The Color Pharmacy Fills My Prescription

By Doug MacRostie

The Color Pharmacy is definitely one of the most exciting bands out of Minnesota. They create experimental indie-rock music with a unique, unpredictable, and edgy style. Over the past two years, The Color Pharmacy has toured all over the U.S., and will be performing at SXSW for the third time this year. They did an alternate soundtrack to a segment of the original version of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 2006, and more recently a soundtrack to the French film ‘The Red Balloon’. Following their EP “DeTour” the Color Pharmacy is back with the full-length record “Texatonka” which is currently available online. And multi-media mastermind Jake Dilley of the Color Pharmacy will join me on Centerstage MN this week from his home studio in Minneapolis.

The name of the album, "Texatonka" was a result of their initial recording session getting flooded out with water seeping through the walls and electrical outlets. They had to move for the rest of the recording, and the bulk of it was done in Jake's basement (often interrupted by his cats). His house is on the corner of Minnetonka and Texas avenue in Minneapolis: Texatonka.

We'll also hear from a couple Bemidji bands that are operating out of the Twin Cities. The Magic Castles are a psychedelic dream-pop band and we'll hear from the album "Dreams of Dreams of Dreams." And we'll hear from Murzik's self-titled CD. They are a dark-folk band that includes accordion and saxophone along with the usual drums and guitar.

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 Saturday nights at 11 & Wednesdays at Noon, and on WTIP in Grand Marais Thursday afternoons at 4. Often featured on MNartists.org.

Center-variety-stage MN...

by Doug MacRostie

...celebrates many styles of music by showcasing the talents of MN musicians, and this week we've got everything from psychedelic rock to a Round Dance from two 1st Nations.

This Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN I'll be talking with Rayna Churchill-Mattinas and Pete Gahbow about the Oji-Cree Round Dance Invitational across from Grand Casino Mille Lacs this Fri and Sat, the 5th and 6th. This is the first time in this region that the Ojibwe and Cree nations have come together to celebrate like this. And, it's also the kick-off/fundraiser for their Community Leadership Youth Foundation.

Before that, I'll be talking with Jake Dilley and the Color Pharmacy about their latest "DeTour" EP, a psychedelically-melodic example of Jake's creativity and the way they push their sound and style in many directions. Sometimes soft and thoughtful, other times wild...and thoughtful. The new EP is great...but, I'm still anxiously waiting for another multi-media masterpiece like "Le Balloon Rouge," which was an alternate soundtrack to the French Film The Red Balloon.

There's also a lot of great new CD's around that I hope to get in like Charlie Roth's "Broken Ground" & Sweet Papa Dave's "Evil Gonna Getcha" - a couple St. Cloud area musicians.

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.

A Beach Ball, A Lamp and Bemidji Walk into a Bar

by Doug MacRostie

Back in the 60's & 70's a group of friends came together and formed what would be one of the best acts coming out of the midwest during the era with a unique style of rock, blues and country that has remained in the minds of many during the 30 years since the band disbanded. I, of course, am talking about Bemidji rockers Podipto and this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN I'll be talking with Josh Collins - son of the late Podipto founding member John Collins. While he enjoyed the records, Josh wasn't born until after Podipto disbanded in '75. Upon finding old reel-to-reels of the band, he dove deep into a pile of unreleased live recordings, original demo versions of songs and more, and we'll talk about the history of Podipto and listen to some of these never-before-heard gems!!!

I've also got the new release from Jake Dilley and the Color Pharmacy called DeTour EP. While I'm still eagerly waiting for the upcoming full-length release from Jake Dilley, this EP is an excellent indie-rock example of his creative songwriting and unique musical vision. You might remember their previous release The Red Balloon which was an alternate soundtrack to the old French film by the same name. His previous work has also included alternate music for scenes of Charlie and Chocolate Factory...very interesting and engaging stuff.

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.

On-Air Listening Party: Float Away with the Red Balloon

by Doug MacRostie

This week on Centerstage MN (Thursday Evenings at 6 on 91.7 KAXE) I'll feature Jake Dilley and the Color Pharmacy present The Red Balloon - a very engaging album that was written as an alternate soundtrack to the 1957 French film "The Red Balloon." Jake Dilley will join me to talk about how he got into writing music for films (there's more to it than just watching The Wizard of Oz synced with Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon...but I'm sure that helped), and he'll guide us through the musicial journey that is the Red Balloon as we listen to it in its entirity.

The Red Balloon, as an album, is an outstanding piece of work, and the CD includes not only the music, but you can put it in your computer and watch the film and listen to the music. Jake sent me some copies to give away during Centerstage MN to anyone who pledges their support (hint hint!) - it even comes in a RED BALLOON!!!!

Jake's senior thesis in college was an alternate soundtrack to a segment of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (which I think is the coolest thesis project I've ever heard of...) and before that he fronted the Jake Dilley band which played throughout the midwest. When I first listened to the CD, I had NO IDEA there was a visual aspect to it - and it blew me away and I wanted to play it all on Centerstage MN. As the weeks progressed and I learned more about Jake Dilley and The Red Balloon, I knew I had to play the whole thing on the air, and I am very excited to have Jake Dilley on Centerstage MN this week.

You can read more of my blogs about MN music at www.myspace.com/macedelic