the substars

So, I did a record for RPM 2010 back in February. The heretofore live incarnation of the substars hadn’t gotten together in a while and remains largely preoccupied with other things, so this is an anachronism of sorts. It was mostly me and some instruments in my spare bedroom. Not all that different from Real Time in that respect, really, but that made it all the more striking to me how different it felt to make. I guess a lot has changed  since then.

To me, Real Time was about self-actualization, being interrupt-driven, playing life like a game of Whac-A-Mole and being worn down by it. Buildings was more about the now, how moments strike one as meaningful because they’re transient and flawed rather than despite it. If you buy any of that, then I present to you Burgers, Bars, and Cold, which I’d say is about losing and regaining perspective amidst what feels like a cyclical existence.

And that’s semi-officially the third album from the substars. No fancy cover art or physical packaging for this one, which is not the only way in which it is something of an odd duck, but maybe you’ll get a kick of it nonetheless.

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I am pleased to announce, albeit on somewhat short notice, that the substars will be playing the Eagles Club in St. Paul this Friday. This is another DEMO showcase that once again features an eclectic mix of bands that will totally give you something to talk about between drinks, which is really an ideal scenario for a Friday night if you ask me.

So come on out!

7:00 doors
7:30 Charles Nyberg
8:30 UZZA
9:30 The Planktonics
10:30 the substars
11:30 Deepsoul Deities

Friday, June 5, 2009
Eagles Club
287 Maria Street, St Paul, MN (ample street parking available)
$5 suggested donation

The Eagles Club show a few weeks ago was a pretty good time–thanks to all who attended–but now it’s time for us to return to Minneapolis for a one-night homestand at the Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis. This is another DEMO showcase, this time with a pretty poptastic lineup that people who find us listenable would seem likely to enjoy. Check out the links below for a taste of what to expect, and do come grace us with your presence!

7:30PM doors ($5 suggested donation)
8:00PM Charles Nyberg
8:45PM Ruben
9:30PM Josh Von Mink
10:30P the substars
11:30PM Andre Borka (and band)

Acadia Cafe
329 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: 612-874-8702

flyer

I know it’s been a long time since we rapped at ya, but we’re getting our show on Saturday, March 14 in St. Paul. DEMO showcases such as this have historically been pretty sweet due to the diverse nature that tends to characterize the typical bill, and this evening is no exception. Bob Frey does simple, melodic folk-pop reminiscient of Cat Stevens. His new CD, Like A Train, was recorded at Crazy Beast Studio in Northeast (which was also where The Traces’ did the Paint It Red EP, and his bio also states that’s he’s the brother of James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces. Thus, Frey would also be useful for connecting me to Kevin Bacon within six degrees should the need arise. Self-Sufficient Flying Machine does alt-folk on the old-timey tip, with banjos (!!!) and what not. Plasmastic Brain Spasm will ostensibly bring the funk.

So, yeah, it’s gonna be bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. But we ain’t no hollaback girls. Except Andy, anyway. And this is a new venture for DEMO, so it’d be really cool if you came and helped that most excellent organization get off to a good start in their partnership with a new venue.

7:30 doors
8:00 Bob Frey
9:00 Self-Sufficient Flying Machine
10:15 the substars
11:30 Plasmatic Brain Spasm

Eagles Club
287 Maria Street, St Paul, MN (I guess there is ample parking available)
$5 suggested donation

We are back in the saddle for the RPM Challenge. Fear our digestive beatmaking might.

your keep your gut locked down, you lose

We’ve talked about our guy Rob of Broken Promise Keeper before, but what you might not know is that he did a pretty sweet remix of Someday (it is going to rain) off our 2008 RPM album Buildings (which itself was a reimagination of the unreleased original by The Traces). We think it would make a great gift, definitely way better than a Bratz doll or the Diddy cologne. Or socks, unless they are of the argyle variety.

Happy holidays!

the substars – Someday (BPK mix)

Just wanted to post a quick holiday update so the fish wearing a leather jacket and cat ears gets bumped off the top of the page. (We’re still skeptical, by the way, that fish really enjoy being petted, but would be happy to look over any peer-reviewed articles that make a convincing argument.)

So while it may have appeared to be a slow quarter around these parts, we do have a few things cooking. Six Hours From Milwaukee is set to appear on the RPM 2008 rock sampler, along with some of our favorite RPM acts including Angie Fights Crime, Sister Savage, and Broken Promise Keeper. I guess that’ll be happening in January, and I’ll probably grab a few discs in case anyone is interested.

Belated thanks to everyone who came out to the Terminal a few Saturdays ago. Flink and Trumpet Marine (formerly known as Ryan K Sutter and some other folks) rocked the house and we had a pretty good time ourselves. I always feel so predictable up on stage, playing a song and then mumbling about drink specials or tax cuts and then playing another song. So it was nice to be among friends who were able to remind me that that’s actually what bands are supposed to do.

Anyway, maybe we’ll do something rocking later this fall, in which case you should stay tuned and be the first to know.

For our Saturday show…

We are getting back down to business this Saturday, September 27 with a rousing rock show at the Terminal Bar in northeast Minneapolis. Bringing tha noize along with us will be Ryan K Sutter (formerly of Trumpet Marine) and Flink. We’ll play some new stuff. Ryan’s got a whole new thing going on. And Flink has been on my list of bands to play a show with sometime since I played with the The Traces and we’re finally doing it. Sometimes dreams do come true.

the substars w/ Flink and Ryan K Sutter
September 27, 2008 – 9 P.M.
Terminal Bar
409 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

9:00 Ryan K Sutter
10:00 the substars
11:00 Flink

Parking: there are metered spots all over that are enforced until 10. But I think 1st Ave NE behind the bar is not metered and people tell me there are usually free spaces.

Come or we will cry!