After opening for the Suburbs in February when he won the Star Tribune's Are You Local? contest, R&B/electronic thriller Nick Jordan will now perform opposite the local rock vets' main-room show Friday night when he takes over 7th Street Entry to tout his second EP, "Dividends."
Led by the simmering single "Petty," the six-song set blends dramatic synth-pop melodies and innovative, Frank Oceanic beats, all of which should add more spark to Jordan's already electrifying live show. Electronic singer Devata Daun from Pytch Records and Radio Ahlee open (8:30 p.m., $8-$10). …
Part of the lineup at Saturday's HazelFest at Hazelden treatment center in Center City, Har Mar Superstar will drop a new EP on Aug. 22, "Personal Boy," a four-song collaboration with producers Lazerbeak (Doomtree, Lizzo) and BJ Burton (Low, Hippo Campus) that cuts more new sonic territory. The seven-minute title track has hit the web already and is nothing short of stunning. Also on the EP is a cover of "Demon in Profile" by the Afghan Whigs, whom Har Mar will open for on tour this fall, including Sept. 21 at First Ave. …
Pairing two of the most heartwarming things to ever come out of Minnesota, Romantica will kick off the Music & Movies series at the Lake Harriet Band Shell Friday with the first of four made-in-MN movies there this month, "Sweet Land" (7:30 p.m., free). … One of the mainstays of free summer gigs, the Red Stag Supper Club Block Party returns for its 11th year outside the northeast Minneapolis eatery on Sunday with the 4onthefloor, Blind Shake, Black Market Brass, Graveyard Club and more (2-8 p.m., free). …
Minneapolis' beloved gearhead haven Twin Town Guitars celebrates its 20th anniversary with a party Saturday at the Triple Rock featuring the typically guitar-less Dosh (with Mike Lewis), BNLX and Porno Wolves. The anniversary gift is all ours, too: It's a free show (9 p.m.). … Fresh off a well-received Grumpy's Downtown residency and a new EP release, shoegazer-whirry rockers the Cult of Lip head up a cool lineup of other exciting new noisemakers at the Minneapolis Eagles Club #34 on Friday, also including Magnetic Ghost, Duluth's Low Forms and the Future Eaters with ex-Selby Tiger Nathan Grumdahl (9 p.m., $5). …
The Dakota will host a tribute to Minneapolis' '70s hitmaker Michael Johnson of "Bluer Than Blue" fame on Aug. 20, details of which are still coming together. He died last week at age 72. … Donna Grantis, guitarist in Prince's 3rdEyeGirl, will debut her new jazz-infused band with two Dakota shows Friday night (7 and 9:30 p.m., $30-$45) The group includes ubiquitous local sidemen J.T. Bates, Bryan Nichols and Cody McKinney. Read an interview with Grantis at startribune.com/music. …
Word is what was left of the old staff at the Varsity Theater was officially let go this week as the sale of the shuttered venue moved forward. The new owners, a Hong Kong real estate firm with U.S. partners, say they plan to bring back live music before end of year. Sounds good, but complicated.
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