Music
Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners – “Central Hillside ’91”
Presenting the world premiere of “Central Hillside ’91,” the new single and video from Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners. The song is full of early 1990s nostalgia, and the video was shot and edited by David Syring, with scenes captured in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood, of course. (more…)
The Musician as Inventor
The recent passing of Eddie Van Halen reminded me of a favorite topic: the musician as inventor. I refer to the invention of objects, techniques, and concepts. It’s invention in the service of an art form. For instance, musical instruments are invented, then shaped with further inventions which make additional modifications possible. Musicians have always been inventors. Here are some of my favorite examples.
Rock and Roll Itself
The invention of rock music, with its pedigree of blues, gospel, and so on, is these days commonly attributed to Chuck Berry in the early 1950s. Berry produced the musical mutant that would conquer the world when he combined rhythm and blues with country and western guitar licks, then packaged it with guitar solos and other showmanship. His signature duck walk may be considered a lasting invention, still in use by Angus Young of AC/DC who credits Berry for, well, everything. Berry was influenced by Sister Loretta Tharpe, whose 1944 song, “Strange Things Happening Every Day,” is sometimes considered the first rock record. (more…)
The Slice: Ian Alexy
Musician Ian Alexy is documenting his life and career during the COVID-19 pandemic through a documentary titled Making it Shine.
In its series The Slice, WDSE-TV presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.
Gavin St. Clair “Goodbye” EP Release Show
Duluth-based folk singer Gavin St. Clair has a new EP titled Goodbye and performed a livestream concert last night on Facebook. The show starts around the 3:25 mark on the video above. Fundraising campaigns can be found at paypal.me/gavinstclair and venmo.com/gavin-clair.
Matinee Musicale: 120 Years of Chamber Music
Matinee Musicale has been putting on chamber music performances in Duluth since 1900. This year the entire season of performances will be online, for free, released monthly on Matinee Musicale’s YouTube channel. (more…)
The Brothers Burn Mountain – “I Just Walk Away”
The third video release from the Brothers Burn Mountain‘s new album The Dark Exchange was shot by Ryan Dermody. The brothers are joined musically on this track by Alan Sparhawk on electric guitar and vocals, and Brooke Anderson and Dawn King on vocals.
Creating Apart: Lyz Jaakola
Lyz Jaakola is a musician and teacher from Cloquet, Minnesota. In this video by documentary filmmaker Mike Scholtz, Lyz talks about how her family responded to the pandemic with music. (more…)
Steve’s Overpopulated One-Man Band – “Productivity”
Iron Ranger Steve Solkela lives for ripping up a to-do list. His overpopulated one-man band expands to two on this track, with Matti Jarva on percussion.
Jeff Tweedy – “Gwendolyn”
Look for Duluthian Gaelynn Lea — or at least part of her — singing along in this new video by Jeff Tweedy.
There are also other people you may have heard of.
Dave Mehling – “Show Biz Kids”
The latest release from Duluth native Dave Mehling‘s forthcoming album, Beach Boy, is this Steely Dan cover.
The Slamming Doors – “Grown Man”
The Slamming Doors released volume one of a multi-part album titled Brown Bears this past summer. The video for the track “Grown Man” was shot at Quarry Park in West Duluth in early August.
Cory Coffman – “Canvas and Color”
Duluth musician Cory Coffman has released the official music video for his single “Canvas and Color,” the title track from his upcoming album. (more…)
Earth Rider Fest 2020
The pandemic being what it is, live music has been rare in 2020 and festivals have been rarer. On Sept. 12, Earth Rider Brewery in Superior held its third anniversary event on its spacious festival grounds with limited admission, a few masks here and there, and a bit of distancing. (Originally this post featured a recap video, but it has since been removed from YouTube.)
Nate J. Mattson – “Moon Racer”
This experimental music video by Duluth’s Nate J. Mattson features Shereé doing her “Original Tiger Dance.”
Richard G. Hofacre – “City Lights of Duluth”
This song by Richard Gary Hofacre, which hit YouTube in 2012, has roots going back about 60 years. (more…)
Mary Bue – “The World is Your Lover”
Former Duluthian Mary Bue has a new 14-track album out. Above is the video for the title track, produced by Kate Harrison and featuring Brittany Rae Broman.
Charlie Parr – “On Stealing a Sailboat”
Duluth’s Charlie Parr has released a new video for this track from his 2019 self-titled album. The video is directed by Lance Lindahl.
The Brothers Burn Mountain – “The Dark Exchange”
The second video release from the Brothers Burn Mountain‘s new album The Dark Exchange features Dawn King joining the Dermody brothers at the homestead. And the brothers are joined musically by Alan Sparhawk on electric guitar and vocals, and Brooke Anderson on vocals.
The Brothers Burn Mountain – “I Won’t Wait for a Ride”
The Brothers Burn Mountain are releasing a new album, The Dark Exchange, in early September. It’s a collaboration with Alan Sparhawk of Low and several other musicians, including Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling. The video for “I Won’t Wait For A Ride” is directed by Roger D. Feldhans.
Thomas X featuring Brandon Graves – “I’m Anishinaabe”
From the Red Lake Reservation, about 100 miles northwest of Duluth, comes this musical celebration of Anishinaabe Ojibwe culture.
Thomas Barrett, aka Thomas X, leads a group of Red Lake Boys and Girls Club members who sing and dance along to Barrett’s original song, “I’m Anishinaabe.”
Patrick Nelson – “The Good Life”
Superior native and University of Minnesota Duluth alum Patrick Nelson has released this cover of Bill LaBounty’s 1988 single “The Good Life.”
Nelson handles the drums, bass, guitars, organ and vocals from Minneapolis. Elliott Blaufuss is on horns, additional keys and guitars from Nashville.
Ingeborg von Agassiz – “Slow Motion Lullaby”
Another new music composition and video by Duluth’s Ingeborg von Agassiz.
Dave Mehling – “Garden”
Duluth native Dave Mehling has released another video for a track from his upcoming album — Beach Boy.