Mardi Gras is Back in Minneapolis with Fat Friday at the Skyway Theatre with sets from Eric Krasno, Black Market Brass, PHO, Cornmeal and many more!
Eric Krasno For nearly two decades, Eric Krasno has been an omnipresent figure in popular music. We've heard his virtuosic, innovative guitar playing with Soulive and Lettuce (both of which he co-founded), seen him onstage supporting the likes of the Rolling Stones and The Roots, watched him take home multiple GRAMMY Awards, and benefited from his deft, behind-the-scenes work as a producer and songwriter for everyone from Norah Jones, Tedeschi Trucks, and 50 Cent to Talib Kweli, Aaron Neville, and Allen Stone. Krasno's rousing new solo album, 'Blood From A Stone,' reveals a previously unknown and utterly compelling side of his artistry, though, inviting us to bear witness as he both literally and metaphorically finds his voice.
Black Market Brass In 2013 Secret Stash Records released BMB’s debut single to critical acclaim within the collector and DJ communities. The bible of all things funky, Wax Poetics, declared the record to be “Heavy Nigerian Madness.” Flea Market Funk raved “This is some authentic music right here people, recorded in the United States. Inspired by the likes of The Funkees, The Black President, and Moussa Doumbia as much as James Brown and The Meters, this Twin Cities dozen (and sometimes more) is shoveling out their musical path with their unique sounds.” The entire pressing quickly sold out as Secret Stash shipped copies around the globe while BMB slang copies from the stage after shows throughout the Midwest.
PHO 2015 was a groundbreaking year for PHO. They released their debut album 'CASH IT' in February and created lasting buzz for recording such a mature and creative record as early 20 year olds. They reached out to friends Alan Evans of Soulive and John Davis, producer for Lettuce/Jo Jo Mayer to help achieve a sound that would resonate internationally. They have supported and toured with bands such as The Motet, Larry Graham and GCS, Jonathan Richman, Dopapod, and Oddisee. In early Early 2016 Prince found the band via Youtube and posted about them on his social media. This sparked a huge buzz for PHO around the globe and landed them an invite to Prince's Paisley Park Studio's opening for Larry Graham. Pho’s new single Dr. Drake released this week to rave reviews. Expect big things moving forward from this group in 2017 as they prepare to release their sophomore effort ‘two’.
Cornmeal A nationally recognized live music institution, Cornmeal is heavily influenced by American roots and folk music and seamlessly blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups’ vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of the past, Cornmeal continues to forge a path all their own, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. With a growing fan base and ever-evolving sound, Cornmeal challenges the recipe of bluegrass and live performance. After many false starts the long awaited studio album, Slow Street, was released May 29th, 2015. The new record features 10 original tracks and a host of guests musicians including Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass on dobro. Recorded in Chicago the album clocks in at over 60 minutes of acoustic/electric landscapes and improvised jams. Balancing the energy and feel of a their one of a kind live shows with the articulation and precision of studio production, Slow Street is an album that was well worth waiting for.
