Music
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.”
R.I.P. John Berquist
John W. Berquist, founder of the Moose Wallow Ramblers band and writer of the song “I Like it in Duluth,” died May 12 at his home in Fayal Township. He was 69.
You probably haven’t heard of KTWH-FM of Two Harbors
There’s something amazing going on at a little community radio station in Two Harbors. If you haven’t heard of KTWH it is most likely due to its recent arrival upon the airwaves and its status as a low-power community radio station. If you live outside of its broadcast range, streaming online will be your only recourse, but it is well worth the effort. It is something I haven’t heard since the advent of FM in the early 1970s. DJs playing music that has merit and meaning rather than having the potential for being the opening theme song for the new CSI, set in Bugtussle, KY. (more…)
Charlie Parr in his own words
Charlie Parr strolled into the neighborhood yesterday—barefoot, even though it was cold and damp. We had a nice conversation on my podcast about the hardships and joys of life on the road, dropping out of school, and how he slowly got into making music as a vocation. He’s doing what he loves, and that’s what I’m trying to do: as an author, and an urban farmer. My new urban farm, Tiny Farm Duluth, is slowly coming together. The soil of formerly wasted space within the city of Duluth has been tilled, and seeds will soon be sown. (more…)
Homegrown Music Video Fest 2016
The videos from the 2016 Homegrown Music Video Festival have been popping up online, and PDD is archiving them on a page. We’ll continue to add to the collection as we find them or as they are sent to us.
Here’s a sample by Tomas Soderberg – “Machinery” by the Social Disaster
Who won Homegrown 2016?
The final applause of the 2016 Homegrown Music Festival is now in the history books. Which band “won” the festival? Each year PDD polls its readership and asks that very question. Because art is useless if it isn’t vain and competitive, right?
How does one “win” a music festival? Is it about musicianship? Is it about showmanship and antics? Is it about pretty hairstyles and flamboyant fashions? Yes.
The poll is now closed. Here are the results:
Medical Underground – 16.8 percent
Red Mountain – 12.3 percent
The Social Disaster – 11.2 percent
Bratwurst – 10 percent
A Band Called Truman – 7.8 percent
Various other bands – 41.9 percent (more…)
Superior Siren – “Rosemar”
[Video removed from YouTube.]
The Superior Siren trio performs the song Rosemar aboard the William A. Irvin in this video shot for the 2016 NPR Tiny Desk Contest.
Boku Frequency – “Satisfied”
WDSE-TV’s The PlayList captures Boku Frequency performing “Satisfied” at Tycoons Alehouse during the 2015 Homegrown Music Festival.
The Farsights – “Saturdays”
WDSE-TV’s The PlayList captures the Farsights performing “Saturdays” at Tycoons Alehouse during the 2015 Homegrown Music Festival.
CUD: an album to benefit the family of Shawn Burr
Recently, the Duluth music community lost a great guitarist and better person when Shawn Burr passed away after a battle with brain cancer. He was only 40, and was a father and a husband.
In 2004, Shawn was part of a short-lived band called “CUD,” who recorded an album at that time that went unreleased due to various technical issues. With Shawn’s diagnosis, it was decided that the album should be completed as a way of attracting monetary donations that will help his wife and two-year-old child in some small way. With the assistance of talented engineer Jake Larson, the CUD album was completed, and it is now available to purchase on Bandcamp. Fans of Ministry, the Melvins, and guitar harmonies might particularly enjoy the record.
Please visit cudduluth.bandcamp.com to purchase this album. (Streaming is free, but keep in mind that no money goes to the cause for streams.) 100% of the money donated will go to Shawn’s wife and child. The album is pay-what-you-can, and any amount is welcome. Thank you.
The Boomchucks Home Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQP2uImMX90
Batteries – “Evening Birds”
WDSE-TV’s The PlayList captures Batteries performing “Evening Birds” at Tycoons Alehouse during the 2015 Homegrown Music Festival.
Homegrown Music Festival 2016 Primer
If this isn’t your 18th time attending the Homegrown Music Festival, here are some links that might be helpful:
Homegrown website
Event schedule on Homegrown website
PDD Homegrown Chicken App (schedule optimized for smartphones)
Homegrown Facebook page
Homegrown Twitter page
Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Seth Langreck’s Duluth Band Profiles
Thirsty Pagan opens new beer garden
Kelsey Picek and Allyson Rolph in the Thirsty Pagan beer garden
Beginning this weekend, Twin Ports beer lovers have another option for outdoor imbibing. Thirsty Pagan Brewing’s new beer garden held its soft opening on Friday. The brewpub at 1623 Broadway in Superior is known for its tasty brews and delectable deep-dish pizzas.
The beer garden occupies a space behind the building that is fully fenced and can be accessed via the parking lot. It features several oversized picnic tables and can seat about 25 people with standing room for about 25 more. (more…)
Superior Siren – “For Mother”
[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]
Superior Siren performs a new track in this video, produced by Lola Visuals.
The Boomchucks – “Antidote”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NihR6v414js
Yes, another video for this song was released a year ago, but hey, the Boomchucks like to make videos. In fact, The Boomchucks Home Movie premieres Friday night at the Red Herring.
The new “Antidote” video was shot at the Red Herring, outside the Zeitgeist Arts Building and at Carmody Irish Pub. It contains almost as many birds as a certain pair of videos from the PDD Archive.