Music
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…)
The Adjustments – “North Shore Sinner Pt. IV”
Local rock band the Adjustments record “North Shore Sinner Pt. IV” at the home studio of band member Alex Nelson in Lakeside. The band’s new album At North Shore is available tonight at Carmody Irish Pub. Sam Tuthill opens the show at 10 p.m.
NPR Tiny Desk Concert: Gaelynn Lea
Duluth’s Gaelynn Lea won NPR’s second annual Tiny Desk Contest. Above is her 22-minute performance, featuring the tunes “Someday We’ll Linger in the Sun,” “Southwind,” “Bird Song” and “Moment Of Bliss.” Alan Sparhawk, her band mate in the Murder of Crows, joins in on the latter two songs.
Monster Mob – “Bloodfeast”
“Bloodfeast” is the latest single from Duluth band Monster Mob’s 2015 album American Grindhouse. Upcoming gig: Monster Mob and Ball Slashers at the Barrel Room at Fitger’s Brewhouse on May 25.
Roe Family Singers – “Sail Away Ladies”
Roe Family Singers return to Duluth on March 12 for a concert with the Holy Hootenanners at Teatro Zuccone.
Kraig James – “Afterbloom”
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 second track, available for download at kraigjames.com/music. The video was shot in Ely.
Gaelynn Lea to appear on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series
Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea has been chosen as the winner of National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Contest. NPR asked musicians from across the country to send a video of an original song, performed behind a desk. Specifically, the contest was seeking “a song and a sound that felt original and a performance that felt inspired.” Among 6,100 entries, Gaelynn Lea was the favorite. Below is her audition video.
“The melody of this song wouldn’t let go – it just stuck with me, it stuck with all the judges. It conveys an overwhelming emotion of yearning and love that’s unforgettable,” said Bob Boilen of NPR Music — whose desk has served as the stage of more than 500 Tiny Desk performances. “What we look for in the contest is an artist who has something singular about what they do, something unique to them, something no one else is doing. Gaelynn Lea has that, and that simply won our hearts.
Erik Koskinen – “Nothing Without You”
Michigan native Erik Koskinen has called Minneapolis home for the past eight years, but he has a long-running relationship with Duluth, having performed here frequently for nearly 20 years. He returns March 5 for a concert at Sacred Heart Music Center. The video above was shot live at the Turf Club in St. Paul on Dec. 15.
Holy Hootenanners – “It’s Time to Let it Go”
Check out the new video from the title track of the Holy Hootenaners album It’s Time to Let it Go. The song was written by Colleen Myhre and the video was produced by Paul Marvin Arts.
The Adjustments – “North Shore Sinner” Parts III and IV
The Adjustments are releasing their second studio album, At North Shore, with two concerts in the region. The Iron Range release party is tonight at Tommy’s Rainy Lake Saloon & Deli. The Duluth release party is March 11 at Carmody Irish Pub. (more…)
Low – “Into You”
New video for a song from the 2015 release Ones and Sixes. Directed by Jim Burns and Beth Chalmers.
No Interest at the Speakeasy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=610EROe-jmY
Hardcore punk band No Interest, performing in a Duluth basement that was recently taken off the party market.
Red Cowboy Hat (featuring Jim Hall) – “Duluth Blues”
Jim Hall recently brought his Red Cowboy Hat trio to the KUMD studios for a Live from Studio A session. They performed this tune, perfect for a sub-zero windchill day in Duluth. Audio of the full session with Jim and company is available at kumd.org.
Perfect Indoor Concert Venue: Red Herring Lounge
When it comes to picking the best indoor concert venue, there are a lot of things to consider — seating, acoustics, general vibe, etc. There might be plenty of room for argument on just about any criteria, but in one facet Duluth has a clear winner. It would be tough to dispute that any local concert hall, club or coffee house has consistently brought more high-caliber talent to its stage in the past two years than the Red Herring Lounge. Among the top four in PDD’s poll, the Herring pulled out a clean win with 35 percent of the vote. (more…)
The Alan Sparhawk Project
Ten year’s ago, Duluth musician Alan Sparhawk had his name dropped in this little comic (specifically panel three):
Questionable Content is an internet comic strip by Jeph Jacques of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It started in August 2003 and is still in production. The publish date of the comic above is not known, but it was first posted to PDD on Feb. 9, 2006.
John Mark Nelson & Kara Laudon – “That’s What You Do”
John Mark Nelson and Kara Laudon perform “That’s What You Do” for a Lutsen Mountains Gondola Session during the Gndwire Records’ Ski Party last weekend. Video by Brian Wegner.
Kraig James – “Teardrops and Elephants”
Kraig James & the Campfire Stars are releasing a new song each month in 2016 for a project called Campfire Americana: Volume 1.
Poll: What is the Duluth area’s best indoor concert venue?
Last summer a PDD poll determined Bayfront Festival Park is the region’s best outdoor concert venue. Now, in the dead of winter, it’s time to determine the best indoor concert venue. From large arenas to tiny little barrooms and coffee joints — what is the best place for live music in the Twin Ports?
This poll is now closed. The results were:
Red Herring Lounge – 35 percent
Sacred Heart Music Center – 26 percent
Clyde Iron Works – 21 percent
R.T. Quinlan’s – 18 percent
A visit with Gaelynn Lea
While meeting Gaelynn Lea I was challenged in many ways. For two weeks now I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around it! She is an amazing musician, and a remarkable human being. My piece here barely scratches a tremendously fascinating surface, but trundle on over to Ed’s Big Adventure to learn more of her story, struggles, and music. This is the story of a great big soul in a tiny package. She isn’t trapped or helpless, either, but is a tremendously enriching member within our community. A model for all, frankly.
The Cellar Door – “Save Me”
The Cellar Door is a band based in Grand Forks, but it has a couple Duluth members. The group released this video last fall, shot in the old railroad tunnel at Ely’s Peak in Duluth.
As far as the knowledge base at PDD’s World Headquarters can figure, the first music video at Ely’s Peak was Sarah Krueger’s “Grace” for the North Shore Sessions. And then it seems like there might be another one we can’t remember.