True story: An e-mail arrived out of the blue three weeks ago from an independent filmmaker in Los Angeles asking the whereabouts of Bellwether, a Northern Lights-tinted country-rock band from Minneapolis that earned a following in the late '90s and early '00s. Said director was hoping to get rights to its song "8th Street."
I was happy to report that -- just as quietly as it folded around 2003 -- Bellwether is performing around town again and could have some new music in the near future, although primary singer/sonwriter Eric Luoma wasn't quite so eager to trumpet the band's return.
"After this gig, we are going to start talking about some sessions," was Luoma's demure response, referring to Saturday's stripped-down show at the Aster Cafe (9 p.m., $10) with chief partner Jimmy Peterson. This is the third gig the pair has played in recent months after years apart, in which time Peterson fronted Missing Numbers and formed the 757s, now both bands of the past. So here's to a brighter future for Bellwether.
TBT, Atmosphere get busy If you missed all the news on Tuesday that prompted Mayor R.T. Rybak to declare it "one of the top 10 days in Minnesota music" -- alongside Prince's Dakota gig announcements and the Replacements' benefit EP going up for auction -- both Atmosphere and Trampled by Turtles unveiled big concert plans.
The former is heading up another Welcome to Minnesota Tour starting March 1 in Bemidji and ending March 5 at First Avenue. Brother Ali, Carnage, the Get Cryphy DJs and young buck Haphduzn round out the lineup, and the itinerary also includes Duluth, Mankato and St. Cloud. Tickets go on sale Friday at 11 a.m. via Rhymesayers.com.
Meanwhile, TBT will play Duluth's Clyde Iron Works on April 4 to mark its 10th anniversary, but the big party will take place over three nights April 17-19 at First Avenue and 7th Street Entry with guests including the Pines, Erik Koskinen and Actual Wolf. Those tickets are on sale Friday at noon via eTix.com or First Ave outlets.
Random mix Local dubstep wizard Vaski, who lists New York's Best Buy Theater and Boston's House of Blues on his upcoming tour itinerary, plays a much smaller set as part of his Skyline series Saturday at Bolt's Underground space, 501 Washington Av. S., Mpls. (10 p.m., $10). ... After their opening set Friday for Pert Near Sandstone's two-night Winter String Gathering at the Cedar, Virginians Black Twig Pickers will play Treehouse Records' Breakfast Series (10 a.m., free). ...
While its own weekly music schedule has been amped up of late, Harriet Brewing is using El Nuevo Rodeo Ballroom's bigger space just a block away to celebrate its second anniversary Saturday night with a coolly eclectic lineup featuring Malamanya, Steve Kaul & the Brass Kings and Postina (7 p.m., $14-$20, HarrietBrewing.com). Chris Koza, Dan "Daddy Squeeze" Newton and more will perform at the brewery in the afternoon. ...
