Santigold makes me feel nice inside.

Santigold glitters at First Ave

By Amber Schadewald 

Friday, May. 29 2009

Original post @www.citypages.com

From her earrings to her hightops and eyeshadow, Santigold was all about the eye-catching precious metal at First Ave last night. The Brooklyn version of M.I.A. smiled through a set of stellar tracks from her 2008 self-titled release, dazzling the crowd with her charming stage manners and modest dance moves. Her back-up dancers were crazy amounts of entertaining, busting out moves to the singer’s left and right. The show included a couple Amanda Blank cameos and even some unattractive audience participation.

Santigold is a stylish woman and her wears are all about head turns, but the evening’s outfit of choice would lay flat in any lookbook. The form hiding jumpsuit was far from flattering, the mid-section donning a black and white lightning pattern. The band (drummer, guitars and keys) of men behind her even matched the pattern on their traditional African Kofia hats.

Santigold’s ladies on the side were clad in their shimmering gold jackets and marching band trousers, staring stiff into the audience through their dark Ray-Bans. Their dance moves turned on and off, making them appear as robotic African dancers with relentless amounts of attitude. 

Santigold’s music had a more ethnic quality at the live show than in the recorded version. The bass was hella loud throughout but the sound quality shone true on tracks like “Lights Out,” “Unstoppable,” “You’ll Find A Way,” and of course, “Creator.” The lady of the night prefaced a couple tracks by saying they were from “the remix” album and if anyone knows where I can get these, I’d really like them in my personal collection.

The crowd was packed but not sold-out, making ample dancing space for all. Another one off the “remix” tracks, “Get It Up,” was absolutely stellar, oozing energy in all forms, prefaced by some outstanding J-setting, a.k.a. some Soulja Boy type moves from Santigold’s sidekicks.

For “Creator” Santigold invited up some lucky fans in the front to dance on-stage, calling them up by their shirt types: “sparkle shirt” and “lightning shirt.” I can’t say they were a very impressive bunch and when the song was in full swing, Santigold seemed to be surrounded by a band of Minnesota misfits.

The show ended with a second appearance from Amanda Blank and together they threw out another “nasty” track, “B.O.O.T.Y.” Blank told the crowd to take notes from the dancers, who during the song did a fair share of shakin’ it, bent over, palms to the floor.

Jerk that cock, hipster pants!

Oh, man I love Canadian dance-masters Thunderheist. Super fabulous for breakin’ it down, rubbin’ one out under the strobe lights and movin’ your feet in fast-forward.The duo is finally coming back to the nasty U.S.A to promote their recent debut, self-titled album with a racy tour of neon colors and hott jams. I’m totally down with “Jerk It”; a single off the album featured in the movie “The Wrestler” and apparently the scandalous video to the wild tune won Best Music Video at SXSW this year.

Here’s the crazy vid with a hot hipster in stretch pants jerkin’ around a cock– that is, she’s holding a real male chicken in her hand:

Unfortunately these guys aren’t coming back to MPLS. Hiss.

On the intranet: http://www.thunderheist.com/

On myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thunderheist

Art-a-Whirl splurges

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Couldn’t resist checking out Art-a-Whirl this weekend in NE and therefore couldn’t resist buying something fun to take home. Only, I didn’t expect to be loading up the trunk with such an expenssive purchase. Well worth it my friends.

Here’s what Ann and I picked out:

3paintings from Emma C. Cook, a freshman art student at the UofM– her minor, animal science. She’s into gender, sexuality and breaking stereotypes. She loves to paint women. These three were inspired by the relationship between her and her two sisters.

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II

III

She’s basically the coolest chick ever. Super chill. Mature beyond her freshman stance. Emma is totally rad and Ann and I agree that we’d like to be her friends. haha. Free art, please? So not only did we get some beautiful paintings to decorate our living space, but I felt really inspired to do some new work of my own. Time to dip into my summer creativity.

Sober teens do cool things

24-hour art making madness at “Don’t Sleep On It”

By Amber Schadewald

Monday, May. 18 2009

Find original posting at www.Citypages.com

24 hours of artsy teenagers makes a 24-year-old feel like the unpopular prom chaperon. “Don’t Sleep On It” challenged teens ages 15-19 to an Art-a-Whirl all-nighter of painting, music and caffeinated-craziness in the California building in Northeast. The party started with a blank canvas and enough white space to drive any artist wild with ideas. There were cardboard forts and cardboard fights, curse words, lots of soda, a full snack table (including Fruit-by-the-Foot and vanilla wafers) and paint splattered on every article of clothing. Curfews were passed and creative kids of the Twin Cities proved to be cooler than any of the adults downtown.

Throughout the night and into early morning, eight groups of artists were brought in to rouse the masses and instigate the next direction of the project. Artists included Burlesque Design, Erik Burke, Mike Fitzsimmons, Andy Duett, John Grider, Hardland/Heartland, Liz Miller, Kristina Mooney, Chris Pennington, Brett Smith, Erin Smith and Scott Stulen. The marathon was presented by the Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council and mnartists.org.

Kids dressed in hipster-attire swarmed the busy room, music blasting and paint splattering. Flirting was out of control and everyone was bonding with strangers. Socializing without booze? It’s hard to remember a time when the flask wasn’t making a surprise appearance in someone’s backpack, but these kids seemed hyper enough without the gin in their juice.

Bands and DJs came in between artists, including hip-hop genius P.O.S. The room buzzed with excitement as the sound system was set up mid-room. The cardboard playground had just been destroyed, stomped and completely demolished, but black paint was the next order of business and everyone grabbed a brush.

These glam-metal fans took a break from work and indulged in the treat bar. Can’t say I didn’t snag a chip or two myself.

A time-lapse of the evening’s creative doings:

More of my photos:

I think Rihanna likes me…

Rihanna sent me this naughty photo last night. Don’t tell my girlfriend…or that cartoon robot-dude in the picture, they might get jealous.

But really, I got this email Major Lazer’s PR woman. I don’t know if this image is Mr. Major Lazer himself, but obviously Rihanna has a type: assholes with nice shades.

Major Lazer on Myspace

Stophouse Records pity their fans…and I like it.

Recession Music means free stuff from StopHouse Records

By Amber Schadewald

Friday, May. 15 2009

Find original posting here: www.citypages.com

Photo courtesy of www.Stophousegroup.com

It’s time to bank on an unfortunate economy and rake in some quality freebies. Local hip-hop label Stophouse Music Group is offering up an entire album of the good stuff and all you gotta do it click. “Recession Music” is a collaboration of MCs Prof and St. Paul Slim, two guys deemed favorites in the TC underground rap scene, that together make loud, content heavy tracks with unwavering attitude. The album was produced by the legendary Ant, a.k.a. the mastermind behind Atmosphere’s sound and even Slug makes a guest appearance on the record. Other local talent featured on “Recession” includes P.O.S., Big Zach of Kanser and Atlanta-based Yelawolf.

Prof and St. Paul Slim say they mustered up inspiration for the album from the bootleggers of the Great Depression and wanted to channel the spirit of the old school outlaws into their music. While the lyrics might not entirely reflect this idea, the songs are quite perfect for ignoring the reality Fannie and Freddie and enjoying a lawful forty.

Take a sip:

If you’re still thirsty…

Find the full album here: www.stophousegroup.com

You can find a  physical copy of the album at Cal Suf, Fifth Element and Cheapo.

Lady Sov and I chat over the phone and a cup o’ tea

Lady Sovereign wonders if a ‘certain someone’ will show to Fine Line gig

By Amber Schadewald in Music

Thursday, May. 14 2009

Find the original post here: www.Citypages.com

Photo courtesy of www.ladysovereign.com

The side ponytail may not be making an appearance, but Lady Sovereign is back in business. After a good three years of avoiding the music industry, possibly the paparazzi and any notion of true responsibility, the British brat is in the ring for another round. The loud-mouthed lady rapper released the new album Jigsaw last month and has since hit the American highways for a coast-to-coast tour.

Photo courtesy of www.ladysovereign.com

In 2006, Lady Sov was the first non-American female signed to JZ’s Def Jam and her album Public Warning worked wonders with its single, “Love Me or Hate Me.” Lady Sov has since been booted from the label, most likely due to 1) major attitude issues 2) ridiculous ego 3) Jay-Z was scared she’d steal Beyonce. Midget Records was born and now the witty bird can be her own boss and more importantly, get her way without question. Jigsaw became the label’s first release, and it’s bright, innovative and super fun to hop to in your high tops.The lyrics are a bit simple at times, but Sov isn’t bragging through lines of enlightening poetry. If nothing more, the album will offer a great soundtrack for drunken dancing when she stops in at the Fine Line on Saturday (May 16).

After the show, there’s one spot you’ll be sure to catch her Stussy at: The Seville Club. Sov is no stranger to the Twin Ciites; her now-terminated relationship with one of the “classier” strip club’s employees meant multiple visits to our city. As I’m no Perez Hilton, you’ll have to ask the midget with the mic for the juicy details.

“The biggest midget in the game” did manage to answer a slew of other less love-life related questions via cell phone while hanging at her dad’s flat outside of London. Amid being slightly timid, a bit awkward and annoyingly afraid of bugs, here’s what she managed to say and not say at the same time:

Sov: Bloody hell. I’m locked out of my house.
CP: What? How does that happen?
Sov: I’m living with my dad and brother right now and they didn’t leave me a key, so I’m sitting on the wall of the front garden.

…skip a few shrieks pertaining to bumble bees and other garden friends.

CP: So after the breakup with your Minnesotan lover, are you holding a grudge against Minneapolis?
Sov: No grudges. I still like Minneapolis.
CP:You’re familiar with the city, so where do you like to go when you’re here?
Sov: I can’t remember the names because I’m always getting dragged along to different places.

CP: Where have you been since “Public Warning”? You’ve basically vanished for three years.
Sov: I took some time off. Got back in touch with friends. Drinkin’ it up– not in an alcoholic way. Gettin’ back in the social circle and not thinking about work.

…more yelps, a bunch of sneezes and somthing about “hay fever.”

CP: Does your music still feel like work?
Sov: Interviews, yes. Just depends on my mood and the questions I’m getting asked.
CP: What questions do you hate getting so I can avoid them?
Sov: Anything about Def Jam or Jay-Z. Actually there are quite a few.

CP: You pretty pumped to be running your own label? Being in charge?
Sov: It’s great. If there’s too much going on, I’m like fuck this. I just don’t answer the phone–
it’s not like anyone is gonna give me any shit. It’s my problem now.

CP: So you’ve been quite active on Twitter lately. What do you like to twit about?
Sov: For the past two days I’ve twittered about being madly attacked by bugs. The weather got all tropical here. Lots of garden bugs and shit. I’ve been screamin’ like a bitch at wasps.
CP: So I take it you’re not a gardener?
Sov: No way. Spiders? Oh, god, there’s one on me now. I’m never wearing yellow again.

CP: The lyrics on “Jigsaw” tend to be a little more personal. I thought you were so tough?
Sov: I’m a girl with all the moods and I’m entitled to have my sappy moments. When I wanna be aggressive, I’ll do it. When I wanna be all lovey-dovey, I’ll do it. I ain’t got nothing to hide, except for the fact–

literally cuts herself off here…

CP: You ditched the ponytail. It was your trademark-
Sov: I realized I look so much hotter with my hair down. And it was killing my hair. So I said, bye. See you later.

CP: Excited about the tour?
Sov: Yeah I’m excited. I’m wondering if a certain someone in Minneapolis will come. It’d be rude if not.

…I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.

Lady Sovereign @The Fine Line
May 16
Doors 5pm
$16/$18

Lady Sovereign’s Official Site

THE KILLS totally kill it at First Ave

The Kills at First Avenue on 5/11/09

Review at Howwastheshow.com By: Amber Schadewald

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As the dial tone and telephone sound intro to their set began, the crowd hush only slightly, too excited to hold back their screams of anticipation. My knees went weak as the two figures dressed in black let out their first notes to “U.R.A. Fever”, the bass tones hitting my chest with a erotic thrust, followed by strong, smoky vocals. The Kills’ Midnight Boom is by far one of my favorite albums to date, so you only imagine how much I was anticipating this show. I was not disappointed.

Alison Mosshart is totally badass in the sexiest way possible. With her long black hair and tight black jeans she strode around the stage with immaculate confidence. She’s my modern-day Janis, a rough voice that takes prisoners when accompanied with that piercing stare. In between songs Mosshart paced the dimly-lit stage, mimicking a lurking shadow as her counterpart Jamie Hince ripped apart his guitar solos. From atop the speakers Mosshart crouched, bent over backwards, and she twisted wildly as the music had its way with her body. While singing she’d flip her long locks with serious head-banging, leaving her rosy cheeks in a tornado of tangles. She was hard not to watch.

An immense amount of sound erupted from the duo as they played a variety of songs from their three albums, although Midnight Boom definitely dominated the set. The song “Sour Cherry” was hot, along with “Alphabet Pony” and “Last Day of Magic.” The more dramatic slow songs, “Goodnight Bad Morning” and “Black Balloon” were eerie and intense. Mosshart was relentless with her burning eyes, playing her shiny red guitar for about half of the songs. Hince consistently scratched away at the rough and ragged melodies throughout.

Mid-set the duo set-up their mics center stage and sang to one another with only inches between their faces. Wearing dirty grins as they strummed and sang, “Kissy Kissy” felt like ease dropping on a deep secret. The Kills are not only super entertaining to hear, but visually they know how to work it. Stomping in their cute boots, their energy was in just the right place. Sweat streamed down their faces and by the end of the night Mosshart’s hair was soaked and ratty.

The end of the show included a cover of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” that sounded like a drunken ode at the corner bar. Mosshart lit a cigarette, encircling herself in a cloud of smoke as she played up the lyrics with her distant body language. The encore featured a cover of “I Put a Spell on You,” which was equally creepy as “Crazy”, Mosshart thrashing around and staring down the front row with a death grip. Hince wore a captain’s hat and for the last minutes of the show he created loud reverb while perched on one speaker while Mosshart sprawled out on the one above.

Here are my hott photos from the show:

Is it weird that I watched TV amongst the dead?

The beutiful Lakewood Cemetery

I went to Lakewood Cemetery today….

with Tegan (the chihuahua) on my back (in my Chrome bag)…

and my computer…

and watched an episode of Lost.

Ok. I answered my own question. Yes. But it was so peaceful…expect when Tegan ran at a gardener.

Im starting to grasp why people are so obsessed with this show- it’s quite addicting. But really fucking bizzare. I’m not so sure I’m down with the polar bear on the island, or the black smoke monster (ie. wtf) who was able to pull a man into a hole. But then again, what do I know about islands. I thought they were supposed to be pretty and a fun vacation if you were stranded on one.

Three things I’d bring w/me on a deserted island (in no particular order, ladies):

1. Tegan

2. Ann

3. a lot of food, drinking water, blankets, sunscreen, a pillow, the internet, chips, Bose headphones, a house, a video camera for documentary making, Lindsey Lohan (no paparazzi please), cookie from Yum! bakery, The Kills, my dancin’ shoes and mace (in case there were indeed polar bears).

I mean, I guess I could survive. I sure would miss my bike. Riding the bus on deserted islands is never as fun as it sounds.

It’s Cinco de Mayo Mami!

two tacos too many.

Oh. my. god. I am so full.

Taco Bar @Pepitos filled me up to the face. Delicioso!

Eat their site, here.