Articles by Carl Atiya Swanson |

Recap Basilica Block Party

Exposed skin, alcoholic refreshments, and jokes about penis size, all within the shadow of the church.

July 12, 2010 | 2:05pm -
Interview Dawes' edginess: Somewhere between kid-friendly and dad-friendly

"Does a 20-year-old like the fact that he can play it for his dad? Is that cool?"

February 11, 2010 | 12:00am -
Interview Maria Isa: From reggaeton to Rent

The rising hip-hop star ditches the tracksuit for her new role as an exotic dancer.

February 5, 2010 | 12:00am -
Interview Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's Alec Ounsworth is on his own and taking names

While his buzz band rests, one of indie rock's most recognizable voices tries on some all-new identities.

February 4, 2010 | 12:00am -
feature For Moonstone Continuum, space is the place

Reverend Micah Mackert of the Twin Cities psychedelic sextet and self-proclaimed "Lunarian" cult explains—well, sort of—his band's astro-religion.

January 13, 2010 | 12:00am -
feature Star-crossed lovers and singing monsters: The Twin Cities' winter theater season

Shakespeare and Coward team up against themselves, Tom Stoppard rocks out, and Mel Brooks brings back the dead in this winter's lineup on Twin Cities stages.

January 5, 2010 | 12:00am -
feature Spirits Of The Red City ring a Silent Bell

The orchestral local collective talks about creating their new, collaborative theater piece, which debuts Jan. 2 at Bryant-Lake Bowl.

December 30, 2009 | 12:00am -
feature For Martini And Olive, the show goes on after actor's death

Comic duo Martini And Olive's beloved, kitschy Christmas show is now a tribute to actor Grant Richey, who died on Thanksgiving.

December 28, 2009 | 12:00am -
feature Klingons, Golden Girls, and sad Santas: The 2009 holiday theater roundup

Get out of the house and away from the relatives with these Christmas-themed shows.

December 2, 2009 | 12:00am -
Recap Brother Ali embraces the communal spirit at First Avenue

The Rhymesayers rapper wound up his tour for Us with a high-energy hometown stand.

November 23, 2009 | 3:30pm -
Interview Fleet Foxes' J. Tillman on medieval-couplet riddles and other elusive truths

Guess the band name and album from this riddle: "Can you carve air? These men can! They work the udders with their hands!"

November 5, 2009 | 12:00am -
Interview Sean Tillman's back to grin and bare it as Har Mar Superstar

The erstwhile Minnespota punk rocker brings back his funky, brief-clad persona with Dark Touches.

November 5, 2009 | 12:00am -
feature Talking nonsense with Owl City's Adam Young

The 23-year-old Minnesotan wunderkind has conquered the electronica world via MySpace, but he's not ready to talk on the phone.

October 29, 2009 | 7:00am -
Interview The Raveonettes blend confrontation and sweetness

"We are in fact quite fun, happy people," says the singer of "Boys Who Rape (Should Be Destroyed)."

October 26, 2009 | 12:00am -
Interview The Dodos discuss butt-sniffing and other musical topics

"When you work with someone new, there’s that butt-sniffing period where you’re checking each other out."

October 19, 2009 | 12:00am -
Interview Guthrie's Sally Wingert gets an unusual co-star: her boss

"Raye and I are trying to figure out some really nasty things we can do to initiate him into the brotherhood and sisterhood of acting."

October 17, 2009 | 12:00am -
Interview Bella Koshka enters the ring at the Rock & Roll Circus

"The way to bring in a big crowd in Minneapolis is to bring in other groups—don't just have a rock show."

October 16, 2009 | 12:00am -
Interview Hildur Victoria

Is this local band—featuring Tapes 'N Tapes drummer Jeremy Hanson—truly "psychedelic?" It's not even sure, but that label will have to do.

September 18, 2009 | 12:00am -