by ericmchristopher on May 3, 2012
Lots of irons in the fire now.
For starters, we’ll (Dana and Eric with drummer extraordinaire Richard Medek) be returning to the 400 Bar playing a CD release show with the fabulous Shiny Lights and Little Man at the 4oo Bar on Friday, May 4th. The 400 Bar is one of our old haunts from back when we used to rock ‘n roll (or at least play really loud!), and the Shiny Lights and Little Man are amazing bands both, so we’re really looking forward to this one!
And speaking of CD releases, Eric will be celebrating the release of his fiddle CD, In the Quiet Night, Dreamland Arts in Saint Paul on May 11 at 7:30pm. Funded by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, In the Quiet Night is a collection of fiddle tunes from the Upper Midwest and features Dean Magraw, Marty Marrone, Anthony Ihrig and, of course, Miss Dana Thompson. And all of those folks will be at the release party. Come on down!
Later in the month, Dana and Eric (along with a laptop, a grand piano and whole lot of guitar pedals) will be scoring a ballet performance by the Cities Classical Dance Ensemble. This will be happening May 17-20 at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. Tickets and info at www.citiesclassicaldanceensemble.com.
by ericmchristopher on February 6, 2012
MPR just aired a great (and long!) piece by Chris Roberts about The Minor Planets and our new album Shadow in the Water (download the first track of the album and hear it here).
The piece is also available to stream here, on the Minnesota Public Radio website.
by ericmchristopher on February 2, 2012
We’re always grateful when someone, anyone, really listens to and connects with our music, especially when that someone hears what you were trying to get at when you were locked away all those long hours in the studio.
And when that somebody happens to be a music journalist who can really write — I mean, really write?
And when said writer calls your album a “masterpiece”? That’s awfully nice, too.
Let’s just say we got a little verklempt reading Jim Walsh’s beautifully written review of Shadow in the Water on MinnPost this morning.
Thanks, Jim!
Eric and Dana
by ericmchristopher on February 2, 2012
Our new CD dropped just about two weeks ago and now the reviews are starting to come in…
Like a lot of our fellow musicians, Dana and I can be a little sensitive to criticism (there, we said it), so reading reviews tends to give us that standing-on-the-high-dive feeling. But this time, we’re pleased to announce, the reviews are good. They’re really, really good.
First up, a review by Paul Riley from Country Music People in the UK. Here’s the teaser:
“[★★★★★] There is nothing minor about The Minor Planets. This is a band who write incredible songs, have a unique feel for music, and are doing something a bit different. [Shadow in the Water] is a disc I will return to many times. It is special.”
And here’s the complete review.
Phew!
by ericmchristopher on January 19, 2012
by ericmchristopher on January 11, 2012
Join us as we celebrate the release of our new CD Shadow in the Water at the Aster Cafe on Saturday, January 21st!
We’re so thrilled with how this album turned out, and we really, really want you to hear it, so we’re making one of our favorite cuts from Shadow in the Water available as a free download. If you like what you hear, come on down to hear it live at the Aster or buy the whole album…or both!
The free download is available at http://theminorplanetsmusic.bandcamp.com/. Just click on the first track (“Before You Know It”) and download instructions will pop up.
This will be a sit-down show, so call ahead to make reservations at 612-379-3138. The Aster Cafe is at 125 SE Main Street (parking available in the Saint Anthony Main parking ramp) in Minneapolis. More info available right here on very own website or at www.aster-cafe.com.
Hope to see you there!
Dana and Eric