Ep63: Varo String Quartet

Minneapolis singer, rapper, and composer Yana the Mooncricket talks about how she wrote the song “Pearls (Interlude),” the process of recording it in collaboration with Poetíc Mamá, and filming the video for it, which dropped this past October. Check out the video on YouTube; all recorded singles are available on major streaming platforms.To see Yana perform at 7th St Entry on January 22, purchase tix hereIG: @ythemooncricket

Zeke, Victor, Inayah and Matt of the Twin Cities-based neo-soul/alt-indie band SoulFlower talk about how they formed, passing the vibe check, and recording their new SETLIST EP (available now on all major streaming platforms).The track included at the end of this episode is “Watersong,” from the new EP. Buy directly from the musicians here: soulflower1.bandcamp.comIG: @soulflower_music 

Twin Cities-based drummer and electronic music-maker Dave Power (aka White Dune) talks about his long history of experimenting with electronic music and about making his new album fauna, which is out now on all major streaming services.The track included at the end of this episode is “vesper.”IG: @whitedune_musicwhitedune.bandcamp.com

Monica Merila, vocalist of the Twin Cities-based band Eldest Daughter, talks about the band's forming in the last year, her own journey as a performer, and the process of recording an EP.The song included at the end of this episode is a freshly-recorded version of “Nobody's Son".website: eldestdaughterband.cominstagram: @eldestdaughterband

Twin Cities-based Tommy Boynton talks about his new release Riches, how writing a song every day resulted in a new song cycle, and the beauty of playing his friends' music.The music included at the end of this episode is the song cycle “3 poems by Sara Teasdale,” which comprises settings of “The Crystal Gazer,” “Riches,” and “The Answer"; these tracks and the rest of Riches are available on all major streaming services and at tommyboynton.bandcamp.com.IG: @tombobboy

Sage talks about writing and recording her new album Blood Cells, providing background on her personal experiences, certain Special Sound Moments in the album, and how she approaches lyrics vs. music.The track included at the end of this episode is the title track from Blood Cells, which is available now on all major streaming platforms.IG: @sagenizhoniwebsite: sagenizhoni.com

Noah and Nelson talk about improvising together, reflect on recent influences, and defend the virtues of the cassette tape.The track included at the end of this episode is “Channel Resolution," from the duo's recent release. Stream/purchase the album and check out tour dates at noahbarker.bandcamp.com, plus check out Nelson's website at nelsondevereauxmusic.com.IG: @noisebody (Noah) and @nelsondevereaux (Nelson)

Carmen Abelson, Hannah Christiansen, and Isidora Nojkovic of the Chicago-based Varo String Quartet (which also includes Lena Vidulich) talk about their first season as a newly-formed quartet and their upcoming concert of music by Grazyna Bacewicz, whose compositional style shifted soon after she was severely injured in a car accident in 1954.Get tickets here for Varo SQ's June 14 concert at the International Museum of Surgical Science.IG: @varostringquartetimss.org

DeCarlo Jackson and Rick Haneman of the Twin Cities-based indie jazz group HEYARLO talk about recent releases, their evolution as a group, and upcoming summer shows.The single at the end of this episode is “Chanting & Gossip,” and is available on all major streaming platforms.heyarlo.comIG: @heyarlo_

The “founding contributor and champion of the Weirdo Industrial Complex,” Tim Kaiser makes, performs with, and records his own electronic musical instruments. He's based in Duluth, MN, but will be venturing to cities in New York, Ohio, Illinois, and elsewhere during his upcoming Music for Weirdos Tour. Visit his website for all tour dates!tim-kaiser.orgIG: @timkaiserduluth