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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈

@rossraihala.bsky.social
3.2K followers 745 following 2.7K 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. Proud Union member. Gen X. It's pronounced Ray-la.

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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 7h
My photo doesn't totally capture it, but the sky right now is the same color as my shirt
Pink skyPink shirt
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 8h
Name a great b-sides collection. Here's two to start:
Suede's Sci-Fi LullabiesPet Shop Boys' Alternative
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 11h
The Current should adopt Radio K's style for its automated skeets. There's already a photo of the Current's DJ and his name embedded, no need to start each skeet with the DJ's name listed a second time. I want to look at the skeet and immediately see the song playing.
Automated skeet from the Current showing the song currently playing. Automated skeet from Radio K showing the song currently playing.
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Maxine Roper @maxinefrances.bsky.social · 15h
Won’t lie, I wouldn’t have spotted the gardening business/Placebo lyric crossover potential
Gardening van with the slogan “A friend in need is a friend indeed but a friend with weed is better”
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
People on threads just be making shit up
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Michael Jay McClure @mjmimages.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Me trying to explain my plan/idea in simple, practical terms.
Unnamed & dashing art handler, white gloved, French cuffed, placing Maurice de Vlaminck’s seldom seen, Fauvist masterpieces « Nature morte à la cruche bleue » onto the wall. He looks cautious & skeptical. It is also the greatest photo ever.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
static.klipy.com
Simpsons Characters Dancing at The Anvil
ALT: Simpsons Characters Dancing at The Anvil
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This was such a bad look I was compelled to take a photo of the tv. It's like he cleaned out his closet for this.
A confirmed bachelor wearing too many layers on Almanac.
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Caryn Rose @carynrose.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
@snipy.bsky.social @wentrogue.bsky.social I just want to make sure you all know about this amazing Patti phototography etc exhibit in your city: www.weinsteinhammons.com - if gas wasn’t $5 I would find a way to come out for it bc there are things I have not seen
weinsteinhammons.com
Weinstein Hammons Gallery
Since 1996, Weinstein Hammons Gallery has worked with internationally recognized artists working in all media, with a special focus on modern and contemporary photography.
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Mandy (she/her) @mjneuman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Hey! I’ve got a podcast with a couple of friends. We talk about all things death. You might find it interesting. Or maybe someone you know will. podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id68...
podcasts.apple.com
Don't Fear the Reaper
Philosophy Podcast · We're talking about death, because it's the one thing we all have in common. Three good friends dive into the deep end with guests that include everyone from experts in death-rela...
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Chris Steller @chrissteller.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For sale: Employee lounge, never used.
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Jon @jonmbauer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I like to think this is the sort of stuff I'd do if I was a billionaire. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
rollingstone.com
Apple Is Opening a Music Venue Inside the Pink Floyd 'Animals' Power Station
London's Battersea Power Station, famously depicted on the album cover of Pink Floyd's 'Animals,' has become Apple Music Hall.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I replaced the ink in this printer four or five years ago. I have printed perhaps a dozen pages in the time since.
Pop up alert saying I need to replace the black ink in my Brother printer.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Teddy Swims and his hot dog cannon were, uh, a lot. Here's my review of tonight's show (gift link):
twincities.com
Concert review: Teddy Swims goes full force at boisterous Grand Casino Arena show
The crowd of more than 9,000 had more children than one might expect.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Teddy Swims and his hot dog cannon were, uh, a lot. Here's my review of tonight's show (gift link):
twincities.com
Concert review: Teddy Swims goes full force at boisterous Grand Casino Arena show
The crowd of more than 9,000 had more children than one might expect.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I'm at a Teddy Swims concert and he just took out a modified t-shirt cannon and shot hot dogs into the crowd.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Wondering if tonight is the night I'm going to forgo short pants for long short pants for the first time in months.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I have voted! No line at the office on Plato.
Photo of my I Voted sticker
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Scott 𐚁 🦇 Cave 🦇 @hellabarnes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
the music actually chose to die in that plane crash, in anticipation of how bad your song about it would be
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Great photo of P taken by a bartender at my favorite bar
A photo of Patric on the cover of Lake Minnetonka magazine
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Kacey Musgraves was an absolute delight tonight. And, yes, as you may have heard, she has a giant pair of floating, low-hanging (disco) balls as part of her stage set up. Here's my review (gift link):
twincities.com
Concert review: Kacey Musgraves was charming and cheeky at Target Center
She joked about the possibility of one of her breasts falling out of her strappy top and told the crowd of about 10,000 that this was a family show and then, moments later, let her first of several ex...
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I'm sure some devoted Weezer fans are going to say I'm exaggerating when I say the sound tonight was awful. But it was easily the worst sound I've heard at the home of the Wild in ages. Here's my review (gift link): www.twincities.com/2026/09/20/c...
twincities.com
Concert review: Weezer undone by awful sound at Grand Casino Arena
The weak material on the band’s latest self-titled album didn’t help matters.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Anyone else at Weezer? The sound is terrible.
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Hank & Townes’s Mom @katehascats.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
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Keith Harris @usefulnoise.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Phoebe Bridgers knows how to arena-rock. My review.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
What would we, as a society, do without mediocre men who have strong sports opinions?
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It still kind of amazes me that Phoebe Bridgers can sell out a hockey arena, but she did just that Thursday night in St. Paul. (On the same stage Eric Clapton played two nights ago to a much smaller crowd.) Here's my review (gift link):
twincities.com
Concert review: Phoebe Bridgers creates her own world at sold out Grand Casino Arena show
The 32-year-old singer/songwriter drew more than 14,000 fans, ranging from excited Zoomers to more restrained Gen Xers
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Wild recently switched from Ticketmaster to SeatGeek for all ticket sales. While I don't like that SeatGeek began as a scalpers marketplace, I will say their app is 100 times better than Ticketmaster's. I mean, you open it and, wham, there's your tickets for tonight's show right there waiting.
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Chris Steller @chrissteller.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Can't believe the estate let Prince's stuff end up at a thrift store
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
She comes with a White Claw and pack of Marlboro Lights.
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But Andrew Hickey Died Ten Years Ago This Very Night @andrewhickey.500songs.com · 17/09/2026
If you just casually listen to the Bee Gees it's hard to grasp how deeply, deeply, *deeply* weird they were. Bob Stanley in his book talks about them being outsider artists, and they were. They're every bit as odd and idiosyncratic as Tiny Tim or Captain Beefheart.
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andrea @whitegirlinacrowd.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
it’s impossible to meet people who recently moved to minnesota and not sound like you’ve been hired by the state tourism board to immediately divulge everything you love about living here
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I've got some work to do.
TouchTunes notification telling me I need to play 100 songs by the end of the year to remain a Platinum Player.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The new all-civilians Traitors that's airing for the first time on NBC has a St. Paul native as one of 22 contestants. Her name is Abby Lee and she's an astrophysicist. Here's my interview with her (gift link):
twincities.com
‘The Traitors: New Blood’ includes St. Paul native (and astrophysicist) Abby Lee
“My job is pretty stressful sometimes and reality TV, specifically ‘The Traitors,’ is my way of unwinding at the end of the day,” said the Central High School grad.
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Mandy (she/her) @mjneuman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I’m looking for a handyman that will go to St. Croix Falls, WI. There’s a dishwasher with a broken spring and some casement windows that don’t open and close the way they should. Please let me know if you know someone.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Happy anniversary to my favorite Strib review ever, of a Dave Matthews Band concert in 2010.
"The closing jam was so fierce that Reynolds and Beauford fisted each other afterward."
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Eric Clapton performed what could be his final Twin Cities concert tonight. He's not my thing at all, but he's a compelling live performer (when he wants to be). Here's my review (gift link): www.twincities.com/2026/09/15/c...
twincities.com
Concert review: Guitar wizard Eric Clapton holds Grand Casino Arena audience under his spell
In recent years, Eric Clapton has taken a leisurely approach to touring, playing an average of 20 shows a year, with a half dozen U.S. dates each fall. The only three-time inductee to the Rock and Ro...
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Following Macklemore's ouster four other acts have left the Ed Sheeran tour in solidarity: Lukas Graham, Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Beoga. The first three are openers, but Beoga actually plays a six-song set with Sheeran in his show. And they were the best thing about Sheeran's tour stop here.
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the mollster mash @ilikemints.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
i'm watching this bob mackie documentary on tubi and honestly the truest mark of friendship is carol burnett being so angry she's crying that bob mackie lost the best costume oscar to chariots of fire FORTY-THREE YEARS LATER
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JBF @jbf.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Co-sign this! If an Oasis documentary/concert film interests you at all, go see it in IMAX while you can this week. All I really wanna know is how much Liam’s REI reward was in 2025.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
As gays of a certain age, we are legally required to be Bob Mackie fans. Tonight we're watching this documentary in his honor.
hbomax.com
Watch Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion | HBO Max
Watch Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion on HBO Max. Plans start at $10.99/month. A documentary about the legendary costume designer.
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hammancheez but spooky @hammancheez.bsky.social · 29/10/2024
I am declaring war on 82% of bluesky with this
Spirit halloween “former gifted child”

Nothing included

When people ask “what are you supposed to be” answer “i was supposed to be a lot of things”
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Some guys at the nearby AA spot are currently sitting on the porch blasting Tool.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
OK, the Oasis doc was *fantastic* I couldn't believe how great the band sounds, including Liam who still has one of the greatest voices in rock. If you've been on the fence, you should really go ahead and see it in IMAX while you still can.
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I'm going to see the Oasis doc this afternoon with @twindependent.bsky.social! Unfortunately, I don't anticipate hearing either of my two favorite Oasis songs: Columbia and Mucky Fingers.
Movie poster for the Oasis documentary Don't Look Back in Anger
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
It appears Lady Gaga has given birth to a baby.
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Audrey @stoatno1.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Excuse me, but where is The Jacket™ section?
Seating section inside a ballpark, where several individuals standing are wearing the St Paul Saints corduroy jacket.   Same section, from afar.Same section, from a-close.
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Jeff Underbridges @shovelfoot.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Hail Muddona! #jacketmeetup
The Queen of Pig's Eye
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Wes Burdine @wesburdine.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Look at these freaking dorks
Massive group of dorks wearing a corduroy jacket
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Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈 @rossraihala.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
LL Cool J can still get it
Photo of sexy old LL Cool J grinning and looking fine
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