Doomtree: No Kings Tour Recap (SXSW 2012)

In the latest No Kings tour video, you can check out how well South By Southwest 2012 went for the Doomtree crew. In related news, things went well. So well, in fact, that the crew got this nice article written about them by Rolling Stone.

Recently, Dessa also announced a headlining gig at St. Kate's University. It should be one of his biggest solo shows yet.

Dessa at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, St. Catherine University
featuring Jeremy Messersmith, Cecil Otter, Aby Wolf, Crescent Moon, Black Blondie, and Robert Robinson
Doors 7pm // Show 7:30pm
$12 students // $17 general public
Tickets

Watch the New Explore Minnesota Video Featuring Vocals From Dessa

Explore Minnesota's latest campaign video features Dessa, along with tons of other local artists -- Haley Bonar, Gabriel Douglas (4onthefloor), Chris Koza (Rogue Valley), Lucy Michelle, Chris Pavlich, and Caroline Smith. It's nice to see the tourism commision, or whoever is in charge of this series, recognizing the vast body of local talent that Minnesota is home to. The video pays homage to Bob Dylan's iconic video for "Subterranean Homesick Blues." Those of you who haven't seen the Dylan version may ironically be more familiar with MaLLy's "Heir Time" video.

Thanks to Andrea at Local Current for the tip.

Dessa: Nobel Peace Prize Forum Speech (Video)

Last week Dessa spoke at Augsburg College at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Her presentation, titled “Mic Lines: Art, Ethics, and their Contested Connections," was a discussion on ethical and moral issues surrounding rappers and the content they choose to include in their lyrics. Her 45-minute speech includes discussions of social, political and philanthropic work by local and national artists, the intertwined nature of hip-hop and community activism, as well as discourse on the moral obligations of rappers as role models, common defenses of misogynistic/violent lyrical content, and the reflections on the power of musicians to influence individual behavior. If you're remotely interested in any of these topics, or even if you're not, I strongly recommend watching this.

The speech is followed by a question and answer session which I have not viewed yet, as well as a performance from Aby Wolf (Dessa did not sing because her voice was on the mend from the No Kings tour).

Dessa on Chicago Public Radio's Sound Opinions

During the Chicago stop of Doomtree's No Kings tour, Dessa was able to visit the studio of excellent Chicago Public Radio program Sound Opinions. While there she conductedperformed five songs from her 2011 album Castor, the Twin. You can listen to the entire Sound Opinions episode here. Watch video of Dessa and her band playing "Into The Spin" above. The remaining videos are below.

Dessa: "The Beekeper"

Doomtree staying busy, as always. Dessa's new album, Castor, the Twin, will be out on Tuesday. It's composed of reworked versions of her older songs, complete with full backing band for a richer sound. Should be a good one. Doomtree sophomore effort No Kings coming in November, too.

Dessa: "The Beekeper"

Dessa: "Into The Spin" (Music Video)

Dessa is hitting the road soon on her first ever headlining tour. The Into The Spin Tour will head out west, so if you're in the vicinity of one of her shows (dates are shown in the video or the following link), try to make it out. Tickets are available at — no surprises what they're selling here — dessatickets.com. Sims and Lazerbeak will be supporting acts.

Dessa: A MN Original Special (Video)

Here is the MN Original special featuring Dessa that recently aired on TPT. Hit up the MN Original site if you want to view some exclusive extra footage.

Dessa: "Sadie Hawkins" (Video)

Earlier this month I shared some video of Dessa performing a new track, "The Man I Knew" for Twin Cities Public Television. Now, TPT's MN Original program is debuting a new video of Dessa performing the Doomtree cut "Sadie Hawkins" at the Cedar. Tune in to TPT this Sunday March 27 at 10pm to watch the full broadcast of "Dessa: A Minnesota Original Music Special." Props to MN Original and Gimme Noise.

Dessa: "The Man I Knew" (Video)

Twin Cities Public Television was able to get footage of Dessa performing a new song, "The Man I Knew." Below is also a trailer for a feature on the local artist, to be aired tomorrow on Fox 9.

Lazerbeak: "Pearly Gates" (Live at The Current)

Lazerbeak performed some songs from his Legend Recognize Legend solo release at The Current, complete with an all star lineup of local rap celebrities.

Dessa: "Alibi" (Music Video)

Here is a second video off Dessa's tremendous solo album, A Badly Broken Code.

Dessa: "The Chaconne" + "Mineshaft" (Videos)

Dessa performed with P.O.S. at Madison's High Noon Saloon a few weeks back. You would have heard about it firsthand from me, but a very close friend of mine was in town for one night only, so I unfortunately had to miss the concert that night. Thankfully some footage popped up.

Every Never Is Now Tour: West Coast Communique (Video)

This entertaining video montage will keep you updated on what P.O.S. and company have been up to on their latest tour, if you're so inclined. They'll be performing in Madison on Friday night, and I'll definitely be checking that out.

P.O.S.'s Soundcheck (Video)

Doomtree define professionalism.

Dessa: "Behind The Smile, Pt. 1" (Video)

Ouch.

Doomtree Like to Jump Rope (Video)

HUGE news from the Doomtree camp. Especially if you're interested in how they keep busy while on the Every Never Is Now Tour.

Every Never Is Now Tour: The First Communique (Video)

Dessa: "The Chaconne" (Live on 89.3 The Current)

Dessa, along with Aby Wolf and Jeremy Messersmith perform "The Chaconne" live in the studios of 89.3 The Current.

Dessa's 'A Badly Broken Code' Reaches #11 on iTunes Rap Charts

(Click to enlarge)

Congrats to Dessa! Purchase A Badly Broken Code at the Doomtree store or on the iTunes store to keep it moving up the charts!

Dessa: "Dixon's Girl" (Music Video)

Here's a video to match Dessa's lead single from the upcoming A Badly Broken Code.