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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈

@rossraihala.bsky.social

2.6K followers 640 following 1.5K posts

Pop music critic at the St. Paul Pioneer Press. All shade very necessary. Former dancer at the Grind. World weary, cynical arbiter of taste. Gen X, baby.

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · Feb 18

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 10h

She really is delightful! I hate that she makes me so earnest!

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 11h

"Wine-sipping NPR listeners have been long overdue for a new Norah Jones, right? Here’s the thing, though. Laufey built her audience through TikTok."

My review of the terrific Laufey concert tonight:

Concert review: Laufey delivers magical, jazzy pop at Target Center

The 26-year-old Icelandic-Chinese singer/songwriter built her following via TikTok.

www.twincities.com

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 13h

Laufey just told the crowd she went to the Mall of America today

"I was smiling ear to ear"

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 14h

Hey @twindependent.bsky.social, the kids are singing along with Silver Lining here at this Laufey concert

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 14h

Laufey, Clockwork

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 14h

I'm at the Laufey concert, which opened with an overture(!)

Reposted by Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈

Lisa Needham @snipy.bsky.social · 21h

Your regular reminder on National Coming Out Day that everyone comes out in their own way in their own time and policing that is antithetical to the entire concept. We’re all doing amazing, or at least the best we can.

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 1d

I've seen the Jonas Brothers on every tour they've done (and some solo Nick shows as well). I've never seen them as low energy and glum as they were tonight in St. Paul. Here's my review of the show:

Concert review: A glum Jonas Brothers lacked energy in St. Paul

It wasn’t until five songs in when the crowd of more than 13,500 noticeably perked up for 2007’s “S.O.S.,” the JoBros’ breakthrough hit.

www.twincities.com

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 1d

Dolly last played the X in 2004(!)

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 1d

It's great for the group. That's a lot of tickets sold for an act that's unknown to a lot of people.

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 1d

K-Pop group Twice is playing their first show in Minnesota in April. It's an in-the-round stage. Tickets went on sale yesterday.

A Ticketmaster map showing all the seats that have been sold for K-Pop group Twice's upcoming concert

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 2d

Lots of stomping and clapping at Mumford and Sons' first local show in nearly a decade. Here's my review:

Concert review: Mumford and Sons thrill fans at first local show in nearly a decade

The time away clearly didn’t cost the Mumfords any listeners, as more than 14,500 showed up to see the guys live.

www.twincities.com

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 3d

I guess we now know one of the two season 49 Survivor players returning for 50.

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 3d

Rhododendron
Is a nice flower
Evergreenin'
It lasts forever
But it can't beat strand power

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 3d

I watched a BBC doc on Roxy Music last night and it reminded me of being a teen and discovering this weird, awesome group that was already history at that point. But getting to explore eight totally different records was such a thrill. I love when that happens, to this day.

a man in a white tuxedo singing into a microphone with a drum set in the background

ALT: a man in a white tuxedo singing into a microphone with a drum set in the background

media.tenor.com

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 4d

I'm with Erin Brockovich

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 5d

This is pretty cool. The latest in Bob Dylan's Bootleg Series features a handful of previously unreleased live songs recorded in Minneapolis homes and at the U.

New Bob Dylan box set features previously unreleased songs recorded in Minnesota

Among Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Minnesota’s own Bob Dylan has been one of the most generous in sharing outtakes from his career. On Halloween, he’ll release “Bootleg Series Volume 1…

www.twincities.com

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 6d

Probably the last of the tomatoes this season

Small pizzas topped with sliced cherry tomatoes

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 6d

Vikings fans mad when they lose, madder when they win

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6d

That was the worst game I’ve ever seen. What a great win for the Vikings.

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 7d

Happy birthday 🎂

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 8d

No idea, but from what I've heard they've had manager issues.

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 8d

When I was a kid, I had a teenage piano teacher until she ran away from and joined the moonies

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 8d

"Secondarily, it commits the cardinal sin of heterosexuality: Don’t ever tell a man he’s stacked and his podcast is good. This line may singlehandedly fast-track the downfall of civilization."

This is the worst moment in the song for two reasons. One, it leaves no doubt in one’s mind that this is a song about Travis Kelce’s dick, quite specifically. It’s not just a song about any random man, or about dick in general. This is a song dedicated to one man’s dick, and that man is on your TV all the time in skin-tight pants. Secondarily, it commits the cardinal sin of heterosexuality: Don’t ever tell a man he’s stacked and his podcast is good. This line may singlehandedly fast-track the downfall of civilization.

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 8d

Yeah, it's been a mess for a while now. *My* Speedway is the smaller one closer to downtown.

Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 8d

Some news for St. Paul folks. Just saw (on fb, but from a seemingly accurate source) that the Speedway on West 7th and Otto is closing at the end of the month.

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