The sixth annual new-bands competition that triples as a South by Southwest send-off and an eclectic locals-only showcase at First Avenue, Vita.mn's Are You Local? contest will feature Brother Ali, the Blind Shake, plus two more acts to be announced for its main-room lineup on March 6. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon via eTix.com, or look for pre-sale offers today.
Brother Ali has been unusually absent from the First Ave stage of late, with the Soundset "Before Party" in May his only headlining appearance there last year. He certainly won't be rusty, though, as he spent a good chunk of the fall on his Home Away From Home Tour. Those dastardly sounding guitar blasters the Blind Shake have also been on the road a lot of late, including a current stint with Rocket From the Crypt leader "Swami" John Reis, with whom they issued the killer new surf-rock/noise-punk album, "Modern Surf Classics." Their tour lands next Thursday at the Turf Club.
The other half of the AYL? lineup, the newbies competing in 7th Street Entry that night, will not be announced for a few weeks. As usual, the winning band will get a crash-course in setting up quickly and earning Conrad Sverkerson's respect with a second set in the main room that night, plus they get a slot at the Vita.mn-sponsored day part at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, on March 7. (Vita.mn is owned by the Star Tribune.)
Last year's AYL? winners, Black Diet, were featured in a great episode of TPT's "Lowertown Line" last weekend, which is coincidentally running its taping with the Blind Shake this weekend (6:30 and 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Channel 2 PBS).
