KRISTOFF KRANE'S CD Release Show
featuring: KRISTOFF KRANE + STRANGE MATTER BIG TROUBLE GUANTE + BIG CATS and ECID hosted by ERIC BLAIR of NO BIRD SING
KRISTOFF KRANE
Kristoff Krane’s distinctive blend of message-driven lyrics, delivered over organic composition and carefully sampled beats, demands attention. A natural born teacher and poet, Krane’s lyrics connect our similarities rather than pointing out our differences, “… an artist finding resolve through expression”. Whether rapping over a beat, singing over a piano, or creating a song, live, through a loop-pedal with his audience, Krane has branded his performance as an experience bound to resonate with something deeper than our ego desires. The fusion of these elements gives Krane’s music an edge and musical appeal that continues to expand his fan base at a staggering rate. This is conscious hip hop at its finest.
OFFICIAL :: MYSPACE :: FACEBOOK :: TWITTER :: BANDCAMP
Krane originally began honing his craft as a vocal portraitist in Abzorbr. Later a more established Krane became a co-contributor in two prominent Minneapolis hip hop groups, Rhymesayer’s Face Candy (Eyedea’s all free-jazz-rap group) and Saturday Morning Soundtrack (Ecid, Impulse,and Capaciti); these unlikely parings gave Krane both the experience and credibility needed to branch off, embarking on his own solo project. With his solo release, This Will Work for Now, released on Septemer, 19th, 2008 (Featuring fellow artists, Eyedea, Carnage and Crescent Moon) Krane holds his ground on the stage of underground hip-hop, proving his musicianship and readiness to take his listener to the next level.
Krane has not only had an influence on the local hip-hop scene, he has impacted the community; known for his work with youth in schools, and recently published book, The Other, Krane has made it quite clear that he has a vision and that in no way will he fall short of it. Krane toured as a part of Rhymesayers’ Face Candy in Summer 2005 and was asked by Eyedea and Abilities to join them for a national tour during the Winter of 2007. Krane has Shared the stage with acts such as, Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Dialated Peoples, Aesop Rock, Murs, Blue Print, I Self Divine and POS. When I asked him what his plans were for the future, he replied, “…that’s easy, to be effective at connecting with you right now.”
BIG TROUBLE
Let's be frank: Big Trouble took a kind of cavalier attitude towards '07. But a new year brings new things, and believe me: '08 belongs to Big Trouble. and Barack Obama. Let me just reiterate: Big Trouble is a place where dreams come true. We're not demanding. We're not "high maintenance." We're flexible, fun, and generally down for whatever. Want to enjoy some instrumental music, including sly covers of Death Cab for Cutie, The Zombies, Bjork, and Angelo Badalamenti, plus originals? We got you covered.
GUANTE & BIG CATS!
Guante & Big Cats! are a hip hop duo. Guante raps and Big Cats! produces. Sometimes they perform as a duo, and sometimes they play backed by a full band. Their new album, An Unwelcome Guest, is a concept album that mixes radical politics, superhero mythology, zombies and a continent-spanning love story. Buy it here. Guante is a rapper, spoken-word artist, activist, writer and educator. A 2008 City Pages Artist of the Year, URB Magazine "Next 1000" pick, multiple Independent Music Awards nominee and 2009 National Poetry Slam champion, he is signed to Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records.



