Alan Palomo, widely known as VEGA, has stepped into a new guise as Neon Indian and, in collaboration with Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, has released the newest single “Sleep Paralysist” (via Green Label Sound).  Palomo is a real deal synth genius, rehoming a wide range of textures in a soundscape previously unheard as VEGA.  Neon Indian, in full (live band) force, will also be sharing the stage with Minneapolis’ Solid Gold at the GLS SXSW showcase.  More dates after the jump.

• Neon Indian – “Sleep Paralysist”
  
• Solid Gold – “Matter of Time (Tanlines rmx)”
  
• VEGA – “Reasons”
  

lanjut →

Photos by Justin Andert

On Saturday night we saw First Avenue turn into a venue for a Haiti benefit show that featured some of MPLS’ most talented performers. The night was a huge success as Jen Boyles of City Pages announced at the end of the night (700+ tickets sold).  We had monstrous performances from both Solid Gold and Mark Mallman seperately, as well as one song together when Mallman guested on Solid Gold‘s cover of Kenny Loggins’ Highway to the Danger Zone.

Solid Gold put on a high energy show, which First Avenue crowds have grown accustomed to in the past year. But no performer matched the energy of MPLS’ favorite showman Mark Mallman

Leading into Mallman’s energetic performance was one of my favorite MPLS music acts Peter Wolf Crier. This duo’s songs will take you to new heights of emotion in all directions, but ultimately leave you with a smile on your face.

The night’s opening band was Zoo Animal who has somehow taken a played out sound and turned it into something completely their own. It is very exciting to see these newer MPLS acts pushing the envelope.

To see more photos from the night’s festivities jump lanjut →

City Pages and Gimme Noise have worked hard to put together a show in support of Haiti with a rather mind-blowing local line-up. We will see the likes of Mark Mallman, Solid Gold, Zoo Animal, Peter Wolf Crier hit the stage with Jimmy2Times and co-sponsor BRLSQ’s Mike the 2600 King spinning DJ sets between acts. Please go HERE to purchase tickets for $12. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief & Development Fund & Architecture for Humanity. If you get a chance thank Andrea Swensson and Jen Boyles for their hard work to make this happen!

Photo by Kate Gustafson

We knew it was only a ‘matter of time’ before Solid Gold started get the national recognition they deserve. We’re happy to see that they have surfaced as the new ‘it’ band by Green Label Sound (Mountain Dew free indie music service) . (Think I actually had a discussion with ATF’s Joshua Sidney about how they would be perfect for GLB awhile back) Anyways, the band released the new track they recorded for the music collective titled Matter of Time. It stays true to their spacey electro groove, but does so in a way that may make their sound even more enjoyable to a wider audience. Look for BIG things in the coming months from this band. Take a listen:

Solid Gold – Matter of Time

The Fifth Annual Zombie Pub Crawl of MPLS is upon us. This Saturday the streets and bars of the West Bank in MPLS will be filled with bloody partiers. The festivities start at 4 p.m. at Gold Metal Park. Buy your V.I.Z. tickets HERE to guarantee your spot at the Finale Party at the Cabooze with a DJ set by Solid Gold, performance by MC/VL, and The Moon Goons holding it out down to close the night. If you haven’t taken part in this unique event, this year might be the time to get your spook on!

Solid Gold – Who You Gonna Run To? (Mel Gibson and the Pants Remix)

Photos by Kate Gustafson

Solid Gold stepped on stage at First Avenue for the first time as a headliner on Friday. The first thing lead singer Zak Coulter commented on was his awe as he stood in front of a nearly packed mainroom. The band took advantage of their opportunity by playing a set that was by far the most on point in the five or six times I have seen them perform. Watching them grow from hype band to a full First Avenue show in the past six months has been a special experience. The band filled the back of the stage with simple multicolored lighting (think light sabers and light brites) that added to the overall experience of the performance.

With performances at the Minnesota Zoo and Rock the Garden coming up this summer the best may be yet to come for Solid Gold.

Lookbook

Opening for Solid Gold was Minneapolis’ other rising act Lookbook. The quirky duo may be the only act in Minneapolis whose stage presence has improved more than Solid Gold’s in the past six months. The group commanded the stage and won over a packed, all local crowd. Their sound has a likeable uniqueness and lead singer Maggie Morrison’s vocals will wrap you up from the time she starts to sing until she stops.

Past videos of Solid Gold / Lookbook

Check out more photos from the show by Minneapolis photographer Kate Gustafson

lanjut →

Photo taken by Eric of Twin City Scene

When we were putting together the ATF 1yr celebration, we knew it wouldn’t be a dance night without MPLS up-and-comer, DJ So Gold. Thankfully he was kind enough to apply his remixing skills to Minneapolis’ newest buzz band Solid Gold. Check out the So Gold remix of the single “Get Over It”.

Solid Gold – Get Over It (DJ So Gold refix)

Solid Gold is Minneapolis’ most buzzed about band, which was proven on Friday when they absolutely packed the Turf Club in St. Paul wall to wall. The group played an energized set that had the whole crowd moving. Check out the band playing their single ‘Get Over It’ below, but I recommend going to the actual page and watching it in higher quality.

Youtube (HD Version)

There aren’t many bands in Minneapolis with as much potential as Solid Gold. The group’s new album features one of our favorites of the year, Get Over It.

They have been featured by the likes of Billboard Magazine and are on the bill for a New Years Eve show with Hercules and the Love Affair.

Solid Gold headlined a show of great Minneapolis talent last week at the Fine Line. Make sure to vote for Get Over It on The Current’s Top 89 of ‘08