Take Cover

Hailing from Minneapolis "Take Cover" takes the genre of pop/punk and elevates it to the next level adding their own unique twists that help distinguish themselves form other local bands. Take Cover is: bass player Chad, lead vocalist Ryan, guitarist and background vocalist Odin, drummer Nick and guitarist Brady. Together these guys bring the dynamic and powerful sound that is Take Cover. 

Take Cover had their first EP, released in September 2008, reviewed by David Taintor of The Daily Chorus, a band review website. The review is posted on Take Cover's blog as Taintor reported in the review that "Take Cover's tones are bright and the mix is balanced...it actually sounds like a band is playing these songs." A high compliment being that many bands playing pop/punk today rely heavily on computerized vocals, riffs, guitars and drums. 

Take Cover's EP was recorded by producer Jordan Schmidt who has also worked with other local bands such as Sing It Loud and Jamestown Story. Schmidt allowed Take Cover to explore there own creativity while at the same time adding a level of expertise and experience that helped Take Cover to craft a powerful and catchy EP. 

For anyone that enjoys the sounds of bands such as Fall Out Boy, Sing It Loud or Motion City Soundtrack then Take Cover is a band the should definitely be added to your playlist.  

To listen to Take Cover's music check out their myspace. 

Motion City Soundtrack

Motion City Soundtrack hails from Minneapolis Minnesota and combines a mix of pop/punk and rock to create a sound that is unique to only them. Motion City Soundtrack is: lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Justin Pierre, Keyboardist and background vocalist Jesse Johnson, guitarist and background vocalist Joshua Cain, bass guitarist Matt Taylor and drummer Tony Thaxton. 

Motion City Soundtrack has released three full-length albums starting with their debut "I am the movie." The bands second release "Commit this to memory" was their mainstream break through album. Recently the band has released their third album "Even if it kills me." The bands most recent album was recorded in New York City in two separate sessions over the winter months and included an all-star line up of producers, such as the "Cars" Ricj Ocasek and Adam Schlesinger of "Fountains of wayne." 

Motion City Soundtrack found success with their second album "Commit this to memory" with songs such as "Everything is alright" which became a hit among pop/rock fans. The popularity of songs such as "Everything is alright" eventually caught the attention of indie label Epitaph Records, to whom the band is currently signed. 

Frontman Justin Pierre comments on Motion City Soundtracks website about their most recent album as he says "A lot of these songs seem to be about loneliness and failed relationships and that surprises me because I've never been happier." Despite what the bands motivation was behind this most recent album the most important thing is that they are having fun and writing solid music that keeps their fans listening. 

To check out the bands myspace click here.

Below is a video of Motion City Soundtrack performing a live version of "Everything is alright."

Mark Alan

A dynamic singer, songwriter and producer Mark Alan does it all. Mark has put out 4 CD's and is highlighted on 2 other compilation CD's. He also owns his own recording studio called hidden room productions and he leads worship at Woodridge Church in Plymouth, Minnesota. 

Mark states on his website that "songwriting continues to be a major passion for me." Mark write in a dynamic way that mixes the struggles of who we are as people and the call that God has laid on the life of the Christian. In songs such as "Nothing At All" where Mark writes "you pull up to the stop light and see the man with his sign asking you to give to his need, you try not to catch his eye 'cause you can't spare the time, just hoping that the light will turn green." Through Marks lyrics he challenges us to be less selfish and more selfless. 

Mark is a diverse musician with his hands involved in many areas of music. One of those areas is with his studio, hidden room productions. Mark spends a significant amount of time with other local artists and works as their sound engineer, studio musician, vocal coach and overall producer. To check out hidden room productions click here. 

Mark Alan has a great sound is a talented guitar player and a solid vocalist. He is a local artist that is sure to be gaining attention in the near future. 

To listen to Mark Alan's music click here. 

Hyland

Hyland is a Christian rock/pop band based out of the great city of Minneapolis. Hyland is: vocalist and guitarist Jon Lewis, bassist Lee Carter, keyboardist/guitarist and background vocalist Ben Early and drummer Steve Weigel. 

Hyland has been a busy band over the course of 2008 as they played over 100 live shows. All of their hard work is starting to pay off as the band is getting the opportunity to open for big name Christian bands such as Thousand Foot Krutch and Children 18:3. 

Unsigned.com talks about Hyland and the website states that "the genuine honesty in the songwriting is not something you'd entirely expect from a rock and roll group, but the warm sounds coming from your speakers are entirely open, full and inviting." Frontman Jon Lewis comments on unsigned.com about writing for the band.He states that "the best points of writing music is when the song finishes itself, it's like it's all there, just waiting for you to discover it." Hyland has been discovering the right formula for their music as they have worked hard to create driving guitar riffs combined with a certain level of pop to it that works to captivate listeners.                                                                                                

Hyland has been making a name for themselves with their honest lyrics and energetic live show that keeps their fans engaged and wanting more. As Hyland continues to tour and widen their fan base they will be a name to remember within the Twin Cities. 

To check out Hyland's music click here. 

Now And Forever

Now and Forever is a local rock band that started in the suburbs of Minneapolis. Now and Forever just recently released a five song EP titled "wounds and blessings" and was produced by Weaver At The Loom's Zach Parnell and Izzac Burkhart. 

According to Now and Forever's myspace their music is inspired by the "harsh Minnesota winters." Their music resembles that of a

 Minnesota winter in that the first couple of songs on their EP start out dark and heavy but eventually the snow melts away and the sun shines through the clouds and more joyful times are brought to mind with songs like "through glass on windows." 

The band has been touring heavily and plans to continue their rigorous schedule in order to start to build a larger fan base in Minnesota and the surrounding area. 

Now and Forever has a rich unique sound that establishes them from other melodic rock groups in the Twin Cities. A review from absolutepunk.net says "Although the music's character shifts from one scene to another, often in strict opposition, the album melts together into a well-excuted harmonic expedition. Minnesota has once again turned out a talented group of up-and-comers writing some of the best melodic rock on the market." To read the whole review click here. 

As the band continues to mature in their style and writing abilities they will be a force to be reckoned with. 

Weaver At The Loom

From the moment you start the first track of Weaver At The Loom's EP "I was searching and I found" you are immediately taken to a different world filled with clouds of rich ambient tones, intricate and eccentric rhythms and a level of honest thought provoking lyrics that is unlike anything you have experienced before. Weaver At The Loom is based out of the Minneapolis area and is composed of keyboardist and co-lead vocalist Dan, co-lead vocalist and guitar player Izaac, drummer Matt and lead guitarist Mike. Together they form one of the most dynamic groups to come out of Minneapolis in the past several years. 

According to the bands myspace co-lead vocalist and keyboardist 

Dan explains that the focus of their lyrics are on "exploring the temporary nature of life and attempting to cope with it at the same time." The band goes on to explain that they put an "emphasis on the production and lyrical content of their songs in an effort to help listeners understand and appreciate the contemplative nature behind these mini-epics." Weaver At The Loom attempts to accomplish this goal through their instrumental and coal arrangements as well as through the names of their songs. When all five of the names of their songs on their EP are read together is creates a sentence stating "Buck up, they're coming, you can't escape them, you can't evade them, but you can enjoy life before and

 after, without fear of their return." 

Weaver At The Loom has received multiple positive reviews for their EP "I was searching and I found" and a highlight comes from a review from absolutepunk.net in which it states "In poignant mimicry of the thematic metaphor, each rivulet of song flows into the next, blurring the lines between track breaks into a melodic current of elegant instrumentation and gorgeous atmospheres." While the band members in Weaver At The Loom average a young age of only 21 the guys have accomplished a lot and express a musical wisdom beyond their age. 

Red Fox/Grey Fox

Red Fox/Grey Fox is self-described as an indie/rock/pop band that formed in the Twin Cities during the summer of 2006. The band consits of guiarist, keyboardist and lead vocalist Pete Miller, guitar player and keyboardist Jeremiah Satterthwaite, bass player Ben Pien and drummer Stephen Lindquist. Red Fox/Grey Fox released a full-length album on Say Rah Records on August 4th 2007 and has recieved positive reviews as the band continues to increase its fan base. 

Indieuprising.com reviewed Red Gox/Grey Fox's first full length album "From the land of bears, ice and rock" and is quoted as saying "most importantly, Red Fox/Grey Fox crafted an album that demands attention with so many bands overcrowding myspace, radio, podcasts and car commericals, it's rare that a band comes a long head-and-shoulders above the current trends." To read the whole review click here. Red Fox/Grey Fox has  a distinctly unique sound that is unlike what most bands in the local indie rock scene produce. 

The band itself comments on their myspace that the unique sound is due in part to Pete Millers lead vocals as the website states "Miller's voice screeches beautify through flowing verses and chorus lines; it contains a unique haunting-like quality that attracts listeners from the start and keeps them interested throughout, acting as the song's main source of melody." Red Fox/Grey Fox has found a formula that attracts attention and interest. 

The band played their last live show for six months back on January 4th 2009 in order to focus on recording their new EP titled "A snake. A scoundrel. This man is cursed." The new EP is set to release in early June 2009.  

Below is a music video of the song "The day you accept Jesus back into your heart is the day I'll quit."