Music
Charlie Parr – “Remember Me If I Forget”
This video is from a Skype session recorded during last summer’s Frendly Gathering festival in Vermont. In an interview at the end, Parr references the famous Proctor La-Z Boy DWI incident.
Upcoming gig: Parr plays on the pier at Glensheen Mansion on July 27.
On tap at Bayfront: a plethora of craft beer
Duluth’s beeriest festival, All Pints North, is coming up on Saturday. Organized by the Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild, the tasting extravaganza at Bayfront Festival Park will include more than 120 breweries.
All Pints North began in 2012 and has mushroomed each successive year. In 2015, an estimated 3,500 people attended. The beer fest primarily highlights the guild’s roughly 100 members, but some national breweries participate as well. (more…)
Kristy Marie – “Bernie Forever”
The new video by Duluth’s Kristy Marie is in support of Bernie Sanders for President. It features instrumentation by Marc Gartman and Rich Mattson.
Pizzaghost – “Someone Died”
Noise rockers Pizzaghost performed in KUMD’s Studio A on June 9, just before the band went on hiatus.
Bob and Joan
[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]
Bob Dylan mentions a couple of northland towns at the beginning of the first song with Joan Baez in this video.
Music Shopping in Duluth
I am drained; I just want to appreciate things today. It’s almost Sidewalk Days in Duluth. Makes me appreciate all I can walk to downtown. Today, I am gushing about music.
I was walking downtown enjoying the summer and stopped in to Electric Fetus. There, I picked up the new Jean Michel Jarre CD (a double-disc, actually), Electronica 1&2. On the set, Jarre collaborates with hip, exciting new artists I have never heard of, as well as Cyndi Lauper, Laurie Anderson, Edward Snowden, Edgar Froese, John Carpenter … an eclectic batch of voices. I look at the disc and see the Orb as a collaborator and realize the Orb is already “old school” to today’s music what my parents’ music was to me. The entire package is a reminder that I am (approaching) middle age. I said “approaching.”
But it also reminds me how lucky I am that the Electric Fetus is around. And it got me thinking hard about record stores in the Twin Ports. (more…)
Glen’s Neighbor – “Destiny”
Drummer Pat Byrne produced this video for Glen’s Neighbor, utilizing practice session footage and some Duluth scenery. The song is from the band’s debut album Behind the Door.
Kraig James – “Ode to Joan”
Kraig James & the Campfire Stars are releasing a new song each month in 2016 for a project called Campfire Americana: Volume 1. “Ode to Joan” is an original song; the video includes photos and statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Northern Isolation II
The three-day Northern Isolation music and art festival returns to Duluth Aug. 19-21 for a second annual showcase of punk, metal and experimental acts. Along with plenty of local talent are several traveling bands like Lumpy & the Dumpers (from Missouri) and Happy Diving (from California).
“Northern Isolation is the product of my frustrations with the overbearing amount of conventional thinking, trends, and egotism in the world,” says promoter Dean Berlinerblau. “It’s a positively manifested ‘fuck you’ to the world’s expectations.”
The fest will be primarily comprised of shows at the Carter Building, a new skatepark, music venue and art gallery at 214-1/2 E. First St. off the alley behind the NorShor Theatre. There will also be two ambient shows in the Red Herring‘s basement Red Room, and two after-party shows at locations to be announced. An art show will be featured at the Carter during the fest and Duluth Coffee Company will be serving free coffee to keep attendees energized.
Tickets to Northern Isolation II can be found online or purchased at the door.
“Minnesota Moon” Album Cover Design Contest
Local musician Matt Ray plans to release his newest album Minnesota Moon this fall and is seeking help designing the album cover. Submit photos, paintings, drawings, etc. of your “Minnesota Moon” to matt @ mattray.org by July 1. Ray will select one image for the album cover. The winner will be awarded promotional posters, and Matt will probably throw in some CDs and swag as well.
The Aly Aleigha Band
Catholic singer/songwriter Aly Aleigha moved to Duluth after recording her first EP, Jealous Love, in 2015. She put together the Aly Aleigha Band for her performance at the 2016 Homegrown Music Festival at Superior’s Red Mug Coffeehouse, where Max Haben shot this video.
Upcoming gig: Aug. 8-12 during Camp Survive in McGregor
Shaunna Heckman – “Wandering Girl”
Shaunna Heckman performed her electronica music in KUMD‘s Studio A prior to her appearance at the Homegrown Music Festival last month.
Phantom Ship Kickstarter
Scott Gusts moved from Minneapolis to Walker in 2012 with plans to release a new Phantom Ship record inspired by his time spent on Lake Superior and in northern Minnesota. He’s running a Kickstarter for the project, which is halfway funded with five days to go. (more…)
A week of art, music and singles mingling
How do I catch you up on the past week, PDD?
Last Thursday, I went to the reopening of the Tweed. Mayor Larson was there, exciting. Ken Bloom directs one of the most significant cultural resources in the region. Bill Payne‘s tenure as Dean of the School of Fine Arts at UMD made great things possible for the Tweed, too. (more…)
Superior Siren – “Trying Too Hard”
Superior Siren performing “Trying Too Hard” at KUMD last month promoting the Homegrown Music Festival. Listen to the interview at kumd.org.
Perfect Duluth Day Outdoor Summer Concert Primer 2016
Those who prefer the safe confines of walls and a sturdy roof can check out Kiss or the Beach Boys this summer at Amsoil Arena or David Liebe Hart at the Red Herring Lounge, but ’tis the season for music under canopies or wide open to the elements.
Bayfront Festival Park and Big Top Chautauqua are hosting the usual slew of major acts throughout the summer, along with local music being showcased through smaller concert series, such as the Chester Creek Concert Series and Bayside Sounds at Barker’s Island Pavilion. With multiple shows scheduled every week throughout the summer, it’s hard to choose which ones to make time for. Here’s a look at some 2016 outdoor concert highlights.
June 14
Teague Alexy
Chester Bowl Park
The Chester Creek Concert Series launches its 34th season with a performance by poetic rock musician Teague Alexy.
June 17
Grandma’s Marathon Big Top Opening Night
Canal Park
Multi-platinum rock band Smash Mouth headlines this year’s opening night to Grandma’s Marathon weekend.
June 18
Brandi Carlile
Big Top Chautauqua
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile makes her way back for another year at the Big Top stage.
Woodblind – “Jubilee”
The ska duo of Veikko Lepisto and Jason Wussow perform “Jubilee” in KUMD’s Studio A.
Upcoming Woodblind gigs: June 9 at Beaner’s Central and June 27 at Thirsty Pagan Brewing.
The Story of Charlie Parr
Tony Polecastro interviews Duluth musician Charlie Parr.
Kat Fox – “Kat Calling”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlOvlLttWUo
Kat Fox is makin’ it on her own; just give her the microphone.
Recent Interview: Conversations on Misogyny and the Music Scene, Pt. 1
Upcoming gig: June 10 at Red Herring Lounge.
Trampled by Turtles 2015 Bayfront Park Footage
WDSE-TV’s The PlayList shot last summer’s Trampled by Turtles concert at Bayfront Festival Park. The band returns July 9 for another Bayfront show.
Ingeborg von Agassiz – “Bulletproof Vest”
Ingeborg von Agassiz performs in KUMD‘s studio in this video, shot on May 5.
Upcoming gig: Friday, June 24 at Washington Gallery
Zenith Quartette circa 1908
The Zenith Quartette was a Dutch vocal group based in Duluth. Members shown in this old flier are Carl Hvaal, first tenor; J. Olsen, second bass; O.A. Gronseth, baritone and O.O. Hovday, second tenor.
The Story of Duluth Homegrown 2016
Kip Praslowicz‘s latest memory-card dump video is a retrospective of the eight-day Homegrown Music Festival.
Music by the Electric Witch
Matt Ray – “We’ll be OK”
WDSE-TV’s The PlayList captures singer/songwriter Matt Ray performing “We’ll be OK.”