Music News-Welcome to MN Tour

I unfortunately wasn't able to make this show at First Ave, so I thought some of you would like to see some of the pictures posted by The Current!

We have such amazing local talent! Aye Minnesota!

SXSW- Is it worth it for artists?

If you haven't already noticed your social media feeds blowing up about SXSW, you sure will within the next week. People from all over the country are getting they're crews, companies, and brands ready as they head out on their tours down to one of the most unique festivals in the world.

I was lucky enough to send off some great local friends from the Midwest who performed at the Cabooze! If you haven't already heard of artists like Nimo the Hooligan, Heatbox, Sine Circle, or the local promotion/production/interactive company Last Triumph, you will after they hit up SXSW.

However, now that the interactive section of the festival has outgrown the music and film portion, there are questions being raised whether the festival is as beneficial to musicians/artists. It's clear that in the article Jon Swartz wrote for USA Today, interactive start-ups will for sure shine on the platform SXSW has to offer.

As an aspiring artists myself with failed projects, and experiences working with flakey people in the industry, I learned early how important it is to play and independent role in your own artistry. I think that SXSW offers more than just music, film, and interactive elements. It offers panels with some of the most acclaimed professionals in the industry for educational purposes. Such panels could be exactly what some independent musicians need in case they're not attending a well known music school like McNally Smith. 

I also think with the combination of Film, Music, and Interactive it allows people from all outlets of the industry to come together and network. This builds a sense of community, its allows great exposure, and is an experience you walk away from knowing more than what you did coming in. 

That being said, I also think that SXSW is quickly becoming more and more commercial each year. They have been increasing the costs for tickets, and with the increase of attendees, why pay more money to stand in ridiculously long lines? I really wanted to go with the class through McNally, but as an artist, I couldn't afford the extra fee on top of the class. If you have the resources and funds to go, then I think it is a no brainer. There are other people of the like choosing not to go, such as Andrea Swensson a journalist from NPR who explains "Why I'm Not Going to SXSW"

Two New Music Discoveries

Lindsey Stirling:
Artist/Composer- Choreographs and directs all of her original music and videos.
Youtube sensation- Was a finalist on "America's Got Talent"
Signature violin-electronic-dubstep style
Has sold over 300K songs which have all hit the iTunes Top 100
Lindsey Stirling's Website

Caged Bird


2Cellos:
2 Croatian cellists
2Cellos Website


Smooth Criminal

Californication

P.O.S. Weird Friends

Yesterday P.O.S. released his new video! Looks like his kidney isn't getting him down!

The Roots of Beyonce's Super Bowl Spectacular

The Superbowl Halftime show was the only thing being talked about for at least a day on Twitter. I didn't actually get to see the show until a few days later, but by the sounds of it, it was quite the "Spectacular"! One of the many hashtags trending on Twitter was #PraiseBeysus. Although spiritual in nature, it was meant signify this transition from icon, to "god" and legend. It is also part of what inspires her art. With sounds of the church, and african-americana dance moves, #PraiseBeysus is accurate.

In the article, The Roots of Beyonce's Super Bowl Spectacular,  NPR said, "Beyonce now is the biggest star carrying forward the music legacy of her race." I thought this statement was powerful, and inspiring. Not only did she take her performance to the next level with amazing technologies, but even as the front woman, she reunited her old female group for the show.

I also think its really interesting to look at it objectively. NPR also said, "In public, at least, they're living an abstraction, a fantasy the culture craves and requires. One scratch in its surface, revealing fragility, can undermine the whole project." Which explains why people had such a fit over her inauguration performance. Either way, I think things can only go up from here for Beyonce.