Music
Nick Robin – “Little Red Squirrel”
Music written and produced by Sean Elmquist and Nick Robin. Video by Nick Sunsdahl.
Duluth Band Profile: Glen’s Neighbor
Glen’s Neighbor mixes country rock with plenty of bluegrass hooks. Band members explain how teamwork and criticism produced Behind the Door. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank – “Take This Town”
The new video by local band Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank is illustrated, edited and directed by Truvio Del Sol.
Charlie Parr – “I Ain’t Dead Yet”
In this video from March 20, Duluth’s Charlie Parr shares a powdered toothpaste anecdote and performs “Ain’t Dead Yet” at the Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette.
The song is on Parr’s new limited edition EP, a 10-inch record (pressed on green vinyl) set for release on Saturday as part of Record Store Day.
Superior Siren – “Rattlesnake” (Live on The PlayList)
From the April 14 edition of WDSE-TV’s The PlayList, Superior Siren performs “Rattlesnake.”
Duluth Band Profile: Rick McLean
Rick McLean honed his songwriting skills on Coupla Focal. From a Pogues-ish “St. James” to a somber “Son of Luddwig,” he isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve while making people laugh.
Duluth Band Profile: Mind Control
Mind Control fans the flames of Duluth’s underground community. Band members explain how the group’s self-titled EP could stand a test of time. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
Piano Man and PBS Pioneer Max Morath
The April 7 edition of WDSE-TV’s The PlayList featured this segment on Duluth piano man Max Morath, a member of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. His ground-breaking work on The Ragtime Era series in 1960 for what is today Rocky Mountain PBS set the bar for television programs nationwide.
Homegrown Music Festival Field Guide 2016
The 2016 Homegrown Music Festival Field Guide is off the presses, with 20,000 free copies piled up at various shops across the Twin Ports. This year’s cover art is by Carolyn Sue Olson.
So far there are two changes to the Homegrown schedule that happened after the Field Guide went to press:
- The Aurora Baer Band will play on Friday, May 6, 10:30 p.m. at Tycoons Alehouse. (Phillip of Nazareth was originally scheduled for that slot and had to withdraw.)
- Brain Bugs will play on Monday, May 2, 10:45 p.m. in the Barrel Room at Fitger’s Brewhouse. (Dad’s Acid was scheduled for that slot until the drummer’s day job wrecked it.)
Duluth Band Profile: Lord Montague
Lord Montague channels blues and acid rock to produce The Cave. The band opens up about the inspiration behind its work and gives fans a valuable life lesson. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
Duluth Band Profile: Ingeborg Von Agassiz
Ingeborg Von Agassiz mixes electronic soundscapes with folk undertones. She explains how her solo project began with a 1990s Yamaha keyboard and audience feedback. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
The PlayList: Virginia City Limits
WDSE-TV’s The PlayList launched its seventh season last week with a special episode shot outside the 218 Taphouse in Virginia. The show features live music by the Christopher David Hanson Band and Rich Mattson & the Northstars.
Welcome to Our City (and the National Regatta of 1916)
The song “Welcome to Our City” appeared in the magazine section of the April 2, 1916, Duluth News Tribune. It was written by two Duluthians — Donald Wade and D.J. Michaud — as a “contribution to the city’s welcome to the visiting oarsmen who will come to the Head of the Lakes next August.”
Duluth hosted the 44th annual regatta of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen on Aug. 11 and 12, 1916, winning nine of the 12 events entered.
(more…)Michael Novitzki will host The Duluth Local Show on the Current
The Current announced in a news release today that Michael Novitzki will host its revamped version of The Duluth Local Show, which will launch May 1 on the low-power 90.9 FM and air every Sunday at 8 p.m. Also announced in the release: Cecilia Johnson has been named Local Current blogger. (more…)
Duluth Band Profile: Illyrik
Brandon Gordon came into hip-hop when Outkast and other Atlanta powerhouses ruled the airwaves. When he came into his own as Illyrik, he discovered his voice. Click on image above to hear the interview.
Kraig James – “Back in the Day”
Kraig James & the Campfire Stars are releasing a new song each month in 2016 for a project called Campfire Americana: Volume 1. This is the third track, available for download at kraigjames.com/music. Portions of the video were shot at the Aerie Lake Crappie Challenge on March 12.
Duluth Band Profile: Tallulah
Tallulah has been in development for over three years. Band members explain how the song “A Blue Painting” gave them a reason to venture onto the stage. Click on image above to hear the interview.
Dusty Heart – “Cigarettes & Matches”
Barbara Jean and Molly Dean perform “Cigarettes & Matches” in a gondola at Lutsen Mountains on March 7.
Matt Ray Skeleton Key EP to help fund full length
To help fund his official full-length release, due out in Summer 2016, Matt Ray needs your help! His Skeleton Key EP on Bandcamp contains eight tracks he has not gotten around to putting on a full-length, so he has decided to release them all as an EP where you can pay what you want.
All funds, and we do mean all funds, from this go directly to funding the recording, production and distribution of his full length album of original material, produced by Ian Alexy of Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank and recorded/engineered by Ryan David Young of Trampled by Turtles. It features guest appearances by Nate Sipe of Pert Near Sandstone, Paul Fonfara of Brass Messengers, Eddie Juntunen of White Iron Band and several others.
Ray is very proud of this album and wants you to hear it, but in order for that to happen, he needs everybody to really “support local/live music” and donate a couple of bucks to help cover all the costs.
Pay what you want … let the music take you.
Daniel Oyinloye’s Dawn of Redemption Album Release Project
Nigerian-born artist, storyteller and community organizer Daniel Oyinloye, a 2004 University of Minnesota Duluth graduate now living in Minneapolis, has launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund his next album, Dawn of Redemption. On Saturday, March 26, he’ll perform at Trepanier Hall in Duluth, along with openers Rachael Kilgour and Isaac Wierman.
Charlie Parr – “Jaybird”
Duluth’s Charlie Parr performs on the gondola at Lutsen Mountains on March 17, the day after his concert at Papa Charlie’s during the DuLutsen North of North Music & Ski Festival.
Gwen Austin honorable mention in NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ump7-WuFNoE
Yes, Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, but yesterday NPR posted “10 More Tiny Desk Entries We Loved” featuring the beautiful Gwen Austin.
Austin went to school at UMD and lives in Duluth on and off. Her most recent Duluth project is the trio Bone Harp. So out of more than 6,000 entries Duluth is represented twice in the top 11. Way to go Duluth.
Duluth Album Releases in 2016
Dirty Knobs
30,000 Days
Available on Bandcamp
(Jan. 5)
Gin Street
Model Homes
Available on Bandcamp
(Feb. 4)
Kyle Ollah
Wouldn’t Mind Working from Sun to Sun EP
Available on Bandcamp
(Feb. 5)
Homegrown 2016 schedule announced; Wussow’s mix released
The 2016 Homegrown Music Festival, Duluth’s annual 200ish-band showcase, runs May 1-8. The official schedule has been released, so it’s time to begin charting the adventure. The Chicken App, PDD’s smart-phone optimized version of the lineup, is also available.
This year’s schedule follows the same basic format as previous Homegrowns — opening ceremonies and new band showcase on Sunday, video festival and poetry showcase on Monday, Canal Park focus on Tuesday, western Duluth on Wednesday, Superior on Thursday, buttload o’ bands in Downtown Duluth on Friday and Saturday, and a few brunch shows on the final Sunday.
The two biggest weekday shows are again at Grandma’s Sports Garden and Clyde Iron Works. The Sports Garden lineup includes A Band Called Truman, Mary Bue & the Holy Bones, Space Carpet and the Social Disaster. Clyde will feature Teague Alexy and Friends, Low and Red Mountain. (more…)