Music
New album/single from the 4onthefloor
The 4onthefloor, the stompin’ blues and roots rock quartet from Minneapolis, will release their new record, Spirit of Minneapolis, on April 9. This will be the band’s second full-length record and fifth release since its formation in 2009. The album was recorded at Sacred Heart in Duluth, Creation Audio in Minneapolis, and April Base in Eau Claire.
The first single off the record, “King of the Jungle,” is available for streaming and as a free download on 4otf.com and at the top of this PDD post.
For more music, videos, photos and information on the 4onthefloor, visit the band’s Facebook or Twitter pages.
Homegrown Band Publicity Photo Showdown: Charlie Parr vs. Actual Wolf

Charlie Parr (photo by Peter Lee)

Actual Wolf (photo by Robyn Schindeldecker)
With the Homegrown Music Festival coming up PDD launched a series of polls last week, tournament style, to determine which Duluth-area band has the sweetest pic. Last week Southwire defeated Sexhawk. This week we ask …
[poll id=”23″]
This poll is now closed. The results were:
Charlie Parr — 85.7 percent
Actual Wolf — 14.3 percent
Note: Only people who are logged in to their Perfect Duluth Day blogging account are allowed to vote (to prevent people from voting multiple times). To create an account, click here. If you need help figuring it out, click here.
Retribution Gospel Choir – “Seven”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCKrRoDXPL0
Rocket Bar Renovation
The ragged building at 208 E. First St. in Downtown Duluth is being gutted of debris in preparation for renovation. Bob Monahan and his father, Robert H. R. Monahan, plan to open an “artist friendly” cafe/lounge on the main floor later this year, with a recording studio in the basement level. They have already replaced the roof on the 127-year-old building, which they are in the process of acquiring from Jack Arnold through a contract-for-deed agreement.
(more…)
Preston Gunderson kicks off Kickstarter
Virginia, Minn. native Preston Gunderson is a musician with dreams as big as his heart. (more…)
Is Duluth the Beer Capital of Minnesota?
In light of The Growler magazine beginning distribution to Duluth on Feb. 8, I have to ask if we’re becoming the brewing capital of Minnesota. By my count, we’ve got ten microbreweries open or nearly open: (more…)
Homegrown Band Publicity Photo Showdown: Southwire vs. Sexhawk

Southwire (photo by Rich Narum)

Sexhawk (photo by Caleb Renno)
With the Homegrown Music Festival coming up in three months, now seems like a good time to launch a series of PDD polls, tournament style, to determine which Duluth-area band has the sweetest pic. First up, we ask …
[poll id=”22″]
This poll is now closed. The results were:
Southwire — 60.4 percent
Sexhawk — 39.6 percent
Note: Only people who are logged in to their Perfect Duluth Day blogging account are allowed to vote (to prevent people from voting multiple times). To create an account, click here. If you need help figuring it out, click here.
“Parr flexes songwriting muscles that few artists ever attain.”
Duluth Album Releases in 2013
Breanne Marie
Six Strings of Peace & Sanity
(Jan. 1)
Available on Bandcamp
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Eric Swanson at Sacred Heart Studios
Duck Duck Punch
Human Chemistry
Truth No. (Jan. 15)
Available on Amazon
Dave Mehling
Broke Heart Songs (EP)
(Jan. 19)
Produced by Dave Mehling and Michael Morris; recorded at the Barn in Northfield
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Trampled by Turtles on Conan
Trampled by Turtles performed “Midnight on the Interstate” on Conan. The video was embedded on PDD via teamcoco.com when this post was published but it seems to no longer exist anywhere on the internet. (more…)
A track from the new Cars & Trucks album! For your ears!
Attention attractive, friendly and nice smelling frequenters of PDD:
After many months of laboring away with our good friend Jake Larson, we (Cars & Trucks) are happy to announce that a track from our upcoming album is on the internets for your listening pleasure. Please feel to check it out here.
We will be releasing more information on the album and the corresponding release show shortly so please keep your eyes, ears and hearts open.
Music video shot at the Duluth Owls club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcxcDfpsRBY
Video by Paul Broman, Unnur Andrea, Ben Marsen, and Kevin Craig.
Duck Duck Punch streaming online today
Duluth band Duck Duck Punch will have a song on SomaFM’s BAGeL station today. The station’s notice is below. Pretty cool seeing them listed with Kate Nash and Yo La Tengo.
New music today including a terrific new EP from Kate Nash (London, England), Cropduster (not new…reissue) (Hackensack, NJ), Cub Scouts (Brisbane, Australia), Duck Duck Punch (Duluth, MN), Eux Autres (Portland, OR), The Gimps (not new, but new to us) (Atlanta, San Francisco, New Jersey), Parquet Courts (Brooklyn, NY), Pere Ubu (Cleveland, OH), Peter Peter (Québec, Canada), and Yo La Tengo (Hoboken, NJ).
Please tune in beginning at 9a.m. Pacific Time:
https://somafm.com/bagel/
Retribution B Side
Here’s a track from, or a side of, the upcoming Retribution Gospel Choir record, titled 3. It’s a “two-song full-length” album scheduled for release by Chaperone Records on Jan. 22. The songs were tracked live in one take, with the band playing together in the same room, and featuring guest guitarist Nels Cline of Wilco.
Retribution Gospel Choir is playing the Red Star Lounge every Tuesday night this month and also will play Tycoons on Jan. 31.
Low Deconstructed
Duluth band Low is featured in the lead article at stereogum.com.
Deconstructing: Yo La Tengo, Low and the Creative Potential of Domestic Bliss
New Year’s Eve Concert
Did anyone catch the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra concert at Amsoil Arena on New Year’s Eve? What did you think?
The Lowertown Line – Trampled by Turtles, hosted by Dessa
Perfect Duluth Day was invited to shoot photos for the pilot of the MN Original program The Lowertown Line at Twins Cities Public Television. The Lowertown Line is a music special hosted by hip-hop artist Dessa and featuring bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles and their special guest, fellow Duluth native Alan Sparhawk of Low. The Lowertown Line’s five-song set and insightful conversation was recorded with a live studio audience. (more…)
Getting to that time of year
So, I am curious, as I prepare my next ‘The Local’ show (1/9) for KUMD I am filling it up with music from last year. On the not completely impossible chance I’ve missed something local and great from 2012 I’d love to know people’s favorite local albums, EPs. etc from this past year. Listmania away!
Born on the Day of the Dead: A short film about Ian Thomas Alexy
Minneapolis/Duluth-based artist Ian Thomas Alexy releases a short film documenting the creation of his new record Born on the Day of the Dead. Co-starring Eric “Actual Wolf” Pollard, Carrie Deans and Josie Horbach.
Duck Duck Punch — “RGB”
Duck Duck Punch has a new video, a new album and a gig coming up in Duluth — where the band was formed.
Nicholas David’s performances on The Voice
Eagan native Nicholas David (whose real name is David Mrozinski) has played Duluth a few times with Teague Alexy, and his aunt and uncle own the Duluth Grill.
Above he performs a medley of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” during the Dec. 17 broadcast.
The winner of The Voice will be announced tonight during a two-hour broadcast on KBJR-TV channel 6.1. The prize is a recording contract with Universal Music Group. (more…)








