A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:
Nellie McKay, Dakota. "Just because we're from New York doesn't mean we have bedbugs." That's how McKay encouraged audience members in her own special way to attend her post-show CD signing.
Anais Mitchell, "Hadestown." A compelling cast of alterna-folkies including Justin Vernon, Ani DiFranco, the Haden triplets, Greg Brown and Mitchell. The CD's story line about some Orpheus dude isn't bad, either.
Ben Folds, First Avenue. Has any other performer ever covered Ke$ha's "Sleazy" and Hot Butter's "Popcorn" in the same set? In the same lifetime?
JOE MILLA, MINNEAPOLIS
To contribute: popmusic@startribune.com
Lil Wayne cover story, Rolling Stone. The rapper talks about life in prison (Brett Favre phoned him but didn't visit), and the reporter follows him to Miami (including an NBA game), "Saturday Night Live" and, best of all, the recording studio where late-night Wayne gets into it at 5:10 a.m.
Elton John recommends that bands should be allowed to compete on "American Idol." That might revive interest in the fading institution more so than Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez will do this year. Sir Elton as a judge would be a terrific move, too.
