Diverse Emerging Music Organization

Upcoming DEMO Events

2012-01-08T11:00:00.007-06:00

Grab your friends and head on down to Acadia Cafe (329 Cedar Avenue South) in Minneapolis or Wild Tymes (33 W 7th Place) in Saint Paul. Check back for new shows, or special events. Also, find us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for additional information about upcoming events.

Thursday, February 2 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Benefit for Suicide Awareness featuring Ten Speed, Essential Remedy, 1703, Drunk History, Armstrong Clawhammer (Outlaw, Country, Hell)

Friday, February 3 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Jimmi & the Band of Souls, Groove Street, Voodoo Butter

Saturday, February 4 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Mostly Ghosts (Indie Rock), Stealing Fiction, Ruben, General B & the Wiz

Wednesday, February 8 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Garret McPhae, The Poptones, John Up Front, The Friendly Beers

Thursday, February 9 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Armstrong Clawhammer, Kensington Stone

Thursday, February 9 -- Acadia Cafe
8pm - Matthew Keig, Diet Folk, Zeb Cruikshank Band, The Violet Lights

Friday, February 10 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Armstrong Clawhammer, Felonious Bosch

Saturday, February 11 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Crazy Chester, Rattle & Hum

Wednesday, February 15 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Jill Zimmerman, Ben Aaron, The Blackbird Darlings

Thursday, February 16 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Briz & Lady, Metreyeon Band, Hot Property, Epic Snake, The Drug Budget

Friday, February 17 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Rundio, The Union Suits

Saturday, February 18 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Stephanie Says, Snaps, James Loney & the Velvet Troubadors, Curtiss A

Wednesday, February 22 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - The Off & On Phenomenon, The Friendly Beers, Attention, Whore

Thursday, February 23 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Armstrong Clawhammer, Kensington Stone

Thursday, February 23 -- Acadia Cafe
8pm - Stephanie Winter, Paul McFarland, Poosa, Franci Commando, Nancy Seward, Stealcheat & Johnson

Friday, February 24 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - TBA

Saturday, February 25 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Beller, Patches & Gretchen

Wednesday, February 29 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - The Comic Avengers "Steal a Day from the Calendar Year"

Thursday, March 1 -- Wild Tymes
8pm - Epic Snake

2012-01-07T14:48:00.000-06:00

Everyone is invited to the DEMO Monthly Meeting!

2012-01-02T11:48:00.001-06:00

What: DEMO Board meeting - a forum for board members, musicians, club owners, community members, volunteers, and other nonprofit constituents affiliated with music to share your valuable input. We will work together to improve DEMO's mission clarity to continue improving our local diverse music community.

Who: Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) has served the Twin Cities music community since 1999 producing regular, on-going showcases featuring promising and recognized artists. Our mission is to support, promote, and educate emerging popular musicians and enrich communities eager for diverse, multi-cultural experiences.

Where: Amsterdam Bar, 6 West 6th (at Wabasha), St. Paul, MN 55102

When: Thursday, January 5, 6:30pm

Our agenda will include:

Approval of December Meeting Minutes
Volunteer Updates
Marketing Updates
Venue Updates
Future/Upcoming Events & Booking
Administrative Reports
Other New Business

Sincerely,

DEMO Board of Directors
Stephen Thomas McClellan - Artistic Director
Dawn Bentley - Board Chair & Secretary
Monica Rasmussen – Vice Chair
Bob Frey - Board Member
Ossian Or - Board Member
David Shaw - Board Member
Gus Watkins - Board Member
David Rasmussen - Board Member
Willie McManus - Board Member

Sandy and the Hitmen, New Years Eve, Wild Tymes, 8 pm

2011-12-30T09:29:00.009-06:00

Sandy's sensational voice leads this strong vocal group. Their treatment of British Invasion, Alt Country & Vintage songs is fresh. The songlist is large. Good times are had. 3,000+ shows behind them, The Hitmen sing vintage rock & sweet country. They recall sixties rebellion, and they can shake the walls with anthemic rock.

More about this special NYE event

Celebrate Women in Music, Wednesday December 7

2011-08-24T09:11:00.000-05:00

You may have heard that the Wild Tymes in St Paul is under new ownership and just re-opened this week. The new owners will keep their partnership with DEMO to provide showcases Wednesday through Saturday nights featuring local emerging, established, and independent touring bands.

Bluegrass and alt-country fans will especially enjoy Wednesday's showcase at the Wild Tymes, 33 W 7th Place, St Paul. The show starts at 8pm, Wednesday, December 7th, is 18+, and is free. Donations are encouraged, but not required.

Local and original bands No Man's String Band and Silverback Colony open the night. No Man's String Band give their music the title "Citybilly" as their songwriting influence mixes old time bluegrass with modern sounds. Alt-country rockers Silverback Colony give a little twang to their originals, but also promise their own versions from favorites such as Neil Young. Closing the night will be touring songwriters Jenn Bostic and Tiffany Thompson.

Jenn Bostic, who grew up in Waconia, MN, attended Berklee School of Music, and has since relocated to Nashville, TN. She is a promising young songwriter, winning several talent contests including SongwriterUniverse.com's "Best Song of the Month."

Tiffany Thompson hails from Washington, D.C. and has been receiving positive reviews from her first EP "We Are the Dreamers" as well as her stage performances.

Barney Quick - Indie-Music.com

says of Tiffany Thompson:
"The Washington D.C. / northern Virginia area is known for its fast-paced, transient lifestyle and cacophonous atmosphere, but singer-songwriter Tiffany Thompson is imparting something quieter, more personal, and lasting to its character. While she fits right into eastern-seaboard society by virtue of being well-traveled and savvy, her essential groundedness comes through in her uplifting music and keenly insightful lyrics."

Wednesday is the day to celebrate women in music in Saint Paul as 89.3 The Current and Minnesota School of Business offer more women's music at the Amsterdam with a 6pm early event.

noiselanddownloadcards

2011-08-23T16:19:00.005-05:00

Download cards are now available at DEMO events.

Current Track Listing:

With or Without by Chris Koza
Photograph by Larry Ravenswood
Clone by Future Lisa
Bikini Gurl by Domestic House Cats
Horror Movie by Feng Shui Ninjas
Baby Sly by Felonious Bosch

Thank you to the artists and to co-sponsors: Noiseland and Hear It Local.

Songwriting workshop for interested musicians

2011-07-17T14:46:00.003-05:00

Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, one thing is always certain - there is always room for improvement. Best yet, if you're a McNally Smith College of Music student, this event is FREE with ID.

On Saturday, July 30, Hit songwriter Craig Bickhardt will be offering a songwriting workshop sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Songwriters at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul. Seasoned artists may appreciate to music business advice at this workshop. Bickhardt will offer insights on three topics:
- The Value of a Copyright
- Pitching Songs in Today's Market
- Writing Story Songs

Craig Bickhardt has written songs for movies and recording stars like Ray Charles, B.B. King, Martina McBride, The Judds and Dianne Schuur. He has conducted workshops all over the world and works with songwriters as an instructor at Song U.

The workshop takes place on Saturday, July 30 from 12 to 5 pm. This event is open to the public for a $25 fee, free with MSCM ID. No reservations are required and there is no advance sale for workshop seats. For details, please go to mnsongwriters.org and click on POSTER in the main menu.

2011 Support Appeal

2011-07-16T14:07:00.000-05:00

November 16, 2011

Dear Friends of DEMO,

Today is "Give it to the Max" day, meaning that your donations today could go even further with hourly drawings to give an additional $1000 to donors' lucky charities. As a fan of local and independent music, you know that your donation to the Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) will go directly back the musicians.

The 2010 fiscal year was another satisfying one for the DEMO. Thanks to your support we continue to grow and increase our recognition and influence in the Twin Cities music scene. We also brought a number of emerging national bands to our stages, allowing them to develop their local audiences and for our own local bands to network for their own future tours. Plus, we were able to host Jonathan Richman at the Triple Rock while giving local duo Domestic Housecats an opportunity for a larger and newer audience.

While nurturing emerging talent is an immensely rewarding endeavor, it’s not a very lucrative one! We need your help so that we can continue to promote independent music in the Twin Cities. DEMO events include:

* Ongoing gigs at Acadia Café, The Wild Tymes and “one-off’s” at numerous venues throughout the Twin Cities.

* DEMO received a Metropolitan Regional Arts Council grant to conduct extensive planning sessions with a number of like-minded supporters of local music to determine the most effective way to pursue our current mission and to expand it in new directions.

* Panel discussions featuring independent musicians, songwriters, record label, radio and other industry professionals.

* Maintaining the DEMO website (DEMOmn.org) to keep musicians and fans aware of current DEMO news and events, plus updating a number of community networks to support and promote the work of local artists.

Please consider a donation to DEMO so that we can become even stronger. To make a donation today or any day, please click here.

We deeply appreciate your support. And we’ll see you at the shows…

DEMO Artistic Director & Board Member

Steve McClellan

DEMO Board Members

Dawn Bentley (Chair/Secretary)

Monica Millsap Rasmussen (Vice Chair)

David Shaw

David Rasmussen

Gus Watkins

Willie McManus

Ossian Or

Bob Frey

Bay Area Jazz Rock Reggae band Alma Desnuda at Wild Tymes

2011-07-01T16:16:00.007-05:00

8:00 pm ten-speed (aka Isaac Pierce) from Chicago

9:15 pm Alma Desnuda from San Francisco

10:30 pm Steve Sullivan and the Factory (2 sets)

Thursday, July 7, 2011, Wild Tymes, 33 W 7th Place, St Paul, MN

Set to release their sophomore album this summer, Riders, Bay Area acoustic quartet sensation, Alma Desnuda (´Naked Soul´) is attracting success. Featuring soulful contemporary rock and inspiring vocal harmonies, and often compared to the The Beatles and Jack Johnson, the internationally touring band has played sold-out venues from Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco to Central Park in New York. Alma Desnuda also routinely integrates community outreach into their tours, by partnering with benefit organizations like Santana’s Milagro Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club. Nominated as “Most Socially Conscious Rockstar” by the Oakland Indie Awards, and on tour this summer, these tightly bonded brothers are bringing the community together through each energetic performance - putting into action the wisdom Santana shared with them during their joint performance at AT&T Park in San Francisco, “You attract who you are...” Click here for more information.

Jonathan Richman on tour to support new album - O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth

2011-04-13T14:48:00.000-05:00

Friday, May 6th at the Triple Rock

Jonathan Richman has been writing songs, making records and performing live for most of his life, winning fans and making friends around the world with his guileless honesty and playfully catchy compositions. He's revered by countless fellow artists, and has built a remarkably loyal international audience through his tireless touring. His deceptively straightforward songs embody timeless qualities of humanity, optimism, emotional insight and a boundless sense of humor, untainted by cynicism or transient notions of hipness.

The records that Jonathan Richman has made over the past 30 years have long held a special place in the hearts of his fans. He began playing guitar at the age of 15, and in the early 1970s formed the Modern Lovers, whose raw, minimalist sound and emotionally forthright songs helped to lay the groundwork for punk rock. But by the time the group's landmark debut album (including the much-covered "Road Runner," a Top Five single in Europe) was released in 1976, Jonathan had already moved on to a quieter sound and a gentler lyrical focus. Since then, he's continued to record and tour prolifically, first with a series of Modern Lovers lineups, later on his own, and eventually as a duo with drummer Tommy Larkins. Over the years, Jonathan's music has absorbed a multitude of influences, from doo-wop to country to a variety of international styles, without sacrificing the artist's effervescent personality.

Jonathan's fans have remained fiercely devoted over the years, and his audience expanded substantially in the 1990s, thanks to his frequent guest spots on TV's Late Night with Conan O'Brien, his prominent appearance in the 1998 film comedy smash There's Something About Mary, and the inclusions of his Modern Lovers classics "Ice Cream Man" and "I'm A Little Airplane" on Sesame Street.

For much of his career, Jonathan has toured almost almost nonstop around the world. "Traveling and playing for new people in new places is one of my favorite things," he notes. "It's great playing places that are off the beaten track. You can learn a lot when you play in a little town in Holland or Western Australia, and you learn different things than you would learn playing a big city. This year we're going to try to play in Extremadura, which is the southwest of Spain--we might become the first American entertainers ever to play there. I'm hoping that we can able to play the Canary Islands soon.

"Playing shows and making records keeps been getting easier and more fun," Jonathan states, adding, "Me and Tommy play totally different than we played two years ago. We already play a different style than we played on that live DVD, and the way we played then was totally different from the way we played three years before that. I still feel like we're just starting out, and I still learn new stuff every night."

LIVE! ON STAGE JONATHAN RICHMAN FEATURING TOMMY LARKINS ON THE DRUMS! Friday, May 6th

$15 IN ADVANCE / $18 AT THE DOOR / 8pm / 18+
ADVANCE TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE, THE TRIPLE ROCK, RED'S SAVOY PIZZA IN UPTOWN AND THE ELECTRIC FETUS!

Discover your favorite local bands at a D.E.M.O. show

2011-04-03T14:03:00.000-05:00

D.E.M.O. has been busy this spring producing quality shows that are rockin' our audience's socks off! We've got something for everyone this April. Check out some of the shows below.

Every Tuesday in April, D.E.M.O. presents a new type of open stage featuring Max Dakota. 8pm at Wild Tymes, 33 W 7th Place, St Paul.

Every Wednesday in April, D.E.M.O. presents resident artists Steve Sullivan and the Factory at Wild Tymes in St Paul. Each Wednesday show will open with a talent emerging artist.

D.E.M.O. continues to also produce two Thursday night showcases at Acadia Cafe, 329 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis.

April 6 - Wild Tymes
8:30PM – Nimbus (indie rock)
9:45PM - Steve Sullivan & the Factory
April 13 - Wild Tymes
8:30PM – Peregrine Perspective (psychedelic, jam)
9:45PM - Steve Sullivan & the Factory
April 14 - Acadia Cafe
8:30PM – Max Dakota
9:30PM - Troi Atkinson (Indie, Southern Rock, Blues)
10:30PM – MIDWEST ASSEMBLY (Funk, reggae, jam)
11:30PM – Attic Clause (Alternative, Indie, Rock)
April 14 - Wild Tymes
8:000PM – Said Kelley (Pop, Acoustic)
9:30PM – A Sense of Falling (ACOUSTIC, POP, ROCK)
11:00PM - Hillary Howard (Rock, Folk, Indie)
12:15AM – The Jelly Project (Rock)
April 15 - Wild Tymes
8:00PM – Petty Demons (Pop, Punk, Pyschedelic, Rock)
9:30PM - 10W40 (Rock)
11:00PM – Rhinestone Diplomats (Americana Rock)
12:30AM – Sons of Gloria (Rock, Punk, Power Pop)
April 16 - Wild Tymes
8:00PM – The Jelly Project Acoustic Duet (Rock, Blues, Soul, Indie)
9:00PM – Inukshuk Pass (Blues, Folk Rock, Soul)
10:00PM – The New Suns (Garage, Punk, Rock)
11:15PM – The Brass Messengers (Jam Band, Other, Ska)
12:30AM – The Pachamama Band ( Funk, Indie, Latin, Rock)
April 20th - Wild Tymes
8:30 PM – Max Dakota (funk, soul, R&B)
9:45 PM - Steve Sullivan & the Factory (Rock, Blues, Soul, Indie)
April 22 - Wild Tymes
8:00 PM – tLOVE (Jazz, Funk, Latin)
11:00 PM - SOUL FLOWER (Rock, Funk, Acid, Jazz Fusion)
April 23 - Wild Tymes
8:00 PM – Calamity & the Owl (Americana, Folk)
9:30 PM - Courtney Yasmineh (Indie, Pop, Rock)
11:00 PM – James Loney & the Velvet Troubadors (Indie, Pop, Rock)
12:30 AM – The Psychedelic Friends Network (Progressive, Jam Groove, Rock)
April 27 - Wild Tymes
8:00PM – Dan Dragich (Acoustic, Indie, Rock, Pop)
9:30PM – Sara Laske (Acoustic, Indie, Rock, Pop)
11:00PM - Faith Boblett (band) (Indie, Rock, Power Pop)
12:15AM – Voodoo (Blues, Psychedelic, Rock)
April 28 - Acadia Cafe
8:30 PM – Paul Doffing (Folk, Blues, Acoustic)
9:30 PM – Kyle & Ryan Fosburgh (Acoustic, Americana, Country, Blues, Folk)
10:30 PM – AM BAND (Pop, Alt Pop, Rockabilly)
11:30 PM – Steve Sullivan and the Factory

New DEMO showcases - a must see

2011-03-27T15:49:00.000-05:00

DEMO has been putting together some great showcases as of late, thanks in part to a programming grant from MRAC. We are still showcasing diverse and emerging talent the 2nd and 4th Thursday at Acadia Cafe. However, we have added some new showcases at the Wild Tymes, 33 W 7th Place, St Paul. Every Tuesday, Max Dakota hosts a new type of open stage. Audiences will enjoy his blues, folk and reggae infused music. Musicians will get a chance to perform and showcase their newest songs, either solo or with Max's band. Sign up at 8pm, music at 9pm.

On Wednesdays, Steve Sullivan and the Factory are performing a seven week artist in residence series. Combining blues, americana, and soul, this band features a terrific rhythm section with horns and percussion. Steve Sullivan and the Factory typically follow a short opener. This Wednesday, March 30th, emerging artists The Beloved Kings open. 8:30pm

On Saturday, April 2nd, The Wishing Wells are our DEMO After Midnight band. The DEMO After Midnight series features a variety of music and both emerging and veteran musicians who typically play two sets for the late night crowd at Wild Tymes. This week, The Wishing Wells bring their original alt-rock to the Wild Tymes stage. The Wishing Wells, composed of members of The 99ers, are certainly a crowd pleasing rock band.

Max Dakota and Steve Sullivan and the Factory are weekly events. Check back often to find out who is coming up for our regular DEMO After Midnight series.

Holland's De Staat at 7th Street Entry March 23

2011-03-15T16:55:00.000-05:00

DIY says of De Staat, "one of the most disturbing, wide-ranging, downright delightful collections to have hit human ears in recent months." See them Wednesday, March 23rd at the 7th Street Entry as part of a DEMO showcase that also includes Death Letters, Machine-22, and Hillary Howard. Tickets available now - $6 adv/$6 door 8pm, 18+

Jonathan Richman @ The Triple Rock DEMO Presents: Friday May 6 2011

2011-03-09T10:09:00.000-06:00

THE TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB AND D.E.M.O. ARE PROUD TO PRESENT:

LIVE! ON STAGE JONATHAN RICHMAN FEATURING TOMMY LARKINS ON THE DRUMS!

$15 IN ADVANCE / $18 AT THE DOOR / 8pm / 18+
ADVANCE TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE, THE TRIPLE ROCK, RED'S SAVOY PIZZA IN UPTOWN AND THE ELECTRIC FETUS!

Jonathan Richman has been writing songs, making records and performing live for most of his life, winning fans and making friends around the world with his guileless honesty and playfully catchy compositions. He's revered by countless fellow artists, and has built a remarkably loyal international audience through his tireless touring. His deceptively straightforward songs embody timeless qualities of humanity, optimism, emotional insight and a boundless sense of humor, untainted by cynicism or transient notions of hipness.

The records that Jonathan Richman has made over the past 30 years have long held a special place in the hearts of his fans. He began playing guitar at the age of 15, and in the early 1970s formed the Modern Lovers, whose raw, minimalist sound and emotionally forthright songs helped to lay the groundwork for punk rock. But by the time the group's landmark debut album (including the much-covered "Road Runner," a Top Five single in Europe) was released in 1976, Jonathan had already moved on to a quieter sound and a gentler lyrical focus. Since then, he's continued to record and tour prolifically, first with a series of Modern Lovers lineups, later on his own, and eventually as a duo with drummer Tommy Larkins. Over the years, Jonathan's music has absorbed a multitude of influences, from doo-wop to country to a variety of international styles, without sacrificing the artist's effervescent personality.

Jonathan's fans have remained fiercely devoted over the years, and his audience expanded substantially in the 1990s, thanks to his frequent guest spots on TV's Late Night with Conan O'Brien, his prominent appearance in the 1998 film comedy smash There's Something About Mary, and the inclusions of his Modern Lovers classics "Ice Cream Man" and "I'm A Little Airplane" on Sesame Street.

For much of his career, Jonathan has toured almost nonstop around the world. "Traveling and playing for new people in new places is one of my favorite things," he notes. "It's great playing places that are off the beaten track. You can learn a lot when you play in a little town in Holland or Western Australia, and you learn different things than you would learn playing a big city. This year we're going to try to play in Extremadura, which is the southwest of Spain--we might become the first American entertainers ever to play there. I'm hoping that we can able to play the Canary Islands soon.

"Playing shows and making records keeps been getting easier and more fun," Jonathan states, adding, "Me and Tommy play totally different than we played two years ago. We already play a different style than we played on that live DVD, and the way we played then was totally different from the way we played three years before that. I still feel like we're just starting out, and I still learn new stuff every night."

De Staat @ The Seventh Street Entry DEMO Presents: Wed March 23

2011-03-01T10:26:00.000-06:00

DEMO presents DE STAAT

with DEATH LETTERS, MACHINE 22
and HILLARY HOWARD

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

7th Street Entry / 8:00 pm / 18+ / $6.00 adv | $6.00 door

The story of De Staat proves that humble beginnings can lead to great things. It all started as a one man project by the Dutch singer, musician and composer Torre Florim. As a graduating project from his studies ‘Music Production’ he wrote, played and produced the stunning debut album Wait For Evolution. Though before it was even released, De Staat was already a full grown band. Since then – early 2009 – the band established itself as the most exciting new rock band that Holland had to offer in a very long time. Their concerts got unanimous rave reviews. Their stage reputation grew so fast that within a year the band played festivals from the likes of Sziget, Pinkpop, Lowlands, Dour and took on the acclaimed John Peel Stage at Glastonbury.

It all happened very fast. When Wait For Evolution came out, De Staat had already laid a healthy foundation with truly mesmerizing live shows. Belgium band, dEUS took them on a UK tour and shortly afterwards De Staat was invited to play on major Dutch and Belgium festivals and venues, again to great responses. During the Lowlands gig in the Summer of ‘09 no one other than Chris Goss (Masters of Reality, producer Queens Of The Stone Age) was watching the band and liked what he saw. He introduced them to Mascot Records who signed them in a heartbeat and released ‘Wait For Evolution’ internationally in the Spring of 2010. It turned out Holland wasn’t the only one adoring the band, also internationally the album was greeted with euphoric reviews. That year the band spend a lot of time on the road; sharing a stage with Iggy Pop in Toronto, playing to thousands of people in the beautiful valley of Glastonbury, opening for The Stranglers in the legendary ‘Le Bataclan’ in Paris, doing small showcases in Lower East Manhattan or Berlin, just the kind of jazz they love. And they could use a change of scenery, new people, new music and a new audience because it gave lead singer and songwriter Torre Florim all the more inspiration for the follow-up of Wait for Evolution: 2011's Machinery.

Happy New Year - Don't Stop Working

2011-01-03T13:26:00.000-06:00

It is easy to get swept up in the fast paced holiday events, but after all of the magical celebration is over, reality hits. In our Midwestern climate, the beginning of the new year often brings on the doldrums, a time when our creative energies might not be flowing. However, it is important to keep working in order to be successful. Keep marketing your project, keep talking with fellow artists, keep going out and seeing live music, and keep an open mind for learning.

Chris Brogan is an entrepreneur who makes his living by helping small businesses and individuals utilize all of the available social media tools to develop their capabilities. Every year, he chooses three words to help himself grow. It is highly worthwhile to read Hypebot.com's blog regarding the three words for 2011.

Support DEMO: Annual Appeal 2010

2010-10-30T09:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Friend of DEMO,

It has been another satisfying year for the Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO). Thanks to your support we now have more recognition and influence in the Twin Cities music scene than ever. Our work was praised by Kate Iverson in her “Secrets of the City”… “the Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) serves up a sonic sampling of some of the coolest under-the-radar artists in the Twin Cities” (March, 2009).

While nurturing emerging talent is an immensely rewarding endeavor, it’s not a very lucrative one! We need your help so that we can continue to promote independent music in the Twin Cities. DEMO events include:

* Ongoing gigs at Acadia Café, the St. Paul Eagles Club and “one-off’s” at numerous venues throughout the Twin Cities.

* DEMO utilized a Metropolitan Regional Arts Council grant to conduct extensive planning sessions with a number of like-minded supporters of local music to determine the most effective way to pursue our current mission and to expand it in new directions.

* Panel discussions featuring independent musicians, songwriters, record label, radio and other industry professionals.

* Maintaining the DEMO website (www.DEMOmn.org) to keep musicians and fans aware of current DEMO news and events, plus most recently creating a number of community networks to support and promote the work of local artists.

Please consider a donation to DEMO so that we can become even stronger, and to support our work with the Minnesota Music Coalition.

Please click the Donation button below to make a secure contribution to DEMO through PayPal
We deeply appreciate your support. And we’ll see you at the shows…

DEMO Artistic Director & Board Member

Steve McClellan

DEMO Board Members

Bob Rudell (Chair/Treasurer)

Monica Millsap Rasmussen (Vice Chair)

Ossian Or

Bob Frey

Dawn Bentley

DEMO Advisors

Tony Mendoza, Attorney

Dan Cavanaugh, CPA

James A. Stevenson, CPA

Sue Brezny

Friday Night 18+ Halloween Party at St Paul Eagles Club 33

2010-10-24T11:18:00.000-05:00

Get your costumes ready. DEMO has a great Friday night, Halloween weekend event planned for you! As always, this show will be 18+ at the great sounding room of the St Paul Eagles Club 33. We will have local music cd prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place costumes. Check out the featured music below, then come out Friday, October 29th to 287 Maria Ave, St Paul. No cover charge, but donations to the bands are welcome.

7:30 Benjamin Aaron
8:30 La Foret
9:30 Media Addicts
10:30 Assault the Masses
11:30 Cantharone

Feng Shui Ninjas

2010-10-11T12:06:00.000-05:00

Fresh off their tour of Middle Earth, Eagles Aerie 33 favorites, Feng Shui Ninjas return to Saint Paul on Friday October 15.

Perhaps, they will kick off their second annual No Mercy Christmas tour, featuring songs with a body count.

Certainly, they will play music from their CD, Home Shuriken Kit (in case of emergency, throw this disc), which was released in June 2010 on the TropeStorm label.

Indubitably, there will be music from the era when fur trade was the dominate economic activity of the Upper Midwest.

Also Friday, Potential Slayers, another band featuring Tami Murck and Dave Stagner, makes its Eagles Club debut.

DEMO Music Night: Feng Shu Ninjas, Potential Slayers, Fiskum, Royal Engine Company
Fri, October 15, 7:00pm – 1:00 am

Saint Paul Eagles/ Aerie 33
287 Maria, Saint Paul, MN

D.E.M.O hosts annual meeting at Wild Tymes

2010-09-30T15:47:00.001-05:00

This year's annual board meeting for Diverse Emerging Music Organization will be hosted at Wild Tymes in downtown St Paul. The Saturday, October 9th meeting will begin around 6:30 pm and will be followed by some of the best local music in the Twin Cities. Some of the artists helping D.E.M.O. celebrate include:

Martin Devaney: Often named the unofficial mayor of St Paul, Devaney has been all over the Twin Cities solo and with his band. He has often been compared to Bob Dylan. His musical talents have earned him the opportunity to open for several local and national bands, such as Ike Reilly.

The Mad Ripple: The Twin Cities music scene would not be the same without former City Pages music critic and musician Jim Walsh. His support for the local music scene makes him the perfect guest for this annual meeting celebration. The Mad Ripple has always been Walsh's singer/songwriter pen name and has been known to bring along some special guest stars.

Street Hassle: Perhaps the largest band of the evening, Street Hassle promises to keep the enthusiasm for partying with their interpretation of classic rock, blues, and R & B music. The band has about half a dozen horn players to mix-up the sounds of the likes of Blue Öyster Cult, Molly Hatchet, and Steppenwolf.

Check out the following links to learn more. Then, come out and greet the D.E.M.O board members for this free, 18+ show.

7:30PM Thee Unholy 3

8:30PM Martin DeVaney

10:00PM The Mad Ripple

11:30PM Street Hassle

12:45AM Coverbandage

Alma Desnuda at Wild Tymes Thursday, July 7

2010-07-01T16:23:00.000-05:00

Oakland, CA--- Bay Area jazz-rock quartet Alma Desnuda makes Wild Tymes a destination during their summer tour on Thursday, July 7. This event is 18+ and music begins at 8pm, with Alma Desnuda taking the stage at 9:00pm.

Following up from their award-winning debut album, Middleway, the Bay Area acoustic sensation Alma Desnuda (Spanish for “naked soul”) will release their sophomore album, Riders, late summer. Recorded by grammy-nominated producer Adam Berg (Best Traditional World Music Album - 2008) at Paramount’s prestigious Ameraycan Studios in Hollywood, CA where platinum albums from legends like Miles Davis and the Black Eyed Peas adorn the walls, Alma Desnuda has made what is surely to be their breakthrough album with Riders. The band retains their trademark socially-conscious message, emphasis on vocal harmony, infectious groove, and diverse soundscape in Riders while enhancing their sound with a clearly more mature and professional presentation.

“When we started out three years ago, we were passionate individuals with a desire to express ourselves authentically. What we lacked in musicianship we more than made up for with raw energy, personality and presence. In Riders, the music does the talking. You will feel all our passion and be left with no doubt that we are talented musicians with a message and a mission. We’re the riders,” says Tony Glaser, bassist and vocalist for the band.

Riders is a testament to the struggle and triumph of living one’s dream. Mastered by multi-grammy winner Bernie Grundman, the most prominent name in the mastering industry, and featuring 13 original tracks, Riders spans genres including rock, folk, reggae, funk, and California soul, all while retaining broad popular appeal, showing that the band will allow no limits to be placed on their music or their expression. “Our band name means ‘naked soul,’” says guitarist and vocalist Paul Suhr. “Soul is something whose expression does not fit into a box and Riders is a reflection of us letting soul move as it will. What we have done is truly worth experiencing.”

With album in hand, the band sets off for their second national tour this summer in their bio-diesel bus named Patricia. As part of their promotional campaign, the band will exclusively pre-release the album to those who come to their shows. “This album will finally give people a proper introduction to our music, message, and lifestyle,” says lead vocalist Chris Bryden. “I can’t wait to share it with the world.”

For more information, see http://www.demomn.org or http://www.sonicbids.com/almadesnuda

Blasting through the competition, the trophy belongs to hunter (Hero)

2010-06-22T15:19:00.000-05:00

by Monica Millsap Rasmussen, St Paul Live Music Examiner.

The progressive-country-rock version of hunter (Hero) that we've been enjoying around the city since the autumn of 2009 has also only been together that long.

"I placed a Craigslist ad and they responded," says drummer Aaron.

"She and I are best friends from high school," says keyboardist Mary as she points to cellist Sami.

Learn more about this band, see what they had to say about DEMO, and find out how they got their name here

DEMO monthly meeting - May 3, 2011

2010-04-26T19:56:00.000-05:00

DEMO Open Forum Board Meeting

The Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) has served the Twin Cities music community since 1999 producing regular, on-going showcases featuring promising and recognized artists. Our mission is to support, promote, and educate emerging popular musicians and enrich communities eager for diverse, multi-cultural experiences.

Board members, musicians, club owners, community members, volunteers, other ...nonprofit constituents affiliated with music are invited to please join us for our next DEMO Board Meeting at 6:30pm on May 3, 2011, at the McNally Smith College of Music, Room 256. This is your forum to share your valuable input as we work together to improve DEMO's mission clarity to best continue enhancing the diverse music community in which we live.

Our agenda will include:

* Approval of 03/15/11 Meeting Minutes
* Marketing Updates
* Venue Updates
* Future/Upcoming Events & Booking
* Administrative Reports
* Board Retreat Outcomes
* Other New Business

Sincerely,

DEMO Board of Directors
Stephen Thomas McClellan - Artistic Director
Dawn Bentley - Board Chair & Secretary
Monica Rasmussen – Vice Chair & Marketing Coordinator
Bob Frey - Board Member
Ossian Or - Board Member
David Shaw - Board Member

NxMW Music Fest this weekend

2010-04-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

A longtime rumor has it that there are only about a thousand people who regularly attend musical events in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area of Minnesota. If this were truly the case, these one thousand would have very little time at home. On any given weeknight, as many as 50 live performances could be taking place in the Twin Cities, and this number could triple at the weekend. Virtually every neighborhood, in every locale, large and small, has some sort of theater, bar, club or coffee shop where musicians ply their trade for small or large but
always enthusiastic audiences.

What drives this phenomenal music scene is a depth and breadth of musical ability unsurpassed on the continent. The Twin Cities area is literally laden with outstanding bands and individual performers in all genres. There are brilliant country and bluegrass string bands, jazz groups, brass bands, classical ensembles, bluesmen, vocal groups, singers, players, creative composers, virtuosos of every stripe... and electric rock bands: hundreds of bands playing every kind of music imaginable.

With a talent pool as big as Lake Superior, it was past time that a music festival sprang up to celebrate this natural resource. Last summer, a trial run of the new North By Midwest Music Festival was held—appropriately enough—in the state capitol of St. Paul, with a successful one day event that starred local greats the Magnolias and the Hard Left.

This year, with generous sponsorship from KFAI radio and D.E.M.O. MN—both vigorous supporters of the local scene, the celebration has been expanded to two days and two venues to accommodate audience demand.

Featured artists include: the critically acclaimed Patches and Gretchen, rockers The Red Flags, veterans The Sons of Gloria, and Middlestates, whose debut album received raves in Rolling Stone magazine. With sets by only ten bands anticipated, organizers stress that this is by no means a contest or juried selection, but merely a sample of the stunning, outstanding music scene that is the Twin Cities.

The North by Midwest Music Festival kicks off on Friday April 30th at 7 p.m. the St. Paul Eagles Club with performances by Cosmoline, Turn Back Now, Terry Eason, Chemistry Set, and The Sons of Gloria. Al Grande, The Brilliant Beast, Middlestates, The Red Flags, and Patches and Gretchen will play May 1st at the Palace Stage at Wild Tymes, starting at 8 p.m. Both venues are in St. Paul, and the shows are free and open to the public.

Friday April 30th at St. Paul Eagles Club. 287 Maria Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55106.

Saturday May 1st at St. Paul Palace Stage: Wild Tymes 33 7th Place St Paul, MN 55102.

North By Midwest Music Festival is a non-profit event produced and staffed by volunteers. All proceeds go to the artists.

For more information see www.kfai.org, www.demomn.blogspot.com or North by Midwest on Facebook.com

THIS EVENT IS FREE – NO TICKET NEEDED.

ELLE BANDITA this week

2010-03-22T21:14:00.000-05:00

DEMO artistic director Steve McClellan is literally an internationally known music promoter. He has recently reconnected with friend Arjo Klingens of LaLaLa Management whose client Elle Bandita is flying over from the Netherlands to play SXSW as well as tour the midwest. The "debutant" hard rock act will perform two DEMO shows this week on each side of the river: Thursday March 24th at Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis and Friday March 25th at the new Palace Stage at Wild Tymes in downtown St. Paul.

Check out the band's website where they've been video blogging about/from their tour here in America.

Complete show information is listed HERE

This should really be a blast! High caliber music for a price that can't be beat. This is also DEMO's first showcase at Wild Tymes. We will also be promoting a two-night "NXNW" event there in May. Details soon!

Video from Friday's Hip-Hop Blowout

2010-02-28T21:15:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all who made last Friday's Hip-Hop Blowout at the St Paul Eagles Club so special, particularly Blake Auler-Murphy (Hyphon), John Parr (Witness) and Peter Benda (Def Mek) for their inspiring performances and help in organizing the event. Check out videos from the show below. Hyphon and Efftupp will be opening for Toki Wright at the Warehouse in La Crosse on Thursday.

Hyphon

Witness

Ian Rogers On Artist Marketing: Do Something Small Weekly, Something Big Monthly

2010-02-17T10:44:00.000-06:00

Excellent interview with Topspin CEO Ian Rogers on Hypebot. Topspin is on the cutting edge of new music marketing. Join there Greenroom / discussion community HERE and subscribe to their blog HERE.

A Campaign That Looks Like A Snowball

"Now that achieving mass marketing is hard and getting harder and technology allows direct (permission-based) relationships between artists and fans, a campaign which looks more like a snowball has a much better chance at showing a return on investment," says Rogers. He describes the process simply as:

Goal: Have more fans tomorrow than you had yesterday.
Measure: Grow fan connections as well as dollars. Every day should mean more email address, Twitter followers, Facebook fans, and MySpace friends (and whatever other way comes along tomorrow that fans can connect with artists and say “please talk to me”) and of course dollars (via direct sales, iTunes, Amazon, etc).
Action: Do something small weekly, something big monthly.

What actions cuts through the clutter and keep fans interested? Rogers shares a wonderfully simple and powerful slogan: Do something small weekly. Do something big monthly.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Music Scene Coming Together

2010-02-14T19:49:00.000-06:00

We had a great time at the Bruce Allen Tribute at First-Avenue last night. A lot was raised for the Bruce Allen Scholarship Fund. The exclusive Bruce Allen DVD Twin Tone produced for donors of $50 or more will be available on BRUCEALLENFUND.ORG until the end of the month. Big thanks to Chris Osgood for the on-stage shout outs. More information on the Bruce Allen Scholarship (including how to apply) will soon be posted on this site.

Riemenschneider wrote a reasonably comprehensive piece yesterday in the Strib about the music scene's capacity for fundraising these days that mentions DEMO, Vega Productions, and Rock the Cause. The article also turns the idea on its head, asking some tough questions:

"There seems to be a benefit like that every other weekend for some hard-working musician or music professional who's self-employed and thus underinsured. The frequency isn't surprising. The fact that musicians and clubs never get tired of putting them on is.

Coming up with a decent way for music pros to get affordable health insurance is one way we can show thanks for all these fundraising efforts. But how about simple tax breaks, donated goods and services and especially more corporate sponsorship -- the kind of things that help buoy fundraising efforts by sports teams and lofty arts organizations?

Read the entire article HERE

Bruce Allen Tribute on Saturday

2010-02-11T16:24:00.000-06:00

DEMO is the fiscal agent for Bruce Allen Tribute show on Saturday at First-Avenue. Proceeds will go toward funeral costs and establishing a music & arts scholarship fund in Bruce's honor. We will have a table set up at the event and will be collecting donations & issuing receipts. Please stop by and say hello!

More on Bruce Allen and the event via the Star Tribune HERE:

First Ave is going to host a musical love-letter to Suburbs guitarist Bruce Allen on the night before Valentine's Day, Feb. 13. Allen, 54, passed away last week from numerous medical complications. His funeral on Monday was a touching tribute, but this First Ave show should be nothing short of a party befitting a fun-loving guy. The Suburbs themselves are set to headline the show, their first gig since 2006. Presumably, Beej will be on hand for the show (he didn't make the last one). The band that virtually birthed the 'Burbs, the Suicide Commandos, will also reunite, while the all-star band Allen played with more recently, the X-Boys, are also on the bill.

And HERE:

To honor the late Minneapolis guitarist and art director Bruce Allen (second from right), his beloved band the Suburbs will reunite for a big celebration. Singer/guitarist Beej Chaney, who lives in Los Angeles and did not attend Allen's funeral in December, will be there; Steve Brantseg and Slim Dunlap will sit in on guitar. Allen designed the Burbs' iconic logo, and his guitar defined the rhythms for Minnesota's best rock band of the 1980s (besides Prince). Also performing will be punk vets Suicide Commandos and X-Boys, Allen's part-time band for the past couple of decades.

Support Jezebel Jones & Her Wicked Ways @ STP Eagles Club

2010-02-04T22:37:00.000-06:00

Please come out to the Eagles Club in Saint Paul tomorrow night (Feb. 5th) to support Trista Meehan, vocalist and guitarist in Jezebel Jones & Her Wicked Ways, whose Saint Paul home exploded on Monday when a contractor breached a gas pipeline that he did not know had accidentally been laid crossways through the inside of the sewer pipe he was trying to unclog.

Trista suffered no injuries, but lost all of her belongings including her music and instruments. More can be read about the incident HERE, HERE, and HERE.

One of the great things about our music community is its ability and willingness to repeatably rally around those in need. Let's show Trista some support while we enjoy a fine night of music and dancing. As always, 80% of donations collected at the door go directly to the musicians performing.

Hunter (HERO) a Band to Watch in 2010

2010-01-30T11:46:00.000-06:00

By Monica Rasmussen (via St Paul Live Music Examiner)

It is rare to see a group of strangers mixing as if they've been childhood friends. Stranger yet is seeing this group play as a band so tight one would think that they've been together for years.

Hunter (HERO) has been playing together a matter of months. But, they have been steadily gaining a buzz since an early show at the St Paul Eagles Club last fall. Since then, they have played New Year's Eve at St Paul Eagles Club as well as other venues in the Twin Cities. On Thursday, January 28, they bring their retro-styled pop rock to the 400 Bar.

Hunter (HERO) produces a nice, tight blend using a keyboard, cello, guitar, drums, bass, and vocals. During a live performance, the songs build upon each other like a well written story.

Read the entire article HERE

View video of Hunter (HERO) performing at a DEMO Showcase at the Saint Paul Eagles Club on November 20th HERE and HERE.

Anti-MySpace News

2010-01-27T10:54:00.000-06:00

The recent redesign of music discovery site The Sixty One is simply breathtaking. Please go and put your music on here ASAP. Mark Milian at The LA Times music blog has this to say about the new layout:

"While MySpace has tacked on an ever-growing list of features and overcomplicated layouts, TheSixtyOne strips out the junk and puts what's important at the forefront -- the song that's currently playing."

And goes on to mention that:
"TheSixtyOne isn't shy about distancing itself from MySpace. On its community etiquette page, the first bullet point under "please don't" reads: 'Spam. There's a great site for writing the same message over and over, 'thanks for the add,' and chain letters. It's called MySpace.'"

Read the entire post HERE

Finally, DigitalBeat reports HERE via compete.com data that MySpace is now smaller than Facebook was just a year ago. Don't hold your breath on MySpace becoming more music-centric though. Please read this post from my favorite music blog Music Think Tank about MySpace's shortcomings and failed business model.

Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger gets DOJ approval

2010-01-27T10:06:00.000-06:00

Via the LOS ANGELES TIMES:

Giving its blessing to a deal that could transform the music industry, the Justice Department on Monday approved the controversial merger of the nation's dominant ticket seller and the world's largest concert promoter -- but only after extracting major concessions to address concerns that Ticketmaster and Live Nation would have a stranglehold on ticket sales.

The merger, which was the first major review for Obama administration antitrust regulators, will create a goliath with hands in every pocket of the music business. The newly formed Live Nation Entertainment would have the ability to book concerts, sell tickets and merchandise, and manage artists all under one roof.

But for the $889-million deal to proceed, the two companies agreed to the unusual step of creating a pair of rivals to ensure a competitive market for ticket sales, which has been one of the few bright spots for the ailing music industry.

"This goes beyond what is normally provided for in a settlement by creating two additional competitors who can go up against the behemoth," said Matt Cantor, a law partner at Constantine Cannon who specializes in antitrust issues.

Read the entire article HERE

GIRL POWER WEEKEND IN APRIL!

2010-01-18T17:35:00.000-06:00

DEMO is proud to announce a pair of very special GIRL POWER showcases at the end of April! A component of DEMO's mission is to promote gender equity by breaking down the barriers and defying the stereotypes that prevent female musicians from comfortably expressing themselves. Both line-ups also have characteristics similar of most DEMO showcases with each night featuring female-fronted acts that represent a broad range of age groups, backgrounds, experience levels, and musical genres.

Recap of NYE weekend showcases by Monica Rasmussen

2010-01-03T21:00:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week, you saw five recommended shows for New Year's Eve. Included was the New Year's Eve showcase at the St Paul Eagles Club 33. That showcase was actually a weekend long event featuring 17 acts.

"Holidays are always a great time for live music," says Stephen McClellan, executive director of Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO). "The question is how to fit all of the artists that want a slot during the holidays into the time I have." For the weekend of December 31, 2009 to January 2, 2010, Mr. McClellan and the DEMO board and volunteers directed an excellent layout of diverse local music.

The showcases included the established such as Drew Miller (Felonious Bosch) to the emerging like Hunter Hero (who have only been playing together about three months) to veteran performers The Zingrays.

Read the rest of Monica's recap HERE

First Avenue opposes Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger on anti-trust grounds

2010-01-03T15:23:00.000-06:00

Minneapolis’ First Avenue night club is urging its supporters to oppose a proposed merger between Live Nation, one of the nation’s largest promotions companies, and Ticketmaster the nation’s largest ticket seller. The United Kingdom approved the merger last week prompting venues and consumer groups to ramp up efforts to urge the Department of Justice to reject the merger on anti-trust grounds.

“In the last 12 years, since Live Nation and its predecessor started its widespread take over of the concert industry, concert ticket [prices] have shot up 82 percent while the consumer price index has gone up just 17 percent,” read an email sent to First Avenue supporters on Monday. “We are concerned that if the two concert industry behemoths, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, were permitted to merge, the variety and quality of artists coming to local venues would be affected, and your prices could rise further and faster.”

Click here to read more...

New Year's Day Showcase is the Recommended Event on CityPages.com!

2009-12-24T22:20:00.000-06:00

Our New Year's Day Showcase at the Eagles Club in Saint Paul featuring Self-Sufficient Flying Machine, Dragich & the Polemics, Skinny Longfeet, Dandelion Wine, Liz Rognes & Dan Zamzow and Chuck Nyberg is the "Recommended Event" for January 1 on CityPages.com as evidenced HERE. Read the entire description by Andrea Swensson HERE. Way to go Steve for putting together such an excellent weekend of music! See you in 2010.

MTN Segment on D.E.M.O. from 2007

2009-12-22T13:20:00.000-06:00

Hey there! I just stumbled across this video of a Minnapolis Television Network segment that Access to Art Correspondent Laura Stopyro put together about DEMO in November of 2007. A lot of familiar faces pop up--Ozzy Dahlstrom, Mei Young, Monica & the Molecules, Chicane Theory, Dave Afdahl, Art Vandelay, and of course, Steve McClellan. While the times have changed, much of the content is still relevant and DEMO is still going strong. Have a look!

Getting Creative

2009-10-02T19:33:00.001-05:00

Ian Rogers from Topspin Media on the importance of creativity: "I think we like to naturally want to say, “What’s the next format?” Are they going to start selling things on USB? Is it all about the vinyl, the box set? You have the ability to go beyond the one-size-fits-all product. You have to realize, some people, they don’t really have that much money and they want to get the product for free. And some people have plenty of money, and they want to get something extra. And I want to serve them all. The magic is that we’re about to get in a place in the industry where it’s not about, “Make me another track for the radio so I can sell a lot of these things at Best Buy.” It’s about using your creative abilities as an artist to create things that people want." http://ping.fm/71K0x

-- Adam W.

McNally Smith Summer Symposium now streaming for free on iTunes

2009-09-04T00:20:00.000-05:00

If you missed the incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking Summer Symposium featuring Ron Sobel, Steve Winogradsky, Chris Osgood, and Whitney Shaw at McNally Smith College of Music earlier this summer, the entire day's activities are now streaming for FREE on McNally Smith's iTunes U page! Check it out HERE. Ron and Steve brought their "A-game" from L.A. to discuss cutting-edge deal-making skills, the latest in legal decisions and copyright case law, and effective ways of harnessing and dominating the Internet. This is a must watch for all local emerging musicians.

DEMO & Acadia present Dan Wilson at Acadia Cafe 09/24

2009-08-17T02:57:00.000-05:00

DEMO & the Acadia are proud to present DAN WILSON at Acadia Cafe on Thursday, September 24th. $20 tickets are available online through IndieTickets.com. A limited number of tickets are also available for purchase in person at Acadia Cafe. This concert is a part of Dan's Hometown Tour 2009: "A week of shows in and around Minneapolis. Low Mileage, small rooms, one guy, and lots of tunes".

This will be an intimate night you won't want to miss!!!

Afterparty with Afternoon Records artists A Night in the Box following Dan's set.

www.danwilsonmusic.com for more info

- Adam W.

New DEMO brochures!!!

2009-08-17T02:46:00.001-05:00

New DEMO Brochures will hit the presses tomorrow. This was badly needed and was initiated by the fine folks at McNally Smith College of Music who asked us if we'd be interested in including literature in their orientation packets for incoming music business students.

View the full-size PDF files here:

-Adam W.

Localtone: Twin Cities Internet Radio!

2009-07-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

While DEMO is a big fan of Earplug Radio, it's interface could use an update. Enter Localtone Radio a simple, easy, & fun to use internet radio station that is both locally focused and listener driven. Anyone who signs up can add audio to the station, cast votes for the audio they like and if you are a local artist, you're eligible for a interview in their podcast section.
- Adam W.

BandCentral.com

2009-07-14T19:50:00.000-05:00

Just came across a potentially great tool for diverse emerging musicians: BandCentral.com. The service gives you your very own online 'Band HUB', which enables you to manage everything associated with a hard working band (gigs, promotion, files and finances etc..) all in one instantly accessible place. Its fascinating to imagine how tools like this will develop over the next few years.
- Adam W.

Trent Reznor's Advice for Indie Bands

2009-07-12T15:20:00.000-05:00

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor has made a few interesting comments about – you guessed it – the music industry. He breaks down his vision of the new-school blueprint, specifically for unknown bands looking for a game plan.

antiquiet.com/news/2009/07/trent-reznors-advice-bands/

D.E.M.O. / Editor note: We recommend the music tools FanBridge, Zazzle, Band Camp, and Wetpaint in addition to the ones Mr. Reznor mentions in his "Advice Column"
Check out this vital link as well: 14 Incredibly Helpful Music Links for Indie Artists
- Adam W.

DEMO Youtube Channel now online

2009-07-11T16:50:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/DEMO612

We've already got SEVERAL videos uploaded (including 2 from last night's showcase) with many more on the way. We've also found many musician-uploaded videos from DEMO showcases and have added them to our favorites and Acadia / Eagles Club Playlists. If you have got video from a DEMO show online, please let us know via You Tube! - Adam W.

DEMO on Twitter!

2009-07-11T02:52:00.000-05:00

Follow DEMO on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/DEMOmn

It's what we do.

2009-06-10T15:34:00.001-05:00

Emerging artists in popular music forms do not enjoy the same network and institutional support as emerging artists in more established artistic forms like classical music, dance, or theatre. Yet, these musicians share the same needs as any artist: exposure for their work; access to industry-specific education and expertise; introduction to the community and network of more established musicians; and the artistic inspiration that comes from collaboration. - Adam W.

Good Chemistry

2009-05-29T16:35:00.000-05:00

Last night's showcase at Acadia Cafe was a blast from start to finish! There was some good chemistry going on while everyone came early and stayed late. Impure Jazz from Indiana blew everyone away (literally), hopefully they can make it up again--next time at the Eagles Club. Speaking of which, there is another solid lineup performing tonight hope you can make it out! Videos from last night's show of Brahman Shaman and Kasey McKee will be online soon.
- Adam W.

FAMOUS VOLANOES to erupt this friday!

2009-05-17T23:08:00.000-05:00

Former DEMO board member Robb Schwartz's alt-country band FAMOUS VOLCANOES is performing at the Eagles Club along with Clare Lockman, Ekoflo, Wheeler, and Amerikan Junk this Friday!

Survey is Now Closed

2009-05-17T23:06:00.000-05:00

FYI: The local music survey is now closed and there were close to 200 responses! More details still to come...

Local Music Needs Survey

2009-04-22T23:33:00.000-05:00

Greetings! For the past few months, a group of folks in the local music community has been convening informally around ideas about what our music community needs and what resources are available to provide programs and services to support local musicians. Please take a minute to complete this brief survey to help us understand your priorities as a member of the local music community. Help us create an environment that fosters growth and development for aspiring and established musicians. Thanks! click here!

Annual Meeting!

2009-04-22T20:18:00.000-05:00

Media

2008-11-07T00:54:00.000-06:00

Video

Press

Photos

Featured Music

Booking Information

2008-11-05T21:28:00.001-06:00

DEMO showcases currently take place Wednesday through Saturday at the Wild Tymes, Tuesdays at Nick & Eddie, as well as on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at the Acadia Café in Minneapolis.

Please email Steve McClellan at steve.mcclellan@gmail.com if you are interested in performing at one of our events. Please try to have a date range in mind when contacting Steve, remembering that he is typically booking dates about six weeks out.

If this is your first time performing for us, please include ALL all of the following information: Your own name and the name of your group; what genre of music you play; which venue you would like to play at and when, as well as if you prefer an early or late time slot; if any of your band members are under 18 years old; your band's website and any relevant links; and an estimate of how many people you can realistically draw to the show. Please be honest! Having little-to-no draw will NOT disqualify you from being booked. We love emerging and/or traveling artists and only want to balance the line-ups.

After you've emailed Steve, please wait at least a week for a response before following up. He gets A LOT of mail and it takes some time to work through it all. When all of the artists on a night have been confirmed, we will send out a confirmation sheet that includes load-in times, set times, age restrictions, parking info, sound production details, the settlement procedure, contact info for the other bands, and all other important information about the show. Do NOT email us with these questions. PLEASE wait for the sheet and be sure to READ IT. The basic info for regular showcases (cover, start time) does not change. Visit our event calendar to get an idea of what to expect.

Lastly (and this should go with out saying), remember to be polite and informative when contacting any booking agent. Compose your letter in proper form, be conversational in your writing, and include all the relevant information that you think we need to know. NEVER send fragments that only say: "give us shows" or "what do you pay?" Those will be deleted and we'll remember to ignore you next time. Always call us by name, use complete sentences, and sign your own name at the end with your band name.

Volunteer

2008-08-20T20:33:00.000-05:00

DEMO helps you put your education into action with hands-on volunteer and internship opportunities. Students work directly with both musicians and industry professionals that empower them with the expertise and experience needed to succeed in the music business.

The best way to get involved with DEMO is to come volunteer at a DEMO showcase. We are especially in need of folks to help work the door at our 2nd and 4th Thursday Acadia Cafe showcases in Minneapolis. The regular showcases are great way to network with the local music community and find / develop your niche.

We do offer internships to those of you looking to get more involved. These can be for arranged for college credit where applicable. DEMO is an approved off-campus work-study location for students attending McNally Smith College of Music. Contact Jayne Deis in the MSCM financial aid / work study office if you are a student interested reading the job description and (re)applying.

Email Steve McClellan (steve.mcclellan@gmail.com) if you are otherwise interested in getting hands-on experience in grass-roots marketing and concert production by volunteering / interning with DEMO.

Contact

2008-08-20T19:38:00.002-05:00

Steve McClellan - Booking
steve.mcclellan@gmail.com

Hayley Vesta - Requests for fliers and promotional material
hvesta@rocketmail.com

David Shaw - Booking
daswheels@gmail.com

Visit the "DEMO Board & Advisors"
page for complete contact info!

D.E.M.O.

P.O. BOX 50252

LORING STATION

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55405

Support DEMO: Annual Appeal 2009

2008-08-20T16:54:00.000-05:00

August, 2009

Dear Friend of DEMO,

It has been another satisfying year for the Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO). Thanks to your support we now have more recognition and influence in the Twin Cities music scene than ever. Our work was praised by Kate Iverson in her “Secrets of the City”… “the Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) serves up a sonic sampling of some of the coolest under-the-radar artists in the Twin Cities” (March, 2009).

While nurturing emerging talent is an immensely rewarding endeavor, it’s not a very lucrative one! We need your help so that we can continue to promote independent music in the Twin Cities. DEMO events include:

* Ongoing gigs at Acadia Café, the St. Paul Eagles Club and “one-off’s” at numerous venues throughout the Twin Cities.

* DEMO received a Metropolitan Regional Arts Council grant to conduct extensive planning sessions with a number of like-minded supporters of local music to determine the most effective way to pursue our current mission and to expand it in new directions. DEMO could well evolve into “The Minnesota Music Coalition,” becoming part of an even greater voice for independent musicians in Minnesota.

* Panel discussions featuring independent musicians, songwriters, record label, radio and other industry professionals.

* Maintaining the DEMO website (www.DEMOmn.org) to keep musicians and fans aware of current DEMO news and events, plus most recently creating a number of community networks to support and promote the work of local artists.

Please consider a donation to DEMO so that we can become even stronger, and to support our work with the Minnesota Music Coalition.

Please click the Donation button below to make a secure contribution to DEMO through PayPal

We deeply appreciate your support. And we’ll see you at the shows…

DEMO Artistic Director & Board Member

Steve McClellan

DEMO Board Members

Bob Rudell (Chair/Treasurer)

Andrea Husnick (Vice Chair)

Adam Wiltgen

Bob Frey

Monica Rasmussen

DEMO Advisors

Tony Mendoza, Attorney

Dan Cavanaugh, CPA

James A. Stevenson, CPA

Sue Brezny

Media: Press

2008-08-20T03:10:00.000-05:00

DEMO New Year's Day Showcase
by Andrea Swensson, City Pages (12.09)

DEMO Showcase Spotlights Up and Coming
by Kate Iverson, Secrets of the City (03.09)

Podcast with Steve McClellan & Mei Young
by David de Young & Pat O'Brien, HWTS? / Minneapoliscast (02.09)

The Impresario Returns
by Sarah Askari, MSP Magazine (08.08)

PAN AFRICAN FESTIVAL 2008
by Justin Schell, TC Daily Planet (08.08)

"Access to Art" TV Segment on DEMO
by Laura Stopyro, MTN: Minneapolis Television Network (11.07)

Lest We Forget "Clockin' the Jizz"
by Sarah Askari, City Pages (06.07)

DEMO: Twin Cities Musical Diversity
by Lindsay Wynne, The Metropolitan (11.06)

First Ave's 'Bootlegs' CD is a kick
by Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune (11.05)

First Avenue 35 Year Bootlegs CD Release Party
by Andrea Swensson, How Was The Show? (12.05)

PODCAST w/ Steve on Developing Musicians and Independence
by Garrick Van Burren, First Crack Podcast (12.05)

"Bootlegs" CD a kick for First Avenue fans
by Chris Roberts, MPR (12.05)

Media: Video

2008-08-20T02:46:00.001-05:00

click the gray arrows to browse our entire collection! Have a video from a DEMO show that should be here? Email us at demomn612@gmail.com!

About Us

2008-08-20T02:38:00.000-05:00

Organizational Background

Artistic Goals

DEMO Board & Advisors

Meet our Executive Director: Steve McClellan

About Us: DEMO Board & Advisors

2008-08-20T01:45:00.001-05:00

DEMO Board
as of December 2010

Dawn Bentley - Chair
dawn@g-friday.com

Steve McClellan - Executive Director
BOOKING - steve.mcclellan@gmail.com

Monica Rasmussen - Vice Chair
msbertrecords@gmail.com

Bob Frey - Community Liasion
bobandlaura@visi.com

Ossian Or - Community Liasion
ossianor@hotmail.com

David Shaw - Community Liasion
daswheels@gmail.com

DEMO Advisors

Bob Rudell - Treasurer
bobrernm1@aol.com

Tony Mendoza - Attorney
tony@mendozalawoffice.com

Sue Brezny - Educational Advisor
sbrezny@mcnallysmith.edu

Dan Cavanaugh, CPA - Accountant
James A. Stevenson, CPA - Auditor

About Us: Organizational Background

2008-08-19T02:18:00.001-05:00

Organizational Background

The roots of the Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) can be traced back to a former non-profit arm of First Avenue & 7th St Entry that was known as the Diverse Arts and Music Foundation (DAMF). Our mission today is very similar to what it was then: to promote, support, and educate emerging independent musicians, as well as communities eager for rich, multi-cultural experiences. DAMF was re-organized outside of First Ave as DEMO by Steve McClellan in 2005 when he parted ways with club after serving 32 years as General Manager.

We believe that music has the power to bridge barriers and that musical diversity is critical to maintaining a vibrant culture and community. We also believe that the most inspired music today comes from the multitude of passionate, innovative, and hard-working independent musicians who are cultivating their own paths.

Since our inception, DEMO has showcased hundreds of emerging artists at dozens of venues throughout the Twin Cities. DEMO has promoted shows by Patti Smith, K’naan, Lucky Dube, The Hold Steady, and the Twilight Hours. We’ve benefited from (and helped share) First Avenue’s rich history through the 35th Anniversary Bootlegs CD, the screening of Rich Fuller’s film “Hay Day”, and a month long series featuring the landmark venue’s recently discovered “Basement Tapes”.

DEMO has held educational music industry panels and discussions with MNartists.org and Springboard for the Arts at both McNally Smith College of Music and Summit Brewery on topics such as “Breaking into TV and Movie Music Licensing, "How I Learned To Survive In The Indie Music World", "The Ins And Outs Of Indie Music", viral marketing, and the future of music. We offer volunteer and internship opportunities, where students can learn first-hand about the music business and work with both musicians & the professionals who work with them.

DEMO showcases give musicians the opportunity to connect with their peers and develop their artistic vision. This process also allows DEMO to provide audiences with access to a community rich in authentic artistic and cultural experiences. In turn, musicians are given access to attendees eager for diverse, multi-cultural experiences. The reputation, environment, and community aspect of our events, draws music fans that may have no idea who is performing before they arrive. DEMO fills a void by providing “unheard and unseen” musicians with a stage to develop and grow while creating a larger and more connected pool of local musicians with experience, name recognition, and audiences.

For Musicians

2007-11-06T23:56:00.000-06:00

Booking Information

Promotional Information

Indie Musician Resources

Minnewiki

About Us: Artistic Goals

2007-11-04T17:37:00.000-06:00

Artistic Goals

DEMO believes that the vast majority of today's most inspired music comes from the multitude of passionate, innovative, and hard-working independent musicians who are cultivating their own paths. With that in mind, the artistic goals for the organization as a whole are:

• To present a compelling and diverse mix of musical styles and genres. Musicians and music lovers alike deserve to be challenged by programming that bridges the gap, or blurs the line, between two (or more) communities or styles of music.

• To present musicians from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. DEMO values representing the diversity of our communities on the stage.

• To present musicians at every stage in their career. Pairing the emerging musicians with the re-emerging ones; the veterans with the newcomers; and the established with the unproven creates an environment where artistic inspiration and good social chemistry can flourish.

• To promote gender equity. By nurturing internal artistic confidence & by being respectful external business partners, DEMO helps break down the barriers & defy the stereotypes that prevent some female musicians from comfortably expressing themselves.

• To present showcases with a high production value: quality lighting, sound system, sound engineer, stage setup, and ambiance facilitate memorable artistic experiences.

Independent Muscian Resources

2006-11-03T12:43:00.000-06:00

DEMO recommends the following resources for indie musicians:

Topspin Media - Topspin is a cutting-edge technology-focused direct-to-fan marketing, management and distribution platform that helps artists manage their catalogs, connect with fans, and generate demand for music. While their platform is currently not available for universal use, their tactics & methods are discussed at length both on their blog AND their Greenroom online community.

Music Think Tank - MTT is an well-written blog with plenty of usable information and forward thinking discussion for indie artists and industry professionals. The site made this list, because of their recently published "Indie Maximum Exposure 100" list which was created by a team of industry experts and by artists that are making a full-time living from their music. The list contains 100 valuable pieces of advice (in blog form) that every artist should consider.

Bandcamp - Bandcamp is a FREE service that gives you total control over the distribution of your music, a malleable site that allows you to present your album art, archive your entire catalog. The site allows as nice some custom widgets that you or your fans can embed anywhere. It is possible to minimum price (via integrated PayPal widget) or give it away for free in return for an email address. By uploading your music in WAV format, listeners (& audiophiles) can download your music in whatever format they want (mp3, AAC, FLAC, Ogg, apple lossless, etc). There are more features I'm sure (analytics, cross-format metadata (track info in iTunes), option to bundle lyrics / artwork / extras with album purchases), but it is quickly emerging as a viable distribution tool--particularly for musicians unwilling or unable to use CDbaby or Tunecore.

Next Big Sound - NBS is an excellent new online music analytics and insights company located in Boulder, Colorado. Next Big Sound measures the growth and popularity of bands across major web properties and sells actionable insights around those data to band managers and other industry professionals. It is a scalable web platform that already is tracking approximately 500,000 bands and over a quarter billion points of data points across web properties such as Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, iLike, Twitter and IMEEM. One of the most compelling features of the NBS platform is that it automatically creates the list of artists to follow, instead of expecting artists to register and make themselves known. This is critical for giving artists a great experience the first time they use the data with historical trends already in place, as well as the instantaneous ability to compare themselves with other relevant artists (For instance, check out the spread between Chris Koza and Jeremy Messersmith!).

Live Stream - Livestream is the most powerful live broadcast platform on the internet. Producers can use the Livestream browser-based Studio application to create LIVE, scheduled and on-demand internet television (private concert, anyone?) to broadcast anywhere on the web through a single player widget. There is a Free (ad-supported) service that allows users to mix multiple live cameras, imported videos clips, and overlay graphics. It is even possible to broadcast live from a mobile phone. You could even take requests of interact live with viewers your own branded channel page on Livestream.com that incorporates chat. Check out the platform in-action on TwinCitiesRadio.net where they now broadcast live from A440 Studios in Bloomington.

Upcoming DEMO Events

2005-12-06T13:35:00.000-06:00

View DEMOmn's profile on Eventful

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St Paul Eagles Club Photos

2005-02-15T00:02:00.001-06:00

Have a photo that should be here? Email us your DEMO showcase photo at demomn612@gmail.com!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Acadia Cafe Photos

2005-02-14T00:09:00.000-06:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

First Ave 35th Anniversary Photos

2005-02-11T00:09:00.000-06:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Featured Music: DEMO Sampler EP Vol. 1

2004-11-03T09:46:00.000-06:00

1. With or Without by Chris Koza from the album The Dark Delirious
Morning, published by Little Radios
http://www.chriskoza.com

2. Uh-Oh by Jon Manners from the album Frankie Said
http://www.myspace.com/jonmanners

3. Clone by Future Lisa from the album Clone
http://www.futurelisa.dnswh.com

4. Photograph by Larry Ravenswood and the Aura from the album Stardreaming
http://www.larryravenswood.com/

5. Nuclear Nightmare Blues by Fredrick Thomas
http://www.freewebs.com/frederick_oneil_thomas/

This DEMO Sampler EP is currently available via a $2 donation (or more) to the Aerie for the Arts "Numbers Board" on Friday nights at the Saint Paul Eagles Club. Each dollar you donate gets you a number on the board and a chance to win half the amount everyone puts in that night.

Special thanks to Board Member Monica Rasmussen for putting this together and to the artists for donating their recordings. Volume 2 is in the works!

About Us: Meet Steve!

2003-11-03T11:10:00.001-06:00

Steve McClellan is a long-time supporter and presence in the Twin Cities music scene, and is internationally known. He virtually “lived” at First-Avenue nightclub for over 30 years; beginning as bartender, continuing as booking agent, and eventually as general manager. Today, Steve is part-owner and community outreach coordinator for the club.

Since 2005, Steve has taught arts management classes at McNally Smith College of Music on topics related primarily to touring and booking. In 2010, Steve began teaching music business courses at Globe University / Minnesota School of Business. His volunteer work with DEMO currently includes roles as both its Executive Director and a member of its board of directors. He does not currently draw a salary with DEMO, but remains deeply dedicated to its mission and programs. In addition to his work with DEMO, Steve is also involved with live music showcases on the Palace Stage at Wild Tymes in downtown Saint Paul. Past board engagements include the Cedar Cultural Center, Minnesota Music Academy, Developing Arts & Music Foundation, Heart & Soul Foundation, and the Downtown Minneapolis Warehouse Association.

Steve remains in demand locally and nationally as a consultant and panelist thanks to his decades of experience in the music industry and his seminal role in the Twin Cities music community. He attended the University of Minnesota.

What others have said:

"Steve is widely regarded as one of the last of the independents"
- Andy Cizan, Jam Productions

"Steve always ran the club [First Avenue] with heart, and not just a business sense, and bands appreciated that..."
- Dan Murphy, Soul Asylum

"[Steve] sort of reminded me of Hilly Crystal from CBGB's: the same kind of tough-talking guy, but when you got to know him, you realized he was in the business because he loved the musicians."
- Chris Osgood, Suicide Commandos

Recommended reading:

“First Love: An Oral History of First Ave” by Peter S. Scholtes, City Pages (09.03)

"The Impresario Returns" by Sarah Askari, MSP Magazine (08.08)

CONNECT WITH STEVE!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.