Monday, December 28, 2015

Curtiss A & Dark Click Hit The Nostalgia Vein Hard on Studio 5's Last Official Airing


In a similar style to the launch of the show in the days of 2010, Live from Studio 5’s final official airing hosted Curtiss A as their musical guest (who also happened to be their very first one, as implied a half a sentence back). Curtiss, known across the wintery Twin Cities as a “local enigma”, is nothing short of a legend of the area. Besides being an expert musician with a signature guitar snap, an unmistakable vocal gravel, and an intensely impressive musical track record, he hosts an annual John Lennon tribute at First Avenue each December 8th (the night in 1980 when Lennon was tragically shot in New York).



    As if Curtiss’ hip-trippy look wasn’t signature enough, the man can truly deliver vocally - there’s something radiant about his sheer classic rock-itude, bluesy sincerity, and a hint of hollow darkness. His band Dark Click (the name is an anagram of “Dick Clark”) provide a more than fitting rhythm section to bear all underneath this voice, which includes Sprague Hollander and Dave Boquist on guitars, John Sandbo on the kit, Bill Granke on bass.  Belting out a barrage of tunes for two hours, including originals and covers of The Stones, Muddy Waters, Wilson Pickett, etc., Curtiss A and Dark Click delivered a powerful performance packed with nostalgia, mad groove, classic tunes, and raw emotion. Their sound ranged from stumpy, low-down blues to crunchy psychedelic rock and then some. Together, these bad dudes present a sound both reminiscent and modern, recollecting and avant-garde, remembered and ever-present. If you get the opportunity to see them perform, take it, my friend.
***Tune in this Wednesday, December 30th, for “Live From Studio 5’s” final airing under the guise of their annual holiday spectacular.



Links are provided below to Curtiss A’s website and Wikipedia page:

Website: http://curtissa.com/home.html

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_A

Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: https://archive.org/details/287CurtissADarkClick_201512

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/pho…/kfai-fm/albums/72157662581629272


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette
   

Sunday, December 20, 2015

"The Loudest Show Ever" On Studio 5



So, the name of the band is “The Outstanding Achievements In The Field Of Excellence”. For real, though. And that’s pretty f**kin’ epic. It might take you a while to memorize the entire thing (this writer suggests forming a study group of sorts), but either way, one cannot deny the severe awesomeness of a band that dubs themselves so intricately. Thankfully, these guys back up the epicness of this dub with an authoritatively powerful metal / alternative rock sound. Their explosive and grinding riffs are forcible, moving mountains while melting faces in a successful attempt at splitting the concrete ground beneath them. Thunder-heavy drums kick out primal blasts that take no prisoners behind the mutated muscular system of the bass hum. Basically, this is the band to play through your car speakers when you desire long-haired ruffian’s head banging within a 2-mile radius.

    The band consists of Brian Herb on lead vocals and guitar, Benji on the grinding bass, and Christopher on the kit. Their album The Cobbler’s Kids Wear No Shoes, is available for purchase on the band’s Bandcamp (link posted below). I highly suggest you check it out.


    The second band of the evening, Little Man, consisted of string-slicer and siren singer Chris Perricelli, kit hitter Sean Gilchrist, and bassist Brian Herb (also of The Outstanding Achievements In The Field of Excellence fame). Little Man kicked out their own barrage of crunchy rock tunes, laying down dirty n’ sweet Southern vibes mixed in with a Brit-rock tongue-in-cheek charm, Floyd-esque six-string wales, and a Johnny Rotten rebellion vibe. Their ethereal scratchy guitar solos and wall sounds create a sound-aura that’s sure to flip out even the most well-seasoned stoner. And the rowdiest rocker of them all, the beautiful, sexy, talented Nicole Jean Rowdy stepped in to belt out a couple of numbers in her very own ass-kicking style.  Check out the band’s latest album, Original Face.

Links are provided below to Little Man’s Facebook page and Outstanding Achievement’s Bandcamp:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleManMusic/timeline

Bandcamp: http://outstandingachievements.bandcamp.com/

Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: https://archive.org/details/286LittleMan

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Soon you can check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/albums/72157662416782722


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette
   

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Platypus Packs Powerfully Prominent Punky Punches


    A friendly warning: this sentence you’re currently reading may be the last in which you are able to associate the word “platypus” with the Australian marsupial bearing a deadly stinger and a hilarious bill. Local power trio Platypus blasted onto the Studio 5 scene this week with a fistful of youthful vengeance. Consisting of Ben Parr on bass guitar, Donovan Eidem on kit, and Thomas Walsh on lead strings and vocals, this is perhaps one of the youngest rocker clans Studio 5 has seen to date. It was revealed by Mr. Thug that these guys were still in Junior High during Live’s radio debut back in 2010.



    Regardless, age seemed to be no hindrance for the killer punk attack of Platypus. Blending elements of geek rock, power pop and pop punk, the group whipped out a torrent of pump-up-able tunes that were as crunchy as they were catchy. Slick harmonies caressed dirty-fast riff work, layered by the happy-go-lucky punch of the rhythm section. It’d be easy to forget that you hadn’t been listening to these guys on your iPod mini while you were warming up for middle school track practice in ’03. If you feel like getting caught up in a modest mosh and leaving the pit with a hundred separate melodic hooks stuck in your head, it’s about time you caught these three dudes live.



Links are provided below to Platypus’ Facebook page:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlatypusMn/timeline

Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434\

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: http://uno.kfai.org/LiveFromStudio5/LiveFromStudio5_2015-12-09.mp3

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Soon there will be a video posted on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/sets/72157662121141381


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette
   

Monday, December 7, 2015

Sounds of the Eccentric Enigma: Paul Fonfara & The Ipsifendus Orchestra



Of the many unsettling and dark aspects of the world of Edward Gorey, one more curiously ominous example inspired the name of last week’s Studio 5 guests. In this particular piece of Gorey literature, devils would emerge from the sky and proclaim the word “Ipsifendus”. Thus, the name for Paul Fonfara’s newest orchestral project was birthed - The Ipsifendus Orchestra.



    Fonfara, who appeared on Studio 5 back in 2012 with his group the Painted Saints, mentioned that the new eight-piece orchestra was formed after the same members had joined together previously to create music for film scores, the Minnesota Book Awards, and more. The lineup consists of Paul Fonfara on clarinet, Tim Kirchoff on guitar, Philip Potyondy on coronet, Chris Hepola on drum kit and keys, Krista Schneider on the cello, Andy McCormick on keyboard (a non-digital antique from decades in the past, might I add) and musical saw, Karen Majewitcz on accordion, and finally Eric Struve played a 115 year old stand-up bass.


    The music this orchestra creates is that of a blissful otherworldliness, the audible incarnation of some massive sauntering being moving cautiously yet gracefully through an unknown world. There are definite hints of darkness and unsettling imagery in their sounds, but these are contrasted with upbeat time signature shifts, dainty marching feels, and an instrumental structure that allows for both brash brightness and sinking morose. Consequently, this orchestra is an amalgamation of emotional expression, so don’t plan on getting too comfortable in any one definable mood.





Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: http://kfai.org/live-from-studio-5/playlists/20151202

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/pho…/kfai-fm/albums/72157661310225549


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette
   

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Lavender Daughter Rides The Radio Wave

  

Heavy as a mid-season Carolina hurricane yet sweet as the nectar from some mightily divine flower, Lavender Daughter kicked out the jams this Wednesday in Studio 5, bearing with them a sharp aesthetic, three-part harmony, and a sound that might be simply summarized as “plethora”. This foursome identifies as “surf-grunge”, finding influences in greats like Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, Fleet Foxes, Sloth Rust, Dick Dale, Lana del Ray, Man or Astroman?, and a hell of a lot more.



    Beginning in early 2013, vocalist / guitarist Kalee Guenther birthed the idea of the band, and what followed initially was a five-piece acoustic / folk group with an accordionist / pianist, a second female vocalist, and a mountain dulcimer player. However, after a lineup change and stylistic shift, Lavender Daughter currently has a much more distorted and back-beat oriented foundation, as well as a new instrumental lineup (the only original members currently are Guenther and drummer Seth Hynes-Marquette). Teygaen Hartman slays the bass guitar with a relentlessly cool wit, providing the muscular system to the dope syncopation of the group’s sound while promoting her secret mastery at just the right times. Seth Hynes-Marquette’s juggernaut of a drum ensemble shakes, rattles, and rolls underneath the strings and harmonies like the shoulders of Atlas bearing the world itself, utilizing literally every f**king inch of his drum kit for a seriously diverse array of sounds and rhythms. Singer Lucas Beach’s voice saunters over the melodic collective like a blessed apparition amidst some holy congregation, telling tales of heartbreak and anger while simultaneously venturing into a future of promise. Kalee Guenther’s six-string emits tone that brings to mind a majestic surf goddess caressing the battered waves of a stormy Seattle shoreline, heavy and distorted with uniquely unpredictable rhythm. All of this percolates amongst her voice, a thing bearing ferocity and comfort, angst and pleasure, righteous rage and modest admiration. Together, Lavender Daughter weaves a sound that is intensely dynamic, storytelling, and innovative in its own sense.



    The band is currently in the process of recording their first full-length eponymous release, Lavender Daughter, due for a spring 2016 release. This record will include band originals such as “Piece of Love”, “Too Soon Too Tell”, “Prom King”, “Run”, and “Sweetest Sound”. Their next performance is at Hexagon Bar in Minneapolis, Saturday, December 12th at 10 PM. I suggest that you check it out. Like, real fast.

A link has been provided below to Lavender Daughter’s Facebook page:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavenderdaughter/?fref=ts

Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: https://archive.org/details/278LavenderDaughter_201511

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the videos on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/sets/72157659992512610


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette
   

Monday, November 30, 2015

Solaris 4 Brings Otherworldly Vibes to Studio 5!


Solaris 4 released a few ethereal wails last Wednesday in the studio, complete with some ferociously upbeat rockabilly and pre-metal rhythms, some crusty and crackin’ string smackin’, and the above-and-beyond badass Nicole Jean Rowdy at the helm of co-host. The band laughed, lolled, shimmied, shook, screamed, stomped, and rocked the hell out for a solid two hours, all while maintaining their classic yet cooky composure. With Bill on lead vocals and acoustic strings, Phil on bass, Tracy on guitar, and the wonderful Lady T on the drum kit, it’s truly hard to beat this band in anything badass related.


From L-R Tracy Petterson, Phil Lady T, Bill Marshall & Nicole Jean Rowdy


Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here:

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette


Sunday, November 22, 2015

Shawn Vougeot Definitely Doesn't Have Issues in Studio 5


Shawn Vougeot and her band She Has Issues laid down some sounds this week in Studio 5. With an ultra hip vibe and an optimistic outlook to rival that of Mahatma Ghandi, Shawn and her band present a positive sound with a powerful message. Shawn’s lyrics motivate the soul, spreading the feel-good vibe of loving one’s self and seizing the day; in essence, she is the embodiment of that old Latin phrase "Carpe Diem".
  



Her beloved band consists of keys, percussion, bass, and guitar, and Shawn even whipped out a violin for a brief spell. All in all, this band is exactly what you need to get you out of bed without hitting the snooze button, actually make it to the gym before work, or even to cure a monster hangover. You’ll be feelin’ good vibrations baby. Allllll day.




Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: http://uno.kfai.org/LiveFromStudio5/LiveFromStudio5_2015-11-18.mp3

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/sets/72157661421802182


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette

Friday, November 13, 2015

Andra Suchy & Tim Belden Present Americana At Its Finest



Snappy strumming infused with serendipitous squeeze boxing, singer/songwriter Andra Suchy and accordionist Tim Belden dropped by for a jam in Studio 5 last Wednesday. The duo laid out some milky-smooth roots tunes, with heavenly melody and sublime instrumental grace. Raised on a beef and wheat farm by her musical parents, Suchy has kept the cozy aesthetic alive by expressing her optimistic and romantic nostalgia via zephyr-esque tales of rural beauty, simple living, and life in bloom. Having moved to the Twin Cities from North Dakota in 1996, with a guitar on her back and a sanguine glint in her eye, she has since established herself as a prominent Americana artist.


No stranger to stardom, Suchy has shared performances with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, and Mindy Smith. She released her first full-length album, Patchwork Story, in 2006, and her follow up, Little Heart, through Red House Records in 2012.

A link to Andra Suchy’s website has been provided below:
Website: http://www.andrasuchy.net/


Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: Andra Suchy Archive  (It starts off with the last minute of the show before it.)

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/albums/72157661136120355


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette
    

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Fairfax, AK Lay It Down In Minneapolis, MN

  

Fairfax, AK (the band, not the city) laid it down in the studio this week, cutting loose with a thumping folk explosion layered between subtle rock riff-age and a sweetly serenading melodic ease. Singer Pat Dougherty’s delicately towering vocals are only matched in prowess by his august demonstrations on the six-string. Collectively, Dougherty presents a passionate and forcible performance, taking leaps between sincere fragility and cathartic aggression whilst belting his heart out. Kit-hitter Corey Bertelsen provided snappy and super-tight rhythmic works amidst the low drone of cellist Tim Binger and keyboardist Dave Afdahl’s chimerical precision.







    Fairfax, AK’s Americana influence is as genre-encompassing as it is innovative, dabbling in folk, blues, R&B, rock, and more to make one viciously sexy musical amalgam. Case and point, these dudes are worth your time. The foursome’s most recent record, Love Stories & Picture Shows, is a shining example of their dominance. I seriously recommend that you check it out.






Links are provided below to Fairfax, AK’s website and Facebook page (Love Stories & Pictures Shows is available for download via their website):

Website: http://www.fairfaxak.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fairfaxak/timeline

Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here:

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/sets/72157658583082034


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette
   

Friday, October 30, 2015

Shakedown City Rattles n' Rolls in Studio 5!


Shakedown City tore the roof off the motha’ sucka this week in Studio 5, constructing sultry smooth vibes as palpable as the fruit from the Forbidden Tree. Beastly blues fuse with prevalent soul to present a sound that’s equally as relaxing and Uptown-cafe worthy as it is ultra funky and irreversibly in your face.



These cats know how to execute a groove - drummer Tim Schmidt’s punchy syncopation prevents any potential attention from wandering, while Chris Porto’s constant bass-bob provides a resurfacing pop amidst the rhythmic madness. Faye Lewis’ heavenly melody is nothing short of assertion at its finest; she’s tired of men telling her what’s best for her, and she’s something much less than shy when it comes to presenting this message in the funkiest fashion imaginable. Meanwhile, brothers Michael and Tamir Nolley brought out the best that brass has to offer, blasting an armada of sexy sax and trombone infused noise over the delicate funk-fury of guitarist Matt Hughes. Sifting enigmatically through the mix is key tapper Mitch Pucik. Together, these cats conceive an infused funk-soul blast with power comparable to the love child of Mike Tyson and a hydrogen bomb. 




Their upcoming album, (currently nameless), is due for an early 2016 release. Get stoked, young folks.



Links are provided below to Shakedown City’s ReverbNation and Facebook pages:



Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come! 

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online! 

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here: http://uno.kfai.org/LiveFrom…/LiveFromStudio5_2015-10-28.mp3

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks 

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here:  https://www.flickr.com/pho…/kfai-fm/albums/72157660487531362


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette


Sunday, October 18, 2015

Dirt Road Ramblers Lay It Down Right in Studio 5

Ramblin’ gamblin’ folk as they were, the Dirt Road Ramblers found their way into the studio this week for one night only, bearing with them the thunder of the Wild West and a sound that reciprocates. The group’s powerfully down-home Western style tells tales of lost love and outlaw escapades, guaranteed to being a tear to the eyes of the most rough-and-tumble cow wrangler sitting fireside at the Ponderosa. Haunting background harmonies, supplied by back up vocalists Myra Joan and Angie Frisk, hover delicately amidst a tight-as-f**k rhythm section and the immensely burly bass of lead vocalist Joe Hysell, a voice with enough naturally raw country gusto to shake the foundation of the Grand Tetons themselves.

Boss Man Joe Hysell

Jake Anderson on the Drums.


Dan Neal on the Acoustic Electric Guitar.


The Dirt Road Rambler’s may roost in the Twin Cities, but they boast an inarguably authentic Western sound with a tendency to kick listener ass with nostalgia, balladry, and instrumental finesse. Don’t believe me? Check out their latest album release, 2014’s The Legend of Charley White. Prove me wrong, sucker.


Joe Anderson played guitar.


Backup singers are Myra Joan and Angie Frisk.



Links are provided below to the Dirt Road Rambler’s ReverbNation and Facebook pages:

ReverbNation: reverbnation.com/jhdrr


Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come! 

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online! 

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here:  Archive

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks 

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: Flickr Pix


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette


Saturday, October 10, 2015

Reina del Cid Folks Sh*t Up In Studio 5


Folk rock four-piece Reina del Cid sauntered into Studio 5 this week in an ultimately successful effort to sweetly serenade the entire Twin Cities area. Though their stick-wielder Zach Schmidt wasn’t in the studio that night, the temporary-trio still delivered a driving, upbeat folk blast that bore hints of Marcus Mumford and Lucy Michelle's love child. Singer and band namesake Reina del Cid delivered a sweetly soft melodic style over a deceptively lyrical bite. Toni Lindgren’s guitar licks percolated comfortably above and beneath the ever-present thump of Chris Wiberg’s upright bass. Their rhythms slide between laid-back ballad-esque chill and a barrage of syncopated acoustic sucker punches, a willfully deceptive transition between heavenly coddling and strum-savvy jammery.



The group’s 2015 release, The Cooling, was recorded at the legendary Pachyderm Studios of Cannon Falls, Minnesota. The album’s title refers to a concept Cid described in the studio as “missing the light at the end of the tunnel” in the enigmatic moment of death. The cooling itself is the sensation of the heat leaving ones body in this macabre scenario, only before an eternity doomed to wandering and wondering.




Reina del Cid’s next performance will go down at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Friday, October 16th ($8 advance, $10 door, 21+). Check them out. Did you hear that clearly? Cause I’m serious. Check. Them. Out.

Links are provided below to Reina del Cid’s website and Facebook page:



Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come! 

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144, or donate online! 

Online donation: http://kfai.org/node/46434

If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here:  https://archive.org/details/276ReinaDelCid


(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)

Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks 

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/albums/72157657349226964


-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette

Friday, October 2, 2015

Dan Jass, Sass and Flash - A Plethora of Delights on Studio 5



Local singer-songwriter Dan Jass kicked back in the studio on this crisp and final September night last Wednesday, while simultaneously kicking out old-school tunes from way back when. Laying down covers by essential bluesmen Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, and others, as well as a slew of originals, Jass delivered a healthy dose of down-home feel-goodness via hard-strummed guitar and raspy vocals. These heart-achy, bluesy numbers most likely put a nostalgic tear or three into the eyes of the Studio 5 crew, but this writer is quite sure that they won’t be admitting to it anytime soon. If that weren’t enough, his ultra-energetic, some-what eccentric dialogue is worthy of having its own bonus track on an upcoming album. If you are into interesting stuff, folks, give this man a try.

A link has been provided below to Dan Jass' Facebook page:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.jass?fref=ts


If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here:  FOREVER Archives

(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)
Check out the videos on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/sets/72157657024867094

!!!Also, our fall pledge drive at KFAI is in full swing! We love the hell out of you lovely listeners out there, and if you'd be willing to show a little love back by donating just a tad, we'd not only be forever in debt to your priceless advice, but we will undoubtedly be able to continue providing you with terrific music, talk shows, and programming for years to come. Either call in or click the link below to donate!!!



Be sure to support your local “Fresh Air” Radio Station, KFAI! We are a non-profit organization, so we need your help as the listener to keep this amazing radio station alive and running, so as to deliver a wide-array of music for years to come!

If you would like to make a donation, simply call us at 612-341-3144 or donate online!

Online donation: http://kfai.org/support-us

-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette

Friday, September 25, 2015

Tom Aydan & Jake Allan - Two Unique Geniuses



Stretching his strings farther than the length of time itself and smacking them in an equally epic manner, Tom Aydan graced Studio 5 this Wednesday with his ridiculously rad guitar-playing style. Performing an array of originals, Aydan jammed and sang for nearly an hour in an aura of straight up six-string f**king wizardry. The sounds he emitted were like a vocal conversation between extraterrestrials on acid, furiously fast strumming and anxious neck-sliding accompanied by other-worldly tonality. The rhythm constantly and intentionally bends, making each song an unexpected torrent of varying style.



Aydan's vocal style is a rock-blues drive, calling to mind a Cream-era Clapton, both in bluesy sincerity and creative bite. Believe me, folks, if you're not careful, it's beyond easy to get lost in the awe of this dude's music. His next performance is Saturday, October 9th, at Amsterdam Bar & Hall. Be there. Seriously. Be there.

Links are provided below to Tom Aydan's website and Facebook page:




For the second half of the show, singer/songwriter Jake Allan took the helm of the mic, pumping out tune after killer tune of driving acoustic folk riffs and raspy, down-home, Sunday-morning vocals. Allan's numbers offer variety on all accounts, whether he's serenading every human being within a 12 mile radius with a calm-inducing zephyr ballad, or smacking you in the face with furious strum-work  layered beneath an unapologetic barrage of home-hitting lyricism. Half-time grooves slide comfortably between his uptempo footstompery, so much so that it might be necessary to warn you about potential whiplash while jamming to these tunes. His new album, Somewhere To Somewhere And Everywhere in Between, will be released in the next few months.


Links are provided below to Jake Allan's Soundcloud and Facebook page:




If you missed the original broadcast you can still listen at ANY time from ANYWHERE on the planet on our FOREVER archives just by clicking here:  
(Archive also contains interview with Live From Studio 5!’s blogger, Seth Hynes-Marquette)
Check out the video on our You Tube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/KFAIRocks 

You can see the Flickr pix from that show here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kfai-fm/albums/72157656763651073

!!!Also, our fall pledge drive at KFAI is in full swing! We love the hell out of you lovely listeners out there, and if you'd be willing to show a little love back by donating just a tad, we'd not only be forever in debt to your priceless advice, but we will undoubtedly be able to continue providing you with terrific music, talk shows, and programming for years to come. Either call in or click the link below to donate!!!

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-Article by Seth Hynes-Marquette