vu@weheartmusic.com

José González w/ Ólöf Arnalds at the Cedar, Minneapolis (16 Apr 15)

Indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist José González is currently on a sold-out US tour, stopping by the Cedar Cultural Center for a two night residency (April 16 and April 17). González has a new album Vestiges & Claws (Mute); his first album in seven years. We caught the Swedish/Spanish singer on Thursday night.

Transmission, feat. Andy Rourke at First Avenue (21 Mar 2015)

We don't normally cover dance clubs, but there were two key things about the Transmission show last Saturday (March 21st), that I felt were important enough for us to pay attention. First, this is indie dance club was celebrating its 14 Year Anniversary, and, second, guest DJ, Andy Rourke is the bassist of one of my favorite 80s band, The Smiths.

Swervedriver at the Turf Club, Saint Paul (12 Mar 2015)

Oxford's Swervedriver recently played the Turf Club in St Paul last Thursday, March 12th. We actually weren't meant to cover the show (I was over at Gang of Four at the Varsity Theater), but I felt Swervedriver's return to music (with a first full-length album I Wasn't Born to Lose You in 17 years) was important enough to at least mention, even if it's only briefly.

Registered Historical Facts: Marr Feels You, Transmission, and Morrissey’s Still Ill

Legendary Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr recently dropped his cover of Depeche Mode's "I Feel You" on his soundcloud.com/officialjohnnymarr. It's only been two days but it's already racked over 35k plays. Smiths' bassist Andy Rourke will be heading to Minneapolis next Saturday as a special guest to Minneapolis dance club Transmission's 14th Anniversary. As a longtime Smiths (and Britpop) fan, I can tell you that DJ Jake Rudh is also a fan and will play classic British music at his club. At the 11th hour, Morrissey cancelled his March 10th show in Tilburg. Look, I totally understand being sick and ill, but you would think Morrissey would have known he was unwell the night before or morning of?