. I made it back downstairs just in the nick of time to capture the first notes of Finger Pressure 2010. If you're a lawyer for an aforementioned artist please leave the ladies out of it and contact me at the above mentioned email address. Happy New Year.

Please note: This was made with the D50's internal mics but it sounds damn good nonetheless.

Vampire Hands & The Songs of Television

320kbps mp3s. To download the files Right Click and Save Link As on a PC or Control-Click on a Mac.

Vampire Hands & The Songs of Television
The Turf Club
St. Paul, MN
Thursday December 31st 2009

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~8' ^
Source: Studio Project C4s > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > RazorLame > 320kbps]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)
TRT: 41:00

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Guiding List
02. Prove It
03. See No Evil
04. Venus
05. Friction
06. Elevation
07. Marquee Moon

This was the Third Annual New Year's Eve Cover Night with Marijuana Deathsquads (Brian Eno), Vampire Hands (Television), Leisure Birds (Monks), Daughters of the Sun (Jesus and Mary Chain) and Secret Language (Fleetwood Mac). This set featured Nate Nelson (STNNNG, Private Dancer) on guitar with Vampire Hands, I mean Widescreen TV. If anyone else was in the line up I apologize, it was a long night! This rendition of "Elevation" is sure to make you flip your lid. Thanks to The Turf Club for hosting and to the bands for being cool with me sharing all of these sets.

Vic Chesnutt

I was recording across the street at The Nomad while Vic was playing his last Minneapolis show at The Cedar. I had planned to get a soundboard recording at The Cedar while running mics at The Nomad. Unfortunately this plan never materialized. The show I attend was great but do you ever get the feeling you missed out on history?

James Victor "Vic" Chesnutt (November 12, 1964 – December 25, 2009)

Sisters Camelot Fundraiser

As part of The Nomad Miniseries every Thursday in January there will be a fundraiser. These shows are FREE and a certain percentage of bar sales will be donated to help Sisters Camelot finish their new Community Kitchen-Bus.

As you can see by the flier below some of the best local bands in town will be participating.

Leisure Birds & The Songs of The Monks

Get your 320kbps mp3s here.

Leisure Birds & The Songs of The Monks
The Turf Club
St. Paul, MN
Thursday December 31st 2009

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~8' ^
Source: Studio Project C4s > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > TLH lvl 6 + Tested > FLAC]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)
TRT: 31:52

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Monk Time
02. Shut Up
03. Boys Are Boys and Girls Are Choice
04. Higgle-Dy Piggle-Dy
05. I Hate You
06. Complication
07. Oh, How to Do Now
08. Monk Chant

Myspace | Facebook

Another great set from the Third Annual New Year's Eve Cover Night with Leisure Birds (Monks), Marijuana Deathsquads (Brian Eno), Vampire Hands (Television), Daughters of the Sun (Jesus and Mary Chain) and Secret Language (Fleetwood Mac). The hits just keep comin'. Check back later for the Television set.

Marijuana Deathsquads & The Songs of Brian Eno

Get your 320kbps mp3s here.

Marijuana Deathsquads & The Songs of Brian Eno
The Turf Club
St. Paul, MN
Thursday December 31st 2009

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~8' ^
Source: Studio Project C4s > Silver Quad customs > UA-5 (BM2p+) > iRiver h120 (Optical @ 16bit 44.1kHz WAV)
Transfer: h120 > USB 2.0 > PC [WAV > TLH lvl 6 + Tested > FLAC]
Edit: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades, mild normalization)
TRT: 37:44

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. The Big Ship
02. Needle in the Camel's Eye
03. The Great Pretender
04. Sombre Reptiles
05. Baby's on Fire
06. Third Uncle
07. Driving Me Backwards
08. Put a Straw Under Baby
09. The True Wheel

Myspace | Blog

This was the Third Annual New Year's Eve Cover Night with Marijuana Deathsquads (Brian Eno), Vampire Hands (Television), Leisure Birds (Monks), Daughters of the Sun (Jesus and Mary Chain) and Secret Language (Fleetwood Mac). What a frickin' blast of a NYE. This set features Marijuana Deathsquads playing the songs of Brian Eno with Chris from Vampire Hands and Gina on vocals. Definitely not to be missed!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

May 2010 be better than 2009!

Live musics to follow from the likes of; The Good Life (holy shit?!), Old Canes, Where Astronauts Go to Hide, Face Candy, No Bird Sing, Kristoff Krane, Puppy Dogs & Ice Cream.

What I'm perhaps most excited about at the moment is NYE. Pretty sure I chose The Turf Club. Third Annual New Year's Eve Cover Night with Vampire Hands (Television), Leisure Birds (Monks), Daughters of the Sun (Jesus and Mary Chain), Marijuana Deathsquads (Brian Eno). Unfortunately Secret Language (Fleetwood Mac) was not recorded...it was however very Punk and uplifting. You missed out? It happens. Later on, at the dawn of the new year Finger Pressure's annual NYE set at Community Gardens was recorded into a little metal box. Let me just say that these 1s & 0s are far to good for the likes of MTV or top 40 radio. Be excited to check this out!