Grief can unexpectedly rear its sometimes ugly head at moments many of us are not prepared to handle. Grief can choose to manifest itself in ways that we may not expect and at a time when we may think we’ve beaten the storm. For many dealing with grief, anxiety and panic attacks are not uncommon…

Anna Marie Carey – “Spaceman” When I say Anna Marie Carey‘s new video is a production, I mean that in the best way possible. Carey worked with a crack team including director Carsten Johnson, producer Jared Myers, cinematographer/editor Christopher Behnen, and art director Dena Winter, who made a gorgeous video to accompany her glimmering song.…

This year’s harsh winter has brought sheets of snow and ice to the Twin Cities, creating dangerous conditions for homeowners. Last week, local singer-songwriter Channy Leaneagh (Poliça, Roma di Luna) fell and broke her back while trying to clear ice dams from the roof of her house. A GoFundMe campaign is raising money to cover…

Empress Of performed an exuberant set at the Turf Club Saturday night with special guest Salt Cathedral. “Thank you for sharing your energy with me, and letting me do the same,” she beamed out into the crowd as the stage flashed green and gold. Throughout the night she would make varied use of this stage,…

The Record Store Day countdown to April 13 has begun, and the list of artists releasing exclusives for this special day has been revealed. Prince, Bob Dylan, Jenny Lewis, Courtney Barnett, and John Lennon are just a few names on the list. Maybe the coolest offering is a recreation of Prince’s 1995 The VERSACE Experience:…

astralblak – “Jerkin” In this video, astralblak luxuriate in free time. “Jerkin,” directed by avant-gardist rappers Nazeem & Spencer Joles, features the members of the band enjoying sushi; yoga; and time at the roller rink. Tonight, they’ll pass the mood on to fans at the Fine Line, headlining a bill that also promises performances from Nazeem &…

Big V’s is closing this week (and immediately reopening under a new name and ownership), after four decades as a University Avenue landmark. We asked some local musicians and fans to share their Big V’s stories. Mark Larson (The Fattenin’ Frogs, the Federales) My best memory from Big V’s was at the first show of…

Through the front window of Big V’s in St. Paul, past the light rail tracks, looms the new soccer stadium on the other side of University Ave. Change is coming, and at the end of the worst February — weather-wise, that is — the Midwest has seen in almost six decades, Vick (a.k.a. Big V)…

Spike Lee won an Academy Award last night in the category of Best Adapted Screenplay for his groundbreaking film BlacKkKlansman. On the red carpet, the director/producer/writer wore a purple suit, hat, glasses, and custom-made diamond and opal encrusted Love Symbol necklace in honor of his late friend Prince Rogers Nelson. After 30 years in the…

While some musicians are financially successful enough to focus exclusively on music, most aren’t quite so lucky. For the average musician, making a living can be a difficult puzzle to figure out. “It’s not going to look the way a lot of people think it will. It’s not glitzy and it involves a lot of…