It all started with a tweet, posted by Delane Cleveland of CCX Media, reporting that R&B artist Sisqó sang his 1999 hit “Thong Song” at a wedding reception on Aug. 17. But it wasn’t just any wedding: it was his own, and it was in the Twin Cities. I can report that Sisqo just performed…

On a steamy St. Paul evening in July 1994 (just down the road from where the Xcel Energy Center would open six years later), I saw my first Smashing Pumpkins show. They were headlining that year’s Lollapalooza tour, with a lineup that included the Beastie Boys, the Breeders, and a Tribe Called Quest, among others.…

Thomas Abban – “Sinner” Fresh off news that he’s signed with RCA, Thomas Abban releases an acoustic live video of “Sinner,” the only track from A Sheik’s Legacy to get a radio remix before its re-release. Chance York & Big Cats! – “Deep Dark Hope” Chance York & Big Cats! recruit a host of friends, including Lydia…

As the result of a distribution deal with Sony, 23 Prince albums originally released from 1995 to 2010 are now available on major streaming services. Some were previously available on Tidal, but the widespread availability of these albums — some of which were originally released only to members of Prince’s NPG Music Club — will…

Aretha Franklin passed away this morning at the age of 76. News of her passing has inspired many musicians to share their condolences and tributes to the Queen of Soul on social media. Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Sheila E., Paul McCartney, Lizzo, Questlove, Brian Wilson, and Smokey Robinson are among those who have shared messages…

If you ask a Minnesotan if they’ve ever seen Radiohead live, they might lament the fact that the band hasn’t visited the Gopher State in over 20 years, since their 1997 show at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Some fans, however, might recall having seen the up-and-coming English rock band play at First Avenue in…

Minneapolis’s historic Parkway Theater, which has been renovated under new ownership, will finally open to the public again on Sept. 13. The building has been revamped, from 372 reupholstered seats to its brand-new bar, featuring local craft beers and a cocktail menu concocted by Tattersall Distilling. There are also new arcade games in the lobby and, don’t…

Ian Alexy – “Video Games” Lana Del Rey’s brooding hit becomes a mid-tempo ballad under the care of Ian Alexy, a guitarist best known for his work with the band Hobo Nephews Of Uncle Frank. He first covered the song during a set at the 331 Club, and when he noticed how well it went…

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are best-known as megahit producers, but they also have a record label imprint that’s been responsible for releases by many notable artists, including some of their Minnesota peers. Perspective Records has been the avenue for albums by Sounds of Blackness, Mint Condition, Lo-Key?, Drama, 4.o, Rufus Blaq, Bobby Ross Avila, Solo,…

Today Rock the Cause Records released a new single from Minnesota artists Paul Metsa, Wee Willie Walker and Sounds of Blackness, titled “Ain’t Gonna Whistle Dixie Anymore.” The new release comes around the same time in August as the anniversary of last year’s march in Charlottesville, Va. and the four-year anniversary of the uprising in Ferguson,…