The Rake Magazine

Category: Blog Post

  • A Rakish Interview: Big Quarters

    In the Jasmine Deli, Zach and Brandon Bagaason – the brothers that constitute the rapper/producer team Big Quarters – don’t mess with the menu. Regulars well-acquainted with the selection at this Vietnamese spot on Eat Street, they ordered without consulting the dual-language laminated pages.

    Regularity, it might be said, is what defines Big Quarters – their work ethic, at least, if not their actual music. After the 2007 release of their debut album, Cost of Living, they’ve been working relentlessly on a number of mixtapes and EPs. Now, having devised a producers’ sort of Holy Grail, they’ve found an effective means to release them. On September 5th, they will introduce their monthly subscription system – Big Quarters Direct – where for five bucks a month you’ll get five new tracks a month, sent to your email account.

    “People have been talking about how albums aren’t relevant anymore,” Brandon said. He speaks in a drawl, as if he chews his words a little, flattening them, before spitting them out. “So this is a way to maintain a connection with fans. People who want our stuff will have it instantly.”

    Recently, a number of musical acts – most notably (and most successfully) Radiohead – have been reaching audiences by releasing their work online. Last December, Atmosphere put out Strictly Leakage for free download; earlier this year Big Quarters made the Fall in Love EP, produced in conjunction with Mux Mool, available online for free.

    (An interesting tangential story, paraphrased, because my tape recorder stopped working at some point during the interview: Zach and Mux Mool used to work together at the now-defunct Discount Video on Hennepin [its spot has since turned into a cell phone shop]. On Saturdays, only one of them would be scheduled for a shift, but both would show up, and they’d trade turns clocking in. Then, while one of them helped customers and stocked shelves and did what video store clerks do, the other would be in back, recording audio clips from the in-stock movies to use later for production. The store, Zach estimated, had over 40,000 titles, and they ended up with an unwieldy amount of samples, which they are now turning into a series of Discount Musical tracks, some of which will possibly be released – and now we get back to the main body – on Big Quarters Direct.)

    “It’s the first time we’ve been able to speed up the process of releasing music,” Zach said. He is more soft-spoken than his brother, his sentences maybe dampened by the beard that haloes his face. “We want to put out quality music every month, because now we have that capability.”

    Their compositions aren’t made for passive fans. Rather, they produce with the hope that their music is something to interact with. After Cost of Living, they released the Cost of Living Construction Kit (yours free when you sign up for Big Quarters Direct), which is actually a dissection of the original album, with both a cappella and instrumental versions of the songs laid out for other producers and MCs that might want to use them. Beyond that, though, Big Quarters hopes that people are able engage with their tracks on a more personal level.

    “Everything’s about telling our own story,” Brandon said. “Communicating, storytelling, we like to try and do that through rapping, and through our instrumentals.”

    Fittingly, their lyrics are marked by introspection. They explained that when they write about personal experiences, that’s when fans pay the most attention. The line that’s gotten them the most renown, off their song “Everyday,” is “Home of brown babies and white mothers” – an embrace of their own mixed-race heritage.

    Carrying their music over into their professional lives, Big Quarters try to promote the curative aspects of storytelling in their (our) community. By day, Zach and Brandon work with a number of youth groups – at the Hope Community, at IDDS, at the Minneapolis YMCA – teaching kids to DJ, to put together a song, and most importantly, to unleash their personal narratives.

    “It’s about therapy,” said Zach. “We hope that people can relate to us, find similarities even if their story’s not exactly the same.”

    Discerning a story from their instrumentals is a bit murkier of a task, but certainly there’s a narrative element to their production. None of their beats relies on a simple loop; rather they stoke a melody throughout the track, layering and collapsing it in progressions that never let go a listener’s ear. As far as actual sound, one might compare their production to some of the stuff RZA does for Wu-Tang Clan – full-bodied and sour and vaguely kung-fu-ish – though the recent Fall in Love EP seems to try and crack through this, bordering on pop.

    “The goal for us when we’re producing,” Zach said, “is to take something people might know, and play with it and break it down until it’s not really recognizable anymore. That’s when a beat sort of becomes our own, and we can begin to tell a story with it.”

    (If you listen to this, it’s easy to see what he means.)

    September 3rd, 2008 @ Turf Club.
    Performances by: Big Quarters, Mux Mool and DJ Anton
    21+ / $4 / 9pm

     

  • Sept 1, 2008: Big Monday

  • Cocinero Karimi at the Bedlam Theatre

    Robert KarimiOkay, here’s a quick tip for foodies: the "The Cooking Show Con Mero Cocinero Karimi," playing this weekend
    and next at the Bedlam Theatre is very, very funny. I saw the show last year
    when Robert Karimi performed it at Pangea World Theater. I won’t spoil the fun
    by giving away too many details (actually, I don’t remember too many details), but Karimi combines politics, humor and a cooking class in a fast-paced show that
    concludes with a tasting of the Iranian-Guatemalan performer’s multi-cultural
    cuisine. With the Republicans coming to town, I am sure Karimi will add some
    topical twists to the show. When I saw the show, the tasting was nearly a meal,
    but if you are still hungry, you can order from the Bedlam’s dining menu, which
    ranges from pizza to Polish sausage.

    The show runs tonight, Saturday, August 30, and next Friday through Sunday, September 5-7. "All shows at 8:00 pm. Everyone strongly encouraged to come early at 7:30
    for an extra taste, and to BYOB (Bring your own bowl)."

    The Bedlam Theatre is at 1501 S. 6th St., on the Minneapolis West Bank.

  • Chris Koza is Optimistic and Doesn't Care Who Knows It

    Chris Koza is the kind of man who gives cigarettes to homeless people. In person and in his music he is wantonly candid and authentic. Koza and his four-piece band happily loll at mid tempo, blending roots music, twang and a heavy dose of pop to create a giddy sound so large it breaks the boundaries and escapes the snaking sidewalks of this city.

    Koza himself is a New York City/ Minneapolis straddler. On his new album, The Dark, Delirious Morning, he mixes drum machine tones of big-city modernity with the organic sound of Midwestern acoustic guitars. The result gives his classic pop a modern feel that deserves a snug position on radio playlists. Koza’s music is infectiously uplifting and defiantly optimistic. It is luxuriously toe-tapping and a good cure for people who can’t afford Prozac. It makes even those fading summer sunburns feel OK.

    I talked with Koza outside the Triple Rock before his set last Saturday. While I was staring jealously at his vintage glasses, we discussed Ms. Pac-Man, hair metal and the definition of "modern geek."

    Erin Roof: I like on your Myspace page how you have a quirky list of influences, like pocket handkerchiefs and things like that. Is there anything you’ve seen today that particularly caught your eye and inspired you?

    Chris Koza: I’ve got to go through my whole day. I played the Ms. Pac-Man game at the CC Club. It’s the best Ms. Pac-Man game west of the Mississippi.

    ER: What makes it different?

    CK: Well, I’ve played a few on this last tour. It handles great. The ghosts are a great combination of cleverness and stupidity. When they’re too smart, you know, it takes the player out of the game. You should just let it play itself.

    ER: I’m terrible at video games.

    CK: Yeah, me too. Ms. Pac-Man is the only one I ever really liked.

    ER: Were you allowed to play video games growing up?

    CK: Yeah, we had Super Mario, Duck Hunt. I really haven’t done a whole lot today because we got back from tour at 6 o’clock in the morning.

    ER: How did it go?

    CK: It went really well. We were in Missouri last night. We played this outdoor concert an arts society set up. It was in this little town square. So, I guess if there was anything I saw in the last 24 hours, it’s on the drive back. We passed a lot of little, small towns that, if none of us were paying attention, we could essentially think we were driving in circles. They all looked the same at first glance.

    ER: Is there a particular reason that you felt pulled toward pop music, and have you ever felt like you just needed to let loose with some angry chords?

    CK: I used to try to play angry chords. I’m not really an angry guy. I mean, I get disappointed about things. I can feel really damn depressed for several days at a time, or maybe even entire seasons. But I felt when I was writing songs that were more angry sounding it made me feel worse, and it kind of took away some of the joy I found of writing songs. For me, right now where I’m at as a songwriter, it’s not where I get my inspiration.

    ER: If you were to do something completely opposite, like say a hair metal band, what do you think it would look and sound like?

    CK: Well, it would have to start with the main ingredient being David Bowie, ‘cause he’s got the glam. He’s got the fashion, the looks and the abilities. He’s got all the energy. Then I would put a bunch of diesel grease all over everything. And I’d probably tune all the strings on the guitar down to the lowest notes possible and try to belch as much as possible when I sing. And climb up the rafters.

    ER: Tell me about your new album.

    CK: We released The Dark, Delirious Morning at First Avenue on June 7th. I’ll call it adventurous, acoustic-based pop with equal parts classic rock/pop songwriting and modern geek.

    ER: What do you mean by "modern geek"?

    CK: Well, you know, like the nerdy tones or maybe the occasional lo-fi static.

    ER: Can you explain your stage show for someone who hasn’t seen it?

    CK: They can expect a group of people that are into the material, and they aren’t overly flamboyant, but they’re not a bunch of bumps on the log either. It’s very honest. The performance, whatever material we’re playing is rootsy, it’s kind of earthy-like one big pop muscle flexing at the same time.

    ER: What are your plans and goals?

    CK: My goal is to be a touring musician full time. Tour the U.S. Tour the U.K. Tour Japan. Get out there. See the world. Be able to play music and share it with people and be able to do this without going super broke. It’s my livelihood, but I also want it to be my life.

     

    Chris Koza, with The Alarmists, Blue Heels, and The Wars of 1812; Friday, Aug. 29th; 8 pm, Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St SE, Minneapolis

  • August 29, 2008: Wedding Forecast

  • A Pair of Jedi Masters Become One With the Force

    "I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if
    millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced.    "

    Obi-Wan might as well have been talking about last night’s
    call by Hillary Clinton to nominate Barack Obama by acclamation. Even as cheers
    rang throughout the assembled DNC crowd, through the MPR broadcast it was easy
    to hear the anguished chorus of PUMAs and die-hard Clinton fans crying out as their personal Alderaan
    exploded before their eyes.

    Of course, it was too much for the Democratic party to ever
    expect Obama’s nomination to be accepted without rancor or dissention in the
    ranks. Ever since famed blogger John
    Scalzi     revealed that Barack Obama does not, in fact, fart cinnamon-scented
    rainbows, Democratic officials and party members have realized how deeply
    divisive the last year has been for the party. And without the aforementioned
    sweetly-scented intestinal emissions, Democrats face a serious battle to return
    to the days when the party was united under Bill Clinton’s banner of Internet
    IPOs, kittens and abortions for all. For, if nothing else, one lesson they can
    take away from Star Wars,
    not to mention the last seven years in Afghanistan
    and Iraq,
    is that regime change is a cast-iron bitch.

    Make no mistake, last night’s speech by Bill Clinton was an
    abdication of power. For nearly two decades the Clintons have been to first Democratic
    family, with all the influence, fundraising clout and nubile interns such a
    position has to offer. Last night was Bill’s last dance. You could hear it in
    his voice as he reveled in the cheers of the assembled left-leaning masses
    yearning once more for the feather soft caress of the elder statesman to set
    their loins aquiver with his nimble tongue and folksy charm. Even as Bill
    cajoled the crowd into silence, you could tell he knew this time on the
    podium would be his last brush with the reverence accorded to a liberal savior.
    He may never again be able to coerce a young woman into inserting phallic
    tobacco products in inappropriate orifices, so any maudlin thoughts on his part
    are perfectly understandable.

    So as his speech began, making us all pine for the heady
    days when the Internet was a eldritch tube that channeled the unspeakable power
    of that which came before – making imaginary money and not just a masturbatory tool for
    douchebags, hatemongers and hormonally confused tweens    , it wasn’t a
    surprise that much of it focused on his own accomplishments. But through the
    ego-stroking and fond reminiscences of economic booms, cordial relations with
    foreign powers, and perjured testimony came reassurances of Obama’s talent and
    capabilities – his readiness to lead and his preparedness to bring change and
    puppies to the hallowed halls of Capitol Hill.

    And his willingness to make those statements with his wife’s
    most ardent supporters just a few feet away still railing against this
    "perversion of democracy," calling for recounts, and demanding their hymens be
    returned to them, makes it all the more impressive. Whether he receives a
    cabinet position in the event of an Obama win or not, he closed the door on his
    own era. Few men can lay claim to that. Now if only he could alter time, speed
    up the election, or teleport us to England, where campaigns only last
    approximately four weeks, his place in history would be assured.

  • Las Mojarras – Seafood Mexican Style

    Every time I have set foot inside Las Mojarras, in the
    former Me Gusta space on E. Lake St., the place has been completely empty,
    which is a shame, because it’s one of the most ambitious and attractive Mexican
    restaurants in the Twin Cities.

    Which might actually be part of the problem. Prices are very
    reasonable by Uptown or Downtown standards, but not as low as the other Mexican
    restaurants on Lake Street. It might be a little too upscale to attract the
    working-class Mexican clientele that frequents La Poblanita and El Mercado, and
    a little too far from Hennepin Ave. to attract the Uptown diners.

    (Maybe things are livelier on Friday and Saturday nights, billed as salsa nights.)

    SirenaToo bad, because the food – at least what I have
    sampled so far – is really quite good. On my last visit, I brought my wife and
    niece, and we only sampled two dishes between the three of us. The Sirena
    ($16.95), a seafood cocktail, was fresh
    and lively, and brimming with staggering quantities of shrimp, oysters, squid,
    octopus, (and a little imitation crab) in a sweet tomato sauce topped with pico
    de gallo and avocado. (See picture of my niece, Tess, above, to get a sense of its size.)

    Parillada de mariscosEven more impressive was the parrillada de mariscos ($48.95),
    a big tabletop grill piled high with delicious shrimp, clams, mussels, snow crab legs,
    octopus, a split lobster tail, and a whole fried tilapia, over grilled peppers,
    nopales cactus strips and grilled onions, served with tortillas on the side.

    You can order the whole tilapia by itself for $7.77 a pound, or $12.99 for a1.5 pounder – with your choice of hot sauce, garlic sauce, chipotle cream sauce, grilled "a la plancha" or served "empapelado" – steamed in a pouch.

    There is a lot more on the menu I would like to try,
    including the fillete relleno, a fish stuffed with shrimp, cheese and ham,
    breaded and deep-fried ($17.95), the aguachile – raw shrimp marinated in
    jalapenos and lime juice ($12.99), and the costillas con camarones, a
    combination plate of spare rib tips and garlic shrimp, served with marinated
    cactus salad ($14.95).

    Las Mojarras, 1507 E. Lake St., 612-208-0120.

  • August 28, 2008: The Agony Of Defeat

  • The Boobie Brigade Sweetens Things Up!

    BENEFIT EVENT
    The Youth & Boobie Brigade Bake Sale

    Join the Youth and Boobie Brigade for a hip and tasty event at the 7th Street Entry
    to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation and other breast cancer
    research charities tonight! Conceptualized
    by Lauren Manke and Louisa Podlich, The Youth and Boobie Brigade will
    participate as a team in the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk on September 19th-21st.
    Every participant is required to raise at least $2,200 in order to take part in
    the walk, and with your help, the Brigade is confident they will be able
    to reach this goal and surpass it! Every donation matters, and every dollar
    will go directly to benefit breast cancer research. The
    Youth and Boobie Brigade Bake Sale will not only feature a smörgåsbord of
    melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes and bars up for purchase, but will also help negate
    any calorie consumption-fueled guilt with a wild dance party! Featuring live
    music from peppy indie-popsters Tim Rally Gold, followed by prolific club king
    Jonathan Ackerman of the Moongoons and red-hot sister DJ duo Tendercakes
    spinning electro, club, techno, hip hop, pop, rock and more all night long!

    If you are unable to make
    the event and would like to donate, click HERE.

    10pm-2am, 7th Street Entry, 701 1st Avenue N, Downtown Mpls, $8

    MUSIC
    The Pines

    As
    the RNC quickly approaches, many locals are gearing up to be
    heard not only through demonstration, but through celebration of art, music
    and performance as well. One of the most happenin’ hot spots will be
    Lowertown Saint Paul, where the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar will
    host numerous events
    leading up to and during the convention, including two huge block
    parties featuring tons of amazing local music! Tonight however, is a
    bit more chill with moody folk duo The Pines,
    who will play live in the Cafe while you sip vino and
    anticipate the impending fracas that is about to descend upon our fair
    cities. While you’re there, make sure to check out the Poster Offensive IV exhibit, a collection of politically themed screen-printed posters by local artists.

    8pm, Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, 4th & Broadway, Lowertown St. Paul, pay-what-you-can


    STATE FAIR TIP OF THE DAY
    State Fair Sugar Rush

    Since
    we’re keeping the theme relatively sweet today, what with the Boobie
    Brigade’s Bake Sale and all, I thought I’d take the time to talk about
    my favorite sweet treats at the Fair. Even though my busy sched this
    week prevents me from going at all, I’ve been living vicariously
    through Ms. Kathryn Savage’s guides,
    as I too am a State Fair junkie. While I am a big fan of the typical
    corn on the cob, cheese curds, and pronto pups – I really do love me
    some Dippin’ Dots.
    A refreshing treat on a hot August day, but these little beads of sweet
    frozen goodness are probably my fave because of the extreme cuteness
    factor – a pastel rainbow of teeny-tiny ice cream balls that are as fun
    to look at as they are to eat. I am also a fan of cotton candy (again,
    cute), Sweet Martha’s Cookies (who isn’t), but no State Fair sugar
    rush is complete without a stop at the Salt Water Taffy
    booth, where you can watch a fleet of candy-men and women spin and pull
    colorful taffy, roll it, cut it and package it up for you to purchase
    by the sackful. Sweet!

    State Fair Hours 6am-Midnight, State Fair Grounds, Saint Paul, $11


  • August 27, 2008: Wake Up Twin Cities, Wake Up America