I Feel the Burn... and it Feels Good

by Doug MacRostie

This Thursday night at 6pm on Centerstage MN I am very excited to welcome back The Brothers Burn Mountain. A very dynamic duo, their music is unique and identifiable instantly. They just put out their 3rd release "Partly in the Blue, The White" and it's another amazing journey of moving rhythms, burning vocals and an overall sense of freedom. "We have to move when we play - if my head isn't moving then I'm not playing," Jesse told me, and I think it's true when you listen too - even if you're not physically moving, you're mind is soaring across the universe.

The phrase, "I'm just a vessel" is used a lot when I ask artists about where their music comes from, and while the Brothers Burn Mountain never simply said that, I don't think it could be any more true for them. Their music is alive - it's a breathing force that you can feel. The music is all around them, in everything they see. They absorb it and appreciate it and it becomes a part of them that then flows out with no thought process or agenda - true musicians, true artists. Be sure to tune in and enjoy! They'll be playing throughout MN and WI over the next month, check out their tour schedule on their website.

We'll also hear a MN music reminiscence from Dan McKenzie, an 18 year old DJ from Lawrence Lake Township and his growing relationship with Prince from a young boy to today - more specifically, understanding the meaning and context of the lyrics (oh, the innocence of youth, lol).

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji and can be heard again Sunday mornings at 6. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org. Centerstage MN is also heard on KSRQ in Thief River Falls, and on KMSU in Mankato. Sometimes heard on KFAI in Minneapolis & St. Paul and WTIP in Grand Marais. Often featured on MNartists.org.

Have a Shot of Love with Willie Murphy

by Doug MacRostie

Willie Murphy is one of the most influential musicians ever from Minnesota; he was one of the original three Charter Members of MN Music Hall of Fame (along with the likes of Bob Dylan and Prince) and he helped define the sound of R&B and Blues since the 70's through today, including his work with The Angel Headed Hipsters and Willie and the Bees, not to mention his other solo projects and releases. His new double CD is called "A Shot of Live in a Time of Need / Autobiographical Notes" and Willie will talk with me about it this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN.

Willie Murphy creates thought-provoking, fun music and"A Shot of Love in a Time of Need" (his first release with Redhouse Records) is a sizzling soul, funk and R&B album complete with horns, funky rhythms and grooves beyond all boundaries. While this album doesn't have as much political content as some of his other work, the theme of caring for each other and helping each other is strong. "Autobiographical Notes" is a collection of mostly folky miscellaneous tunes he's collected over the years that never seemed to quite fit the project he was working on at the time, and it definitely shows another, and perhaps more personal, side of Willie. With this double CD featuring soul, jazz, funk, rock and folk, this wildly eccentric album embodies the best of Willie Murphy and is sure to be an instant classic.

We'll also hear new music from another outstanding Redhouse Records' artist, The Pines. From Iowa and operating out of MN, The Pines new album "Tremolo" is definitely going to be in my Macedelic Music Awards Top 10 of the Year (that's right, the REAL MMA's will be back agian this year :D).

And we'll hear a song from The Brother Burn Mountain's debut release from a few years back called "The Blood of a Thousand Clouds." BBM is one of the most exciting bands I've discoverd since hosting Centerstage MN (they've been on 3 times) and they've got some gigs coming up this weekend in the area: Thursday the 19th at The Iron Horse in Nevis starting at 7. Friday, the 20th at Bensons in Walker at 7 and on Saturday the 21st they’ll be at Brigid’s Cross Irish Pub in Bemidji starting at 8.

And the show will end with a live/acoustic recording of Take Cover performing on Centerstage MN to help us get ready for our Thanksgiving Special next week: Turkeys will rain from the sky and the Cranberries will flow like blood as we give thanks to MN Metal :D

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

Like a Wildfire - The Brothers Burn Mountain

by Doug MacRostie

Have you ever felt inspired looking over a beautiful natural landscape, maybe with the sun going down and shining in your eyes as it casts shadows all around you? Brothers Ryan and Jesse Dermody feel moments like that constantly and it's what helps them to create the unique and amazing music that is The Brothers Burn Mountain and I am very pleased to have them back for a live in-studio session tonight at 6 on Centerstage MN. Their CD's have layers and textures creating living sound-scape-like music (with a spine) mixed with intimate poems and presentation. Their live performance is Jesse on a scaled-down trap set and Ryan singing and playing acoustic guitar. They let the music flow through them and each song is new and different every time they play it. You can read more about Brothers Burn Mountian in this excellent interview from American Songwriter (by me and Brian Skinness from Terrapin Station in Nevis :D).

I recorded the session with Ryan and Jesse yesterday, and I HAD been thinking about bringing along one of my hand drums and asking if I might be able to play along with them...but I decided I didn't want to impose and left my drum at home. Then, when they arrived, they offered one of their own drums to me and asked if I would play with them during the studio session!!! I didn't want to botch-up the entire performance, but I did pick up a Djembe and play along for the last song of the performance. Then, I was asked to join them for a drum jam, which I'll play to end the show tonight. I'm still walking on cloud 9 after getting to connect with them on a musicial level - the energy from these two is like nothing I've experienced before.

I've also got new music from Mason Jennings, The Pines and Steve Kaul (all upcoming guests on Centerstage MN) and I'll be starting the show with The Limns and Friends of Yoder featuring Timmy Haus.

Here's a video I took during the first set of the Brothers Burn Mountain session - be sure to tune in tonight and enjoy!!!!

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

I'll Ask, "Why Aren't You Naked on the Cover?"

by Doug MacRostie

The first time I picked up an electric guitar I was 12 years old (I think)...it was my Uncles "Terminator" (that's all I remember of the name, my cousin might remember the brand...it had a built in speaker that got nice and distorted if you turned it up loud enough :D). Back in high school, one of the albums I sat in my room and learned all the songs on was the self-titled Marcy Playground. Not just "Sex and Candy", but amazing tunes like 'A Cloak of Elven Kind" and "Opium" (one of the best songs EVER). The unique sound and style continued to evolve on Shapeshifter (1999) and MP3 (2004). But I think my favorite album from Marcy Playground is the new release Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage, and I am SO excited to have John Wozniak on Centerstage MN this Thursday night at 6 to talk about it.

Guitarist and singer with Marcy Playground, John Wozniak's songwriting for the Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage is his most personal to date. Seriously, I want to ask him why he didn't put himself naked on the cover! There is lost love, found love, self-reflection and pure emotion presented with John's trademark soft-yet-intense vocals & melodic music which twists and jumps through life's experiences through the eyes of John. Marcy Playground songs often sound sad, but hopeful; and I'll ask John about his inspiration for songwriting, where the music comes from and what it's like opening yourself up and sharing in such a personal way.

I'll also be talking with Matt Ray and Rich Mattson, founding members of the Iron Range Original Music Association (I.R.O.M.A.), a non-profit group of musicians working to support and promote original music on Minnesota's Iron Range, where there is a blossoming and growing movement of original music.

We'll also hear new music from the Above the Earth EP by If You Will, an alternative rock trio from St. Paul. Their music ranges from hard-edged rock to progressive-roots music, which is why I'll be playing it along with Bemidji's Uncle Shurley, the areas foremost interpretive roots/rock band :D And, I'll play a song from Roma Di Luna's latest release Casting the Bones, a wonderfully unique and orginal form of roots and Americana music. As their website says, "we make new old music." Tune in for this preview of next week's episode, when I talk with Alexei Moon-Cassell from Roma Di Luna.

And here is a little exciting news for you (or ME)! Most of my interview with The Brothers Burn Mountain has been published in American Songwriter - a 25 year old national publication :D, how cool is that?!?! A BIG thanks to Brian Skinness from Terrapin Station for writing the article and originally introducing me to The Brothers Burn Mountain - an exceptional experimental duo.

If you missed it last week, click the links to hear live music and conversation with Amy & Adams, and Les Crawford talking about EvTAP (Eveleth Venues in Technology, Art and Performance).

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

Take Cover! Live Music Comin' @ YA!!!

by Doug MacRostie

This Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN I'll be joined in-studio by pop rockers Take Cover for an acoustic set of music! It'll be 4 guys, 3 guitars and 3-part harmonies!!! Out of Minneapolis, they are having a CD release party at the Ground Floor in Grand Rapids that night for their new EP "The Last Word." Their bass player, Chad Snell, grew up in Marcell and Grand Rapids and it is going to be a lot of fun having these guys in-studio tomorrow! Most of the time w them will be spent playing some tunes, but we'll also talk a bit about the band and what draws them to making music. Do you have anything you'd like me to ask?

After that I'll be featuring The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Clawthroat and Sick of Sarah - those band, along with Hans Blix and the Weapon Inspectors are the line-up for the 5th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival, which is going to ROCK! I hope to see you there!

Also, new music from The Magic Castles latest "Dreams of Dreams of Dreams," and singer, songwriter and guitarist Jason Edmonds will be my guest (again) in a few weeks on Centerstage MN.

AND, when the Brothers Burn Mountain came in last week for a live performance (which was AWESOME, btw - if you missed it, you can listen to it here, it was definitely one of my top experiences bringing bands in the studio) they dropped off a copy of their first CD which came out in 2005 called "The Blood of a Thousand Clouds," and we'll hear a song off of that.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evening's at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

Nature-Inspired Spontaneus Musicial Creations that Rock (get it? Rock?)

by Doug MacRostie

Ryan and Jesse Dermody of The Brothers Burn Mountain will talk with me this week on Centerstage MN about their latest release "Wild Cat Road." Poetically and sonically reflecting the images and sounds of nature through spontaneous music creation, The Brothers Burn Mountain is like old Moody Blues back around "On the Threshold of Dream" but in a new form from two brothers pushing their songwriting boundaries. The music is creative with thoughtful lyrics and a fresh experimental presenation, and I am looking forward to the conversation with Ryan and Jesse.

Also, I''l be playing a new, previously unreleased song from Bob Dylan's upcoming album "Together Through Life" due out April 28th. From there, new music from Bob Mould (you know, the guy who helped define punk music in the late 70's w/ Hüsker Dü...yeah, before I was born), his new CD is called "Life and Times." And since we are playing some of the MN greats, might as well go ahead put on a song from the new Peter Himmelman album "The Mystery and the Hum" (remember, he played guitar with reggae/calypso band Shangoya and then performed under the pseudonym Sussman Lawrence...some of which also was before I was born :D).

A couple upcoming highlights: I will be having Rich Mattson and Tony Derrick of The Tisdales to talk about their debut release "Bakers Dozen" coming up in May. I don't know what to call it other than a kickass rock album and that is going to be a lot of fun having them on to talk about it. Also, pop-rock band Take Cover are planning to come in for a live acoustic set in June as they gear up to release a new album. Very cool.

Centerstage MN is every Thursday evening at 6, streaming like at KAXE.org; or 91.7fm Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are also archived at KAXE.org, just click on Centerstage MN on the left.

Read more of my blogs about MN music at myspace.com/macedelic.

Jazz Fusion, Experi-delic and Horns!!!

by Doug MacRostie

This week on Centerstage MN (Thurs @6 on KAXE) I'll be talking with jazz fusion guitarist Cory Wong from Minneapolis about his debut release "Even, Uneven." Cory is a regular performer in the Twin Cities area, and he also does recording and production work, including with artists such as Bootsy Collins, Jimmie Vaughan, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Pat Donohue and more. "Even, Uneven" is one of those CDs where the longer the songs are, the better they seem to get ("Well You Needn't" for example - which takes you from one extreme to another before it's over). Sometime's the album's just rockin' (like halfway through the 9 minute song "Sea Journey", which also has some great spacy sections). But, that doesn't mean the short songs are lacking. The 2 minute "Ani" is a "sounds of the universe being born" kind of two minutes :) The musicians that Cory has with him on this CD each stand out and hold their own with great soloing and a great energy.

I'll also be playing from my current "favorite new MN CD" - The Brothers Burn Mountain "Wild Cat Road." I'm not sure how to describe it (experi-delic rock?)...it's like a new interpretation of the OLD-school Moody Blues style (I'm talking "Threshold of a Dream" type stuff...but with a modern and edgy feel) complete with harmonies (but, 2 part instead of 5 like MB) and creative stellar imagary. I'll definitely have this brother duo on Centerstage MN sometime.

New to the show will be St. Dominic's Trio, which is an offshoot of the nine-piece Van Morrison cover bandThe Belfast Cowboys. This 9+ piece "trio" recorded their latest CD "Switch" at Sparta Sound on the Iron Range and it even has MN legend Rich Mattson on guitar and back-up vocals! The CD is a great rock album complete with horns, keys and a cut-loose attitude which is a lot of fun to listen to.

That's just a snap shot of some of the new MN CDs that I've been enjoying - tune in to Centerstage MN every Thurs evenings @ 6; streaming at KAXE.org, or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd, 105.3 Bemidji)