Music
Homegrown Rawk and/or Roll: Margie Nelson’s Mix
Available now for free download on Bandcamp, 20 tracks of local rawk and/or roll selected by former Homegrown Board President Margie Nelson.
It’s the 12th mix in the Homegrown Music Festival‘s series of compilations highlighting music that has shaped the Duluth scene. View the full discography at …
duluthhomegrown.bandcamp.com/music.
Dance Attic – “Livin’ with a Bear”
The Homegrown Music Video Showcase was released today. It includes this video by Dave Mehling for the Dance Attic song “Livin’ with a Bear,” from the forthcoming album Livin’ for Today.
Check out all of the Homegrown Music Video Showcase at perfectduluthday/com/hg2020. (more…)
One Less Guest – “Suitcase for Two”
Duluth band One Less Guest has released its debut album, Monochrome. In the video above, guitarist Nick Muska and violinist Ren Cooper get into a jam with a suitcase. (more…)
Homegrown Music Festival 2020 Primer
Duluth’s 22nd annual Homegrown Music Festival is basically cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but not really. Call it Virtual Homegrown. Fake Homegrown. StayHomegrown. There are no public events, but the beat goes on via the internet and other media. (more…)
Josh Peterson – “Uncertain Certainties”
An original viola performance by Josh Peterson, shot at the ruins of the U.S. Lighthouse Station Depot on Minnesota Point in Duluth. Directed and produced by Ryan Nordin. (more…)
Ming Lee – “Thinking of You”
Video for a track by Duluth’s Eddie “Ming” Lee, shot and edited by Casey Pflipsen with additional footage by Colton Wojta.
Betty Grable & Dick Haymes – “The Back Bay Polka”
From the 1946 film The Shocking Miss Pilgram, Betty Grable and Dick Haymes sing “The Back Bay Polka,” written by George and Ira Gershwin. A reference to Duluth is around the 50-second mark. (more…)
Gaelynn Lea – “Rebuild”
Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea has released a new track titled “Rebuild.” It is available on Spotify and Bandcamp. (more…)
A Bit of Ren to Lift Our Spirits
A little entertainment for you. My daughter, Ren, is in a Superior-based band called One Less Guest. With the band’s upcoming gigs cancelled for the foreseeable future, she has been taking violin song requests and live streaming every few days in the hopes of lifting our collective spirits. I thought someone here might be in need of a little music on a chilly, homebound Tuesday.
The Playlist Presents: Cory Coffman
WDSE-TV‘s The PlayList Presents is a series of 5-minute segments featuring emerging musicians, including interview clips and a live performance. This episode focuses on Cory Coffman, with a performance of the song “Canvas and Color,” shot at Duluth Cider.
The PlayList Presents airs Thursday nights at around 8:20 p.m., after Making it Up North.
Dave Mehling – “The Catfish Song”
Duluth native Dave Mehling covers Townes Van Zandt’s “The Catfish Song” in this video with images based on Tina Higgins Wussow’s short story “Wilting Point.”
Video: Charlie Parr Virtual Mid-Week Bracer
Charlie Parr performed this special online-only show on the Duluth Cider stage last night. It’s free to watch, but you can support Parr’s Live Stream Tour at Go Fund Me. The concert starts at the 9-minute mark of the video.
Charlie is Antiviral

We washed dishes while watching the best concert ever.
I reviewed Charlie Parr’s March 25 Duluth Cider concert. We’re lucky to have him. Check it out here: Charlie is Antiviral.
Duluth Album Releases in 2020
Big Into
Cold Fortunes and Warriors Obscura
(Jan. 2)
Available on Bandcamp
Glitteratti
Among the Wild
(March 6)
Available at glitterattiduluth.com
Social Animals
Best Years 7-inch
Rise Records (April 3)
Available on riserecords.com
The Richardson brothers in the book “Haunted Minnesota”

This post could also be called “Bigfoot and Us.”
Starting in 1998, my brother Allen and I wrote a “weird science” column called “Gonzo Science” for the alternative Duluth newsweekly Ripsaw. (more…)
Gaelynn Lea’s Virtual Tour, Show #1
Gaelynn Lea had to cancel her March tour due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Above is the first of two virtual concerts; the second will stream live on March 22 at 2 p.m. The shows are available for free, but you can support the artist by buying a ticket on eventbrite.com.
The PlayList Presents: NorShore Summit
WDSE-TV‘s The PlayList Presents is a series of 5-minute segments featuring emerging musicians, including interview clips and a live performance. This episode focuses on indie folk band NorShore Summit, with a performance of the song “On Your Shoulder I Rest My Head,” shot at Duluth Cider on Jan. 19.
The PlayList Presents airs Thursday nights at around 8:20 p.m., after Making it Up North.
Selective Focus: Virtual Duluth
Started on Facebook by Matt Dressel, Virtual Duluth is people posting live, streaming arts and music happenings.
Beyondbliss – “WuHan!! Got You All in Check”
Duluth rapper Beyondbliss parodies Busta Rhymes’ 1996 hit “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” in this new video.


