WEDNESDAY: VETIVER
Vetiver has been around since about 2003 or so. Based in San Francisco since 1998, Andy Cabic and his band he has recorded with over the years are always changing, though many friends and players have stayed with him over albums and tours. The one constant has been Thom Monahan who has engineered and co-produced every Vetiver album. The songs on their latest album, Complete Strangers bear some resemblance to the album’s title. They share things in common but come from different places, different times.
Sounds like: Jana Hunter, Fruit Bats, Megafaun, M. Ward, Bowerbirds
THURSDAY: American Scarecrows | Kraig Jarret Johnson & David Poe & Friends | Trailer Trash | Sam Cassidy (all proceeds go to Kill Kancer)
American Scarecrows are a Minneapolis band who have been delighting new fans over the last few years with a well-crafted blend of rootsy Americana and rock. Their two full length albums display impressive songwriting acumen and a winning sound. Kraig Johnson hasn’t played a proper solo show in his hometown in far too long so this will be a very special occasion. He will be joined by his good friend and collaborator, singer/songwriter David Poe and a sure to be exciting cast of friends. For over 20 years, Trailer Trash have been thrilling audiences with its unique brand of American roots, country, swing and rockabilly. Named one of First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2014, Sam Cassidy’s music has been described as a “unique brand of hard-luck, blue-collar rock” with “a true ear for timeless melodies.” Often backed by a sprawling backing band, his dynamic live show is not to be missed.
Click to RSVP on FACEBOOK
FRIDAY: SEOUL | BALLET SCHOOL
Seoul, a Montreal-based trio, self-described as “blue, breathless, gentle, and absolute”. Formerly of Cherry Chapstick, they made their debut with their new name Seoul with the single, “Stay With Us”. Ballet School is the alt-pop project of Rosie Blair (vocals) and Michel Collet (guitar). Rosie, (from Ireland), and Michel (Japanese-Brazilian) met in 2011 in Berlin’s thriving ex-pat DIY scene. After signing to Bella Union in 2012 Ballet School released an EP Boys Again in 2013 followed by their debut album The Dew Lasts an Hour in September 2014. The Dew Lasts an Hour ain’t an album, it’s an arms race, and Ballet School are at their best when they’re pushing the nuclear option. After a two-minute ambient intro that exists mostly as a reminder that Ballet School are an indie band, the album features guitars and keyboards that are glazed and glistening under the same effects, pealing, swirling, and billowing to corroborate a narrator that never gets their head out of the clouds.
Sounds like: Sylvan Esso, Ryn Weaver, BROODS, Mtns, Chelsea Lankes
SATURDAY: Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank ft. Ryan Young
Hobo Nephews began recording their first album and playing their first shows in the wintery town of Duluth, Minnesota alongside other burgeoning Americana artists Trampled By Turtles and Charlie Parr. Combining what Minneapolis Star Tribune calls “timeless songwriting chops” with “tremendously played roots music” (Atlantic City Weekly), Hobo Nephews have tirelessly played, sang and stomped their own brand of Americana in big cities and small towns all over the country. The band’s latest album, produced by Trampled By Turtles’ Ryan Young, is titled American Shuffle and Saturday’s show will celebrate its recent release.
Click to RSVP on FACEBOOK
SUNDAY: MOVIES. MUSIC. MAY w/ ACTUAL WOLF & Friends
Doors for the show open at 8pm and will feature a solo Actual Wolf set, along with a set from a different special guest each week. To coincide with these Clown Lounge shows, there will be a free movie screening each week upstairs on the main floor (movies will start at 7pm).
Actual Wolf’s Sundays in May Clown Lounge residency continues. This week’s special guest is singer/songwriter Greg MacPherson, who will perform a full set of his own following an solo Actual Wolf (aka #LoneWolf) set from Actual Wolf frontman Eric Pollard. Doors for the Clown Lounge show open at 8pm, but the free movie screening on the Turf Club’s main floor will start at 7pm. This week’s selection is director Errol Morris’ 2013 documentary profile of former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, The Unknown Known.
MONDAY: New! Brunch served Mondays 11am-4pm
Do you work on weekends and always miss out on brunch specials? Or just appreciate a good brunch to start your week? There’s a brunch for those of us who don’t work 9-to-5. Brunch will be served every Monday from 11am-4pm, with service industry employees receiving 15% off. Just show your clock-out slip, service industry paystub, or other weekend work verification. Wait staff, cooks, tenders, barbacks, stylists, retailers, production folk, Uber drivers… this is a brunch for you. You deserve it.
Please note: Monday brunch will be available to everyone, but only service industry employees with verification are eligible for a discount.
Blog by Kevin Clancy
