Minnesota sur Seine festival, May 15–25
Violinist Jacky Molard.
This former Europe-by-Midwest jazz festival has expanded since its inception four years ago, opening to a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, folk, Celtic and more. In the mix, there appear to be some great pairings, including shows at two West Bank venues (see below). Complete schedules and more information can be found at www.surseine.org or by calling 651-292-9746. Tickets for many of the individual shows are available through the website, and festival passes cost $30–$100 for various age groups.
Jacky Molard Acoustic Quartet and Roma di Luna
Sunday, May 18, 7:30 p.m.
Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Ave.
$17 advance, $23 at the door
Billed as “a night of Old and New World roots,” this Cedar bill pairs a yin and yang of sounds. On one side is the frantic, Celtic-hybrid sound of violin virtuoso Jacky Molard and his Acoustic Quartet. Backed by sax, accordion and bass, Molard’s “compositions incorporate subtle touches from [a] variety of inspirations,” according to a review from the Cedar. Irish, Spanish, Central and Eastern European, gypsy and jazzy sounds are all evident (perhaps even in the same piece.)
On the softer side of this roots-music coin is Roma di Luna, the local husband-and-wife team of Alexei and Channy Moon Casselle, who got their start at the Downtown Minneapolis Farmers’ Market, according to the Cedar. Their wonderfully sparse sound reaches back to the essence of folk — acoustic guitar beneath a lovely, haunting voice — and bottles raw emotion (a bitter brew with a touch of sweetness) true to the genre. The sur Seine show will likely feature the band that backed the duo on their recent recording “Casting the Bones,” which they will release at the Cedar on June 14.
La Rumeur with Ursus Minor
Thursday, May 22, 8 p.m.
Triple Rock Social Club
629 Cedar Ave.
18+, $12 in advance, $15 at the door
La Rumeur (“The Rumor”) is considered one of the most controversial rap groups in France, according to their sur Seine web bio, which states: “…they identify themselves clearly as sons and daughters of an immigrant generation who helped build contemporary France under inhuman conditions.”
Following the release of their first full album in 2002, one member was sued unsuccessfully, in an apparent attempt to “silence the group,” by France’s then-Interior Minister (and now President) Nicolas Sarkozy.
Their sound should not be confused with lighter French hip-hop; this is deep, gritty, lyric-and-beat-heavy street rap. With no translator on staff, The Bridge can’t comment on La Rumeur’s lyrics, but supporters describe them “not as ‘inciting to violence,’ but as prophetic measures to avoid violence by giving voice to feelings in the tense suburbs,” states the bio.
Playing with La Rumeur is guitar/keyboard/drum/sax outfit Ursus Minor, which has accompanied a host of hip-hop artists, including Minneapolis MC Brother Ali at this very festival and venue in 2005.
last revised: May 15, 2008