Messersmith + Daytrotter = Awesome

Jeremy Messersmith's been getting a lot of love on the internet over his Daytrotter Session recorded last week at The Horseshack studio in downtown Rock Island, Ill. For those unfamiliar with Daytrrotter recordings, they are made with "minimal mic’ing, through discrete preamps and with some limiting to the mixing console, where they are printed to 1/4” analog tape running at 15 inches per second (usually BASF 468). The analog master is later transferred to a computer and converted to MP3." And no, we don't know what any of this means, but we know it sounds cool.

To listen to the session click here.

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney.
Via @jmessersmith.
Submitted by @marrina.

Jeremy Messersmith wants to buy tickets to his own show

It's true, see for yourself!

You can see the "infamous" ad here.

Will he or will he not buy the tickets?? Follow Jeremy here to find out.

Submitted by @marrina.

Current's 6th Birthday Party video recap

Check out this video recap, "A Love Letter to Minnesota Music," put together by Ron Johnson for last Friday's 6th birthday bash for 89.3 The Current, with footage of Jeremy Messersmith, Brother Ali, and Free Energy, and commentary from the likes of Dessa, Brother Ali, Mayor R.T. Rybak and The Current's Mark Wheat.

A Love Letter to Minnesota Music from Ron Johnson on Vimeo.

Via Rhymesayers on Facebook

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Jeremy Messersmith's Remix Album is Now Out

Jeremy Messersmith asked for your remixes and he got them. The Reluctant Graveyard Doctors Without Borders Remix is now up on Jeremy's site and it contains remixes by Byzantine Beatbox, Will Yates, Paris 1919 and more. You can listen to the tracks for free on the site or name your price and download the 10-track album to keep here. Proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders, so pony up!

Submitted by @marrina.

Top local viral videos of 2010

It's been a big year for viral videos. And some of the videos that made us either LOL or OMG came with some local flavor. So we've rounded up the funniest, most-viewed and (of course) LOL/OMG-worthy videos of the year, in order of number of views. (What the hell, everyone else is doing it.)

Honorable Mention: Kanye West Rapping on a Plane
Just a few short hours after doing an intimate meet-and-greet and listening party in the Twin Cities, Kanye West decided to perform an impromptu show aboard his flight from Minneapolis to New York City on Delta. Watch him do a medley of "The Good Life" and "Gold Digger" via Hollywood Life. (Number of views info not available.)


10. Max Sparber's "Ballad of Steven Slater"
When news of disgruntled JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater going ballastic on a rude passenger got out back in August, local songwriter and scribe Max Sparber offered his take with his "Ballad of Steven Slater." Another guy then added music and made a video, which later wound up on various news programs including CNN's Situation Room, garnering about 3,500 hits.

9. Brawl at TC Hip Hop Awards
The annual Twin Cities Hip Hop Awards at First Avenue turned violent this year - onstage, no less. With bar stools. It's crazy enough to have gotten over 21,000 hits since it went online back in January.

8. Gigamesh's "Double Rainbow" Remix
The epic double rainbow meme last July got a local twist when former Minneapolis DJ/producer (now based out of Miami) Gigamesh offered his totally danceable remix, nabbing over 27,000 hits.

7. Lady Gaga Flash Mob
When Lady Gaga did a two-night show at the Xcel in August, she made the local news after showing up to the Turf Club (and we posted exclusive pix). But the local Gaga-related video that went viral was the "Bad Romance"-performing Flash Mob that hit Nicollet Mall, getting over 38,000 hits.

6. GAYNGS Prom
Another big LOL/OMG story this year was the GAYNGS Prom at First Avenue, unparalleled in its sheer epicness. There was a balloon drop, show-goers dressed to the hilt in prom gear, the premier performance by the local supergroup (and also the biggest GAYNGS lineup they've ever had hit the stage). Oh, and Prince showed up. A bunch of videos were subsequently uploaded - including local filmmaker Isaac Gale's live video that got over 38,000 hits - but the most noteworthy was Pitchfork's:

5. "Empire State of Mind" Twin Cities Spoof
St. Cloud video makers Afternoon D Light are behind this Twin Cities take on Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind," which has over 300,000 hits. If you can get past the lo-fi video quality and weak singing/rapping, there are classic references to black ice, Herb Brooks, and Joe Maurer. (Okay, this is technically from December 2009, but deal with it.)

4. Jeremy Messersmith's "Tatooiine" video
Another music-related video to get over 225,000 hits is the Star Wars-inspired "Tatooine" by local singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith. The video, created by filmmaker/animator, Eric Power, wraps up the Star Wars trilogy via paper cut outs. The video was quickly picked up by just about every cool blog out there, including Wired, Nylon, and New York Magazine, among others.

3. "Minnesota Gurls"
Coming in at over 1,400,000 hits was the Minnesota-made video, "Minnesota Gurls," inspired by Katy Perry's summer hit "California Gurls." The autotune singing is sort of unlistenable and the video quality is poor, but they get credit for lyrics that name-drop Grain Belt, lutefisk and 10,000 lakes and expound the virtues of "waterproof boots with flannel on top."

2. Randy Moss Remixed in "One Clap"
Former Viking Randy Moss is known as much for his skills on the field as for his narcissistic, hilarious, Kanye West-esque quotes. In October, NYC/LA-based DJ Steve Porter compiled his best lines and remixed them into a seriously catchy video, "One Clap," right as it was announced that Moss was returning to the Vikings. That move lasted only a week before Moss was fired, but this video will last into infamy. It was aired on NFL Sunday Countdown and became an instant viral hit, garnering over a whopping 2,590,000 hits.

1. Metrodome Collapse
Closing off a year of Vikings drama was the truly epic Metrodome collapse earlier this month. The pillowy roof of the Dome collapsed under the heavy snow of the #blizzard #snowpocalypse #whateveryouwanttocallit and got a staggering 5,000,000 hits. Luckily, Fox News was there with a camera on the ready after getting a tip that the Dome was leaking.

Jeremy Messersmith seeks your remixes

LOL/OMG fave Jeremy Messersmith has just announced an exciting opportunity - he's giving fans and fellow musicians the chance to remix his latest album, The Reluctant Graveyard (which is without a doubt going down as one of our favorite local releases of the year). It's free and open to all, and best of all, any proceeds from the remix album will benefit one of his favorite charities, Doctors Without Borders.



The catch: there's only two weeks to submit your remixes. Get them to Jeremy at jeremymessersmith.com by December 29.

Via Jeremy Messersmith on Facebook

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

NPR Loves Messersmith

Last week Paste Magazine announced Jeremy Messersmith's "Tatooine" video was no. 22 on their list of 25 Best Music Videos of 2010. This week, Jeremy gets even more love and this time it's from NPR. All Songs Considered podcast did a year-end roundup, in which NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson endorsed Jeremy Messersmith:

"This is a wonderful, wonderful power pop record I kept coming back to again and again. It's by a guy from Minneapolis named Jeremy Messersmith. Basically he's self-released these three records as what he calls a 'life cycle trilogy.' This is the third record, and as you can imagine, this one's all about death. That said, there's this amazing '60s power pop sparkle to it."

Thanks for the tip Addie!

Submitted by @marrina.

Local Music is the Best

It's that time of the year, when "Best Of" lists are being released and according to what we've seen this morning, local musicians are going to be everywhere.

GAYNGS made this announcement via Twitter today:

And that's not all - more locals are up for the prize, including GAYNGS' Jagjaguwar labelmate Peter Wolf Crier, Cloud Cult and sorta-local S. Carey, as is Duluth band Trampled by Turtles, plus Free Energy and The Hold Steady (both of which have Minnesota roots). Vote for the albums by clicking here! NPR will reveal the results on December 14.

Also, Paste Magazine published their list of the "25 Best Music Videos of 2010" and Jeremy Messersmith's Star Wars-inspired video for "Tatooine" is number 22.

Keep 'em comin', guys!

Submitted by @marrina

Messersmith & Power team up again

Fresh off their viral video collabo for "Tatooine," Mr. Messersmith has yet again teamed up with creative genius, filmmaker and animator, Eric Power. The video for "A Girl, a Boy and a Graveyard" is another gorgeously hand-animated art piece. Love it!

Extra gossip: "A Girl, a Boy and a Graveyard" was recently featured on hit NBC show, Chuck!

Jeremy Messersmith - A Girl, A Boy, and a Graveyard from Eric Power on Vimeo.

Jeremy Messersmith and Adam Levy open for...THE PRESIDENT

Yep, it's true. Local faves Messersmith and Levy have been bestowed the honor of kicking off this weekend's presidential visit. How cool is that?

Jeremy tweeted the news this morning, "opening for the president on Saturday. Resisting urge to use caps lock. Caps lock is for internet emergencies only. Stop looking at the caps lock!"

Congrats, boys!

Jeremy Speaks

Here's what we've been reading today: Jeremy Messersmith's FormSpring exchange with his fans. FormSpring, for those of you unfamiliar with the service, allows you to .. well, ask questions. What's your favorite color, do you like popcorn, why are you the awesomest... whatever comes to your mind, you can ask! Jeremy's fans have had some really fun questions for him; here's a few of our favorites:

If you could bring one artist back from the dead and do a duet with him/her...who would it be and why?

I'm not sure how a duet would sound, but I really wish John Lennon was still around.

Who are some of your favorite other local artists that you are listening to right now?

I spent yesterday listening to "Chemistry" by Semisonic. "Act Naturally" feels like a perfectly sung song to me. I also listened to Peter Wolf Crier's new record on the bus this morning. Great stuff.

Also, Grant Cutler's new stuff sounds great. Side note: we're neighbors.

In your opinion, which is the better farmer's market: Mpls or St. Paul?

I am SO not wading into that one.

What's the coolest thing to happen to you resulting from your exposure on Chuck or the Tatooine video over the past month?

What could be cooler than getting tweeted by Wil Wheaton?

That is pretty cool. Jeremy will continue to answer your questions so make sure you stay tuned.

Submitted by @marrina.

Jeremy Messersmith blowin' up on the interwebz!

Hot on the heels of the yesterday's release of Jeremy Messersmith's video for his song "Tatooine," the national media, pop culture aficianados and nerds the world over (including Wil Wheaton) have been heralding the local popster.

The video, created by filmmaker/animator, Eric Power, wraps up the Star Wars trilogy in a creative and whimsical way - with paper cut outs. Too cute!

As of today, Messersmith's new vid has been featured on just about every cool blog out there, including Wired, Nylon, New York Magazine and many more, even prompting local tweeter @caerickson to say: "I think @jmessersmith is officially an internet meme now."

A peek at Jeremy's twitter feed even includes a shout out from Wil Wheaton (a.k.a. Star Trek's Wesley Crusher). TOTALLY AWESOME. Go Jeremy!!!!

Click to enlarge

And for prosperity, here's the vid again:



Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Double Video Premiere

In honor of Hump Day, Cake 15 blog brings you not a single, but a double video premiere. Dark Dark Dark posted a video for the single 'Daydreaming", from the album Wild Go. The video follows a "peripatetic marching band wandering by the highways.."

Another video premiere comes from Jeremy Messersmith. The cut paper animation video for "Tatooine" was created by Eric Power and covers the entire Star Wars trilogy in two minutes. It's pretty amazing.

Submitted by @marrina

Jeremy Messersmith jumping on beds

This is awesome.

Also, check out Rob Callahan's new interview with Jeremy on l'etoile, here. The interview includes a lengthy piece on Jeremy's clever approach to self promotion and album sales in a digital world.



Via jeremymessersmith.com

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Jeremy Messersmith via MN Original

It's no secret we are completely in love with the musical stylings of one Jeremy Messersmith. MN Original has just posted a great video of J.M. doin' his thing at the CD release party for The Reluctant Graveyard, earlier this summer. So beautiful in all ways!



Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Jeremy Messersmith premieres new vid on Paste

Woot! Paul Gillis just let slip that Jeremy Messersmith's video for "Organ Donor" premiered today on Paste Magazine! Peep the nifty animated video below:



The prolific singer-songwriter -who recently penned a recap of this year's CONvergence for l'étoile - is back on tour on both coasts through August.

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Jeremy Messersmith reporting live from CONvergence!

Jeremy Messersmith here with a report from CONvergence. I'll be working this weekend as a l'etoile Magazine correspondent. The main fashion event, The Masquerade, is being held later this evening at 7pm, but I thought a few photos might give you a taste of what the biggest sci-fi convention in the midwest is like:

It's common to see lovingly crafted costumes, and people posing for several minutes so everyone can take snapshots.

There are all sorts of parties, panels and clubs at CONvergence, some delve deep into sci fi theology.

Steam punk equals 1 part Victorian attire, 1 part goggles, and 1 part HUGE GUNS.

Culinary fans will also find CONvergence a source of unorthodox food choices...most of the served on toast.

I chose nutella, marshmallow creme and banana. It may not look like much, but it was delish.

There are flyers everywhere for different events, but I zeroed in on this one by local sci-fi writer/Jagercon regular Rob Callahan.

Follow Jeremy's twitter throughout the weekend to read about all his exploits at the CONvergence Convention. And check back next week for his full review of the event!

Submitted by @jmessersmith

Jeremy Messersmith: Outlaw

Our fave singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith has been touring the U.S. all by his lonesome for the past couple of weeks. What we would never would have guessed is that the gentle boy we know and love could be such a bad ass! We're not sure of the outcome of these tweets, but they did make us LOL. Hopefully J is not in the clink, but if he is, maybe he can sing his way out?






Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Jeremy Messersmith releases 'The Reluctant Graveyard' online

Our favorite local singer/songwriter, Jeremy Messersmith, officially released his mega-anticipated (and amazing) new album today! Not only is the album available around town on cd, vinyl, AND cassette, but it's also available on Jeremy's site as a pay-what-you-can download. Jeremy directed tweeps and facebookers to his site this morning to do just that, so let the power of social media compel you and get thee to jeremymessersmith.com or a local record shop tout suite!

submitted by @letoilemagazine

Stream Jeremy Messersmith's new album on MPR for free!

We love us some Messersmith! The singer/songwriter announced via Facebook this morning that you can get a sneak-listen to his brand new, yet-to-be-officially-released album The Reluctant Graveyard over at The Current's website. Click HERE to stream the entire album! We are loving it already.


Submitted by @letoilemagazine