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Local Gig List: September 24-30

by Andrea Swensson

September 25, 2012

Looking for an excuse to get out of the house this week? Here's a list of options we've compiled that will allow you to support some local music while you're at it. See you out at the shows.

Tuesday, September 25

The Valdons
Fifth Element, Minneapolis
6 p.m., free, all ages
Miss the sold-out Secret Stash Twin Cities Funk and Soul release party at the Cedar this past weekend? Well here's another chance to catch one of the most notable reunions from the show: Stylish soul quartet The Valdons. The singers will be backed by the Twin Cities Funk & Soul All-Stars for this free encore gig, which coincides with the release date of the historical Secret Stash compilation. 

Poverty Hash
Turf Club, St. Paul
9 p.m., $5, 21+
St. Paul blues rockers Poverty Hash wrap up their month-long residency at the Turf, this time with opening act High Crimes. Get their early, because High Crimes kicks things off right at 9 p.m. and Poverty Hash follows at 10.
 

Wednesday, September 26

Molly Maher & Erik Koskinen
Aster Cafe, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $4
This longstanding Wednesday night tradition (which was previously at Nye's Polonaise Room) features two of the most talented, reliably entertaining roots-rockers in town. 
 

Thursday, September 27

Wiping Out Thousands
Crave Rooftop, Minneapolis
7 p.m., free (RSVP required), 21+
Step 1: Download the new Wiping Out Thousands single, "Feed." Step 2: RSVP on Facebook for this free gig at Crave in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday night. Step 3: Rock out.

Year of the Horse: Blaze
Icehouse, Minneapolis
10 p.m., free, 21+
Much like last week's Basuketto gig at the same space, this event hosted by Zack Coulter and Adam Hurlburt of Solid Gold promises free-form grooves, improvised beats, and a cast of special guests.

The Japhies and Little Man
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis
8 p.m., $7, 18+
Dual headliners The Japhies and Little Man are partying in celebration of a new Japhies video, "Dark Guitar," which will be debuted at the show. With Seattle psych duo Antique Scream and Iowa's The White Elephant.


Friday, September 28 

Mint Condition
First Avenue, Minneapolis 
8 p.m., $26 adv/$29 door, 18+
One of Minnesota's most successful R&B acts, Mint Condition, recently celebrated their 20th anniversary of performing and recording together. Tonight, they'll return home to play a CD-release show for their latest album, Music @ the Speed of Life, in the Mainroom. 

The Chalice EP-Release Show
7th St. Entry
9 p.m., $8 adv/$10 door, 18+
Hip-hop trio The Chalice will release their long-awaited debut EP, which features an 89.3 The Current favorite (and my personal favorite jam of the summer), "Push It." With A. Wolf and Her Claws, La Manchita, and Audio Perm.

The Soviettes
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $10, 18+
It's a recipe for a classic Triple Rock night: beloved punk rockers The Soviettes will reunite to headline the show, along with openers Dan Vapid & the Cheats, the Gateway District, the Strait A's. 

Bryan Nichols Quintet
Artists' Quarter, St. Paul
9 p.m., $12
This quintet of talented improvisational musicians -- including JT Bates, Brandon Wozniak, Mike Lewis, Erik Fratzke -- have kept busy playing in countless other projects this year, but this pair of gigs will provide the first chance since January to hear them performing pianist Bryan Nichols' original jazz compositions. Also Saturday.


Saturday, September 29

Rauchfest 2012
Harriet Brewing, Minneapolis
1 p.m., $10 adv/$15 door, 21+
This all-day festival features headliners The Big Wu, and will also be the first time Nick "The Feelin'" Mrozinski performs in town since he was tapped to compete on the new season of The Voice. Rauchfest will feature a total of 10 local bands on two stages, plus a bevy of food trucks and craft beer.

Caravan Du Nord: Halloween, Alaska & Rogue Valley  
The Reif Center, Grand Rapids
7 p.m., $5, all ages
Part of a series of outstate events, this Current-sponsored gig brings a pair of popular Twin Cities acts to Grand Rapids. Halloween, Alaska and Rogue Valley will also participate in free workshops earlier in the day.

Birthday Suits and Still Pacific (opening for The Zoobombs)
Turf Club, St. Paul
9 p.m., $7, 21+
If you're thinking of heading to the Turf to check out Tokyo harmonic indie-punk band The Zoobombs, be sure to get there in time to catch both openers: blistering Minneapolis duo Birthday Suits, plus synth-poppers Still Pacific.

Part Mammal
331 Club, Minneapolis
10 p.m., free, 21+
Proggy Dial-Up offshoot Part Mammal comprises members of Crimes, Caroline Smith & the Goodnight Sleeps, and Lungs. They'll be joined by Dust Buns, Sunland Singers (tape-release), and Shakin' Babies.

 

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.