News from SXSW and More

News from SXSW

Mark Mallman is one of more than half a dozen Minneapolis artists traveling to SXSW this year. Mallman played 2 shows at Emo’s with Cracker on Wednesday and then again at Momo's at midnight.

Other Twin Cities musicians playing SXSW this year include The Bad Plus (who are celebrating the release of a new live album"Blunt Object: Live in Japan, available exclusively online), Hockey Night, Robert Skoro, and Jeff Hanson. The Ocean Blue, featuring Twin Cities drummer Peter Anderson will also be there, as will Dan Israel.

Israel plays a showcase Friday, March 18 at BD Riley's Irish Pub, 204 E. Sixth Street, Austin, at midnight immediately before Bloodshot Records' Nora O'Connor.

Then on Saturday, March 19, Israel plays solo at the Pop Culture Press SXSW party at the Dog and Duck Pub, 406 W. 17th Street, Austin, TX, at 5:45 pm sharp. That gig is free and runs from noon to 7 with such notable performers as Dwight Twilley, Amy Rigby, Susan Cowsill, Steve Wynn, and Mary Lou Lord also appearing.

Ross Raihala of the Pioneer Press is in Austin covering the festival. Check Ross’s blog at http://rraihala.blogspot.com/ for his updates. (Actually, just about every journalist in town is there but me; but I’ll probably be one of few covering the European Festivals again this summer, so I guess it all works out in the long run.)

ST. PAT’S OPTIONS in Minneapolis (and NYC)

Dander is playing an acoustic show on St. Patrick’s day at The Uptown Bar. According to Shane “the Pain” Flanery, “the acoustic show is really good, even surprising me on the amount of positive feedback garnered from both Dander newcomers and diehards. It is a bitch in some ways, very revealing, and stark fuc'n naked but has forced us to develop our voices and songs under a much different light.”

Shadow Box may be gone to NYC, but they are not forgotten. Local music fans may remember their awesome set at England Swings in 2004 when they pulled out the Radiohead. This week they’re playing two songs as a full band at a U2 tribute show this St. Patrick’s Day at Arlene's Grocery, hosted by Cathy Cervenka.

Romantica plays a St. Patrick’s Day benefit in support of "Celtic Crescendo" a Celtic music, dance and drama team made up of mostly teens. Celtic Crescendo hopes to raise enough money to travel to Ireland and Europe this summer. The evening starts at 7pm and will involve scones and tea, some music by Romantica, of course, a preview from the "Celtic Crescendo" team “and most likely a bit of craic.” (Church of the Open Door, 9060 Zanzibar Ln. N., Maple Grove)

Of course there is the mainstay: The 22nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at First Avenue featuring... BOILED IN LEAD with special guests Minnesota Pipe & Drums, THE TIM MALLOYS, and LEHTO & WRIGHT $10.00 door

OTHER STUFF

Little Dirt breaks up -- Another band break up this week. Little Dirt reports Kim and Zac are moving back to California, and Bill will be moving back to Pittsburgh. Ryan (drummer) will be staying in Minneapolis.

The band continues to work on its record, which may ultimately be released under a different band name. The band has two gigs left of note: The Hexagon Bar March 25th with The Gleam and The Alamo House April 9th.

NOMAD WORLD PUB

The new music venue Nomad World Pub opened last night in the old Five Corners Saloon spot with performances by Heiruspecs and Kanser giving West Bankers yet another alternative to the 400 Bar for their live music fix. HowWasTheShow will be there Friday night for Ol’ Yeller and Martin Devaney and special guests Little Man. More info: http://nomadworldpub.com/msp/index.htm

Channels become Chris Koza to become the Channels to become…..

In lieu of the discovery of another band called "The Channels" on DeSoto Records, the channels have decided to abandon their name and adopt Chris Koza as their “all-encompassing nom de guerre,” the band said. Koza will continue to play solo acoustic shows in addition to shows with the band.

Koza’s debut album Exit Pesce continues to garner great press. It is at radio stations all across the country and is available for download from iTunes. Koza, er The Channels announced production of a new album is already underway. The band plays Saturday, March 19th at the Dinktowner with Dallas Orbiter and Chris Dorn in a show that will be webcast LIVE on misplacedmusic.org.