Jackie Beckey, a Minnesota Historical Society reference librarian and Brute Heart violist/vocalist, is the kind of person you’d want at your next dinner party. Relaxed and approachable, she can talk about anything from rock music to classic films; she laughs often and shares stories. Recently, I sat down with Beckey and learned about her interests…

Country songwriter Jay Henry Weisz has been tapped to write the music and lyrics for James Bond: The Musical, a new show based on Ian Fleming‘s iconic character. The James Bond musical is scheduled to open in 2017 or 2018, either on Broadway or in Las Vegas. (Playbill) Producer Jerry Weintraub has died of a heart attack at age 77. Though…

The parties were unforgettable and the recordings will live on in infamy, but for now those memories, photos, and albums will be all that remains of the North Loop studio and party loft known as the Sound Gallery. After a decade of hosting bands, art exhibits, experimental theater performances, fashion shows, benefits, and pop-up parties, the…

Wee Willie Walker: If Nothing Ever Changes The man recorded for legendary label Goldwax Records in the latter ‘60s and is still going strong. Wee Willie Walker, who has been bringing genuine Memphis soul to Minneapolis since 1960, still has his top-notch style and flare on If Nothing Ever Changes. He’ll be at the Minnesota…

It’s a sizable task to explain the pleasantly overwhelming experience of Milwaukee’s Summerfest to an audience who possibly has never been, and—realistically—may not plan to, especially in the midst of such a festival-heavy era in music. How does it stack up to Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Coachella, or the myriad of music festivals dotting your calendar each year?…

On Tuesday, July 7, the Duluth and Minneapolis locations of the Electric Fetus will be celebrating Ringo Starr’s 75th birthday. Though the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee won’t be here in Minnesota (yet), that certainly won’t stop Minnesota from celebrating in his honor. The Fetus is offering 20% off all Ringo and Beatles music and merchandise, rings,…

The Dead Weather—the hard-rocking band featuring Jack White and Alison Mosshart—announced that they will release a third album, Dodge & Burn, in September. A specific date has not yet been revealed. Four tracks from the album have already been released, though not necessarily in the same versions that will appear on the album. (Billboard) After a five-hour set…

“Dillinger Four is 21, huh?” Craig Finn was grinning ear to ear, surveying a giddy parking lot of black t-shirts and plastic pint glasses. He’d only made it two songs into his band Lifter Puller’s first performance in 12 years, and he’d stopped to take a few minutes to address the crowd while a stage tech…

Prince and his band 3RDEYEGIRL have surprised fans with a surprise new track, released on Soundcloud. “HARDROCKLOVER” pits rock against R&B, suggesting that what ladies really love—or, at least, the eponymous lady really loves—is the kind of guitar noise that Prince has been making lately on albums like PLECTRUM ELECTRUM. You could also interpret the lyrics as a woman-guitar…

In May 2014, developer Doug Hoskin announced plans to turn the Minneapolis Armory into a venue for concerts and other events, opening as soon as this year. Those plans stalled, though, as Hoskins looked for the right partners to invest in the renovation. Ned Abdul‘s Swervo Development has now bought the Armory from Hoskins and intends to move forward…