Solid Gold is a Minneapolis-based collective of eccentric noisemakers, who, from show to show, can go from looking like polished mariachis to carefree surfer boys. And, like their chameleon attire, the group’s sound ranges widely too-- from throbbing electronic beats to smooth, psychedelic melodies. Comprised of core members Zack Coulter, Adam Hurlburt, and Matt Locker-- with Jonathan Airis and Sean Troth as additions-- the trio migrated from Madison, Wisconsin three years ago to set up shop in lead singer Coulter’s original hometown, though they’ve spent much of their recent days elsewhere thanks to their touring schedule. Garnering a steady following state side playing local to major festival showcases at SXSW, the group has also made a splash abroad, playing to rowdy crowds at the Iceland Airwaves Festival in Reykjavik, and the Vice/WeSC Old Blue Last party in London.

Hailing from the place perhaps best known for being the stomping grounds of music icon Prince (and home to the Mall of America, and the Great Lakes), Coulter joined psychoPEDIA after a performance at NYC’s Pianos to take a tour of his Twin City:

Were you influenced highly by Prince and the “Minneapolis Sound” he created?
I was, but when he was huge, I was only 6 years old. We’ve recorded in some of the same studios he used before.

Where did you get the idea to incorporate a lap steel guitar in your music?
We used to go to a bar called The Bulldog where Sean worked, and we just started chatting with him and found out what he played. We were recording already and thought it would be cool to add, so then he just started playing shows with us about six months ago.

Since one of your tracks is called “Bible Thumper,” can it be assumed you are spiritual?
No, but Matt really likes crystals. He’s big into crystal magic.

What stands out about the music scene?
There’s a good public radio station, The Current, that plays a lot of local music and original commercials, and Radio K, which is student run. That’s a good asset, because we’ll get play quite a bit on these stations. Other than that, the music press is horseshit.

Do any of the band members have twins in the Twin Cities? Or, if you could have one, who would it be?
Sean and I get mistaken for each other all the time. I know Matt would want Patrick Swayze as a twin. For me, maybe Michael Jackson.

Since Pillsbury is based out of Minneapolis, have you ever had dough boy sightings?
I think he went into retirement.

With a name like Solid Gold, you must know where to pick up some good flashy accessories...
There’s one place that used to be an old White Castle on Lyndale [White Castle Building No. 8], and they sell jewelry inside.

As you make some bold fashion statements on and off-stage, where do you shop for your unique clothes?
We’re kind of shameless with wearing our own band T-shirts, and Matt makes most of them. I haven’t bought an article of clothing in a long time. But if we do any shopping, it’s thrift shopping. Everyday People, where our friend works, is probably the best.

Favorite spots to perform live?
The Kitty Cat Club and 7th Street Entry— the club connected to First Avenue.

Places where we'd find the band vegging out after a show?
Barbette, a French bistro bar with a good happy hour. And The Local downtown, where you just go to get a Guinness.

Where does Solid Gold get into the most trouble?
Probably the strip club called Seville. Matt and I have actually eaten there before. He had a buffalo chicken salad. He loves buffalo chicken. And I had a Caesar salad. Pretty weird.

Minneapolis is one of the most environmentally friendly and health-conscious US cities. What especially healthy spots do you like?
There’s a good amount of co-ops. Seward is one that’s really cool. The Greenway goes right through the middle of the city and has good biking trails. And Tao Natural-– they make really good healthy stuff.

And, for a city known as America's "Most Literate," what are the best places to pick up good reading material?
Magers & Quinn. And there’s some good comic book shops, one called Big Brain Comics. We have a really good library system, too. I haven’t been reading as much as I probably should these days.

Forbes ranked it the third best US city for couples. Are there nice places to take a date?
The strip club-– just kidding. I moved there with a girlfriend, then broke up. So it didn’t work out so well for me. Bryant Lake Bowl has a date night where you can go for dinner, cheap drinks, and bowling.

Is there a rivalry between Minnesotans and Canadians over who reigns higher in the mall kingdom?
I don’t trust Canadians.

What's the best place to crash if you're from out of town?
If you’re in a band, you can always stay with someone else in a band. The last place I stayed in town was The Depot, a hotel with a water slide, big pool, and ice rink inside.

Best-kept secret in Minneapolis?
Matt’s Bar, which has the best cheeseburger in the world. It’s called a “Jucy Lucy” and has cheese in the middle.

What’s next for Solid Gold?
We’re staying in New York for a while doing shows, then back to Minneapolis to record our album, which should come out in September.

~Leann Peterson