Film Noir: Ida Lupino’s Hitch-Hiker

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The lyrics from the Typsy Panthre song “Hitch-Hiker” are drawn from the plot and dialogue of this 1953 classic thriller by Ida Lupino; the first film noir directed by a woman.  It’s terrific, and you can watch it for free below.  True story!

The Starfolk @ Honey, Sat May 24

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HoneyMpls

Join The Starfolk for a song swap with witty and lovable folktress Julia Douglass.  Music goes 5:30-7:00pm, and their sets will be interspersed with each other. Pre-dinner fun!  Maybe head upstairs to Ginger Hop for a special meal afterward?

Honey has a great sound system, and intimate atmosphere perfect for getting up close and personal with the musicians.

The Starfolk & Julia Douglass / Saturday May 24 / Honey / 5:30-7:00pm / $5

Honey: Best New Nightclub 2012

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Jim Ruiz Set @ Chickfactor 22 Pop Festival!

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It’s high time to book that long dreamed of jaunt to NYC, for fave pop zine Chickfactor is taking over the Bell House in Brooklyn March 20-21 for two nights of chic pop bliss!

NIGHT 1 thu 3/20 features  WITHERED HAND (from Scotland!), Korda’s own JIM RUIZ SET, KURT HEASLEY (Lilys), AMOR DE DIAS (The Clientele/Pipas)!!!

NIGHT 2 fri 3/21 features THE CLIENTELE, VERSUS, BARBARA MANNING, THE SATURDAY PEOPLE !!!

Might we suggest, the best of both worlds: a TWO NIGHT PASS.

With Chickfactor as your host you can rely on a plethora of fun, melodic, smart pop; and this will be Jim Ruiz’s last show before shutting himself in the new song workshed.  His “Brooklyn Four” line up features drums by Emily Cahill, bass by Allison LaBonne, and marimba by Kim Anderson.  Don’t miss it!

Night 1 Facebook Event

Night 2 Facebook Event

Poster by the exceptionally talented Tae Won Yu…

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Jim Ruiz Set Tunes Up for final shows in Minneapolis and Brooklyn

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Thanks to an invitation from Gail O’Hara, the JRS postponed retirement last week, and at the same time scored a “natural” hat trick, by accepting an invitation to play Day One of CF 22.  This will be the third time in a row JRS has had the good fortune to be included on Chickfactor’s New York bill.  The festival of pop will take place in Brooklyn at the reliable Bell House, March 20 and 21.   An exhausted Jim reports “It’s been a goal of mine to play on the same bill as Amor de Dias ever since we first saw them play in Minneapolis three years ago.  Check another one off my bucket list!”  Also on the bill will be indie charm-eleons The Lilys, and from Scotland, youngish up-and-comers Withered Hand. Our Brooklyn squad will feature the mellifluous mallet work of Kim Serene and, filling in for her sister Charlotte, the equally talented Allison LaBonne on bass.

Sharing Bill with Bethany Larson and Bee’s Knees Coincides with Premiere of Newly Restored Video

Thanks to another invitation, this time from our friend Bethany Larson, we will be returning to the Aster Cafe this Friday, the 7th.   To coincide with our last show in Minneapolis, we are making available, for the first time, the director’s wife’s cut of the legendary Minneapolis video.  Mark Preston (The Funseekers – Northwoods Holiday, dir.) and his wife Anne, have cleaned up the video, and with the help of a technology I don’t understand, transformed this slice of Minneapolis life in the nineties into a quality that defies all description.  See for yourself!

Get ready to Hootenanny!

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Brian, Allison and Jacqueline from The Starfolk play Jim Walsh’s Mad Ripple Hootenanny Thursday 2/6/14 in Minneapolis.  The “Hoot” is an intimate round robin style singer-songwriter gathering, FREE! in Harriet Brewing’s taproom.  Along with host Jim Walsh, they’ll be joined by talented songsters Todd Newman and Jeaneen Gauthier.  The show is free, tips are gladly accepted.  5:30-8:30 PM.

Facebook Event Page

Harriet Brewing
3036 Minnehaha Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-315-4633

Final “Mount Curve Avenue” Tour Dates Announced!

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Minneapolis (you lucky city) will host the final two gigs of the Mount Curve Avenue tour which has brought Jim Ruiz Set coast to coast and across the Atlantic…don’t miss them!

1/31/14 Kitty Cat Klub (w/Somewhat Fierce, The Syrup Eddies) Free.  JRS has asked for song requests on the FB event page!

2/7/14 Aster Café (w/Bethany Larson & The Bees Knees) $7

The last year+ has been magical, with Jim releasing his first new material in fourteen years to glowing reviews.  Most fortuitously, the release of Mount Curve Avenue intersected with ace music zine Chickfactor‘s 20th Anniversary series of  “for the love of pop” festivals in NYC, London, and Los Angeles; where Jim Ruiz Set played to packed houses and shared bills with exquisite indie pop rosters curated by CF’s ever savvy Gail O’Hara.

JRS also celebrated with us at two banner Korda Showcases in Minneapolis; met up with pals The Orange Peels (lead by Allen Clapp, producer of Mount Curve Avenue) for jaunts to Chicago and Madison;  shared the bill with Korda mates The Starfolk for their CD Release Show, and played a birthday party at the historic Trempealeau Hotel in Wisconsin, home of the Walnut Burger.

With the Mount Curve Avenue mission gloriously accomplished, word has it the band is heading into hibernation until they have new music to share with us.  Last time it took 14 years, but Ruiz was recently overheard stating in a most cocksure manner, “I think I can cut that time in half.”

Buy Mount Curve Avenue on baby blue vinyl right here.

And check out the latest track by JRS, available only on Korda 2 Komp!