Hindsight and song: The Commission centerpiece captures a transient moment

On May 9, Brice Brown and Alan Shockley celebrated their 10th anniversary. And theirs was truly a perfect union, if only for one night. Their collaborative work, “Glass and Bridle, Pomegranate and Pears: On the Viability and Transience of a Free and Perfect Union,” unveiled at Adventure Farm on Saturday. The one-night-only exhibition was the centerpiece of The […]

ARTS Pick: William Walter

Scene veteran William Walter’s songwriting and stagemanship has matured over his near 20-year career through relentless touring in the U.S., Europe and South America, and the singer-songwriter has acquired fans everywhere. But it’s no secret or surprise that his big smile and tender lyrics capture the hearts (and bottoms?) of his female fans, so much […]

Love of the game: The Baseball Project takes rock out to the ball game

For a band that writes nothing but fun, catchy power-pop songs about the national pastime, The Baseball Project hasn’t exactly replaced “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at the ballpark. The reverent “Past Time,” from Frozen Ropes & Dying Quails, the band’s debut, gets some play at Twins home games, but “They’re not going […]

Album reviews: Hanna Rae, Delta Rae, Jesse Baylin

Hanna Rae Rookie in the Ring EP/self-released There is an easiness to Hanna Rae’s music that makes it easy to like. Her molasses-thick vocals are a treat, particularly on the dreamy, stripped-down opener “Man in the Moon,” and fans of Brooke Annibale will likely smile at “Jar of Wine,” which plays like an Americana version […]

Holding the line: A unique show at the Fralin is drawn from art history

You’re standing in the middle of an open gallery floor, surrounded by white walls hung with prints, paintings, photos and the occasional freestanding sculpture. Works appear to be clustered around intentional themes like color, medium or subject, but nothing is labeled. You may not realize you’re surrounded by a veritable who’s who of 20th century […]

ARTS Pick: American Aquarium

North Carolina six-piece American Aquarium revives its raw roots rock with a new level of honesty in the lyrics. After years of barely scraping by with the devotion of a niche audience, frontman BJ Barham and his frequently rotating backup were ready to throw in the towel before a sudden burst of success kept the […]