photos | MIND INVERSION

Archive for photos

Concert Review: Friendly Fires, White Lies, The Soft Pack @ Triple Rock Social Club

Posted in Concert Reviews, News with tags concert, friendly fires, live, minneapolis, photos, soft pack, triple rock social club, Video, white lies on Sunday, April 5, 2009 by Erik Burg

On what turned out to be another snowy April evening, Friendly Fires took stage at the Triple Rock Social club here in downtown Minneapolis to a crowd eager with anticipation all night. As I stood around before the show all anybody talked about was how excited they were to see these guys in such an intimate setting. And rightfully so, as their sound is so tight live and their performance so fun and laid back.

But before the fun really began, The Soft Pack began with their California post-punk music. These guys had their act together, and for me were a nice surprise. The Soft Pack were a fun band, their sound was spot on for the type of music they played, a bit jumbled at times but the whole scope of the show and their sound was always evident. To me a nice surprise, and a sound I don’t usually get into, but hey, I loved it.

Whites Lies. It’d be a white lie if I said I enjoyed their show at all. Sorry guys, but they were just plain boring. I can understand why their new record is getting great reviews, seeing as their sound is pretty easy to just nod your head to but their live act was just plain bland. The whole band seemed way too into themselves and the black and white lighting thing just added to the cheesiness. I tried to like it, I really did, but fervently I stood with my arms crossed front row.

After the atrocity that was White Lies, the headliner for the night saved what was looking to be a dismal evening. And save they did. Blasting off from their first track, Friendly Fires were just as amazing live as everyone around me had been talking about. Possessing a great studio-like sound live, songs like “Paris” and “On Board” captivated the bouncy crowd and got nearly everyone there to sing along (and to that really pissy couple standing next to me, if you’re reading this: lighten up and dance will ya?). So aside from the few stiff legs, the show was stellar, and the lead singers interaction with the crowd was some good fun. So check the pictures below of all the bands, and I managed to get some video again too. Enjoy!

Video: Friendly Fires – “On Board”

(Friendly Fires)

(White Lies)

(The Soft Pack)

2 Comments »

Concert Review: Junior Boys, Max Tundra, & Lookbook @ First Avenue

Posted in Concert Reviews, Mind Inversion Exclusive with tags concert, First Ave, junior boys, live, lookbook, max tundra, minneapolis, photos, Video on Saturday, April 4, 2009 by Erik Burg

Though the show may have been over-shadowed by the apparent pop culture phenomenon Britney Spears playing next door at the Target Center, the electro-pop world right across the street at First Avenue made up for what it was lacking in pre-teen girls in mini-skirts with awesome jams and a crowd ripe with energy.

Duo Lookbook took the stage first, starting the evening with a wide variety of electronically infused pop and slightly slower tracks. Their faster songs got tons of people in gear for the rest of the night, but they cruised through a set so fast I swear some of their song were literally :45 seconds long. At any rate though, it was a good start, and they certainly played to the theme of the evening very well.

Then came Max Tundra, the obvious pick to steal the show for the night. Did he live up to the surrounding hype? I’d say so. With max-tundra-guitar his overly boyish dance moves, insanely paced tracking, and random plethora of instruments, Max Tundra was just as much the headliner of Friday night as Junior Boys were. Opening with the fresh “Which Song” which I had mentioned a few days back, Tundra got the floor grooving and laughing, the perfect opening act.

By the time Junior Boys were ready to take the stage the crowd was overly-anxious, and thanks to a minor audio problem during their first song, we all had to wait a little bit longer. It was all worth the wait of course, as Junior Boys took to the stage for a second time, playing fan favorites and a few tracks off their upcoming album. Jeremy Greenspan, lead singer of the Boys, has to be the most lovable and affable lead man I’ve ever seen in concert. All I wanted to do was run up and give him a big hug, but that’s not the point, was is is Junior Boys absolutely killed it. Sorry if you missed it everyone, but don’t fret, I got some photos for you (even a Max Tundra video too!)

junior-boys-drummer2 (Junior Boys)

junior-boys-guitar (Junior Boys)

junior-boys-blue-synths (Junior Boys)

max-tundra-vest (Max Tundra)

max-tundra-red (Max Tundra)

max-tundra-keyboard1 (Max Tundra)

max-tundra-book (Max Tundra)

look-book-color (Lookbook)

look-book-flash (Lookbook)

Check out this awesome video I shot of Max Tundra as well, it was simply an awesome time Friday night, and hopefully this will take you right there if you had to miss it:

2 Comments »

Concert Recap: Blitzen Trapper, Alela Diane @ First Avenue

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags Alela Diane, Blitzen Trapper, concert, coverage, First Avenue, live, photos, pictures on Thursday, February 19, 2009 by Erik Burg

On an unbearably cold Minnesota night, Blitzen Trapper and Alela Diane warmed the hearts of a near sold out First Avenue Main Room. “I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere this cold before” Alela Diane said in between one of her songs. The opening act was a nice surprise actually, though at many times overly folk to the point where I would have considered it Country. The singer’s voice was absolutely amazing and soared throughout the venue, exciting the all ages crew on Wednesday. They covered Fleetwood Mac beautifully, what else can a guy ask for really?

Check ‘Em Out: Blitzen Trapper – “Furr” Alela Diane – “White As Diamonds”

Blitzen Trapper delivered an amazing show as well, playing tunes new and old, and even a cover of what the lead singer called “his grandmother’s favorite song.” I was a bit surprised at how excited the crowd got at different points in the set, maybe it was the booze, maybe the anger being taken out at the weather, maybe the actual song, who knows. I digress, “Furr” was far and away the highlight of the night, with it’s harmonica and acoustic wonderment, Blitzen Trapper impressed me beyond what I expected. The lead singer’s work on the acoustic guitar was jaw-dropping at points, and the drummer’s little quips in between songs was a nice treat, at one point even joking that “you should probably cut my mic.” The evening was all-in-all delightful, met some new friends, enjoyed great music, and stayed warm. Can’t beat that. Enjoy some photos below and more HERE

Alela Diane

Blitzen Trapper

blitzen-trapper-right-band

blitzen-trapper-harmonica

blitzen-trapper-band-far-color1

blitzen-trapper-lead-dark

Mind Inversion Exclusive Q & A with Tapes ‘n Tapes

Posted in Interviews, Mind Inversion Exclusive with tags concert, First Avenue, interview, Mind Inversion Exclusive, minneapolis, photos, question and answer, Tapes, Tapes 'N Tapes on Saturday, February 7, 2009 by Erik Burg

Between touring and recording, Tapes ‘n Tapes have been going seemingly non-stop for quite some time. Recent activity has included releasing their sophomore album Walk It Off to huge commercial success in 2008 and playing a string of international and homeland dates soon after, as well. The hard work is paying off though, with the band playing to sold out crowds across the nation on their current tour. Before they stepped onto the stage at First Avenue in Minneapolis Friday night they guys took some time out of their schedule to answer a few questions for Mind Inversion.

tnt_interview_band_side

Mind Inversion: So the tour is in full swing and you guys are currently on the west coast before heading back to the midwest, how has everything been going? Crowds been good? Venues interesting? Weather?!

Tapes ‘N Tapes: Everything’s been going great! Compared to previous tours, there has been way less physical and mental abuse. But seriously, we’ve been having a great time. The crowds have wonderful, and we’ve been in exploring some new cities on this tour. It’s always nice to play in new places, and we’ve got a bunch more coming up. The weather has been a welcome break from the subzero temps in Minnesota. It was sunny and 58 in Boulder on the 3rd day of tour. It kind of blew my mind after it had been 17 below the morning we left for tour.

MI: Heading back to the midwest, and specifically to Minneapolis, is there a different approach you guys have going into these hometown shows? Any different expectations?

TNT: I don’t have any different approach to playing in Minneapolis. I am excited to finally be playing in town during the middle of a tour. It seems like we always play either at the beginning of tour or while we’re not touring. Either way, we always have a lot of fun playing at home in front of our friends, family, and the hometown crowd. I don’t think I have different expectations for a Minneapolis show than any other show. I think every night we expect to have a great time playing together. It’s sounds cheesy, I know, but it’s the truth.

Continue reading →

2 Comments »

Concert Review: Tapes ‘n Tapes, Solid Gold, and Wild Light @ First Avenue

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags concert, First Avenue, live, photos, pictures, solid gold, Tapes, Tapes 'N Tapes, the loon, walk it off, wild light on Saturday, February 7, 2009 by Erik Burg

tnt_crowd1

Tapes ‘n Tapes played to a sold out hometown crowd Friday night at First Avenue, delighting the fans with songs old, new, and newer. The opening act for the night, Solid Gold stole the show once again, re-affirming my notion that these guys are the next huge group to come out of the Minneapolis area. There was as much energy from the crowd for Solid Gold as there was for anybody else Friday. Wild Light left plenty do be desired; however, doing their best Bruce Springsteen impressions. You kind of had to be there to know what I mean. But I digress, the entire night was a terrific experience from the DJs to the last encore. Tapes ‘n Tapes played one new track which was a big slower than many of the jams they played throughout the rest of the set, but in album I’m sure it’s going to sound great. The crowd was into it, the bands were into it, not much for to add. Sorry if you missed out, but I’ve got a slew of pictures to take you there anyway, or to just re live the memories. Enjoy! MORE HERE

Tapes ‘N Tapes
tnt_josh_white1
tnt_band_yellow
tnt_horn_green1
Solid Gold
sg_band_flash
sg_singer_red
Continue reading →