From The Walker:

Walker Open Field/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Soak in the sun and take in the sounds of Tapes ‘N Tapes, Eyedea & Abilities, Total Babe, and four high school bands on the Walker’s rolling hillside. This daylong festival of music brings high school musicians into the mix with established bands, rappers, and performers.

In addition to featured acts on the main stage, bring your best music mixes to trade in a mix tape exchange, create your own musical instruments in our art-making tent, and make connections or learn more about the professional arts community at the Young Artists Resource Fair. Presented by the Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council (WACTAC).

in celebration of our tour of the twin cities we put together a mixtape of our ‘tourmates’ and some of our favorite bands from minneapolis/st. paul. thanks to all of the bands for giving us permission to give you their songs. grab it fast, cause it’s only gonna be up for a week…then it’s gone, just like tour. enjoy!!!!

mplstp mix tape:

1.chooglin – this demon life (MP3)
2.red pens – street issue (MP3)
3.jeremy messersmith – franklin avenue (MP3)
4.the owls – channel (MP3)
5.mystery palace – stepchild (MP3)
6.lookbook – true to form (MP3)
7.kid dakota – pilgrim (MP3)
8.vampire hands – safe word (MP3)
9.fog – your beef is mine(MP3)
10.gay beast – eeexxxpppaaannndddiiinnnggg (MP3)
11.dosh – don’t wait for the needle to drop (MP3)
12.best friends forever – abe lincoln (MP3)
13.birthday suits – slowly motion (MP3)
14.the plastic constellations – we came to play (MP3)
15.skoal kodiak – harpie (MP3)
16.the blind shake – soft zodiac (MP3)

you can download the entire mix here:
MPLSTP MIX

Thanks Dan Bougie (Words)
First Avenue’s Friday night kick packed all three of its rooms with artists and audiences.  In the main room DJs TRL and Wes Winship warmed up a gathering crowd for a healthy sampling of contemporary indie pop.  Not only did the mainroom showcase local favs Solid Gold and Tapes ‘n Tapes, but a New Hampshire band, Wild Light, that has recently earned a critical nod of existence from the New York Post and the L. A. Times, also played.  Solid Gold provided the early direction, and led the show steadily upward through its mellow techno beats and warm water vocals.  A number of cities music names at the show commented on coming explicitly for Solid Gold, and the band provided with a solid performance backed by gold and red light boxes. Out-of-towners, Wild Light, brought in some catchy vocal tunes supported by light electro-melodies and some nicely crafted ballads in a more traditional style.  Their performance likely earned more than just one new fan (me).  Tapes ‘n Tapes capped the evening in the mainroom with a climax of their frenetically syncopated rock songs, all of it coated masterfully in color by the crew at First Ave main stage.  During this demonstration of indie’s darling upcomers the Entry hosted 1000’s of Cats, Strut and Shock, and Leisure Birds.  Meanwhile the VIP Room was open to the public for Get Cryphy!  with Plain Ole Bill and Jimmy Two Times keeping the dance vibe up all night.  There were even PBRs for $2.50 and free gear for sporty PBR drinkers caught in the promo girls camera.  For dancing, drinking, and rocking First Ave was certainly the place to be Friday night.

SKOAL KODIAK (1:15AM)
STNNNG (12:30AM)
POS (11:45PM)
LOW (10:30PM)
DOSH (9:30PM)
KILL THE VULTURES (8:45PM)
TAPE N TAPE (JOSH GRIER AND JEREMY HANSEN OF TAPES N TAPES) (8:00PM)