This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Wii video game reviews, Maudlin, Rubber Chicken (the comedy troupe, not the fun toy), Indigenous, a man with dice, Ryan Rapsys, a clarification on my Xhaust CD review and ... what, that's it?

"Indigenous Headlines FinnFest Concert at Bayfront" :: South Dakota blues-rock outfit Indigenous is a bit of an anomaly in the music industry. I speak with frontman Mato Nanji, who I've admired for the better part of a decade. I've seen this impeccable group twice in concert (once at Walker's Moondance Jam and then at Fargo's blues festival) and I was thoroughly blown away both times. Hail!

"In Duluth, Finn Equals Funny" :: Forget Ole and Lena; Duluth’s comedy troupes are celebrating Finnish culture in a way that might actually make you laugh. Includes a DuluthBudgeteer.com-exclusive photo gallery of Brian Matuszak and his Rubber Chicken crew rehearsing "The Betrothal" at Proctor Area Community Center Monday night.

"Maudlin: Meet Them Before They Meet You" :: St. Paul’s premier post-punk outfit, Maudlin, will hit Norm’s in Superior Saturday, July 26. Though they’re sharing a bill with Portraits for Judith and Xhaust, expect more power pop than thrash metal. I "speak" -- electronically, that is -- with the two Priebes in this trio, David and Priscilla. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Video Game Reviews: The Yin and Yang of Nintendo's Wii" :: As far as Nintendo Wii games go, “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” and “Endless Ocean” couldn’t be more different. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Duluth's Ryan Rapsys Gets Music on iTunes" :: To say Ryan Rapsys is keeping busy is almost laughable. In addition to collaborating on the Brewhouse’s new commercial, the Duluth composer recently announced that his record label will be releasing music on iTunes and Amazon MP3. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

Window washer man ... in which I learned the definition of "rappelling." A DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive feature photo!

Finally, last week's Xhaust EP review now comes with a disclaimer: UPDATE: It has come to my attention that the review copies of this EP were erroneously sent out with the wrong, unmastered files on the disc. So, given this, completely disregard everything I wrote about sound problems. —MRP <-May they have a wonderful CD release show with Maudlin, one of my new favorite bands!