Dusty Miller Guitar Repair Services

Hey my friend Dusty has been out of town for the better part of two years guitar teching for The Hold Steady but he's back in town to service your guitar. Word on the street is he's already helped out a load of people since getting back last December. I've heard nothing but good reviews. Most of the time he can be found at his studio Nicollet Park Recording Services off of 46th & Nicollet. Here's a few words from Dusty...

"The band is now taking a break (FINALLY!) and I'm back in Minneapolis to run my studio with John Miller and finally have some time with my girlfriend. But that doesn't mean I'm too busy to help you sort out your guitar problems. 24 hour or less turnaround, cheap rates ($25 bucks for a spot-on setup, can't be beat!), nice dude.

My shop/studio is at 4534 Nicollet Ave. You can drop your axe off or I can pick it up. Send an email to dustin.miller@mac.com or call me at 612-790-1753."

Tad from The Hold Steady standing next to a couple of the guitars Dusty kept in tip top shape.

Dessa @ The Fine Line

Dessa
"A Badly Broken Code" CD Release
The Fine Line Music Cafe
Minneapolis, MN
Friday January 22nd 2010

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Jeremy Messersmith - "Novocain"
02. Cecil Otter - "Matchbook Dairies"
03. Cecil Otter - "A Rickety Bridge"
04. Doomtree - "Knives on Fire"
05. Dessa - "551"
06. Dessa - "Mineshaft II"

320kbps mp3s can be downloaded here.

Last Friday Dessa released her debut album "A Badly Broken Code" at the Fine Line. Jeremy Messersmith and Cecil Otter where there to support an evening that has been a long time in the making. There was also a surprise Doomtree set that featured Paper Tiger, Dessa, P.O.S., Sims and Mike Mictlan. I hope you enjoy these tracks but please support Dessa by picking up the official release through Doomtree, Fifth Element or on iTunes.

Puppies and Trains @ The Turf Club

mp3s can be downloaded here.

Puppies and Trains
The Turf Club
St. Paul, MN
Thursday January 14th 2010

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~8' ^
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: CD Wave (tracking)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

Puppies and Trains is a new band featuring Kermit and Mathew de Superhopper. I had no idea I was going to enjoy this set as much as I did and was on it when it came time to ask Kermit for permission to put it out. I mentioned not having a site to link to in the post and he told me they didn't start this band to enter into that system again. Puppies and Trains is a band I can throw my support behind website or no website. I'm not exactly sure how many shows they've played but I don't believe any recorded material is available yet. Please enjoy your first listen if that's the case.

Puppies and Trains were on the bill with Mr. Mustachio, Dragons Power Up!, Kill to Kill.

Ten Centuries "White Pines" CD Release Show

Ten Centuries is a relatively new band comprised of Bill Caperton (Ela) and Mike Gunnerson (Passions). Their debut LP is out on Afternoon Records and to celebrate this a release show will take place at the Bryant Lake Bowl this Thursday January 28th. Roma di Luna (Duo) will be in support. Ben Weaver and Paul D. Dickinson will be reading some poetry. Even if you're not in attendance at the show "White Pines" is available for purchase online.

Southern Shelter

There are a few things you should know about Sloan Simpson. Sloan is a good man by the accounts of many. Sloan records shows out of Athens, GA. Sloan makes many of these recordings available via his blog Southern Shelter.

Today Sloan posted his oldest Maserati tape; Maserati @ 40 Watt 9/23/05. Here is linkage to all of his Maserati tagged posts. As you can see along the left side of his site there are recordings available from well over a 100 bands. Cheers Sloan.

Canyons of Static @ The 501 Club

Download the show here.

Canyons of Static
The 501 Club
Minneapolis, MN
Saturday January 16th 2010

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: DINish, DFC, ~7' ^
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: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Northern Highland
02. Water/Worn
03. The Disappearance
04. untitled
05. Challenger

Chris (bass, synth)
Nathan (percussion, samples)
Ross (guitar, synth)
Aggie (keyboard, synth, glockenspiel)

Myspace | Website | Blog

This was Canyons second show in Minneapolis and I've been waiting patiently for their return. I got into them in the Summer of '06 and pestered Ross a couple times about coming here. Finally the day came. They were to play the Entry October 21st 2006. But wait, what's this? a wedding reception at The Lexington in St. Paul?! AHHHH!!! No worries, it's not every day my favorite ex-aunt in law gets married. Of course I still had to try and make the recording happen even if I got there late. So fancy clothes, gear and all we head to The Lexington. It was very chilly and not wanting the cold to drain my batteries I brought my giant black bag of electronics in and placed it under the table. My girlfriend at the time was extremely impressed by this. I just don't think she ever really understood the awe-inspiring capabilities of CoS. So, the company was great and the chicken was fabulous but I never did make it to the Entry. Don't worry Laurie, you're still #1 ex-aunt in law.

Thanks to Paragraphs for not only releasing one of the best local EPs of 2010 but for also bringing Canyons of Static back to Minneapolis. CoS (West Bend, WI) and To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie (Minneapolis) both supported Paragraphsthis evening. All of the instruments sounded great in the room thanks no doubt to Knol Tate behind the board.

What's up Now Like Photographs.

Moonstone Continuum @ First Avenue

Were you in the Mainroom to have your face melted by Moonstone Friday night? If not, man do I have something for you. Moonstone's debut LP comes out on Totally Gross National Product at the end of February. The album release show is set for 02/27/09 at The Turf Club with Tender Meat and more bands TBA. Current intel is that it will be a "12" vinyl release full length w/ 24 page booklet of scripture by the one Rev. M Mackert. Also, a download card with each." Thanks to the band and to First Avenue for allowing me to make this recording. To purchase tickets to shows at First Avenue & The 7th Street Entry locally please check out this listing of outlets.

Moonstone Continuum - "The Death of First Earth" Live in the Mainroom

First Avenue's "Best New Bands of 2009"

My friends MPLS.TV and I teamed up with Andrea Swensson of City Pages to help document First Avenue's "Best New Bands of 2009" this past Friday in the Mainroom. Much respect to MPLS.TV for doing what they do, Andrea for always being on top of her game and to Conrad for permitting me to capture audio of the evening. More information is available here.

First Avenue's Best New Bands of 2009 from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.

Modern Radio Celebrates It's 10th Anniversary

Friday, January 22nd at the Turf Club
FT (The Shadow Government)
Daughters of the Sun
The Chambermaids
Double Bird
Sheridan Fox (His Mischief)
21+, doors at 9PM - $7

Saturday, January 23rd at the Cedar Cultural Center
The Plastic Constellations
Skoal Kodiak
Vampire Hands
STNNNG
and more!
All Ages, doors at 4:30PM - $10

To say that 10 years as an indie label is impressive would be an understatement to say the least. Here are a few words from Tom regarding bonus goodies and additional information on the shows.

"The Friday show with FT(The Shadow Government), The Chambermaids, Daughters of the Sun, Double Bird and Sheridan of His Mischief in the Clown Lounge will also include Mr. and Mrs. Besinger DJing. Mr. Besinger is the singer of STNNNG and I don't believe he is a Lutheran. A bonus treat to those who arrive early. Both Pete and I will be baking cookies for those in attendance. Half will be vegan and other half will not be vegan.

This show is $7 and a rare opportunity to see FT(The Shadow Government) play in general and a first time opportunity to see Sheridan do a solo set. The other three bands are just outstanding to see on any given opportunity and this is a fantastic opportunity.

The Saturday show has a few extra bonuses:

1) The first 100 people who pay to get in to the show on Saturday can take their ticket stub over to the Wienery and get $3 off food. If you have ever been to the Wienery then you know that is almost a meal or a good start towards one. This will start after 4:30pm when the doors open for the show. You can bring the food over to the Cedar Cultural Center and we will provide plates to do so.

2) The first 300 people who pay to get in get a free cupcake from the Cake Eater Bakery / Miel Y Leche crew. There will be both vegan and non-vegan cupcakes available. If you have not had the opportunity to try these, then it gives you yet another reason to arrive early.

3) Posters will be available for sale from Aesthetic Apparatus, Landland and Burlesque of North America (we may have some additional folks. Danimal, drop me a line if you are interested). All of these folks have done posters for different events our bands have been a part of and this is a great opportunity to pick them up at the show.

4) Modern Radio will be having blow out prices on some records at both shows and even discounts on recent releases.

We wanted to have some extra things going on to really thank all of you have supported the label and the bands who make our label."

The lineup at the Cedar show will be as follows
1st - Vampire Hands (starting at 5:30pm)
2nd - STNNNG
3rd - Skoal Kodiak
4th (last) - The Plastic Constellations

City Pages Article
How Was The Show Interview
A.V. Club Write Up

Weekends Start on Tuesdays

Tuesday the 19th:

Bowerbirds + Julie Doiron + Sharon Van Etten @ Varsity Theater
Luke Polipnick Quartet and Framework @ The Turf Club

Thursday the 21st:

Bethany Larson + The Goondas + The Butchers Bag @ The Turf
Ogre Smash Death Boom + Truck Stops Across America + Patrick Callan @ The Nomad
Moonstone Continuum @ secret space

Friday the 22nd:

Modern Radio 10th Anniversary Show @ The Turf
Dessa + Cecil Otter + Jeremy Messersmith @ Fine Line
City on the Make + Military Special + Black Blondie @ Sauce

Saturday the 23rd:

Modern Radio 10th Anniversary Show @ The Cedar
inBOIL + Teenage Moods + Children of Euler @ Eclipse
Gay Witch Abortion + Mother Of Fire @ The Entry

Gold Motel @ The Fine Line

My friend Brody over at BritRockAtTheTop is known for booking great shows and February 23rd at The Fine Line is no exception.

Gold Motel(Greta from The Hush Sound new indie band, brand new self titled EP out now) - Myspace

Now, Now Every Children(Just got back from tour with Paramore in Europe playing in front of 90,000+ at venue's such as Wembley Stadium and many others) - Myspace

Total Babe (Just played in the current studios last month. These guys are also on the same label(Afternoon Records) as Now, Now Every Children) - Myspace

Reviler | 36 Styles of Danger

Local music journalists and photographers Jon Behm and Josh Keller are launching a new music blog today. Adam Bubolz will also be in on the action. Reviler will feature exclusive mp3 singles, album and concert reviews as well as other photo/video documentation. You can join Jon and Josh down at Grumpy's NE tonight from 7-10pm as they play your favorite local music. This is the unofficial launch of the site and word is there's $2.50 Surlys.

Vampire Hands @ The Turf Club Jan. '10

320kbps mp3s are available here.

Vampire Hands
"4th Annual Blowout"
The Turf Club
St. Paul, MN
Saturday January 9th 2010

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~8' ^
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: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Funny Stories
02. Invisible Stairs
03. Take My Reigns
04. Welcome to America
05. No Fun
06. Bodies Alone
07. Paradise Knife Fights
08. No Joy
09. Me and You Cherry Red

Alex - Drums
Chris B - Bass, vocals
Chris R - Guitar
Colin - Drums/synth, vocals

Myspace | Facebook

What we have here is the best Vampire Hands recording I've ever managed to capture. I think it might even beat out the 10/08/08 Mainroom tape. This show also features Colin's return to the band for the first time since the August '09 show at The Turf Club. I know I probably say this about every other band that ends up on the site but you should check out the official Vampire Hands releases. Some sexy vinyl out there.

The Blind Shake and Birthday Suits also shared the bill which made it a glorious Saturday triple threat Blowout kind of a night.

What do you know about Cats Will Eat You?

Themselves @ The Varsity Theater

Download your 320kbps mp3s here.

Themselves
The Varsity Theater
Minneapolis, MN
Friday December 4th 2009

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Back II Burn
02. The Mark
03. Untitled
05. Gangster Of Disbelief
06. (letter to MPLS interlude) > Only Child Explosion

Myspace | Facebook | Anticon Records

I present to you the first five tracks from last December's Themselves set at The Varsity Theater. I don't mean to crush hopes but this is all I am going to release for now. All Themselves releases can be had through Anticon Records. The complete Eyedea & Abilities set can be downloaded here.

Dragons Power Up! @ The Turf Club

Dragons Power Up!
The Turf Club
St. Paul, MN
Thursday January 14th 2010

To download these files:
Right Click & Save Link As on PC.
Click-Operations on Mac.

"House Fires" Live at The Turf Club
"Ballahol" Live at The Turf Club

Official | Myspace | Facebook

Keep an eye out for the upcoming album "Brace for the Bloom" from St. Paul's Dragons Power Up! Here are a couple of live tracks from last Thursday's set to wet your whistle. Puppies and Trains (Ex-Superhopper), Mr. Mustachio and Kill to Kill were there alongside DPU! to ensure there were good musics to listen to throughout the evening.

The Chickadee Mountain Martyrs @ Memory Lanes

The Chickadee Mountain Martyrs
Memory Lanes
Minneapolis, MN
Monday January 11th 2010

To download these files:
Right Click & Save Link As on PC.
Click-Operations on Mac.

"Work/Drink"
"Princess Snax"
"(I Got) The Power"

Download the cmm2010-01-11.m3u file here.

Myspace | Anti-Civ Records

If you don't know about The Chickadee Mountain Martyrs you better recognize. Here are three select tracks from their set at Memory Lanes last Monday. Word is the Release Show for their new album will take place near the end of February in South Minneapolis. Check back in the coming week or two for more details.

This was a going away party for Angie who works at Memory Lanes. Angie, I forgot to ask where you're going but safe travels. Angie's band Burger Thirst, Tomato and Ham and The G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band also played.

The Blind Shake @ The Turf Club Jan. '10

The 1s & 0s are located here.

The Blind Shake
"4th Annual Blowout"
The Turf Club
St. Paul, MN
Saturday January 9th 2010

Taper: empty (emptystapes AT gmail DOT com)
Location: AB, 5' LOC, 6' back, ~8' ^
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: CD Wave (tracking) Sound Forge 10 (fades)

This Recording is for Promotional & Archival Purposes Only.

01. Soft Zodiac
02. Wise Mr. Owl
03. Jolly Joes
04. Hurracan
05. The Creeper
06.
07. new instrumental jam?
08. Wexford Scramble

Dave - drums
Jim - guitar, vocals
Mike - baritone guitar, vocals

Official | Myspace | Facebook

The Blind Shake and many other great Twin Cities bands have be a part of the Turf Club Blowout four years running. You can pick up The Blind Shake merchandise through the Learning Curve Records Store. If we support these fine young lads they can make more music for us. I pulled out "Carmel" and some other recordings to put together the set list as best I could. Birthday Suits and a fully reunited Vampires Hands were also in on this jam.

Torrent what? FLAC who?

I've been seeding recordings on The Traders' Den since the site went live in late 2004. It rose from the ashes of the late great Sharingthegroove.org, which was probably my introduction to BitTorrent in 2003. I kicked things off at TTD with The Arcade Fire's first stop in Minneapolis, the 11/27/04 set at The 400. It was posted in less than 24 hours after the show. Anyways, TTD became my home base for a long time. It didn't have the traffic of other torrent sites that offered live recordings but the overall vibe could not be beat.

I created this blog in January 2006 but didn't start utilizing it until 2007. At that time the links were exclusive to TTD. Back then we were all hard asses about things getting bumped down to mp3 so it was FLAC or die. Slowly some of us began to give into the ipod toting earbud wearing masses...some sooner than others. As you can see I've eased up on my stance a bit. Some would argue that even 320kbps mp3 is overkill but do you think I would have you listening to anything else besides the highest quality mp3 format possible? I dare say that some folks may be missing me a bit over on The Den but this post is to give respect where respect is due. I am just realizing that the last thing I seeded on TTD was the 11/27/09 Earthless set from The Triple Rock. It's also the 285th torrent I've posted on the site. Does that make me a bit of a dork? Perhaps to some. Much has happened in the past 5 plus years but I will never forget where this all started.

Out of the 285 torrents posted in the past five years 23 remain active. Some of the torrents have 0 seeds at them moment but if you want to hear it badly enough just bump the thread to the first page and I or someone else would be happy to help you snag it. Registration on TTD is free and takes about 90 seconds. If you're new to BitTorrent and FLAC please check out some of the helpful links along the right side over there. It's all freeware and pretty user friendly so don't be afraid. Email me with any questions.

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead 2009-03-07 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
City on the Make 2009-11-21 The Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
Earthless 2009-11-27 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
Frank Turner 2009-10-03 The Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
Future of the Left 2009-07-22 The Turf Club St. Paul, MN
Gifts From Enola 2009-07-29 The Turf Club St. Paul, MN
Kill the Vultures 2009-11-14 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
La Dispute 2009-09-28 The Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
Lungs 2009-11-25 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
Maserati 2009-10-05 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
mewithoutYou 2009-07-02 Station 4 St. Paul, MN
Muja Messiah 2009-03-14 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
Murder by Death 2009-04-21 The Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, MN
Murder by Death 2009-10-03 The Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
New End Original 2001-09-03 CSUF Becker Amphitheatre Fullerton, CA
New End Original 2001-04-28 The Ventura Theater Ventura, CA
New End Original 2001-10-05 The Glasshouse Pomona, CA
Pelican 2009-10-18 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
Puppy Dogs & Ice Cream 2009-10-31 The Turf Club Halloween St. Paul, MN
Russian Circles 2009-11-25 The Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
The Eagles of Death Metal 2008-11-08 The Electric Fetus (In-Store) Minneapolis, MN
Thursday 2009-09-28 The Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
Ween 2008-07-19 Roy Wilkins Auditorium St. Paul, MN (AKGs)

2010: The Year I Return to The Traders' Den. To be completely honest between work, life, recording new shows and circulating new shows 99.9% of the time I am to busy to reseed dead torrents. It's possible you'll catch me in the right mood so if you have a request (christ, what am I doing) feel free to email me. emptystapes at gmail. Two Ss there. All 285 torrents, alive & dead can be viewed here.

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.