The Southern Theater Presents Nico Muhly & Sam Amidon, 4/14 & 4/15

Composer Nico Muhly's relationship with the Southern Theater continues to deepen as his Twin Cities audience expands year by year. Since his Minneapolis debut at the Southern in 2007, Muhly has amassed world-wide attention and commissions from such heavyweight institutions as the American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera Ballet, Metropolitan Opera and English National Opera. Yet in his 20s, Muhly's bio includes film scores, two critically acclaimed albums, and conductor/arranger credits for Björk, Grizzly Bear, The National and Rufus Wainwright (to name a few).

"Goose-bump-manufacturing" (CMJ New Music Monthly) Sam Amidon sings, plays fiddle, banjo and guitar and recently released two critically acclaimed solo albums-All is Well (2008) and I See the Sign (2010)-on Valgeir Sigurðssons' Bedroom Community record label. Produced by Sigurðsson and arranged by Nico Muhly, All is Well was described by PopMatters.com as "one of the best records of traditional Appalachian folk songs ever recorded." I See the Sign brings powerful contributions from Muhly, Ben Frost, Beth Orton and brother Stefan Amidon. Sam Amidon's music gives beautiful old songs new life, a feature bound to be accentuated by the theater's elegantly tattered, age-worn walls.

"I love playing with Nico, it's always surprising and thrilling and funny and sweet," said Amidon. "We've had many chances to play together, with our Icelandic friends and with our friend Thomas from Doveman; and Nico's done so many beautiful and delightful arrangements for my albums and I got to sing on his. But we've never had this much time to perform live together in the kind of double bill scenario we will have at the Southern Theater. I'm excited to see what we come up with!"

Performances: April 14 & 15, 2010
Wed. & Thurs. at 7:30pm
Pre-show reception each night at 6:30pm sponsored by The Red Stag Supperclub
Tickets: $22
Southern Theater box office: 612.340.1725
1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454
www.southerntheater.org

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