Minnesota musicians have banded together to pay tribute to the Magnetic Fields by covering all 69 tracks from their three-disc concept album 69 Love Songs. "The band is an indie rock institution, and it's their most classic album," Matt Latterell recently told the Local Show. Latterell worked with Chuck Terhark to assemble the compilation, build a website, and book a big release show at First Avenue on December 29.

"It's probably my favorite record of all time," says Terhark, who had previously organized a live performance of 69 Love Songs at the Turf Club. "You know, desert island, if I had to pick one, it'd probably be this one--which is kind of cheating, because it's technically three records--but there's just so much on there. You can just listen over and over again, and there's always something new to find."

Artists on the Minnesota version of the album, titled Absolutely Cuckoo, include Grammy winner Dan Wilson, Mayda, Lucy Michelle, Zoo Animal, and Matt Latterell himself. See the whole lineup and grab a free download of all 69 tracks at 69ls.mn. 

Fargo-born, NYC-based artist Amanda Warner, who performs under the name MNDR, got a big boost last night thanks to an appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman. MNDR has made her reputation as an eletro-pop artist, but in this performance she stripped down the single "Feed Me Diamonds" to showcase her powerful voice and added some beautiful string arrangements. Read more about Warner's recent success in her hometown newspaper, which includes an interview with her former Detroit Lakes, Minn. piano teacher and high school friends.