Music
Starling of Athens – “The Lord is Not My Real Dad”
This video by Brian Barber was part of the 2015 Homegrown Music Video Festival. Click that fancy link to view more videos from this year’s festival.
The Rosewood Wonder
Photos by Jamie Merideth
The view from the fourth floor of DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace is amazing. Outside the windows are the icons of Duluth: Lake Superior and the Aerial Lift Bridge. On the inside sits Mike Furo, quietly bringing new life to old musical instruments as the owner of Rosewood Music. (more…)
Trampled by Turtles – Live at First Avenue
Listen to the Turtles Saturday night show (5/2/15) at First Ave.
01. New Orleans
02. Codeine
(more…)
Who won Homegrown 2015?
Photo by Melissa La Tour
Which band altered the most souls, inspired the most hedonism and deserves to wear the championship belt this year?
The poll is now closed. Here are the results:
Bratwurst – 12.7 percent
The Blasphemists – 10.2 percent
The Electric Witch – 6.8 percent
Sweat Equity – 5.1 percent
Various other bands – 65.3 percent
Is it the music, the artistry or the stinky meat? Duluth music fans continue to love Bratwurst … despite, or perhaps more so because of, this year’s controversy. (The band denies any involvement in the Pig Head on Statue Incident. Duluth police and the humane society are apparently investigating.)
Photo by Cory Fechner
Photo by Judy Weber
This is the third time in four years that Bratwurst has won Homegrown. It is also the third time in a row that the Blasphemists have finished second in the voting.
Danecdote (featuring Brian Ring) – “I’m Gonna Say You Will”
This video by Garrett Tiedemann was part of the 2015 Homegrown Music Video Festival. Click that fancy link to view more videos from this year’s festival.
The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank – “Old Number Four”
The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank‘s new album, American Shuffle features the song “Old Number Four,” an ode to retired Packers/Jets/Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. As of this morning, the YouTube upload of the song (embedded above) had reached nearly 30,000 listens.
(more…)
Thank you, Mayor Ness, from Homegrown
Folks from the Duluth music and arts scene say thanks to the mayor for his role in improving the Homegrown Music Festival in specific and Duluth in general. Video by Dan Branovan.
Three more artists this week … Coldsnap, Koshinski, Dalbec
Three more artists to mention: (more…)
Mayor Ness “Potholes Song” – 2015 Homegrown Proclamation
Video credit – Melissa Ginger
See the full Duluth Homegrown Music Festival schedule here –> https://goo.gl/svBlGe
The Best of Clyde at the 2014 Homegrown Music Festival
Here are highlights from the big Homegrown 2014 show at Clyde Iron Works, (via The PlayList) featuring Actual Wolf, Southwire and the Black-eyed Snakes with Charlie Parr.
Homegrown Music Fest Hashtag Feed #hgmf15
Follow the Homegrown hashtag #hgmf15 on Twitter and Instagram.
Homegrown Music Festival 2015 Primer
The eight greasiest days of the year are underway. Here are the various links, hashtags and other tidbits to keep everyone moderately enlightened.
Homegrown website
Event schedule on Homegrown website
PDD Homegrown Chicken App (schedule optimized for smartphones)
Homegrown Facebook page
Homegrown Twitter page
Seasons 1 and 2 of Seth Langreck’s Duluth Band Profiles
(more…)
Trailer for Cloud Cult film Unplug
Minnesota band Cloud Cult, founded in Duluth by Craig Minowa, is releasing a video distillation of 12 years of songwriting that features acoustic performances at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis, along with interviews and behind the scenes footage. The movie is the product of an eight-year collaborative relationship between Minowa and co-producer Jeff D. Johnson.
There will be a screening on April 30 at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis, with the national release on the following day, May 1. No word on a Duluth screening yet.
Tysonette Auditions
Go in depth with Fred Tyson as potential Tysonettes audition for the coveted role. Video by Tomas Soderberg.
Fred Tyson & His Tysonettes perform at the Red Herring Lounge on Saturday, May 2, at 10:45 p.m. during the Homegrown Music Festival.
Duluth Band Profile: Christine Hoberg
Christine Hoberg has never shied away from taking risks. On her album World Within, she shows her big voice in the big city. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
Finding Sarah Krueger
It’s been nine years since Sarah Krueger first auditioned for American Idol. Since then, she has been the lead singer of a funk band, become a solo singer/songwriter and captured the attention of music lovers all over the Midwest. More importantly, she has learned that making music is about honesty.
“It takes time to hone in on your craft and to focus on the aesthetics of your art,” Krueger said. “I feel like I wanted something authentic, and I didn’t want to be breaking any extreme boundaries or try to be different or stand out. I think sometimes art gets lost in that idea that you need to be different than everyone else. It’s not about being different, it’s about being honest.”
Krueger is a teacher at the Montessori School by day and also works as a waitress at Grandma’s Saloon and Grill. A normal day means waking up early, opening the blinds in her home, preparing coffee and reading and writing before she teaches. (more…)
Duluth Band Profile: Adam Sippola
Adam Sippola began an introspective journey with Rising Point. He explains how years of experimenting with looping technology became a full-fledged album. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
American Rebels – “Love Song” (Live on The PlayList)
Duluth band American Rebels performs “Love Song” on the April 16 episode of WDSE-TV’s The PlayList.
Upcoming gig: Wednesday, April 29, 11:30 p.m., at Mr. D’s Bar & Grill during the Homegrown Music Festival.
Duluth Band Profile: Gin Street
Gin Street takes youth and energy to give audiences a highly interactive show. The group opens up about a sense of community inside and outside the band. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
Homegrown Field Guide 2015
Cover art by Heidi Blunt.
Duluth Band Profile: The Farsights
The Farsights take one part storyteller and one part punk for a rocking good time. Phil Jents, Ryan Nelson and Brynn Sias explain how they developed the band’s sound. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
Duluth Band Profiles: Ire Wolves
Ire Wolves mixes a healthy blend of melody and metal. Guitarist Mike Trepanier and bassist Dustin Fennessey explain the theme behind The Ascetic. Click on the image above to hear the interview.
Maddy Siiter – “Runaway” (Live on The PlayList)
Proctor’s Maddy Siiter performs “Runaway” on the March 26 episode of WDSE-TV’s The PlayList.
Upcoming Maddy Siiter gigs: April 9 at Jefferson People’s House, April 12 at Pizza Luce and May 2 at Chester Creek Cafe Wine Bar during Homegrown.