Music
Six Versions of ‘I Like it in Duluth’
The original version of the local anthem “I Like it in Duluth” appears on the 1976 self-titled album by the Moose Wallow Ramblers. The late John Berquist penned the song. Joining him in the band were Greg and Charlotte Ham. Numerous versions of the song have been recorded by other acts over the years; a few are presented below. (more…)
Brittany Lind is new host of “The Duluth Local Show”
The Duluth Local Show has a new host. Brittany Lind recently took the helm of the Sunday night radio program that features music by Duluth-area musicians. Her first broadcast was March 3.
Lind replaces Mike Novitzki, who hosted the show from May 2016 to December 2018. Andrea Swensson served as interim host.
The one-hour show on St. Paul-based Minnesota Public Radio’s the Current is broadcast on Sundays from 8 to 9 p.m. on three Duluth satellite stations — 90.9, 94.1 and 104.3 FM. It does not air in the Twin Cities market, but is on the Local Current stream on Mondays at 2 p.m. and archived at thecurrent.org. (more…)
People’s Free Skate Rink
Tomas Soderberg’s video scrapbook from the People’s Free Skate Rink on Saturday. This event was the culmination of a rolling 7-day spontaneous party on foot-thick ice over 40-foot-deep water. Featuring DJ Kevin Craig, in a set he shared with Pete Biasi / Raw Space. Footage includes the snowy owl that buzzed us in the final frames.
Jenny Lewis – “Heads Gonna Roll”
Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis mentions Duluth in the song “Heads Gonna Roll” from the new album On the Line, scheduled for release on March 22. (more…)
The Decemberists – “Traveling On”
Portland, Ore.-based indie rock band the Decemberists refer to Duluth in the song “Traveling On,” released in November on an EP of the same name. (more…)
Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners – “Salt in the Snow”
New music video from Duluth’s Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners, shot at Ely’s Peak and Clyde Iron Works with Kevin Jacobsen.
The band plays Feb. 16 at Klockow Brewing Company in Grand Rapids and March 8 at Blacklist Artisan Ales in Duluth.
Duluth Album Releases in 2019
Coyote
A Different Path
(Jan. 8)
Available on Bandcamp
T. Dack
Entropic Blue
(Jan. 17)
Available on Bandcamp
Station Ident
Volume One
Xero Music (Jan. 15)
Available on Bandcamp
Selective Focus: Max Mileski
Selective Focus has been a series mostly about visual arts, but there is an undeniable link between music and visuals. This week Max Mileski talks about making music, creating a band and the work that goes into building the sound and the aesthetic that goes with it.
MM: My name is Max Mileski, I work under the nom de plume – Sadkin. I merrily toil with contemporary music as a multi-instrumentalist who writes and records songs in a self contained, d.i.y. manner. Two years ago I released the first collected works of Sadkin, Élan Vital. In speaking more specifically with regards to style, the music is categorized first as Alternative. Within that, there are certainly some subdivisions which help describe the sound ~ Artpop, New Wave, New Romantic, Synthrevival. Most recently and with the help of 4 other inspired souls in Duluth, I’ve been able to take Sadkin to the stage as a live show. The performances have been unquestionably invigorating and has more recently pushed Sadkin into new arenas, exploring deliberate visual components closely tied to the music.
(more…)
Rachael Kilgour – “Game Changer”
The second single from Duluth native Rachael Kilgour‘s new EP, Game Changer.
The Slamming Doors – “Clover”
Duluth-based roots-rock band the Slamming Doors perform the song “Clover” for The White Wall Sessions in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The band has Duluth gigs coming up Feb. 13 at Teatro Zuccone during TED at Teatro, Feb. 23 at Blush, and March 15 at Ursa Minor.
Tim Kaiser – “Organelle”
Tim Kaiser appears to be reorganizing his recordings on SoundCloud, and so this gem appears on my feed. (more…)
Shinobi – “Risk Zone”
Duluth rapper Shinobi shouts out to his city in this video shot and edited by Daniel Weiser.
Video Archive: Tim Kaiser on PBS’ “Make”
It was ten years ago — January 2009 — when Duluth musician Tim Kaiser was featured on the public television program Make.
2018: The Year in Duluth Gig Posters
Here it is, the annual gallery o’ rock posters. As usual, by no means is this a comprehensive collection, nor is it a carefully curated archive of the best. It’s just a bunch of random 2018 concert posters. (more…)
Interim host keeps the Current’s Duluth music show rolling
Andrea Swensson is serving as guest host of The Duluth Local Show on the Current. (Photo by Leslie Plesser)
The Duluth Local Show, a weekly one-hour radio program featuring music by Duluth-area musicians, will close out 2018 in a transition phase. Mike Novitzki, who had hosted the show since May 2016, announced his resignation in October and his farewell episode aired Dec. 2.
Andrea Swensson, a Moose Lake native who has been an on-air personality and writer at St. Paul-based Minnesota Public Radio’s the Current since 2005, has served as guest host of The Duluth Local Show since Novitzki’s departure. She is also the regular host of an all-Minnesota music show with a similar title, The Local Show. (more…)
Onyx Ashanti and Robot Rickshaw on Bloodfeast
The Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim” online programming includes a show called Bloodfeast, in which the New York Times crossword puzzle is solved while hosts Dave Bonowits and Max Simonet banter and strange musicians go about their business. Duluth’s Robot Rickshaw appeared on the Dec. 18 episode with frequent collaborator Onyx Ashanti. (more…)
Ingeborg von Agassiz – “Shoemaker Sally”
A song about painting over from Duluth’s Ingeborg von Agassiz.
Will Branch – “Duluth”
Milwaukee-based American roots musician Will Branch released a song called “Duluth” on his 2004 album Press On.
And the harsh wind is blowing up steep streets of old Duluth
Around the house you were born in, middle of World War II
Ingeborg von Agassiz – “The Holly & the Ivy”
A short little Christmas tune from Duluth’s Ingeborg von Agassiz.
The Feelin’ – “Bob Dylan Loves Duluth”
Before Nicholas David was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice, he was known as Nick “The Feelin'” Mrozinski, a singer-songwriter based in St. Paul whose band frequently backed up Duluth music-scene staple Teague Alexy.
The song “Bob Dylan Loves Duluth” first appeared on the Feelin’ Band’s 2008 album The Sacred Play of Life and was released again the same year on Mrozinski’s solo piano album, Oak Chase Way. The version above is from the 2010 compilation album Midwest Jam Season 1, on which Mrozinski is credited simply as the Feelin’.
Superior Siren – “For Mother”
New video by Superior Siren, created in memory of Linda Ross Sellner, 1954-2018. (more…)
Emily Haavik & the 35s: “Ease Back”
Brand new video from the album being released tonight at Blacklist with Jerree Small.
Shot and edited by Michelle Truax.
Ingeborg von Agassiz – “Poem for a Pigeon”
Yet another spontaneous little ditty from Duluth’s Ingeborg von Agassiz.
Rachael Kilgour – “Holy Are We”
The first single from Duluth native Rachael Kilgour‘s upcoming EP, Game Changer made Rolling Stone’s list of “10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week.”
The video is by Sara Pajunen. The album is scheduled for release Feb. 1 on NewSong Recordings.