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September 2, 2005
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| At least five local music compilations have been released in recent weeks. Musicians like compilations because of the new audiences and free distribution they offer. (MPR Photo/Chris Roberts) |
St. Paul, Minn. — The Twin Cities band, The Field, has yet to release its debut cd. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have any "product" to offer its fans. The Field's music has been captured on two local compilations, "Pulse Best of Smoke-Free Music Volume 2," and "The Music of Here. Now.," a collection of songs put out by the state's largest online gathering of artists, mnartists.org.
The Field's founder and lead songwriter, Eric Dahl, is grateful for the attention.
"These compilations are extremely important for us, as far as getting shows, getting more recognition from other musicians in the Twin Cities, and hopefully getting a few fans out of it," Dahl says.
Joining "The Field" on "The Music of Here. Now." are musicians from all over the state. Musicians and nature lovers. One track on the compilation, entitled "Duckbeat-Eatmeat" is a remix of a duck calling instruction tape.
"That is 'found sound' Minnesota style. Sample what you know!"
Rachel Joyce is Public Relations Manager for the Walker Art Center and one of six judges who picked the music for "The Music of Here. Now." Joyce says everybody benefits from compilations: sponsors, listeners and especially the musicians. She says compilations provide a much broader exposure for the artists.
"It opens up a new audience for everyone on the cd," she says. "If you're someone that likes electronica, there's a good chance you're not going to check out some of the hip hop or alt country rock things in the cities, and through a cd, you know, for better or worse you're going to hear it all."
Just as valuable is the free distribution musicians get from being on a compilation. Leo Kuelbs helps produce two annual compilations, "Twin Town High Music Yearbook" and "The Audiophiles Guide to the Twin Cities." The Audiophiles Guide is sponsored by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and TwinCities.com. Kuelbs says the newspaper hands out cds free at community events all over the metro area, taking the artists to places they might not normally go.
"How else is, say a band like Divorcee, how are they really going to get into homes in Woodbury?" Kuelbs says. "But they will through this."
In addition to the Audiophiles Guide, the Twin Town High and mnartists.org compilations, there's also "Friends with Benefits." It was created to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Even the Minnesota Museum of American Art has released an assortment of live recordings from its local music series.
Observers say the plethora of local music compilations indicates a maturity and cohesiveness in the Minnesota music scene. They say it also demonstrates the growing ease with which musicians can produce high quality recordings of their material.
And, the compilations reflect the scene's ever increasing stylistic diversity. Steve McPhearson, Music Editor for Pulse of the Twin Cities, says the default setting on compilations of years past used to be strictly indy rock, with hip hop gradually creeping in. No longer.
"I mean there's some really strong abstract bands, like "Kill the Vultures" which is doing hip hop but it's not your typical hip hop," he says. "There's bands like Belles of Skin City and Thunder in the Valley which brings in some more cabaret elements. I think there's just a broader range of styles, and I think that just generates creativity."
The only question remaining is how many compilations is too many? Leo Kuelbs.
"I actually think there probably is a glut, but let's just see," he says. "I think it will shake out in a few years and probably simmer back down to a half a dozen."
State Fair Goers should be aware they can a free copy of "The Music of Here. Now." if they visit the mnartists.org booth at the fair's Education Building.
For more information on "The Audiophile's Guide to the Twin Cities," call the St. Paul Pioneer Press at 651-222-1111. For info on "Twin Town High Music Yearbook Volume 7," call Pulse of the Twin Cities at 612-824-0000. "Friends with Benefits" call the Twin Cities office of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 651-631-3290. "The Music of Here. Now.," visit www.mnartists.org.
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