Fargo: To Include, Or Not To Include...That Was The Question

Lately, as I've visited my usual music-related haunts on the Net, I've noticed more and more bands including Fargo (but not Winnipeg and/or the rest of Canada) on their tour itinerary, which kinda makes sense since crossing the border can be, at times, an unwanted pain. So I've been contemplating whether to include these shows in my listing since Fargo (tangentially-related: did you know Fargo's population is 1/7th Winnipeg's?) is a mere three hour, cross-border adventure South and surely die-hard indie fans from Winnipeg would be up for the travel. Right?

After all, I'm by no means an overzealous indie fan but even I've traveled to Minneapolis three times - trip #4 will be in September - just to see a band. Thus, I've decided I will mention Fargo shows - when I can - since it's so geographically close and who wouldn't travel three hours (six hours round-trip) just to see a band they adore?

Oh and for the record, I've seen Pinback, Sigur Ros, and Stereolab in Minneapolis and have tix for Sigur Ros's upcoming September show. All three shows were worth the time and cost. Plus, I brought back the requisite cheap 40 of alcohol each time, which is always an awesome bonus.

Texas folk-rock band Okkervil River stop by Fargo's The Aquarium on September 15th.

Experimental pop-band Xiu Xiu (whom I believe played the now defunct Collective a couple years back) play the same venue on September 7th.

Both shows are all ages (remember: unless explicitly stated, you must be 21 to be admitted into North Dakota clubs).

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This week I received an email from the members of an Oregon-based indie band called Muke inviting me to listen to one of their songs "Hamburger Waltz", and was pleasantly surprised by the song. It's a fun, catchy, stripped-down number that wouldn't sound out of place on the Juno soundtrack. Click on their name to hear it.
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Well, I'm off to The Zoo to hear a friend of a friend's band Seventh Sin, a heavy metal act featured in Uptown this week.

Current rotation: The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema