THURSDAYS ON FIRST & THIRD - WK #8

PEACE PLAZA STAGE:
5PM: Dan Israel
7PM: Krar Collective

Krar Collective serve up a colourful feast of mind-blowing Ethiopian grooves. Led by Temesgen Zeleke, a former student of Ethiojazz legend Mulatu Astatke, Krar Collective perform a rootsy yet contemporary take on traditional music from Ethiopia based on other-worldly modes and driven by hypnotic rhythms. The traditional acoustic krar lyre is associated with the azmari minstrel tradition; electrified, in the hands of Zeleke it becomes a gritty, ancient rock guitar. Accompanied just by traditional kebero drums played by Grum Begashaw and fronted by the stunning vocals of Genet Assefa, Krar Collective with a minimal line up create a surprisingly full band sound, leading them to be dubbed ‘The Ethiopian White Stripes’. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

1ST AVE. STAGE:
5PM: The Chubs
7PM: Jacob Powell
No parent ever wants to get the call that their son is giving up med school to pursue a music career, but these days Jacob Powell’s folks are seeing it as a wise decision. The young Tennessean’s high octane debut EP is rapidly earning him a reputation as one of Music Row’s most talented new singer/songwriters.

Possessing a distinctive voice teeming with both a sense of playful mischief and serious intent, Powell is at the forefront of a new breed of country artists shaping today’s sonic landscape. There’s an edgy energy in his songs that makes them leap from the speakers and command attention. “Let it Ride” is a prime example. Boasting a melody that percolates and a lyric that elevates escapism to a fine art, Powell unleashes a tour de force performance that has hit written all over it.

Fans have already embraced “Koozie,” a light-hearted salute to that “pocket-sized beer cooler made of neoprene” that is a country boy’s favorite companion. The sing-along chorus makes it a perfect party anthem. Yet as compelling as Powell is on a rowdy up-tempo tune, he’s equally capable of scoring a swift punch to the heart when delivering a poignant ballad.