Thursday, October 30, 2008

Polara rock the…parking lot?

Polara - 7/20/08

Polara - 7/20/08

To prime yourself for the big Sussedtacular! bash at the Varsity at the end of the month, check out these live Polara vids from one of the many block parties that pop up like weeds during the all too short Minnesota summer. In this case, these are from the Chiang Banger Block Party, put on by nearby Chiang Mai Tai restaurant. This was the first Chiang Banger asphalt fete – and possibly the last, since this parking lot no longer exists thanks to the advent of the long-rumored expansion/redesign of the Calhoun Square shopping area.

The video quality is a bit shaky (it was actually shot by a 60>0 intern) but the audio is quite nice thanks to Knobby over at Susstones, who expertly cleaned up and mixed in a soundboard audio feed. Fortunately, there weren’t too many punters walking in front of the camera (probably had something to with the incredible volume being generated by musicians on stage!), although somebody who suspiciously looks like Phil Solem makes a “cameo” appearance at the end of a scorching if not thrilling version of Polara’s classic set opener, “Can’t Get Over You.”

Other than the stage being ridiculously cramped, this turned out to be a very successful day of great music. It was a hot, rockin’ afternoon that featured a line-up of acts who weren’t afraid to turn it up to 11 and kick ass (yes, The Mood Swings were also on the bill). It was so loud, in fact, that the beautiful people drinking and dining on the swanky rooftop of Stella’s kitty-corner across the street no doubt had some difficulty carrying on their Appletini-fueled conversations.

Polara - “Can’t Get Over You” (Chiang Bianger Block Party – Mpls – 7/20/08)

direct links:

high quality

normal quality

Polara - “Scorched Youth Policy” (Chiang Bianger Block Party – Mpls – 7/20/08)

direct links:

normal quality

More Susstones videos here.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Barack Rock!



Susstones guiding light/Polara frontman/solo artist Ed Ackerson has some late-breaking, important news on his blog:


I’ve contributed an exclusive new song to Barack Rock!, a collaborative project between musicians and graphic artists meant to inspire participation and contributions to the Obama Campaign. The song, “See Through”, is accompanied by super cool artwork from Brooklyn-based Garrett Morin. Both the song and art are available on the site for download. The Barack Rock! project has been posting a new song/image every day, and there will be new art all the way up to Nov. 4. Special thanks to NY artist and friend Emily C.M. Anderson for
introducing me to the Barack Rock! project.

This year’s election is the most important any of us are likely to ever participate in, an amazingly clear choice between the forces of creation and reaction. Obama is a truly remarkable, inspiring man with an eye on a positive future and the smarts to help America get there. I support him 100%. I am also looking forward to helping Al Franken replace Norm Coleman in the US Senate. And, though I personally live in the 5th District (well represented by Keith Ellison), I’m voting with my dollar to support the campaign of El Tinklenberg against the crazed Michele Bachmann in the 6th.


60 > 0 is proud to help support this worthwhile cause and is 110% down wit Ed's political insights as well.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Viva le Obama!


Saturday, October 25, 2008

11/28/08 - Sussedtacular! at the Varsity Theater - Mpls







Sussedtacular! at the Varsity Theater - celebrating the release of Ed Ackerson’s Ackerson2 CD


Well, it's that time of year...again! Ed Ackerson is either getting restless or his hard drives are filling up cuz he's gone and done it again. That's right, another new album - his third in the last 12 months! Coming on the heels of his debut solo album and Beekeeping, the first Polara album in five years, comes Ackerson2, released November 18 on Susstones.

The line-up so far for the Varsity bash:

Polara / Ed Ackerson Group - featuring longtime band members Peter Anderson, Jennifer Jurgens, Marc Perlman and Tim Oesau with special guest/soul brother #1 Jim Boquist (of Son Volt/Paul Westerberg/Good Joe fame)

The Mood Swings

Colonial Vipers Attack

Strange Lights

-plus-

special cameo appearances from:

Janey and Marc (Janey of Astronaut Wife, Marc of The Jayhawks)

-and-

Farewell Continental (featuring members of Small Towns Burn a Little Slower, To Reinvent and a "popular local music group")

-plus-

DJ The Guv'nor (of Sussed!)

Susstones Omniphonic Orchestra with Transpositional Vibe Array


Special offer: Free download card for the Susstones Winter Sampler (featuring new tracks by Ed, Mood Swings, CVA and Strange Lights) with every paid ticket!