Thursday, October 13, 2005

Polara "Guest Sessions" gig in St. Paul - 10/23



Guest Session Sundays featuring Polara
at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul
Sunday, October 23rd, 2005
Doors at 7 PM



Two sets by Polara featuring guest appearances from:
Astronaut Wife
Kraig Jarrett Johnson
The Mood Swings
Sideways
Scott Laurent
Marc Perlman
Dan "The Plate" Boen
Tim Oesau
DJ Marc "The Guv'nor" Mueller
with a finale by The Susstones Omniphonic Orchestra
....and other local luminaries to be announced


Polara is pleased to be taking part in the Guest Session Sundays series presented by 89.3 The Current at the Fitz in downtown St. Paul. The setting of this show in this great sounding, good vibing venue gives Polara opportunity to explore new collaborations and present its songs in an expanded musical framework. The band will present two sets of music starting at 7:30. The first set will consist of electric and acoustic performances by the band's core members Ed Ackerson, Jennifer Jurgens, and Peter Anderson, joined by bassist Marc Perlman (Golden Smog, Jayhawks) and a rotating cast of instrumental collaborators. The second set will stretch beyond Polara's traditional lineup and catalog, introducing a fun and diverse array of guest musicians and singers. Here's the currently-confirmed roster of the band's noisemaking friends for the night:

Astronaut Wife- Susstones electronic pop faves Astronaut Wife return to the stage after a two-year absence especially for tonight's show, with Polara adding its backup might. Various members of AW will also be chiming in on vocals and keyboards during the first Polara set.

Sideways- Ed Ackerson's instrumental combo, featuring Peter Anderson, bassist Kraig Jarrett Johnson, Tim Oesau on keyboards, and Blake Hurlbert on percussion. First live Sideways performance in a year!

The Mood Swings- This very exciting fuzzed-out girlpop band has been causing quite a stir locally in the last months. They'll play a few songs tonight in an expanded lineup including members of Polara. The Mood Swings will also be helping out on guitar, electronics, singing and percussion during the Polara set. Look out for the new Mood Swings album Come On Tell Me on Susstones November 8th!

Kraig Jarrett Johnson- Singer, guitar slinger, songwriter for The Program, Golden Smog and Iffy, Kraig is a longtime friend of everyone in Polara. Kraig will do a song or two of his own in addition to adding his "music" during Polara's set

Scott Laurent- Noted local songwriter with a huge heart and a monster set of pipes, Scott will sing and strum a couple of never-before-heard Ed Ackerson numbers with the band.

Tim Oesau- Ace keyboardist for Sideways and the Scott Laurent Band, Tim will bring his deft textural touch to the table with Sideways, Polara and the rest of the gang.

Dan "The Plate" Boen- Polara alum Dan Boen will bring his own special brand of electrolove on Theremin and synthesizer, in addition to playing bass with the Mood Swings.

DJ Marc "The Guv'nor" Mueller of the weekly music club Sussed! will be spinning records at the beginning of the evening and also during the between-set interval.

The Susstones Omniphonic Orchestra will close out the show with the sort of orgiastic sonic bliss that makes nights like this so unique.

The Fitzgerald is a great place for Polara to present this evening of new sounds and fun creative combinations. This show promises to be one of the most memorable ever for this ever-evolving band and its array of guest artists.