With hints of Queens of the Stone Age, Cardigans and The New Pornographers, Minneapolis group The Small Cities‘ new four-track EP demonstrates a rich cadre of influences and style.

Self-produced and recorded throughout 2007 in various places around Minnesota, hopefully this is a harbinger of good things to come.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Leif Bjonson (Guitar/Vox), David Osborn (Drums/Vox) and Jimmy Osterholt (Bass) to talk about the group, the new album and a coalition of cheetahs…

You guys are from all over the Midwest. How did you get together?
Leif and I grew up together in Amery, Wisconsin.  We played in bands together in high school, then parted ways for college. Jimmy and I met at college. I knew he was a shredder then, but we didn’t really start playing together until Leif moved back from Madison, and three of us converged into one, band speaking.

Is that why you named your band TSC?
Yep. We definitely have that small town pride.  And I think there’s definitely that sensibility in the Twin Cities too, which is partly why we like it so much here.  Plus, it alliterates.

Who are your influences?
I’m most influenced by newish stuff, thanks to my older brothers. Like, I was into “Siamese Dream” before I knew about the Beatles.  I’ve been a huge Low and Radiohead fan for years now. I like melody! Even if it’s small. Jimmy was weened on metal, but now has a bit broader range, and really likes bands like TV on the Radio and Mew. Leif was raised by hippies and given heavy doses of Zeppelin, Beach Boys, CSNY, and the Beatles. Now he is the biggest music monger among us.

What’s new with you guys?
Our good friend Todd has started playing guitar with us, and that’s been great. And he and his wife just had a baby! Little Solveigh.

If TSC was an animal, what would it be and why?
A cheetah. They have a need for speed.

Tell us about the track “Fargo” off your new EP.
“Fargo” was one of the first songs we wrote together, and some of the first lyrics I tried writing in years.  Started with the melodies first, and everything else came after that.  It’s about growing up, and for the first time, realizing you are capable of doing bad things that can affect others.  I guess it’s also a tribute then, to those days before this really occurs to you.

Tell us Showcase MN set on KARE 11 today and your CD Release show on Friday.
Our publicist lovingly set us up with Showcase MN. We’re going to do “Fargo” bright and early. Really excited about the CD release show. Mighty Fairly and Fitzgerald are playing with us and they’re great.  It’s going to be really fun.

Where can people buy the new EP?
Probably easiest to buy it from our label here.But it should be in local independent record stores soon, and should be available for download everywhere on Tuesday, May 27th.

The Small Cities CD Release is this Friday, May 23 at Turf Club with Mighty Fairly and Fitzgerald.