Video: The Brass Kings with "Tin Man"

The Brass Kings area an acoustic roots band operating out of the Twin Cities - singer/songwriter Steve Kaul is from Bemidji, MN. A trio of world-class musicians their performance includes washtup bass, washboard percussion, a butter dish, resonator guitars and more. Their sound and style goes deep into American Roots music with an edge of blues.

The 6th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival was on July 17th, 2010 featuring Pelican Railroad from Bemidji, Steve Kaul and the Brass Kings, Keri Noble, Eilen Jewell and Willie Murphy.

It was a great festival that also included local, handmade art/items from KAXE members.

Though it was looming from time to time, we only got some scattered sprinkles (all the worst weather drifted towards Brainerd).

More info:
www.kaxe.org
www.pelicanrailroad.com/
www.myspace.com/brasskings
www.kerinoble.com/
www.eilenjewell.com/
www.williemurphy.net/

The Brass King Himself on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

The difference between seeing a band live and hearing a band on CD can be night and day. The reason for this is simple: it's hard to recreate the energy that flows between an artist and audience when working in-studio. So, bands often release live albums - sometimes good, sometimes bad. In the case of The Brass Kings new release "Live Humdinger," it's very, very good - and singer/songwriter Steve Kaul will be my guest this week on Centerstage MN to talk about it. He writes music that looks at the world from a different direction, "I try to focus on the characters and the situations that aren't in the mainstream. Things that are behind the scenes, things that are maybe looked down on or just the invisible people on the street... Everyone's got a story, and I see stories everywhere with these kinds of people - I don't find them in the normal places."

Steve Kaul is the caliber of guitarist you compare with the likes of Doc Watson, Leo Kottke and Bruce Cockburn. From Bemidji and operating out of the Twin Cities, Steve has been playing music since he was in grade school and records/performs both solo and with The Brass Kings. The BK are a trio playing authentic Americana and folk music with Steve on Acoustic and Resonator Guitars & Vocal, Mikkel Beckmen on Washboard, Refrigerator Door, Butter Dish and Djembe and Brad Ptacek on Washtub Bass. On Live Humdinger they are joined by many guests performers including Molly Maher, Nate "Sonny" Sipe, "Baby" Grant Johnson and more. The sound of the CD is warm and inviting; you can feel as much as hear the crowd grooving to the music and it captures some stellar performances.

And be sure to come out and see The Brass Kings with MN's Pelican Railroad, Keri Noble and Willie Murphy along with Eilen Jewell from Cambridge Massachusetts for the 6th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival starting at Noon on Saturday, July 17th. Click here for more details.

I've also got new music from Two Many Banjos forthcoming release "POW," new music from Peter Ostroushko's "When the Last Morning Glory Blooms," and new music from Janiva Magness's "The Devil Is An Angel Too."

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 Pioneer 90.1 in Thief River Falls, Saturday nights at 11pm.

Non-Conformist Unite: Enchanted Ape On the Way!

by Doug MacRostie

The band name Enchanted Ape has one historical reference (that the band found out after coming up with the name); Philosopher Thomas Carlyle used 'enchanted ape' as a derogatory term for people who were non-conformist or who went against the grain - perfect for this original and unique roots-rock band out of Minneapolis. I'm very excited to have Enchanted Ape for our first ever 'Closing the Tent Event' under the Rotary Tent at KAXE's Amphitheater in Grand Rapids Sat. the 15th. And this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN I'll be talking with Chris O'Brien; singer, songwriter and guitarist with Enchanted Ape.

Chris and I will be talking about their latest CD Off the Ground which came out last year, and we'll hear music from their 2005 debut Three Ring Symphony. Both albums are outstanding examples of organic and evolving music with an earthy blend of acoustic, electric and slide guitars mixing in elements of jazz, blues and improvisational music. In previous blogs I've said they, "further the vibrations of the Grateful Dead" and I am VERY excited to see Enchanted Ape in action for the Closing the Tent Event on Sat. the 12th - click here for more info!

Also on Centerstage MN Thursday night there will be a set of future guests including The Hobo Nephew of Uncle Frank, which is the brother songwriting team of Ian and Teague Alexy along with drummer Paul Grill. Their new album Traveling Show is an excellent CD with their musicianship, songwriting and musical vision rising to new heights. Another future guest will be indie roots duo The Pines from Minneapolis, made up of Iowa natives David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey. Their new CD Tremolo has a dark, Americana sound, highlighting their songwriting and musicianship. And the other future guest in the set is Steve Kaul, he's put out Solo Guitar - a wonderful (surprise) solo album featuring Steve's outstanding guitar work. Originally from Bemidji, Steve is the singer and guitarist with The Brass Kings out of St. Paul.

I've also got new music from Junkyard Empire; they're new release is called Rebellion Politik; a crazy mix of hip hop, jazz and civil-discontent. And a new self-titled release off the Iron Range from High Drama Blues which ranges from straight-up blues rock to emotional slow-moving grooves.

Next week I'll be joined by Josh Collins, son of the late John Collins - a founding member of late 60's and 70's folk-rockers Podipto from the Bemidji area. Josh will bring along previously unreleased and never-before-heard recordings!!!! It's going to be awesome :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.