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Jeremy Messersmith finds inspiration by the Twin Cities. So he put together a visual playlist all about the city, or songs that kinda deal with the city!

1. “Dixon’s Girl” by Dessa
Literate, thoughtful, and philosophically precise, Dessa sounds unlike anyone else I know and that’s about the best compliment I could give anyone.

2. “Drumroll” by POS
I love seeing Minneapolis as a post-apocalyptic winter war zone; the video matches the explosive quality in POS’ rhyming perfectly.

3. “Guarantees” by Atmosphere
I had the hardest time picking what Atmosphere song should be on here. They’re all fantastic.  Seriously, leave some good songs for the rest of us.
Funny story- Slug and I were backstage at a show awhile back, seated directly across from each other, and I couldn’t think of any way to introduce myself without sounding like a total schmoozing fanboy, so we just sat there awkwardly for 5 minutes until finally I just left. I’ll think of something someday!

4. “Over and Over” by Lookbook
I love the combination of 80′s synth pop and powerful female vocals. Also, the way the song all comes crashing together is extremely exciting.

5. “Bible Thumper” by Solid Gold
I was walking around Austin at SXSW this year and saw a billboard with these dudes on it. I immediately called them and they admitted that yes, they had seen it, and then proceeded to invite me to paint mustaches on all of them later in the evening. I politely RSVP’d that I could not attend, but informed them to please continue without me.

Great hooks and entrancing production make this entire record work for me.

6. “On the Gaudy Side of Town” by Gayngs
Okay, this isn’t technically a video, but it’s such a great tune I need to put it on here. Gayngs is a Minneapolis area supergroup that has members like Dessa, Bon Iver, Solid Gold, Mike Lewis (and a whole lot more) all working together to make fantastic baby-making music.

7.  “Urban Lull (At Once Charmed) by Umbrella Sequence
The super compressed drums, tasteful electronic blips and some relentless acoustic guitar make this song work for me. Also, the video shows how much you can do with a little cardboard, construction paper and tape.

8. “Everybody Here is a Cloud” by Cloud Cult
Cloud Cult is an actual cult. They have white robes and shave their heads and everything. They have a compound somewhere in northern Minnesota. They are the best live show in the Twin Cities hands down. Only one of the above statements is true.

9. “Red River of the North” by Rogue Valley
Rogue Valley (spearheaded by songwriter Chris Koza) is releasing 4 full length records with 1 arching narrative this year. Pretty ambitious if you ask me! Epic in scope, this tune is about the Red River in Fargo, ND that seems to flood frequently.
http://roguevalley.bandcamp.com/album/crater-lake

10. “Sunlight” by Mason Jennings
Okay, this isn’t really a video either, but it is a really good song. Mason is sort of a reclusive Yoda-like figure in Minneapolis. He’s rarely seen, but when he appears he dispenses profound wisdom and bestows the gift of amazing songs like this one.

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Emily Jane White released a great new album, Victorian America, her beautiful songwriting had us wondering what some of her favorite music was, so we asked her to make a band playlist. Happily for us, and for you she obliged us. Her theme for the playlist: Songs featuring the Piano/Keys as the main instrument

1. Diamanda Gallas: “I Put A Spell on You” (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins)
I just discovered her album The Singer which came out in 1992, the album is mostly covers. Her amazing dramatic and gothic style really adds unique depth and charm.

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2. PJ Harvey: “The River”
This is one of my all time favorite PJ Harvey songs off the record Is This Desire?. The piano arpeggios clearly resemble the flowing of water.

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3. Hope Sandoval and The Warm Inventions: “Bluebird”
This is my favorite song off her new record Through The Devil Softly.

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4. Taken By Trees: “Julia”
I discovered Victoria Bergsman through her guest vocal on “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn, and John. Her part in “Young Folks” is so short but adds a lot of character. It wouldn’t be the same without her. The piano on “Julia” is basically used as a simple rhymthmic bass line. Simple piano is good for that.

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5. Francoise Hardy: “Il Est des Choses”
I really enjoyed finding this video on youtube which is how I discovered the song:

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6. Nina Simone: “Sinner Man”
“Sinner Man” was originally an American Traditional and Spiritual song. Nina Simone took it to new levels. Her version is earth shattering and ground breaking. One of the most moving songs of all time.

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7. Joanna Newsom: “Baby Birch”
I am always impressed with her ability to incorporate and use instruments other than the harp. This song displays her versatility and impeccable strength as a musician and vocalist.

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8. Rickie Lee Jones: “Magazine”
I just found this album in the dollar bin at my local record store. I don’t know very much about her but I’m happy to have picked up this record.

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9. Marissa Nadler: “Heart Paper Lover”
This is the first track off her last record Little Hells. An incredible record full of fantastic songwriting and space echo!

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10. Kate Bush: “This Woman’s Work”
This is one of my favorite Kate Bush songs off the album The Sensual World originally written for the film “She’s Having a Baby.” Supposedly Bush wrote this for a sequence in the film, from a man’s point of view, where he’s waiting helplessly in a hospital while his wife is giving birth in the next room. I haven’t seen the film in years. I’ve always felt like it was more of a breakup song.

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Buy her new album Victorian America

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OK GO, creators of such visually stimulating hits as “This To Shall Pass” and “Here We Go Again”,  invite you to take a listen to their favorite songs while you read their personal notes about each one.

1. “Hide And Seek” 2:58 Imogen Heap
Pretty darn compelling the whole way through. I just loved how inventive she is with her voice and this effect. Totally stunning.

2. “Life Is Good” 4:08 Los Lobos - Colossal Head
This song always sounds like summer to me. I once saw Los Lobos at Rivinia (a beautiful outdoor venue in the northern suburbs of Chicago) one summer, and this song takes me right back there.

3. “I Will Always Love You” 2:56 Dolly Parton
This is the original version. In my opinion, way better than Whitney’s… Dolly Parton wrote this song. So good.

4. “Silent Shout” (Edit) 4:00 The Knife – Silent Shout
Tim Nordwind turned me on to this song during one of his dj sets while on tour. If you give Tim a Serato and a dance floor, he can people moving.

5. “Still Tippin’” 4:33 Mike Jones - Who Is Mike Jones?
I like this song a lot because Paul Wall says “he’s got the internet going nuts.” At times I feel we have that same effect.

6. “It’s Only Wednesday” 3:04 Crash Kings
The Crash Kings are good friends of mine. OK Go was going to tour with them this spring but the tour fell through. If you see them, check out Jason the barefoot drummer. Amazingly powerful player.

7. “Disappear” 3:13 Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life (Deluxe Version)
Another group of really good friends. This song really shows off how strong of a band they can be. Tony and Matt are one of the best rhythm sections in the game.

8. “Out of the Blue” 4:41 Julian Casablancas – Phrazes for the Young (Deluxe Version)
Andy Ross showed me this song on tour once…. Not much else to say about it – it’s got a really great vocal melody.

9. “Home” 5:06 Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Up from Below (Bonus Track Version)
I remember this singers earlier group Ima Robot. That was nothing at all like this. I like this.

10. “Take It To The Limit” 4:47 The Eagles – One Of These Nights
During the making of our latest record, I read a biography about Eagles called “To The Limit” by Marc Elliot. I was so entranced by their history and folk lore. These guys were real rock stars of LA. In my opinion some of the greatest song writers of our time.
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If you’ve ever wanted to know what songs Owl City’s brain trust Adam Young calls his favorites, then wonder no more. Adam even gives us some great inside notes about each song, and what’s more is that this is a great list!
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01 – Firecracker by Unwed Sailor
How in the world can someone define their favorite song? Firecracker is probably the one song I’ve liked for the longest period of time. I remember hearing it for the first time 10 years ago and I still listen to it constantly. It’s absolutely brilliant.

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02 – Call To Arms by Angels & Airwaves
There’s something so powerful and magical about Tom’s voice. The chorus in this song almost bring tears to my eyes.

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03 – Halving The Compass by Helios
A delicate piece of music drenched in molasses-sweet melody and soft shimmery atmosphere. Probably the most beautiful song I’ve ever laid ears on.

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04 – Dayvan Cowboy by Boards of Canada
I love how I can listen, close my eyes and be completely swept away into the most vivid brilliant daydreams imaginable. I could put my feet up on the coffee table and listen to this song on repeat all day.

05 – Fahrenheit Fair Enough by Telefon Tel Aviv
This song makes me want to explore cities and stars and islands and oceans. It sparks my imagination and the wheels start turning.
(song not available to play)
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06 – Saints and Sailors by Dashboard Confessional
An old favorite that brings back an endless amount of happy memories. I can’t listen to it without a smile on my face.

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07 – Field Trip by Thomas Newman
Something about the way the chords work together and the melodies overlap gives this song such a majestic mood. It feels so innocent and pure and perfect. I’m crazy about it.

08 – Another Ballad For Heavy Lids by Stars of the Lid
Perfect for long nighttime drives.

09 – Chicago by Sufjan Stevens
I vow to never tour the midwest again without this song playing as the bus rolls into Chicago. So appropriate.

10 – Water From The Same Source by Rachel’s
I attended a Rachel’s show and was absolutely blown away. It was breathtaking. The band performed this song flawlessly and I left the venue totally speechless. It was the best show I’ve ever seen. Hands down.
(song not available to play)

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Look Mexico make great songs, and it looks like they listen to some great songs as well. If only they had added some inside notes for their playlist. Maybe next time. Right guys? However, as soon as I saw that Hey Mercedes was on the favorites list I sat down and listened to the whole thing.

Hey Mercedes “A-list Actress” - Everynight Fire Works

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Little Wings “Sing Wide” - (Magic Wand)

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The Shins “Gone For Good” - (Chutes Too Narrow)

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Frank Turner “Try This At Home” – (Poetry of The Deed)

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My Morning Jacket “Wordless Chorus” – (Z)

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Dark Pulse “Power Plant” – (Provides)
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Wilco - “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” – (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)

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Bob Dylan “Visions of Johanna” – (Blonde on Blonde)

Hop Along “Wretches” – (Bride and Groom)
(song not available)
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Neutral Milk Hotel “Ghost” – (In The Aeroplane Over The Sea)

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Pedro the Lion “Rapture” – (Control)

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R.E.M. “Nightswimming” – (Automatic For The People)

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Neil Young “Cinnamon Girl” – (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere)

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Phoenix “Fences” (Wolfgang Amadeus Pheonix)

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My Morning Jacket “Smokin’ From Shootin” – (Evil Urges)

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Look Mexico was our Must Know Band
Watch LM’s You Stay. I Go. No Following. Music Video
Bionic Ear Recording Session with Look Mexico

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The Willowz took time from laying around, recording their fancy new album, and playing games and guitars to create a Band Playlist. April 1st will see the band heading out on a month-long U.S. tour in support of their latest album, Everyone (Dim Mak/Downtown Records). Grab your headphones and have a listen to the songs while you read notes by the band.
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1. The Hives – Diabolic Scheme
The Hives are a class act and the best live band playing today.
When we toured with the Hives Richie got to do the solo on “Diabolic Scheme” and it brought tears to our eyes.

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2. Captain Beefheart – Her Eyes are a Blue Million Miles
Beautifully, effortlessly arranged perfect song.

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3.Talking Heads – Born Under Punches
A 25 year old song that is responsible for much of the modern music being made today.

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4. Nina Simone -  Backlash Blues
Unbelievably cool basic blues song. Everything about this song is cool.

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5. David Alexrod – Holy Thursday
Earl Palmer is the greatest drummer of all time. He proves it on this track from Songs of Innocence.

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6. Leadbelly – When The Boys Were Out On The Western Plains
I listen to this song every morning while I think about maybe exercising.

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7. Sir Douglas Quintet – Son of Bill Baety
Love the part when Doug Sahm breaks into Leadbelly’s “When The Boys Were Out On The Westen Plains” mid song.
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8. MGMT – Someones Missing
I like the B52s, I like Syd Barret, and I like the new MGMT album.
(this album isn’t out yet)
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9. The Soft Pack – Answer to yourself
San Diego boys did it right on Letterman.

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10. Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi’s Dead
Bauhaus’s first and best!

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11. Delta Spirit -  Trashcan
We love these guys so much. We also love their new album.  The crowd response is crazy when The Delta Spirit play “Trash Can”.

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12. Toadies – Backslider
The first show I ever saw was the Toadies and the best show I ever saw was the Toadies. “Backslider” was my childhood anthem.

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13. Roy Orbison – In Dreams
“In Dreams” reminds me of PBR being poured into fancy glasses like in Blue Velvet.

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14. Rocky Ericson and the Aliens – Don’t Shake Me Lucifer
I like “Don’t Shake Me Lucifer” because any song about the devil played with 12 bar blues, and involving Rocky Erickson is rock n roll purity.

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15. ABBA – Lay All Your Love On Me
The best dance song to sing to in the kitchen at 6am when all my friends couldn’t hang except for the friend in the corner who is just like me.

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The entire band came up with this playlist about songs you should be listening to on dark nights. You can play these songs while you read their notes with the LaLa player below.

Jackson Browne – Song for Adam
Death and a candle; such a sad song.

Beck – Round the Bend
Haunting; sounds like a breakup song in the middle of the desert.

Cornelius – Bird Watching at Inner Forest
If you get the chance to listen to music at the bottom of the ocean in a diving suit, check this $h%t out.

ELO – Ticket to the Moon
Get some glow-in-the-dark stars, cover your ceiling over the bed, and check this $h%T.

Townes Van Zandt – At My Window
“I’ve listened to this song lying in the grass at night more times then I can count.” – Pete

Elizabeth and the Catapult – Race You
(fromIRR Bionic Ear Recording Session)

Brian Eno – Music for Airports
Dangerously zone-out-able. Especially during late night drives in the Midwest.

Elliott Smith – Satellite
Sounds like Elliott recorded this in the dark.

Low Anthem – Charlie Darwin
When the ghosts in your closet sing beautiful harmonies.

Feist – Lonely, Lonely
This song makes you revel in your solitude. Sometimes being lonely doesn’t feel so bad.

Gillian Welch – I Dream a Highway
A 15-minute lullaby that sounds like it could go on forever.

Josh Mease - Tall Trees
If the Beach Boys had too much Chamomile.

Elysian Fields – We’re In Love
Drugs without any drugs.

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Taylor Hollingsworth of Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band gives us his favorite songs, made for you and your reading and listening pleasure. Besides being a player with Mr. Oberst, Taylor also has a robust solo career, in fact he released his latest album Life With A Slow Ear only last Fall.

1. X - Dancing with tears in my eyes
This is an awesome cover of an oldie. I’ve always loved the harmony they have and the guitar part is super sweet!

2. Graham Nash - Simple Man
Been loving this one lately. Whole album actually. Such a sweet /sad/uplifting song to me.

3. Simon and Garfunkel - Baby Driver
Can’t get enough of this catchy gem!

4. Robert Steven Moore – Andy Griffith Theme Song
Very weird record. I chose this one because every ones familiar with the tune. This guy is awesome.

5. Syl Johnson - Come Together
Again chose this because everyone knows this Beatles cover but this funky version is fantastic!

6. Junior Kimbrough – Meet me in the city
This guy plays hypnotic blues. Always loved this guitar playing.

7. Lee Hazelwood and Ann Margaret – You can’t Imagine
One of my favorite love songs of all time!

8. John Prine – Hello in There
One of the saddest songs ever.

9. McCarthy Trenching – Wedding Song
This is a very beautiful song. Simple and sad.

10. Dexateens – Neil Armstrong
Catchy southern pop gem about a lost space man. Hopefully will be considered classic one day.

11. Wire – Mr. Suit
I just love this classic punk record Pink Flag. Hard to even choose one song from because it really flows as a whole album, but this is one defining punk song in my mind.

12. Royal Truck – I’m Ready
This song gets me ready to party. Two words say a lot here.

13. Paul Simon – Hearts and Bones
Truly a beautiful story with a beautiful voice. Takes me back to my childhood.

14. Jimmie Rodgers - Way Out on the Mountain
The grandfather of story songwriters I think. I’m obsessed with mountains and this singer!

15. Chuck Berry – Come On
Duet pop gem.

16. Zz Top – Party on the patio
This is just such a fun song.

17. Monsters of Folk – Say Please
Obviously fresh to the scene. Love this one because it’s got a little from all the monsters wrapped into one super hook song. Plus the sickest guitar solo ever!

Taylor Hollingsworth – Trail Of Tears

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