Interview: Wugazi 13 Questions on 13 Chambers (Minneapolis)
Sitting down with Cecil Otter of Doomtree for a chat is always a good time filled with surprises. A few weeks ago, I sat down with him to talk about his recent project, Wugazi and true to form, tossed in a little surprise in there for him. If you haven’t been one of the few thousand people w
REVIEW: WILDLIFE – STRIKE HARD, YOUNG DIAMOND (2010)
It’s happened to me annually. Every time Daytrotter‘s Barnstormer tour hits the road, I walk away from my barn or barns of choice with a few things: A wicked hangover, a few bruises of mysterious origin, and a new favorite band of the moment. So when it happened to me just a few days
INTERVIEW: SIMS (FEAT. CECIL OTTER) (MINNEAPOLIS)
In the middle of August, Katia and I made it to Minneapolis for a weekend of basking in the last bit of a Minnesota summer. On a patio in Uptown, we sat down with Sims for a chat, who quickly brought over Cecil Otter to join in and chat about his upcoming Good Time Zoo Tour (dates below), the [&
INTERVIEW: YOUNG GALAXY (MONTREAL)
Young Galaxy and I just chatted once again (our previous interview in February), getting a progress report on how the year has gone since the release of Shapeshifting to the acclaim of Gorilla vs. Bear, Polaris Prize and Pitchfork. Yet that hasn’t been the biggest event in the lives of Step
Review: Maria Taylor – Overlook (2011)
Rooted in the Saddle Creek family, Maria Taylor is known as half of the duo, Azure Ray and collaborator with Bright Eyes, along with her solo work. Azure Ray released Drawing Down the Moon last year, a highly anticipated follow-up from their 2003 album, Hold O
Review: Moving Mountains – Waves (2011)
The minute I popped in Waves it became the soundtrack to the days that followed. I found myself air-drumming in my car to “My Life Is A Chase Dream (And I’m Still Having Chase Dreams).” I found myself terribly aware of my girl voice when trying and failing to scream lyrics to “Alleviat
Review: Tim Kasher – Bigamy: More Songs from The Monogamy Sessions (2011)
Tim Kasher. 2009 brought us Mama, I’m Swollen and 2007 Help Wanted Nights from the Omaha songwriter’s Cursive and The Good Life. He’s been the personal favorite out of the Saddle Creek community due to a consistent output and his anguished brillianc
REVIEW: BEIRUT – THE RIP TIDE (2011)
To call Beirut a band has always seemed inaccurate. Troubadour troupe has a nice ring to it, but it’s awfully long. Since their debut in 2006, the group has presented itself as a worldly entity, borrowing musical bits and pieces from around the globe. Thus far they’ve taken listeners t
Review: Sleeping At Last – Yearbook – August EP (2011)
For those out of the loop, Sleeping at Last is an indie project that could be described as mellow alternative in genre, although you really have to listen to see what I mean. Ryan O’Neal, the primary force behind the project, is nearing the end of year-long project where Sleeping at Last