Music - Nov. 28, 2009
Variety makes Kid Millions' rap recession-proof
In August we talked to Kid Millions about his then-new 45, "Victim to the Beat." At that point, Millions promised a new full-length disc in October. OK, so it's November, but the eight-song "Recession Proof Rap" -- available on vinyl, digitally and CD -- is here and Kid Millions celebrates its release with a show on Saturday, Nov. 28 at The Mad Planet.
Tags: Kid Millions, I Made a Mixtape, Recession Proof Rap, Victim to the Beat, Lotus Land, Sage Schwarm, JTODD

Music - Aug. 25, 2009
Five questions for rapper Kid Millions
Local rapper Kid Millions -- better known to some as John Kuester, co-owner of Lotus Land Records in Riverwest -- has just unleashed the record of the Milwaukee summer. "Victim to the Beat," co-written with Codebreaker's Sage Schwarm, is a fun and breezy retro hip-hop dancefest with a sound that will send you running for your old Sugar Hill Records 12"s -- or at least the first Tom Tom Club CD.
Tags: Kid Millions, Codebreaker, Victim to the Beat, JTodd, Sage Schwarm, Lotus Land, John Kuester

Movies & TV - Dec. 30, 2008
"The Super Noble Brothers" gets another showing
Local artist Mark Escribano's documentary, "The Super Noble Brothers," made its debut at the Milwaukee International Film Festival in 2007. It screens again Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Oriental.
Tags: tommy noble, andy noble, davey noble, escribano, thousandaires, miff, the pacers, lotus land, riverwest, blowtorch, schwarm, angelique rosario, tarney, spike, riverwesterners, inflammables, letendre, superpowers

Music - Dec. 6, 2008
Lotus Land celebrates 8 years in Riverwest
The music business might be taking a hit from digital music distribution and illegal downloading, but vinyl fiends help keep local music hot spots like Bull's Eye going. Despite the crunch of the tough economy, Lotus Land, 832 E. Clarke St., celebrates its eighth birthday at The Mad Planet on Saturday, Dec. 20. The free event will feature music, food and giveaways.
Tags: Lotus Land, Mad Planet, Riverwest, Andy Noble, Tom Noble, John Kuester, Kings Go Forth, Super Noble Bros., Kid Millions

Music - Dec. 5, 2008
Atomic closing is a sad sign of the times
I was saddened to see that Atomic Records will close in February, but not entirely surprised. Let's face it, if Tower tanked and Virgin closed a downtown Chicago megastore before there was even an economic crisis, how can we expect Rich Menning to weather the storm?
Tags: Atomic Records, Rich Menning, Rush-Mor, Lotus Land, Lumberhorn, John Kuester, Luke Lavin, Bull's Eye