Music
Traditional Christmas folk musical stylings of Goat Hill Quartet
On Saturday, I was at Wussow’s for coffee, and midway through the morning Goat Hill Quartet appeared. The group’s traditional Christmas folk musical stylings raised money for Loaves and Fishes.
Trampled by Turtles with Alan Sparhawk – “When I Go Deaf”
Alan Sparhawk joined Trampled by Turtles for a performance of the Low song “When I Go Deaf” two weeks ago at the Armory in Minneapolis. Gina Nagler Smith captured the performance in this video. (more…)
Colleen “Boss Mama” Myhre with New Salty Dog at Radio Waves
Colleen “Boss Mama” Myhre and New Salty Dog teamed up at the 15th annual Radio Waves Music Festival in Grand Marais back in September. The video was shot by Bear Witness Media for WTIP North Shore Community Radio, with an audio mix by Will Moore.
Lord, to be 35 Forever
I wish I could remember more about the first Hold Steady concert I saw. I know it was in 2005 at the Duluth Pizza Lucé. I know I went alone. I’ll never forget how Lucé felt during shows back then. But beyond that I’ve got almost nothing. No memory of specific songs they played or how big they sounded in that small room or what happened in my body and brain while it was going on.
I can’t even remember why I went. I wasn’t a Hold Steady fan. For most of 2004 I’d seen music magazine stories about how supposedly great they were, and that was my reason for ignoring them. I was early-30s going on 15 in some ways. One way was that I resisted music other people liked, as I’d done since junior high, because how would anyone know how special I was if I didn’t oppose things other people supported? (Ask me how I still feel about U2, REM, Faith No More, and INXS.) Maybe I went because curiosity wore down my resistance and misjudgment. Maybe I’m remembering it wrong and I’d been listening to them for a while.
A fan site says the show was on March 12 (a Saturday). I think I remember Lucé being full but not as packed as I’d seen it for the Black-eyed Snakes, Brother Ali, Dillinger Four, or Trampled by Turtles. Not chaotic like those shows. I think it was for sure the first time I’d heard any Hold Steady songs. Did I get bored? Sometimes that happens if I don’t know the songs, even when a band is good. Could I make out any lyrics? I had to like the actual music, which sounds like classic rock, punk, power pop, and other genres the Gen X music omnivores in the band would have inhaled while growing up. (more…)
“Bird Love Song” by Cory Coffman
Duluth’s Cory Coffman composed what he calls “this super cheesy love song from a musical that doesn’t exist.” Alexander Sandor is on piano, Adam Sippola sings and Alyssa Johnson of Blind Spot Creatives handles the video work.
MN Moder – “Christ Air”
Duluth-based hip-hop artist Zachary Moder, aka MN Moder, hangs out with Jesus at Enger Tower in his new music video, produced by Montclair Media.
Rafe Carlson – “A Place to Fall”
The new single from Hermantown’s Rafe Carlson has been released on Veteran’s Day for a reason. He’s donating 1,000 percent of his streaming revenue to 23rd Veteran, an organization that helps military veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
One more tribute to Low
Rick Beato on Low. (more…)
Chuck Haavik – “I Hung a Cross in My Heart”
The fifth single from Duluth’s Chuck Haavik is a bit more Gospel leaning than his previous songs. “I Hung a Cross in My Heart,” features Dave Mehling keys and Taylor Donskey on string bass.
Farewell to Mimi Parker, from Slate
Slate senior editor Sam Adams on the life and death of Mimi Parker and the music of Low.
Robert Plant pays tribute to Mimi Parker
Legendary rocker Robert Plant and his band Saving Grace, featuring Suzi Dian, paid tribute to recently departed Duluth musician Mimi Parker last night during a performance at King’s Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland. (more…)
Mimi Parker of Low has died of ovarian cancer
Duluth News Tribune: “Mimi Parker, of Duluth band Low, dies of ovarian cancer
Pitchfork: “Low’s Mimi Parker has died”
NPR: “Mimi Parker, vocalist and drummer of the minimalist rock band Low, has died”
Rolling Stone: “Low’s Mimi Parker, whose otherworldly vocals helped define slowcore, dead at 55 after cancer battle”
PDD Calendar: Mimi Park Vigil at Sacred Heart
Rich Mattson and the Northstars – “Echo Chamber”
Rich Mattson and the Northstars have a new album titled Out There set for release on Nov. 4. “Echo Chamber” is the band’s newest video release. (more…)
Trampled by Turtles – “Starting Over”
Trampled by Turtles released a new album last week, Alpenglow, along with a new music video, shot and edited by Cooper Baumgartner.
Duluth Central High School Jazz Ensemble
The 1977 album Project Two features music by various high school jazz groups, including a track from the Duluth Central High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by James Stellmaker. The tune “All God’s Children” was composed by Dominic Spera.
Philip Blackburn’s Ghostly Psalms
I hadn’t heard of Philip Blackburn until I found this recording online. Blackburn “was born in Cambridge, England, and studied music there as a Choral Scholar at Clare College (BA, MA). He earned his Ph.D. in Composition from the University of Iowa.” At some point, he relocated to Minnesota. (more…)
Shippee – “Song in a Letter”
The third video release from Blake Shippee’s new solo album, It All Started from a Whisper, was produced by Laura Jean.
Shippee – “Moonlight”
Duluth’s Blake Shippee has a solo album titled It All Started from a Whisper. The second music video release is directed by Shane Nelson. (more…)
Maya Hawke – “Sweet Tooth”
The latest reference to Duluth in song comes from Maya Hawke, daughter of actors Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. She released her second album, Moss, in September. The song “Sweet Tooth” mentions an empty theater in Duluth around the 30-second mark. (more…)
Admiral Fallow and El Niño IPA
Ten years ago today — Oct. 11, 2012 — the Scottish alternative rock band Admiral Fallow performed on KEXP-FM in Seattle, Wash. What does that have to do with Duluth? Well, note the familiar-looking shirt worn by singer-songwriter Louis Abbott. (more…)
Shippee – “Jolene”
Duluth’s Blake Shippee, known for his work as front man of the bands Boxcar and Glen’s Neighbor, has a solo album set for release Oct. 12. His new music video is for a song about anxiety. It’s directed by Richard Medek of Bones & Wire. Familiar scenes in the video include the West Theater and Pizza Lucé.
Walt Dizzo on ‘The Local’ spinning Duluth oldies
Longtime KUWS radio host Walt Dizzo crossed the bridge to appear on WDSE “The North” for the Sept. 28 episode of “The Local.” Joining the show’s host, Malachy Koons, Dizzo dove into rare finds from his personal collection to share on the show, which generally features more modern local music. Three tracks were from the present millennium, but most of them were golden oldies. The episode is archived online an can be listened to at thenorth1033.org. (more…)
Low Concerts on the Internet Archive
There are an array of Low concerts available on the Internet archive. Joy joy joy while also vaguely restful.
The master list of recordings is at archive.org/details/lowmusic. (more…)
Trampled by Turtles – “A Lifetime to Find”
The new Trampled by Turtles album Alpenglow is scheduled for release Oct. 28. The album’s producer, Jeff Tweedy wrote the song “A Lifetime to Find,” which he recorded with his band Wilco for the album Cruel Country. (more…)
Sonofmel – “Grand Marais” (Live at Billings Park)
John “Sonofmel” Adler was joined around the firepit at Billings Park in Superior by a supporting cast of musicians for the song “Grand Marais,” during a Superior Porchfest event on Sept. 8. Ben “Jammin” Anderson of Ben15 Studios shot the video.