Music
PDD Quiz: “I Like it in Duluth”
In honor of Valentine’s Day (and this quiz writer’s 100th PDD quiz), we’ll take a deep dive into an oft-covered song that expresses affection (or at least affinity) for the Zenith City: “I Like it in Duluth.” This PDD post may come in handy for cheating studying; those seeking an extra challenge can take the quiz cold!
The next PDD quiz will review this month’s headlines; it will be published on Feb. 28. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by Feb. 24. (more…)
Rich Mattson and the Northstars Virtual Album Release
Rich Mattson and the Northstars put out a new album last week. Skylights can be ordered at spartasound.bandcamp.com. In lieu of the usual release concert, the band has produced an online “variety show” featuring three music videos from the album and a pair of live performances. (more…)
“The Nursing Home Polka”
Steve Solkela and his Iron Range friends have produced another novelty song and music video. This one features a certain studmuffin who can get any gal he wants … at the nursing home.
The cast features Nathan Benson as the Studmuffin, Ruthy Morgan and Ruthy Wrinkleskins, Jordan Masieniec as Gladys Gray, Nathan Peterson as the bingo caller and vomiting grandson, Colton Flack as Edith Ainchant, Loralie Arbola as Ethel Manniyrs, Fika as Gertrude O’galanen, Brekaroni Pallas as Sylvia Dentures, Ian Carlson as Ralph Eonago, and Solkela as Gladys Vanderboobin.
Cory Coffman – “Weeping Willow”
Duluth’s Cory Coffman has released the second music video promoting his 2020 album Canvas and Color. “Weeping Willow” was directed and produced by Steven Yasgar and features Angela Schmitz on lip synch.
Bandwagon: The Greatest Band in High School Hockey
From the makers of the infamous “hockey hair” videos comes this profile of the Grand Rapids High School Pep Band. What came first, the wagon on the ice or the band behind it?
City Pages: “Hey, We’re in Duluth!”
Twenty years ago today — Feb. 6, 2001 — City Pages published a cover story on Duluth’s “tiny counterculture.” The Twin Cities alternative weekly paper ceased operations last fall and its online archive is on hiatus, but Perfect Duluth Day is here with the flashback goods. (more…)
Making it Up North: Steve Solkela
Meet Steve Solkela. With his music career crushed by COVID-19 cancellations, he built up a robust YouTube following with his music videos, tandem-bike interviews and random stunts.
WDSE-TV‘s Making it Up North explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Luke Zimmerman – “Duluth”
Roughly 15 years ago, Minneapolis singer/songwriter Luke Zimmerman released his solo debut album Twilight Waltz, featuring this track called “Duluth.” Various release dates from 2005 to 2007 are listed on the internet, but allmusic.com reports Jan. 24, 2006.
Homegrown Winter Fiasco 2021
The Homegrown Music Festival’s annual Winter Fiasco is digital this year. The four hourlong videos feature performances, interviews and archival footage of more than 30 local artists. Episode one features music by Mary Bue, Shadows of Me, the Slamming Doors, Dog Talk, Moriah Skye, Boogeymen, WNDY, and Isolation Band. It also includes words from festival director Melissa La Tour and an interview with Kala Moira about her unofficial 2020 Homegrown Scavenger Hunt. (more…)
Lanue – “What I Love the Most”
Duluthian Sarah Krueger’s new music project is called Lanue. The album is available for pre-order on Bandcamp.
The video for the track “What I Love the Most” was filmed and directed by Zoe Prinds-Flash and edited by Lauren Josephine.
Haroula Rose – “Duluth”
Ten years ago today — Jan. 18, 2011 — Los Angeles-based musician Haroula Rose released her debut album These Open Roads, which includes a cover of the Mason Jennings song “Duluth.”
Paula Gudmundson – “Partita in A minor”
Dr. Paula Gudmundson, associate professor of music at the University of Minnesota Duluth, performs J.S. Bach’s “Partita in A minor” in this music video shot throughout Duluth on Sept. 16 as part of the Bach Society of Minnesota’s Mini Mobile Concerts Series. (more…)
The Slice: Live Streaming Guitar Lessons with Darin Bergsven
Duluth musician Darin Bergsven has been performing and teaching guitar online since March.
In its series The Slice, WDSE-TV presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.
One Less Guest – “Breezeblocks”
Duluth band One Less Guest performs “Breezeblocks,” a song composed by the British indie rock band Alt-J.
The live rooftop performance is part of its 2021 collection of favorite cover songs.
Gaelynn Lea – “Bound by a Thread”
Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea performs “Bound by a Thread” from her 2018 album, Learning How to Stay.
MN Moder – “Day to Day”
Duluth native Zachary Moder raps his way across the city in a new music video for a song from the 2019 MN Moder album Modervation.
Superior Siren – “Trying Too Hard”
Eerie folk project Superior Siren has released a new music video for the song “Trying Too Hard” from the band’s 2018 self-titled album. The video was created by Killy Kay and Caelen Mars, and features Alison Peluso. (more…)
2020: The Year in Duluth Gig Posters
Obviously this past year has been about the lousiest live-music year ever, but nonetheless we continue our tradition at Perfect Duluth Day of looking back at a sampling of gig posters. Some shows really happened, with crowds of people, before the pandemic. Others were cancelled. Others were held outside in spaces that allowed physical distancing. And some were streamed online. (more…)
Merry Christmas from the archives …
On a cold Duluth evening back in 2013, a small crew gathered for a video shoot. Mark Lindquist wanted to give his children a Christmas video. Time got away. The footage wasn’t awesome. I set it aside.
It’s always bugged me that I never made that video for Mark and his children. Last night, I went searching through virtual piles and piles of material until I found what I was looking for. (more…)
Denfeld Jazz Band – “Up on the Housetop”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKZ0M8uzZC4
This video of the Denfeld Jazz Band’s arrangement of “Up on the Housetop” was created for the televised version of the Christmas City of the North Virtual Parade.
A Secret Garden: Demo tracks from northern Minnesota
Students and staff from Central Lakes College in Brainerd have put together a compilation album of regional musicians that features a bevvy of Duluth favorites, including Jerree Small, Low and Greg Cougar Conley. (more…)
Dance Attic “At Christmas Time” Special
Jimi and Suzi of the guitar/accordion duo Dance Attic partake in holiday hijinks with music from their 2020 Christmas song collection (featured in the PDD Gift Guide).
Video produced by Andrew Stern. (more…)
Tanner Zahn – “Little Things”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sobf_qfQLF4
Hermantown native Tanner Zahn, now of the Los Angeles group FuturePop, has released this Christmas music video. Locals will remember him as Tanner Zahn Hagen, performer in Duluth Playhouse productions and son of Jennifer Madill Hagen and Dusty Hagen, former owners of Madill Performing Arts Center in Duluth. (more…)