Pert Near Sandstone: The Hardest Part of Leaving

Minnesota roots rockers have been a productive bunch as of late, and now, bluegrass big shots Pert Near Sandstone are upon their release of their sixth studio album, The Hardest Part of Leaving, a richly developed follow-up to 2011’s well-received Paradise Hop. For the album, the band have added cajun fiddle, swing piano, and triangle to their collection of instruments, and have taken to writing songs privately and experimenting with forms of collaboration. The result is an elegant, eclectic 14-song record from these experienced musicians, but that still sustains all the wild, twangy energy that their fans expect. The Hardest Part of Leaving will be officially released April 15, but Pert Near Sandstone have a celebration planned a few days before the records hit the shelves. April 12 at the Fitzgerald Theater, the guys will perform a two-part set as part of the next installment of the Current Sessions: the first being a Pert Near Sandstone retrospective, and the second being a preview of the new record.

MaLLy: The Colors of Black

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The Twin Cities are privileged to see a seemingly constant flow of talented rappers  emerging and rising in the scene. Few, however, possess MaLLy’s dark, intergalactic production and eloquent lyrical finesse. MaLLy’s style combines introspection and narrative with plenty of colloquial realness, performed with spit and passion. Layer that on top of innovative instrumentals—washes of guitar and eclectic synth—and add an impressive cast of guests, including Atmosphere’s Slug, and you’ve got The Colors of Black. The Colors of Black, both an ambitious thematic undertaking and an exercise in sonic creativity, is out today. MaLLy will celebrate the release with a record release show at the 7th Street Entry on Saturday, April 18, featuring Last Word and special guests Haphduzn, Jimmy 2 times, and DJ Fundo.

Mystery Date: You and Your Sister

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A three-song record from a three-man band, Mystery Date’s latest 7” release, You and Your Sister, is a power pop trifecta two times over. Out today on Minneapolis’s self-described “tiny” label, Piñata Records, the album gives hints of surf, punk, and rockabilly, with the sweet sass of sixties pop. Crunchy guitar riffs ring out as the band’s vocal parts and harmonies talk back to each other with nostalgic lyrics and infectious oohs. The 7” record’s A side features the title track, “you and your sister,” and the B side contains the tracks “lightspeed romance” and “the one that you really want.” Mystery Date, and some friends from Piñata Records, will release You and Your Sister at a record release show at the Hexagon Bar on Saturday, April 12, alongside Southside Desire, Teenage Moods, and Hot Rash.

Little Spoon: Girl Friend Forever

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Girl Friend Forever is the delightfully weird, rainbow-colored full length-release from one-man electro-pop show Little Spoon. Hailing from Rochester, New York, Little Spoon’s upcoming (cassette!) release comes thanks to Minneapolis’s cassette-centric MJMJ Records, who have also produced tapes for Teenage Moods and the Shakin’ Babies. On Girl Friend Forever’s second track, “Dude, Bra,” Cameron Potter, the man behind Little Spoon, shakily croons over bouncy, twinkling synth and clicking percussion, repeating, “not a clue what to do with my hair.” Girl Friend Forever is a quirky, idiosyncratic little trip of a record, and luckily, it’s as fun as it is perplexing. Little Spoon will release the Girl Friend Forever cassette with a release show at the Hex on Wednesday, April 9, with Sun Deko, VATS, and Vacation Dad.

KT Lindemann is a senior at the University of Minnesota, Morris, pursuing studio art and Spanish. She is a native of the Twin Cities and is a wannabe musician, artist, and music writer.