Kilted Farmer Koncerts and Ground Zero Present…

Denmark’s electro-industrial pioneers LEAETHER STRIP

25th Anniversary tour & 1st time EVER in Minneapolis

Thursday, July 11th, 2013

Opening acts Cynergy 67 and Promidal
w/ DJs Nitrogen and Noise
Doors 8:30pm
Show 9pm
18+

$20 / adv
Online at Brown Paper Tickets starting May 18, 10 AM
At Ground Zero ticket booth during club hours, no fees
$25 / door

241s for first hour after doors

Venue Info

Ground Zero
15 4th Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Social Links

Facebook Event | Dark Twin Cities Discussion | Last.fm Event

Videos and band bios below the fold…

LEAETHER STRIP

Facebook | Bandcamp

LEAETHER STRIP is the solo-project of Danish electronic industrial artist Claus Larsen. LEAETHER STRIP quickly built a buzz as one of the most exciting emerging acts in Europe in the early 90′s.

After a very successful “Japanese Bodies” 12″, the debut album (“The Pleasure of Penetration” ” released in 1990) instantly established itself as a classic, featuring a punishing rhythm pace and aggressive electronic style with distorted vocals that he has since become renown for and that is often described as “LEAETHER STRIP”s trademark”. The following albums and MCDs allowed LEAETHER STRIP to conquer the hearts of hundreds of thousands of fans of electronic industrial music across the world and to become one of the leading acts on the cult Zoth Ommog label. Both “Solitary Confinement” (1992) and “Underneath The Laughter” (1993) albums helped Claus Larsen establishing his position on the music map, reaching top sales in both the European and American electro scenes. While reminding the powerful angst seen in other electro acts such as FRONT 242, SKINNY PUPPY or even NINE INCH NAILS, LEAETHER STRIP rapidly got the reputation to be carrying a deeper message and meaning in his work through his very personal intense music and the sometimes emotional, sometimes political dimension of his lyrics.

With “Serenade for the Dead” (1994) LEAETHER STRIP shook the foundations of the industrial scene by surprise, radically departing from past expectations, drifting away from his trademark harsh power sound towards a more orchestral / gothic sound we would later refer to as “symphonic dark electronics”. Conceived as a soundtrack piece, this beautiful album showed a completely different side of Claus Larsen”s talent and proved that LEAETHER STRIP was able to take the challenge of redefining his sound while still offering the same song writing depth and force. A milestone in his discography that took the path of a more versatile musical approach that highlighted his diversity in rhyme and his masterful crafting in song writing.

Fears of seeing Claus Larsen express his inner torments only through his turbo-driven side-project KLUTE, while letting LEAETHER STRIP fade from its roots, were rapidly gone with the release of the follow-up albums “Legacy Of Hate And Lust” (1995) and “The Rebirth Of Agony” (1996).

His last album to date, “Self-Inflicted” released in 1997, continued the LEAETHER STRIP sound tradition, revealing a full return to the Claus Larsen sound of old, while being in many ways more diverse than anything he’s done before, allying solidity and confidence; and being still today described as his best effort to date. The sound and vocal diversity being emphasised by a forced upgrade of Claus” home studio after a devastating flood.

A few months later LEAETHER STRIP paid homage to SOFT CELL with the release of the “Anal Cabaret” ep which allowed many journalists to acknowledge that “The guy can actually sing, which is pretty unusual in the EBM genre, where volume and distortion can make up for a lot of vocal inadequacies”.

Besides a bunch of “best of”, “demo collections” and other “remix albums”, it was at the turn of the millennium that LEAETHER STRIP released his last 7-track single to date “Carry Me” (2000).

CYNERGY 67

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp

Every so often, a band comes along that demonstrates such a vicious talent and dedication that it eclipses everything around it – Cynergy 67 is just such a band. Hailing from Wisconsin, the trio of VX-5, Evo-1, and Mundayne represent a 21st century underground success story, unleashing a furious assault of intense electo/rock. From humble beginnings enduring the lows of numerous lineup changes and financial strain, Cynergy 67 continues to evolve into a powerhouse act that has seen the band share the stage with the heaviest hitters in the underground and alternative music scenes.

Creating a hybrid fusion of industrial, techno, and rock, the band first made waves with the New Machine EP on Radio.Active.Music in 2005. Already possessing a strong live presence, the Cynergy 67 show began to grow in scope as they band opened for such acts as Orgy, Powerman 5000, Godhead, Deadstar Assembly, and Celldweller. Visualize a veritable cyberpunk cornucopia – black lights, glow sticks, gas masks, with the music pulsating through the speakers with pounding dance rhythms, acerbic synthesized sequences, and guttural guitars, topped off by aggressive yet emotive vocals. Such impressive displays of audio/visual stimulation helped the band to garner several endorsements from various clothing and equipment companies. These early performances were captured on the band’s first DVD release, Mechanical Failure of the Soul.

In the following years, Cynergy 67 stepped up its A-game, releasing the Project: Assimilation album in 2009 with several remix singles in cooperation with FiXT Music as well as the Regeneration DVD in 2010, exhibiting an improved scale of production and performance to put them on par with the most polished acts in the mainstream. All the while, the band has continued to evolve their live presentation to incorporate video accompaniment, expansive lighting, and eventually making good on their provocative and cyberotic sound with the inclusion of live dancers.

In 2011, Cynergy 67 held the distinction of being the first US band to sign to LektroLand and Sonic Angel, the new label founded by Lords of Acid’s Praga Khan, with a new full-length album entitled SINthesize due in 2012 as a CD/DVD package. To see a Cynergy 67 show is to step into a tantalizingly sensual futuristic world – William Gibson and Philip K. Dick sharing drinks at a black lit bar with an android bartender, cybernetic go-go performers dancing for your pleasure in a smoky room, static-distorted images of roborotic delight, and Cynergy 67’s melodic, energetic, and hypersexual brand of electro/rock is your soundtrack, guaranteed to make your circuit boards wet for more!

PROMIDAL

Bandcamp | Facebook

Promidal was a mechanical discharge from the far corners of the mind of TerrorEyez. Created from selflessness and hatred towards fellow man, Promidal is a Panzer ready to pave through the weak minded, crucify the divas of industrial and shoot crunchy Christ smashing musical ammunition through the faint of heart. Promidal is an idea and something that will stand true and prevail where most have been left dead in their tracks and failed. Promidal is self reliance, the inner beast within us all. Promidal is the ability to overcome the fallacies cast before us. Promidal is the key to opening a doorway within us releasing the anger and hatred contained.

Check out the press release and we hope to see you on May 20!

-The KFK Street Team

Photo: Lady Fairshadow Photography

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2013

Goth Prom X: Exorcism

The Saloon in Minneapolis Presents the Tenth Goth Prom.

Goth Prom is an annual event held in downtown Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Monday, May 20th 2013 – Be prepared for the EXORCISM – dance your demons out! Free admission, 18+

This year, Dragons Fire Theater joins Hard Mondays and The Saloon in bringing a fantastic display of enchantment, magic, seduction, and illusion. Witness incredible feats of strength and fitness, superhuman mastery of dark arts and control over fire, bizarre creatures of the night, and heaps of cheeky fun. Join us at 9:00 pm for the beginning performance by the Minneapolis Fire Collective, stay through the evening to see performances by Mistress Jean Bardot, aerialist Zyra, and others. DJs Noise, Nitrogen, Fenris, DV8, Nightstalker, KM and Petey will be spinning dance music, supported by VJs Jake Rudh, Big Kev, and Nemo. This onslaught of catharsis and talent is sure to make this year’s Goth Prom one of the best events of 2013.

This community-organized event also features a Hall of Demons gallery displaying art by the local community, and games of skill with proceeds benefitting The Emily Project Foundation (www.emilyprojectfoundation.org).

Prizes come from local and national retail sponsors including Midwest Makeup Company, alternative futurist clothing retailer Cryoflesh, local music label Shinto Records, Tattoos a la Dang, The Ink Lab, Capitol Guitars, and more.

For more details, photos from previous years, and to learn more about prizes and our great sponsors you can find us online at www.gothprom.com, or on facebook at www.facebook.com/GothProm.

Photo credits:
Lady Fairshadow Photography

###

Contact Information:

Goth Prom Committee / Alice Marks
255 Kellogg Blvd E #509
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 203-2547
www.gothprom.com

We are pleased to welcome Ayria back to Minneapolis on May 23 with Project Pitchfork at the Triple Rock. Click for full event details and pre-sale tickets. We hope to see everyone at the Triple Rock on May 23!

Ayria is the one-woman electronic music project of Toronto’s Jennifer Parkin. Now on the verge of releasing her 4th full length album, Plastic Makes Perfect, and launching a US tour with Project Pitchfork, Jenn took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about the upcoming tour, the new album, dubstep, roller derby names, managing burnout and more.

Kilted Farmer Koncerts:
You’ve toured with Project Pitchfork before and we’re excited to have both Project Pitchfork and Ayria back in Minneapolis on May 23. What are you most looking forward to on the upcoming tour?

Jenn:
Getting back out on the road, getting to play the new songs from “Plastic Makes Perfect” finally! Also it’s always a pleasure touring with Project Pitchfork! Hopefully we’ll get to make and Peter will post more tour videos from the “Fork Force”. Most importantly, seeing the fans old and new, some who have supported me for the past decade (or close to) through all my releases. Meeting people and having a good time, albeit an exhausting time since touring is very draining, but the adrenaline of what we get to do each night keeps us going!

Jennifer Parkin of Ayria, by Jeff Turner Photo

KFK:
You consistently put on a pretty energetic live show. What do you do to make the show interesting and engaging for fans and how do you prepare? How do you overcome the challenge of having geographically separated band mates when preparing for a tour or show?

Jenn:
Luckily, with electronic music like mine, the live band can practice on their own and since it’s people I’ve worked with previously and throughout the past decade (like my drummer Mike) I usually know exactly what to expect. It’s funny since the first show on the tour the past 2 tours is Minneapolis. So if my band can already have a good energy and togetherness on stage, that’s a great sign for the rest of the tour since the first show is actually the first time we are all onstage live together since the last shows or tours!

Also, thank you for the compliment about the energetic live show. I put a lot of pre-work into my own set with massive amounts of cardio training. This is something all bands should do and I encourage my band mates to work on their cardio pre-tour. It really helps me with lung capacity trying to move and sing and not being a sweaty mess right from the first song trying to catch my breath. I rehearse my vocals (starting to now, the few month before the tour since I’m rusty!) and I sing in my studio trying to move in my big boots.. to make sure I’ll be ready for the tour! I hope the shows are interesting to fans. We try and change up the pace of the songs in the set, both for the fans and so that we don’t die on stage from our “work out”.

KFK:
Plastic Makes Perfect is your 4th full length album as Ayria, and you worked with Sebastian R. Komor (Icon of Coil, Komor Kommando, Zombie Girl), who also produced Hearts for Bullets. What was the process like for this album? Was it similar to or different from creating Hearts for Bullets?

Jenn:
This release I tried to challenge myself further to write better songs, write different songs, work on developing more harmonies, different melodies that moved me. I spent a lot of time on this aspect. This album sonically has more textures and layers. There’s more sounds going on than in Hearts For Bullets, which, while I love HFB, I’d like to say Plastic Makes Perfect is more mature and has more depth. I think any artist wants to think they have evolved which each release. I’m older now. I still have a lot of angst and drive for aggression, but I’m also in a happier place too with parts of my life so I wanted to play with all sides of my self and where I’m at now. Some songs are playful, fun but others stay true to my darker side too. The diversity is wide on this album, there’s a song for every mood I’d like to say. Seb and I had both grown, and coming back together to work at producing the next album was another great combination that doesn’t sound identical to the first time around. I hope the fans enjoy it!

KFK:
Which of the songs on Plastic Makes Perfect are you most excited to perform live and why? Or is that a surprise? [Interviewer note: I'm definitely hoping to hear the title track, Plastic Makes Perfect. I think it would be killer live!]

Jenn:
Well, I think it’s fair to say I’ll most likely be playing the songs that people will have heard already. Technically, there have been 4 tracks released: “Hunger”, “Missed The Mark”, “Plastic Makes Perfect” and now “Friends And Enemies” which was included for anyone who pre-ordered from the Ayria bandcamp page as an instant download. I have one other new track I’m toying with since I think it will be so fun live.

It’s hard to choose the set list now when I have 4 releases. That sadly means that older tracks will have to get cut out. But that’s the reality. Artists tend to favour their new material since you become a bit bored with the older stuff… think about performing the same songs for 30 days straight that were from 4 years ago! I can’t imagine bands that have 10 releases under their belt! You’d never even get to touch most of your back catalog live!

KFK:
You wrote song dissections for Hearts for Bullets quite a while after the album was released. What inspired you to take on this project and what was the experience like for you? Are song dissections a possibility for Plastic Makes Perfect?

Jenn:
YES! I’ll be starting the song dissections again soon! For Hearts For bullets, I was digging through all these old files and demos, and I got really nostalgic about the writing of HFB. A few friends of mine loved hearing the demos and my stories about writing different parts, so I thought perhaps my fans would too! I’ve seen documentaries of bands I love talking about the inspiration of their songs, and playing different layers of the recordings, and I can’t get enough of this kind of stuff, so hoped my fans might like it too! It also was a great way to highlight the songs individually again. For example, a song like ‘Insect Calm’ from HFB might not get played live, or in a club, so therefore perhaps gets a bit buried in an album filled with more obvious songs or “hits” but there was a time when I was writing that track where that one song was the centre of my universe! Everything about it, the lyrics, inspiration, music. So it’s nice to go back and remember the hours and hours I would have spent focussing on that song and that emotion and how it came out vs how it started and the process to get it there. I don’t consider any tracks as throw aways! Just some are more subtle and let obvious than others for getting attention

Jennifer Parkin of Ayria, by Jeff Turner Photo

KFK:
Dark Electronic music in almost any form always seems to be shunned by the mainstream. Why do you think that is?

Jenn:
I don’t know, I thought dub step sounded darker than anything that was going on in our genre when I first heard it and it got pretty popular. But I’m not sure why to be honest, it might be the limited appeal of the subject matter, goth fashion. It’s not for everyone. Although, Pop stars wear the black PVC and bondage fashion now too (think Lady Gaga and Rhianna). I guess distortion in music or making lyrics unintelligible, is never going to be accessible to the masses? I guess if industrial music is like a dark sci-fi movie, only some of the population will be interested, and think it’s super cool, but pop music is like the summer blockbuster that everyone goes and sees, no matter if it’s good or not because the ads are shoved down your throat. Is that an ok analogy? Hahaha to be fair, there’s a lot of mainstream music I like as well these days. I try and keep an open mind with all music and just know that not all styles of music are destined for top 40 audiences but I’m happy with the types of unique fans that my music draws, and how supportive and wonderful they are to help make sure I can keep doing this and touring for them. It’s ok if it’s not for everyone

KFK:
You have a lot on your plate between working a “real” job (like most artists in the genre) on top of creating new music, managing all aspects of Ayria, performing, etc. How do you balance everything? How do you avoid burnout?

Jenn:
(obviously I don’t balance things well since being so late with my interview response! Hahaha) I unfortunately don’t avoid burnout. I still haven’t mastered balance in my life. There are times when I stay off email completely knowing that I’m too overwhelmed and I need a day or two to NOT think about Ayria. I’m not complaining about what I have going on. I feel so lucky to get to do what I do for 10 years. I am a one-woman project. I do work with some amazing people with art, production, etc. but at the end of the day, I’m the one responsible for Ayria succeeding or not, I’m the one with the vested interest in Ayria. There are some things in my life I’ve delayed, or sacrificed completely in order to do Ayria at the level I have. Again, my choices, I’m happy with everything I’ve been able to do. I do it all for the passion of the music I’ve created. Nothing more. I touch on this in one of the new songs “Big City Lullaby”. It’s me realizing that I may be on a path that’s ending, and how certain things in my life have not been easy as I’m wrapped up in this world, as well as touching on the absurd experience of being on tour in cities you never get to see except the inside of a club. I’ll try and stay balanced this year despite it being packed with touring and the new release. But I have a vacation planned at a cottage this July. There’s no internet there Oh! And working out helps me clear my mind about everything! Plus I try and book massages to get the ridiculous kinks out of my neck and back where the stress lives I have no coverage for them, so that’s my go to gift request for family and friends for Christmas.

KFK:
As a fan, what’s been one of your favorite live concert experiences? Who did you see and why was it an especially memorable show?

Jenn:
My first concert in my life was seeing Madonna when I was a kid. That inspired me to want to be on stage. I think that’s common for many little girls when they see a pop star of that status! It all seems so glamorous and exciting. Then I’ve seen Depeche Mode twice, Nine Inch Nails three times, um, to name some bands I’ve seen that I’ve found the shows inspiring: The Presets, The Cranes (I was star struck), VNV Nation, The Cruxshadows, Switchblade Symphony, I AM X, The Police, Um.. there’s so more, I’m blanking right now. I need to get out more I think, but every time I see live acts I’m in awe and try and gather inspiration for my own performance.

KFK:
Silly question*: You’ve mentioned in past interviews that you like to rollerblade, so this is a bit of a spin off…If you joined the roller derby, what would your roller derby name be and why?

*Nod to Theresa at Dark Horizons Radio

Jenn:
Hahaha! (I <3 Theresa!) Definitely it would be Jenn-o-cide!! Hmm, I’ll have to think of more, that one’s most likely taken already. I’ve never done roller derby but it looks so fun and I have friends that do it! I like plain old rollerblading through the park on a waterfront trail we have here in Toronto! I also LOVE Zumba. It’s my thing right now. Latin and hip hop music and the most intense cardio ever!

Gabriel and the Apocalypse have just launched their video for Silent War. Catch them live on March 29 at Ground Zero with Chicago’s I:Scintilla, Go Fight and Goodnight Criminals. It’s going to be a great show! Details:

http://kiltedfarmer.com/2012/12/13/329-iscintilla-wgata-gofight-goodnight-criminals-at-ground-zero-18/

Project Pitchfork

With Ayria, as|of and DJ Nitrogen

Thursday, May 23, 2013
Doors 8:00 pm, music 9:00 pm, 18+

Tickets
$12 in advance
Online at TicketFly
In person at The Triple Rock, Red Savoy’s Uptown, Electric Fetus or Eclipse Records

$16 at the door

Venue Info

Triple Rock Social Club
629 Cedar Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Social Links

Facebook Event | Dark Twin Cities Discussion | Last.fm Event

Videos and band bios below the fold…

Project Pitchfork

Project Pitchfork is a German Electro Industrial band. It was founded 1990 in Hamburg and belongs to the most successful and most influential harbingers of Dark Electro – a genre which they characterized decisively and which they lead to unexpected success. To this day, the driving forces behind the band are Peter Spilles, Dirk Scheuber and Jürgen Jansen.

The beginning

The Hamburg scene got hit by the first Project Pitchfork tapes in the early nineties. Already these first recordings cause euphoric reactions. Encouraged by this positive response, they take to the stage for the first time on February 15th 1990 in the scene club “Kir” in Hamburg and thoroughly convince the audience in the sold-out location. In May 1991, the revolutionary debut “Dhyani” is released. It is one of the first border walks between electronic music and Gothic and becomes an often quoted milestone in the history of Dark Electro.

From the very beginning, Project Pitchfork have been masters of improvising, always getting as much out of the given situation as was possible. This method of working is also employed on the coming records. Both “L’am Bras” and “Entities” are released in 1992 and strengthen the bands’ visionary role in the scene. Project Pitchfork differ remarkably from other bands in the Gothic scene – not only with their music, but also with the professional attitude surrounding the band. From a very early stage, Peter Spilles decides to make the band his job to solely concentrate on his music. This accounts for the rapid succession of albums as well as for the countless concerts that lead the group to the whole of Germany and even – as the first scene band ever – to former Eastern Germany in the early nineties.

The development

“IO” is released on February 7th, 1994. It is the first digitally produced Pitchfork work and takes the band’s sound onto a new level. For the first time they enter the German album charts (number 56), for the first time they embark on a lengthy German tour. After the EP “Corps d’Amour”, “Alpha Omega” follows in autumn 1995 – both being released on the band’s own label Candyland Entertainment. Following Peter’s wishes, the tour in support of this album is accompanied by Rammstein who begin their victorious march right after that.

On “¡Chakra:Red!” (released on February 5th, 1997), the extensive use of sampled guitars stands for Pitchfork’s urge for progress. Moreover, this record marks the inclusion of Jürgen Jansen as a permanent member and is followed by another rapid succession of highlights: Right after their first US tour, they return with the concept album “Eon Eon” on October 5th, 1998. The video for “Steelrose” brings Project Pitchfork into music television and earns the band an Echo nomination, they play mega festivals like Rock am Ring, Eurorock or Arvika.

In 2001, “Daimonion” can even top this string of successes: The album rockets to number 8 in the German charts, a huge European tour supports the release. And, as Project Pitchfork effectively prove with the following “NUN” trilogy, it is yet possible to be more ambitious, more daring: September 30th, 2002, sees the coming of “Inferno”, the first part of a triptych completed by the EP’s “View From A Throne” and “Trialog”.

The way to the present

“Kaskade” is set free on May 30th, 2005. Its 15 tracks are especially versatile – a reason why Spilles only places two very long songs on the digital release “Wonderland/One Million Faces”. Again, this digital (and since 2007 also physical) release stands for the band’s unbroken love of experimentation.

“Dream, Tiresias!” is seeing the light of day on March 27th, 2009 and turns out to be an amalgamation of Dark Electro, state of the art production and the well-known profound musical depth. A concept that works: Project Pitchfork play as many gigs as seldom before, take to the States a second time and present themselves on numerous Gothic festivals as the Dark Electro beacon they have always been. Like being the spark for a new era, this album propels Project Pitchfork onward at the speed of light: In the summer of 2010, the mighty, highly appraised Dark Electro manifest “Continuum Ride” is released, followed by “Quantum Mechanics” in 2011 that secures an impressive 12th rank in the German album charts.

A development as impressive as this clearly proves: Even after 20 years, the Pitchfork engines are still roaring at the highest level. Even after all their success and all their efforts, the tendency is still pointing upward, the creativity unbroken even after 14 studio albums, way more than 100 songs and countless gigs. If the bygone years were good to show anything, then it is this: Also for the next 20 years, Peter Spilles and his comrades will act under the philosophy “expect the unexpected”. This has been the case in 1990 and this will be the case for all the years to come.

Web | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

Ayria

Infectious and energetic music that combines elements of electro, industrial, ebm, dance, 80’s, goth and pop.

Toronto based Jennifer Parkin is a performer, singer, songwriter, and the creator of electronic music project Ayria. Jennifer Parkin has become a bit of an icon in the underground electronic and industrial music scene with her unique writing, singing and performing style and music with an in-your-face sonic approach that combines electro, synth-pop, industrial, 80’s dance, distorted gritty beats and synths, haunting melodies contrasted with angry distorted chanting all wrapped up with pop structures and catchy hooks.

Ayria has been intensively touring across the globe over the past 5 years gaining a very solid reputation for putting on energetic live performances with her keyboardist and electronic drummer in tow! A successful headlining 2011 Spring tour of both the U.S. West & North East this past April. And a full U.S. tour in 2010. Ayria has independently toured Jenn’s home country of Canada, and then followed it up by touring the U.S.A and Europe opening for legendary band VNV Nation. Ayria has supported The Cruxshadows on two U.S. tours and a 2 month tour covering Europe & the UK just last year. Ayria has also performed in Japan, Russia and Mexico and played notable festival events such as Dragon*Con in Atlanta in 2009 and 2011, INFEST in the UK in 2010, KINETIK in 2009, as well as TRITON FESTIVAL in NYC in 2010. Ayria has also toured alongside bands: Combichrist, Project Pitchfork, and has played shows with Front Line Assembly and Front 242.

Not fitting into any one musical category has allowed Ayria to gain a very broad fan base of underground, goth, electro, industrial, dance, and various underground club scenes as well as appeal to more mainstream audiences. People have referred to Ayria as the darker version of Lady Gaga, or the industrial Madonna. Jenn grew up with strong and dramatic women like Madonna influencing her childhood musical tastes, but was always more a fan of the darker side of music and and fashion.

Next up, Jenn is currently finishing up a 4th CD titled “Plastic Makes Perfect” to be released in late 2012. Like the previous release “Hearts For Bullets”, the new CD will also be produced in Canada by Sebastian R. Komor (ICON OF COIL, KOMOR KOMMANDO, MELT, ZOMBIE GIRL, etc.). Fans can once again expect a diverse release full of intense danceable and stompy electro songs, with dark melodies and lyrics full of self exploration but a further refined sound as Ayria pushes further ahead to once again create something unique and addictive.

as|of

In the fall of 2010, three members of a Minneapolis-based synth-punk band decided to form a side project to allow them to play more live gigs. The new band would be harder and draw more heavily on the trio’s love of industrial and electronic music. A few months later, as|of was born. The name is meant to embody the idea that the forces and conditions that affect a being ‘as of’ one moment in time can change drastically ‘as of’ the next.

The three founding members, Eric Shough, Charles Finley, and Tony Logan, are longtime fans of genre giants such as Skinny Puppy, NIN, and KMFDM but are also influenced by new-wave icons like Pet Shop Boys, The Cure, and Depeche Mode.

The band’s self-titled first album was released in the spring of 2011 and is available at Radio-Active-Music.com.

Currently, as|of is writing songs for a second album to hopefully be ready for release within the year.

Facebook | Twitter | Last.fm

DJ Nitrogen

DJ Nitrogen currently DJ’s in Minneapolis at Hard Mondays @ the Saloon nightclub, at Ground Zero Friday’s for the The Next Element and Saturdays for Bondage a Go-Go.

DJ Nitrogen is a seven time winner at Twin Cities Nightclubs.com annual Twin Cities Best Club DJ contest. CBS Minnesota also named Nitrogen one of the top resident DJs in the Twin Cities.

Nitrogen has opened for multiple national acts including: Lords Of Acid, Combichrist, VNV Nation, Thrill Kill Kult, Front Line Assembly, And One, DJ Acucrack, Angels On Acid, Voltaire, Cruxshadows, Razed In Black, as well as many others. He has also played at five Rubber Balls, all eight Minneapolis Goth Prom’s and plays around the country in multiple cities as a guest DJ including twice at the Eccentrik Festival Festival in North Carolina and is a yearly fixture on the main stage of the midwest’s largest Scifi convention: CONvergence.

Nitrogen has been a professional DJ in the Twin Cities area for more then 15 years. He has has been a resident DJ in over 10 clubs including: Gators at the Mall Of America 5 years, First Ave 4 years, The Saloon Nightclub 8 years and Ground Zero 5 years.

DJ Nitrogen on Facebook

I:Scintilla at Ground Zero

With Gabriel and the Apocalypse, Go Fight and Goodnight Criminals

Friday, March 29, 2013
Doors 9:00 pm, 9:30 pm show, 18+
241s first hour after doors

DJs Nitrogen and Noise will keep you dancing until bar close.

Tickets $10 at the door

Venue Info

Ground Zero
15 4th Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Social Links

Facebook Event | Dark Twin Cities Discussion | Last.fm Event

Videos and band bios below the fold…

I:Scintilla

Photo courtesy of I:Scintilla

From www.iscintilla.com

Chicago’s I:Scintilla (pronounced “eye-sin-til-uh”) have spent the last nine years on a constant pursuit of musical exploration and artistic refinement. Never happy with genre boundaries, the quartet has taken its metal-infused electronica signature and drawn in elements of synth pop, trip-hop, and indie electro. Their latest effort, “Dying & Falling” (2010), masterfully blends such influences into an intelligent collection of powerful, introspective, and catchy songs. From the intense dance-rock of “Swimmers Can Drown” to the thoughtful down-tempo groove of the title track, the album pleases on many levels and is a testament to the band’s maturity. Their upcoming fourth album is an ambitious continuation of their musical travels and is set for release in early 2013.

The band is led by dynamic frontwoman Brittany Bindrim, whose words, melodies, and soaring vocals have resonated with a devoted and growing fan base. Rounding out the lineup are Jim Cookas (guitar/programming), Vincent Grech (drums), and Brent Leitner (guitar/programming). Over the years the band has established a solid reputation as a live act with their high energy shows that feature a mix of rock and electronic elements.

I:Scintilla formed in 2003 and quickly established an affinity for pushing musical boundaries while maintaining pop sensibilities. The result was their self-released debut album, “The Approach” (2004). Through relentless promotion and a strong online presence, the group soon attracted attention from established indie labels and eventually signed with Belgium-based Alfa Matrix in early 2006. Their first set of releases included the EP “Havestar” (2006) and full-length album “Optics” (2007). Both efforts managed to chart on Germany’s Deutsche Alternative Charts (DAC) with the former reaching #13 on the singles chart and the latter #6 on the albums chart. 2009 saw the release of the DAC-charting EP “Prey On You” that featured three new studio tracks and five club remixes.

Other notable accomplishments include festival appearances in the United States and Europe, most notably at Dragon*Con in 2012 and 2010 and at Germany’s Wave Gotik Treffen in 2007. They also appeared on the long-running independent music program JBTV in 2007 and have been featured in nearly every alternative music magazine in Germany and several in England, Belgium, and Italy. In 2008 the band hit the road with darkwave mainstays The Cruxshadows for an extensive three-month U.S. tour that brought their live show to every corner of the United States.

Here’s their brand new video for, Skin Tight, released in December 2012:

Gabriel and the Apocalypse

Photo by aztalanturf

From www.gabrielandtheapocalypse.com

Minneapolis industrial rock outfit, Gabriel and the Apocalypse are here to surprise and inspire. “Longevity comes from doing something different and having artistic integrity” says vocalist, Lindy Gabriel. “We want to take the mainstream and add our own artistic qualities.” The result is Gabriel and the Apocalypse- creative, original, visual, artistic, strong and here!

Gabriel and the Apocalypse released “Into the Afterglow” a full length album in 2009, to much acclaim. Their single, “Hey You” was voted #7 song of 2009 on Minnesota’s 93X “Loud and Local”. “Hey You” was also published for use on MTV/Microsoft’s Rock Band Network. In 2010 the band continued to play and expand their fan base playing shows throughout the midwest with National Acts such as Flyleaf, Otep, American Head Charge, Mushroomhead, Combichrist, We are the Fallen, Soil, Lords of Acid, Ventana, Pearl, Thrill Kill Kult and many more. The band was also been featured in the Jesse James Off Road DVD series.

The band released their latest full length record “new World disAsteR” in September of 2011. The first single “LIKE GoD” features Rick “ST1TCH” Thomas of Mushroomhead/Ventana. The band kicked off the release with a fullscale midwest tour alongside American Head Charge. A music video for the album’s opening song “Here Comes The Crash” was released in April of 2012.

Go Fight

Go Fight is an Electroscuzz band based out of Chicago, IL. They bring their infectious, dance-floor friendly music to Minneapolis for their first ever Minneapolis performance. Go Fight are veterans of the industrial scene going back to the Wax Trax days – their lineup includes Jim Marcus (ex-Die Warzau), Dan Evans (ex-Die Warzau, Dead on TV) and Vince Mcaley (ex-Die Warzau, Dead on TV).

Check out Go Fight live from Champaign, IL featuring I:Scintilla’s Brittany Bindrim on guest vocals for Pussygrinder:

For more info and free downloads, check out www.gofight.net.

Goodnight Criminals

From Last.fm

Chicago based, Goodnight Criminals, hit the ground running in 2012 with their debut release, “Liars, Thieves, and Pretenders”. The five-song E.P. gained industry attention, spawning a promotional supporting tour.

Their brand of electronic rock continues to captivate audiences. The song structure goes beyond catchy choruses and tight melodic hooks to bolster their own blend of analog synths, sequencing, and organic instruments.

Founded by Producer/Songwriter and I: Scintilla guitarist, Brent Leitner, the band is comprised of Chicago musicians, Troy Leitner on guitar, Adam Schweibenz on bass, and Brant Maze of New Rising Sun on drums.

In mid-2012, Goodnight Criminals released a re-mix album of their inaugural effort. The E.P. featured modified renditions by Midnight Conspiracy, Nynex, and Mend. To close out the year, songwriter, Brent Leitner, is back in the studio writing and producing songs for the band’s next release, due out early 2013.

It was an extremely fun show and we’d like to thank everyone who came out and helped spread the word! We aren’t trying to make money by bringing in shows…we bring in shows because we love live electronic music. Every person you tell, every link you share, every invite you send, and every post you make help us continue to bring in great live acts.

We’re working very hard behind the scenes on some great shows for 2013 at the moment. Follow here on our site, on Twitter or like us on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest Kilted Farmer Koncerts announcements. Thanks and we’ll see you in 2013!

On October 24, Kilted Farmer Koncerts brings Theory of Revolution Tour 2012 to Minneapolis at the Triple Rock featuring Deviant UK, Carved Souls (California), and for all the emptiness (Toronto). Thought Thieves will be joining them on the bill for what should be a great evening of darkwave and synthpop with some extremely talented, up and coming bands. Here’s Deviant UK live from last year’s Resistanz Festival with Wreckhead:

If you missed Aesthetic Perfection in July, you’ll get another opportunity to catch them opening for The Birthday Massacre and William Control on November 6 at Station 4.

And we are pleased to bring you Assemblage 23, returning to Minneapolis to support their latest effort, Bruise, on November 8 at Ground Zero. Espermachine, who released a very strong debut album, Dying Life, earlier this year, are the touring support. Thought Thieves are set to open (clearly they’re busy guys). Here are clips from Bruise:

What fall shows (any genre) are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!

Theory of Revolution Tour 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012

With Deviant UK, Carved Souls, for all the emptiness and Thought Thieves

8:00 pm, $10
Advance tickets at TicketFly
VIP package info

Venue Info

Triple Rock Social Club
629 Cedar Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
55454
Map & directions

Social Links

Facebook Event | Last.fm Event | Vampire Freaks Event | Dark Twin Cities Topic

Deviant UK

From www.theoryofrevolution2012.com

Deviant UK formed in 2004 as a synthpop band [although pseudo-metal guitars were also a key part of the sound]. The band name was initially picked as it was how the frontman described his outlook on life, ostensibly as ‘something or someone outside the accepted norm’ but often specifically focussing on a bacchanalian world of deviant sex, absolute hedonism and.egomania. Inspired primarily by his self-confessed hero Gary Numan, Smith candidly admitted his desire to live the fabled ‘Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ lifestyle although this caricature occasionally belies his idiosyncratic songwriting style and clear talent for crafting anthemic, memorable and occasionally bombastic electronic pop.

Facebook | MySpace

Carved Souls

From www.theoryofrevolution2012.com

Influenced by synth-pop/darkwave and other styles Carved Souls started composing and decided to explore other medias by developing new ideas and sounds techniques. The new combination of elements forged the fundamental sound of Carved Souls.

Since that time Carved Souls has emerged and submerged repeatedly avoiding the spotlight remaining 
as an underground source. In that time lapse the group’s work has included three self released albums.
Machinery (A limited release of the bands early work), incorporating many experimental mechanical sounds. 
Darken Lights (Another step forward redefining the dark synthpop style).

After Darken Lights the band went idle again. Now Suede, Legion, Gotham, & Krz have emerged once again and are now ready to expose and share what has been called a hidden synthetic gem of music.

Official website | Facebook | YouTube

for all the emptiness

From www.theoryofrevolution2012.com

a dark-electro project conceived of and developed by jonathan kaplan, and its songs respond to claims that are made based on anti-reason.

the first full-length cd “axioms” was released on 24 september 2011. this was followed by the second full-length cd “second order” released on 7 april 2012.

“second order” features reworks of the tracks from “axioms”. the opening and closing tracks are given lyrics and the remaining tracks are remixed as “dance mixes” by some of the biggest names in the genre.

Official website | Facebook | YouTube

Thought Thieves

Thought Thieves are a synth pop band. It’s pop in the same kind of way that the Cure is pop…. but more dance/synth oriented….. and getting more synthy as they go… They lug 7 keyboards, drums and guitar to live shows and let it all out…

Their first EP, “All I Pretend”, debuted in April 2009. Their second EP, “Krista”, launched in April 2011, and we are currently recording what we feel is our best music and look to have another disc out in 2012. The group has been featured in the Twin Cities Electropunk compilations and has opened for national acts like Lords of Acid and Anything Box.

Official Thought Thieves website | Facebook | MySpace | Twitter

Assemblage 23
Thursday, November 8, 2012

With Espermachine and Thought Thieves

Also featuring music by DJs Nitrogen and Noise throughout the evening

Doors 8:30 pm, 9:00 pm show, 18+
241s first hour after doors

Tickets $12 in advance from Brown Paper Tickets / $15 at the door

Venue Info

Ground Zero
15 4th Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Social Links

Dark Twin Cities Topic | Facebook Event | Last.fm Event | Vampire Freaks Event

Assemblage 23

From Metropolis Records

Tom Shear began constructing music at home under the moniker Man On A Stage in the late 1980′s. Most of the music was very simplistic and poorly constructed, with no vocals at first but as time went on they occurred more often. While working on Man On A Stage, Tom Shear also was playing bass live for a punk-influenced band collectively known as the Advocates.

In 1988 at a Depeche Mode concert, Assemblage 23 was born. Tom was amazed by the industrial dance music that the opening DJ was spinning. His love of the electronic synth-pop sounds mixed with heavier darker aggression proved to be an turning point for him.

While in college, in addition to working on Assemblage 23 non-stop, Shear also collaborated with two friends, Mike Ukstins and Matt Guenette on a synth-pop project, Procession. The band didn’t last long, but provided Shear with performance experience and practice. At first, Assemblage 23 was more of a hobby for Shear rather than a permanent project. There were occasional attempts and demos sent out, but when they lead to no interest in the band, Shear reverted back to making music for fun and his friends. In 1992, he self-released a collection of songs called “Wires”. Several radio stations began playing the new act, and fledging magazines, such as Industrial Nation, began to show interest.

But it was a side project of Shear’s called Nerve Filter that helped Assemblage 23 get some much needed recognition. On a whim, Shear sent copies of Assemblage 23 and Nerve Filter to Peter Stone of Xorcist, who in return handed them over to Don Blanchard of the now defunct 21st Circuitry Records. However, Blanchard’s interest was not in Assemblage 23 but in Nerve Filter, although, a few Assemblage 23 tracks would later be released on several compilations. Arts Industria released the first ‘official’ Assemblage 23 song “Graverobber” on their Construction No. 009 compilation. Several more times Shear sent out demos to various labels, and even while being frustrated by the lack of interest, he still wrote more Assemblage 23 songs.

Finally in 1998, the Canadian label, Gashed Records signed Assemblage 23 and released their first album,Contempt in 1999, and the follow-up, Failure in 2001. Shortly after the release of Failure, Assemblage 23 had a falling out with Gashed Records and left the label to sign with Metropolis Records, who later that year re-released both Contempt and Failure. With only those two albums, Contempt and Failure, Assemblage 23 became one of the biggest names in industrial and EBM music today.

To further the American electro act’s success, a third album, Defiance, was completed for October 2002.Defiance pushed Assemblage 23′s sound to the limits of only the imagination. Signature melody constructions, driving rhythms, non-stop beats, and highly emotional and personal lyrics made Defiance a logical follow-up to the widely reveled Failure.

For 2004, Assemblage 23 returned with two singles, Let the Wind Erase Me and Ground, and their fourth albumStorm. Dubbed the most complex Assemblage 23 release thus far, Storm experimented with innovative sound compositions and elements, solidifying A23’s position as the most successful American EBM act to date.

Two and a half years passed after the release of Storm, Assemblage 23 released the Binary single, and Metaalbum. Several tracks on Meta have the signature A23 sound while others are slightly different in approach. The album was a giant leap forward in the way of Assemblage 23’s sounds production and shattered any and all preconceived notions about the band and their music.

In 2009, Assemblage 23 released the Spark single as a precursor to his newest album, Compass. Each output shows a more polished and mature sound. Solid beats, interesting melodies, and meaningful lyrics give the album a dynamic clarity. From the intensive opening track, “Smoke,” to the danceable “Impermanence” through the heart-wrenching closing track, “The Cruelest Year,” Compass takes Assemblage 23 to the next level with each unforgettable song.

Official Assemblage 23 website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Tumblr | Twitter

Espermachine

From Espermachine.com

Hailing from the unlikely industrial locale of Arkansas, sonic scientist James Esper toiled quietly away in his laboratory for many years carefully crafting a mixture of jackhammer EBM basslines, soaring synth-pop melodies, and punchy club rhythms. Now it is time for his audio weaponry to be unleashed on an unsuspecting world. “Dying Life”, is that audio weapon, a 10 track album produced by Assemblage 23′s Tom Shear. Espermachine will be joining Assemblage 23 as support for their 2012 US Bruise tour.

Official Espermachine website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Soundcloud

Thought Thieves

From Thought Thieves on Facebook

Thought Thieves are a synth pop band. It’s pop in the same kind of way that the Cure is pop…. but more dance/synth oriented….. and getting more synthy as they go… They lug 7 keyboards, drums and guitar to live shows and let it all out…

Their first EP, “All I Pretend”, debuted in April 2009. Their second EP, “Krista”, launched in April 2011, and we are currently recording what we feel is our best music and look to have another disc out in 2012. The group has been featured in the Twin Cities Electropunk compilations and has opened for national acts like Lords of Acid and Anything Box.

Official Thought Thieves website | Facebook | MySpace | Twitter