Every year, we make—and try not to break—our New Year’s resolutions. My resolution this year is to see more local music.
As much as I love supporting the local music scene, I don’t go to as many concerts as I’d like (ok, hardly any). One of my “musical highlights” in 2012 was seeing a lineup of amazing Minnesota bands at the “Minnesota Music on a Stick” concert at the State Fair, presented by 89.3 The Current. It was a perfect August day and evening—complete with a rare “blue moon”—epitomizing everything that is good and right about summer, back when we were wearing flip-flops instead of Sorels. I was lovin’ every minute as Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, Jeremy Messersmith, Dessa (of Doomtree fame), the Jayhawks, and Semisonic took the stage. (Did you know Dan Wilson of Semisonic wrote Adele’s hit song “Someone Like You?” And that he’s also collaborated with Josh Groban, John Legend, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Ben Folds, and the Band Perry?) Talented Minnesota musicians are modest, aren’t they? [Prince is the exception to the rule.]
In the true spirit of giving, I once again collaborated with my good friend Jeremy for a compilation of the best Minnesota musicians (some new, some old). ‘Tis the season for long road trips, you know, over the river and through the woods and all that, so buckle up, listen to this mix, and enjoy the ride.
- Lean on Me — Nicholas David
- Little Mercy — Doomtree
- Clay — Atmosphere
- Midnight on the Interstate — Trampled by Turtles
- I’m Gonna Make You Love Me — The Jayhawks
- Speed of Sound — Communist Daughter
- There’s So Much Energy in Us — Cloud Cult
- Dark Star — Polica
- Strange Love — Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles
- Chemistry — Semisonic
- Novocain — Jeremy Messersmith
- Love You in the Fall — Paul Westerberg
- I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man — Prince
Here’s a link to iTunes if you want to create this for yourself. Happy holidays! (And don’t say I never gave you anything!)
