Tune Traveling on Thursday: Music From Minneapolis

We're not really spanning the globe in this edition of Tune Traveling. In fact, since the first post, Scotland, I haven't been able to do another post of this type. But some things have sorted out and Scene 13 has been moved back up to a top spot on my daily priority list. So, time to get the blog back up and running in a timely fashion.

Today, we're checking out a few bands that make their home in Minneapolis. Why'd I choose Minneapolis? They've got some great bands. But, being completely honest, I was listening to Retreat From the Sun by That Dog this morning, and "Minneapolis" is my favorite song on that album. Wish the reason for the choice was more intriguing. I've included a link to that song at post end.

Photo courtesy of Afternoon Records

Formed in 2006, One For The Team is (currently) a quartet that formed in 2006. Frontman and songwriter Ian Anderson wanted to write music that didn't really fit into his then current gig with the band Aneuretical. With three releases in three years, two full-lengths and one EP, One For The Team is best known for back and forth boy/girl vocal exchanges.

Listen To: Good Boys Don't Make Noise by One For the Team

Photo courtesy of Last.fm

Made up of brother/sister duo Chris and Kate Farstad and friends Micky Alfano and Mark Ritsema, Mouthful of Bees has been called "endlessly catchy". Kate's drumming has been described as a "raucous" counterpart to Alfano's melodic bass. Their sound is a mixture of driving tempo and melodic interludes. It's catchy, toe-tapping and edgy all at the same time.

Listen to: The Now by Mouthful of Bees

Photo courtesy of Last.fm

Described as an electronic dance group (I don't know why, but that description just makes me laugh), The Battle Royale recently signed to Afternoon Records (coincidentally all three bands have put out records on this label). They've put out two albums since signing in 2006, and a third full length is expected by summer's end 2009 (they better get off the stick). See what you think.

Listen to: Racecar by the Battle Royale

EXTRA LISTEN - Minneapolis by That Dog!

Still Flyin' Back in GA For Two Shows

Now a fixture in the San Fran scene (and yes, I can say San Fran, I'm a NorCal native), Still Flyin's very music roots are in Athens, GA where front man Sean Rawls made an impression on the scene as the driving force behind Masters of the Hemisphere and Je Suis France. I think they have a "definite" Athens sound. You can make the call yourself with the listening links below.

Photo courtesy, the band's Myspace Page

The 15-member (yeah, I said 15 members) band took the San Francisco scene by storm and are also a fixture on the, previously unknown to me, European Festival circuit. It's not hard to understand as several members put in time in critically acclaimed acts including Track Star, Aislers Set, Ladybug Transistor, Love Is All, Maserati, and Red Pony Clock.

Listen to: The Hottchord is Struck

Listen to: Good Thing It's A Ghost Town Around Here

The band plays two shows this weekend, the first in Athens, the second in Atlanta. They'll be at the 40 Watt on Saturday, October 19th with Kindercore and Owl Hootenanny. They'll rock the Earl on Sunday, October 20th with Peelander-Z and Excalibrah.

If you go, take pics and be sure to share the experience with us via comments.

Tuesday Tunes: Local & Beyond

Today we're going to check out some new offerings from our local Scene 13 following, but we'll also venture a little farther across the U.S. to bring you come current Scene 13 crew favorites.

Atlanta's Ocean Is Theory have a new disc dropping on September 29th. We haven't had the pleasure of their company in the Scene 13 studio, but we'd love to see them (hint, hint).

Ocean Is Theory - Oh Broken Son

I bet you can get a rocking earful of several of the new tracks when they play at the Refuge this Saturday night, September 5th. $10 cover. Check out their MySpace page for other upcoming gigs. Click Here.

If you're looking for more of the singer-songwriter vibe, you might want to check out Aslyn, another Atlanta local, by way of Gainesville, FL. Her Last.FM page offers up several full listens that showcase her pipes and simple, but sweeping, musical delivery.

Aslyn - Golden

Moving away from the local scene, I really need to get my hands on this album. I think it's going to involve an online search, as they're elusive in all the normal purchasing venues. I like the simplicity, almost monotony, of the song. Sometimes I'm not in the mood for frenetic and fractious tempo changes. Sometimes I want a song I can nod along with without whiplash. This song fits the bill. I also like the lo-fi vocal delivery, still emotional, without going over the top into drama.