PDDTV
Music in the Weeds: Between Howls
Duluth band Between Howls performs two songs from a ridge overlooking Grand Marais.
Music in the Weeds is a new video series from WTIP North Shore Community Radio that showcases northern Minnesota artists performing original music at scenic and meaningful locations around Cook County. It is produced by M. Baxley and Will Moore.
Ian Alexy – “Move Like Water”
Duluth’s Ian Alexy has a new album on the way. The Tao of Ian is set for a Dec. 9 release.
An alternate version of the “Move Like Water” video, centered on a dance performance by Annika Danielson, previously appeared on Perfect Duluth Day. The new version adds footage of Alexy and beach scenes from Wisconsin Point.
Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners – “Shelf”
Two Trees, the new album from Duluth’s Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners, is out today and the album release show is Nov. 15 at Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake with The Yeah Scherz opening.
The video for “Shelf” is directed by Breanne Marie and Anya Tepler.
JamesG – “So Long”
Former Duluthian James Geisler, aka JamesG, points out life is short in his latest music video, “but at times, it’s so long.”
United in Service: Military History from America’s Northland
From the courageous Native American Code Talkers of World War II to the dedicated members of the 148th Fighter Wing, the PBS North documentary United in Service offers a poignant exploration of what it means to serve. This compelling documentary shines a light on the diverse experiences of individuals who have answered the call to duty, preserving their invaluable stories for generations to come.
Music Making History: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
One of Gordon Lightfoot’s most important works was “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Written shortly after the shipwreck of the same name, the song comforted many, became a chart-topping success at the time, and nearly 50 years later it has found a place in popular culture and social media. The song also served as the inspiration for former Split Rock Lighthouse keeper Lee Radzak to start the annual beacon lighting to honor the crew.
This episode of the Minnesota Historical Society’s series Music Making History reflects on Lightfoot’s work, the way he responded to the families of the crew, and how the song has centered community gatherings honoring those lost at sea.
Video Archive: Crazy Betty – “Days of Easy”
Take a quick dip in the lake and do some flips off the dock. It’s been 25 years since Duluth band Crazy Betty released the music video “Days of Easy,” shot on Park Point and other Duluth locations in late summer 2000. And yes, the whole thing is very, very 2000.
The video was directed by Nicholas Kapanke.
Ian Alexy – “Move Like Water” (Dance Version)
The new music video from Ian Alexy features a dance performance by Annika Danielson.
Rafe Carlson – “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
The legend lives on with Hermantown native Rafe Carlson‘s cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
Carlson is releasing his new music on Nov. 12 at Duluth Whiskey Project.
War Bonnet – “Crazy Horse”
Hoka hey! Hoka hey! The latest from Iron Range-area band War Bonnet draws inspiration from the Oglala Lakota war leader Crazy Horse. The song is the second track off the band’s Mesabi album, released in September. The video was created by Chaz Wagner.
Chrissie Hynde Featuring Alan Sparhawk – “County Line”
Chrissie Hynde, famed lead singer of The Pretenders, has released a new album of duets featuring K. D. Lang, Cat Power, Debbie Harry and a number of other artists, including Duluth’s Alan Sparhawk. The album is titled Duets Special. Sparhawk sings with Hynde on a cover of the Cass McCombs song “County Line.” (more…)
A Special Log in the Middle of a Remote Boreal Forest
This is not the first, nor is it likely the last, video of critters in Voyageurs National Park obsessing over an old, mossy log.
The trail-camera footage is from the Voyageurs Wolf Project, which is focused on understanding the summer ecology of wolves in the park.
Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners Featuring C-Silence – “Ida Mae”
Duluth-based Americana band Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners have a new album — Two Trees — set for release Nov. 14. The single “Ida Mae” features rapper C-Silence and was released in July.
The album release show is scheduled for Nov. 15 at Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake with The Yeah Scherz opening.
Big Into – Too Young (Remix by MidiEvil)
The explosive conclusion of the two-part music video collaboration between Big Into and MidiEvil has arrived. For part one, check out the video for “Behind the Veil.”
Music in the Weeds: Emma Tweten with Adam Kirsch
Grand Marais singer-songwriter Emma Tweten performs two original songs aboard the schooner Hjordis on Lake Superior, with Adam Kirsch on banjo.
Music in the Weeds is a new video series from WTIP North Shore Community Radio that showcases northern Minnesota artists performing original music at scenic and meaningful locations around Cook County. It is produced by M. Baxley and Will Moore.
Indecent Proposal – “Drift Away”
The new single from Duluth band Indecent Proposal wrestles with leaving the familiar behind while searching for something bigger — a late-night highway, window-down kind of song about letting go of what’s heavy and choosing light.
Pronoya – “Lost”
“Lost” is the latest single from Duluth band Pronoya‘s upcoming EP All for the Sun, due out at the end of November. The band plays a release show Nov. 29 at Pizza Luce.
Iron Country: Iron Ore and Minnesota’s Future (1955 Film)
This supremely cheesy 70-year-old promotional film explains the importance of mining through actors portraying a group of people chatting in the dining hall at the Minnesota State Fair.
Duluth appears briefly at the 7- and 21-minute marks. (more…)
War Bonnet – “You Belong to Me”
Iron Range-area band War Bonnet tips a hat to Hibbing native Bob Dylan with this video for the band’s version of a popular ballad from Dylan’s youth in the 1950s. Dylan recorded a version in 1994 for the Natural Born Killers movie soundtrack. The War Bonnet video features Chaz Wagner strolling by Dylan’s childhood home and high school.
Crazy Ken Band – “Tiger & Dragon”
Duluth artist Joe Klander, aka baby-eating professional wrestler Kurokumo Clutch, breaks out his ukulele to perform a charming little ditty.
JamesG – “Everything Hurts”
JamesG brings up a sore subject in his latest music video.
Rare Moments from the Northwoods
Voyageurs Wolf Project trail cameras capture snippets of the fascinating daily happenings in Voyageurs National Park, about 100 miles north of Duluth. Though the project is focused on understanding the summer ecology of wolves in the park, the cameras record a variety of wildlife throughout the year. All of the footage in the clip above was captured in fall and winter 2024.
Alan Sparhawk – “No More Darkness”
Duluth’s Alan Sparhawk is one of 17 artists with new music on a compilation album set for release Dec. 5 on the Western Vinyl label. Passages: Artists in Solidarity with Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers is a fundraiser for nonprofits that provide no-to-low cost legal services, food, shelter, access to health care and other essential services.
The Book of the North: Part 1
The Book of the North is a collaborative book-making project using premodern techniques to experience how the information technologies of the past bind together communities and ecologies, and create a vision for a more sustainable future.
The project is being led by Dr. Krista Sue-Lo Twu, University of Minnesota Imagine Arts, Humanities, and Design chair. The process can be followed through various social medica platforms.
Minnesota Historia: The Laurentian Divide
The Laurentian Divide is a continental divide that crosses some of Minnesota’s most stunning landscapes. But what does one do with such a geographical gem? Mine it? Ski it? Or build a tourist attraction on top of it? (The answer is all three.)
Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink-Ziebol and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.