Battle of the cute Minneapolis indie boy bands

Hot off strong showings at SXSW last week, Minneapolis bands Howler and Night Moves both got nods of approval from a very Teen Beat-esque writeup from MTV, which practically squeals with adoration ("which added to their already adorbs charm," "These Minnesotans were hot, both in looks and from the Austin heat," etc.), which wasn't lost on anyone, including Vita.mn's Jay Boller and Night Moves' Mark Ritsema:

Hot or Not? Night Moves vs. Howler

LOL OMG indeed.

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Local Music Fans Respond to Howler Controversy

It all started on Friday, when a certain music podcast was posted on Guardian's website. In this podcast, Jordan Gatesmith of local band Howler (which is super famous in the UK, apparently) dissed the local music scene, and gave a particular negative "shout out" to the 4onthefloor. Andrea Swensson didn't think that was very cool and she wrote about it on the Local Current blog. Becky Lang of the Tangential also wrote about it. Twitter and Facebook comments started pouring in. You know that else is hopefully happening? Tons of people in the UK are Googling "the 4onthefloor." Thanks Howler!









Submitted by @marrina

The Cloak Ox tops City Pages' Picked to Click 2011

The ballots are in for 2011's Picked to Click and, unsurprisingly, The Cloak Ox topped City Pages' annual best new bands list. Filling out the rest of the list: Poliça (#2), Howler (#4), Robust Worlds (#5), The 4onthefloor, blood&stuff (tied for #6), Nightosaur (#7), Gramma's Boyfriend, MaLLY (tied for #8), Dream Crusher, Elite Gymnastics (tied for #10), plus a couple of bands that have performed at LOL/OMG Meetups: UMAMI (#9) and Night Moves (#3).

A few choice Tweet responses:

Oh, we totally agree.

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Video: Howler performs in parents' kitchen for NME

Well ain't this cute: Minneapolis band (and NME darlings) Howler performed and acoustic version of "You Like White Women, I Like Cigarettes" in singer Jordan's parents' kitchen, exclusively for NME. Look for their debut EP This One's Different out on Monday on Rough Trade.



Via Howler on Facebook
Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Local band Howler named one of NME's 50 best new bands of 2011

We're aghast that this is the first time we're hearing about Howler, a local band that was just named one of NME's 50 best new bands of 2011. They call it "garage rock with a sun-kissed feel" that fans of Black Lips and The Drums would dig. It turns out the young band has already gotten attention from CMJ earlier this year, which said its sound balances "the loud and dirty qualities of Husker Du and the Replacements with the poppy hooks of the Ronkettes and Shangri-Las." What can we say, we're a sucker for a Husker Du/Replacements reference.


Via Cause Spirits & Soundbar on Facebook

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin