Interview: Andrew Broder as he gears up for a January residency featuring outstanding lineups every Wednesday at the Turf benefiting different progressive organizations
Andrew Broder is a musical renniseance man, from Fog to Cloak Ox to his hip hop beats to his recent techno turn…he pretty much tries it all and somehow lands on his feet each time, crafting some of the most exciting and important music of the last decade in our scene. Now, as we creep closer to a world where Donald Trump is president of our country, he is gathering musical friends and hosting a Wednesday residency at the Turf Club with proceeds going to various progressive groups that are going to be leading the resistance against the coming shit storm. (Full lineup and orgs receiving highlighted each week can be found in picture above and at bottom of the post). We had a quick chat with Mr. Broder about why he is doing this, how he set this up this series and what to expect the various nights. We hope to see you at the shows supporting local music and great work being done to support our community. More info and RSVP HERE.
Reviler: Why did you decide to do a residency, and particularly one benefiting local progressive organizations? Was the music planned first, or was this driven by wanting to support good work being done as we enter the Trump era using your musical talent?
Andrew Broder: After the election, like most people, I had been discussing with friends all kinds of ideas of what we felt like we should do now. How could we put our skills and goodwill we have built up to best use, and kinda combat the numbness and despair? Then, First Ave approached Totally Gross and myself about doing a residency in January. We decided it would be a good chance to try a new model, where local shows can have a new purpose behind them. I see a lot of folks doing benefit shows these days, I think we are all just wanting to feel some strength in numbers, protect ourselves and the things we love, so… it beats sitting at home and freaking out, looking at the internet on your Wednesday night.
Reviler: How did you decide which artists to join you? Anyone you are most excited to have on a bill?
Andrew Broder: Most, but not all of the people playing I have collaborated with in some capacity over the years. There are more people joining that we haven’t announced yet, as well. I really wanted to try and pull together a cross-section of different styles and represent the diversity in the scene, as cliche as that sounds, it’s true and something to be proud of. Each week should be very special, but the 11th with Sparhawk and Dizzy Fae on the same bill to me, is something of a triumph for MN music. The last week is gonna be all beats, producers, DJs… looking forward to that as well. They’re all gonna be awesome and everybody should obviously go to all of them and not be a dummy.
Reviler: What should people know about the different nights? Are there themes or specific genres for each night?
Andrew Broder: I decided I wanted each week for the proceeds to go to a different, locally-based organization doing shit relevant to who & what we all feel is likely to come under attack under the new administration, so… Week 1 goes to Confederation of Somali Community in MN – a group working to better the lives of that community in employment, education, etc. 2nd week is for ClimateGen, an organization working to spread climate change and environmental justice awareness. 3rd week if for Planned Parenthood MN-ND-SD, working to protect women’s health and 4th week is for MNNOC who works for voting rights, economic and racial justice in the city.
Otherwise, each week will be blissfully genre-free and we can all get together and hang out. Hopefully people who come out will check out the week’s cause and maybe decide they want to volunteer or get involved. The point here is to get things moving and feel active. Remember to feel open and loving and joyful even if you wake up every morning right now feeling anxious an filled with dread.
Reviler: There are spots where “special guests” are mentioned, and you are part of a lot of different projects. Is there anything you can share about plans you may have up your sleeve that will help get someone on the fence about a show on a cold January night to head to the Turf?
Andrew Broder: We’ll be announcing more lineups shortly, but they will be cool and diverse and fun, and all involved will definitely be encouraged to interact musically and have some one of a kind sets go down at these. Got pretty inspired at the Michelberger Music fest I was part of in Berlin this fall, which was a free for all kind of free-spirited thing, full of humanity and surprise. Want to carry that spirit on here. I know it’s cold, we all hate it. There is nothing more horrible than loading out of a venue at 1:30am on a wednesday and it’s -20 windchill. Nothing. And I promise that if you attend the show, you will not have load any gear in or out of the venue.
BUT I promise if you make the extra effort to come out, give a little money to an important thing, be with your friends, see some awesome music, drink a beer, chill out, remember that people are also great and don’t always suck- it’ll be good for you.
Also, importantly: many of you, like me, have real jobs and shit so we are trying to start and end these on the early side and not keep you up crazy late on a cold ass weeknight.
Reviler: What is next musically for you? Any projects ready to release in 2017?
Andrew Broder: Oh, you know I’m always doing this, doing that. I just dropped my ‘Wertheimer’ ep on Lex. Want to do more of that. Make another Fog record. No releases imminent, more getting back into the writing/ recording/ production zone. Both for myself and for others.
Reviler: If people can’t make the shows but want to support your music and the causes you are supporting, how can they do that?
Andrew Broder:
Confederation of Somali Community in MN: http://csc-mn.org/
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-minnesota-north-dakota-south-dakota
Neighborhoods Organizing for Change: http://www.mnnoc.org/
Fog: https://fog-minneapolis.bandcamp.com/
Andrew Broder solo: https://andrewbroder.bandcamp.com/
1/4
Kill the Vultures
Crescent Moon & Andrew Broder
Channy Leneagh DJ Set
(Proceeds donated to Confederation for Somaili Community of MN)
1/11
Andrew Broder & Alan Sparhawk
Dizzy Fae
(Proceeds donated to ClimateGen)
1/18
The Cloak Ox
& Surprise Guests
(Proceeds donated to Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD)
1/25
Andrew Broder & Surprise Guests Beat Sets
DJ Mike2600
(Proceeds donated to MNNOC)
