Music
Iron Range Outlaw Brigade – “Rednecks, White Trash, and Blue Collar Blues”
Iron Range Outlaw Brigade has a new single, “Rednecks, White Trash, and Blue Collar Blues.” It’s the band’s first release with John Lamar on drums; Glen Mattson has moved from drums to guitar. The video was directed by singer/guitarist Kirk Kjenaas. The rest of the band is made up of John Peterson on 10-string pedal steel and Fred Hanson on bass.
Two Takes on Best Songwriter in Twin Ports and Minnesota
Recently, in my “Minnesota Writers” class at the University of Minnesota Duluth, we spent a week discussing songwriting, and as an exercise in fun, students voted on their favorite songwriter. Then, to get a different perspective, I went to the Music Resource Center and had the same conversation. I thought I would share the results. (more…)
Torment – “Swallow Your Teeth”
Duluth band Torment has a new music video for the title track to its 2022 album Swallow Your Teeth. The group is releasing a new EP, The Pain, on New Year’s Eve at Pizza Lucé with special guests Southpaw, Unfit, Frag and Chippy.
EmbalmingEva – “Mouth Open Wide”
“Mouth Open Wide” is the latest music video from the Duluth synth act EmbalmingEva. The musicians, Galalee Wright and Jesse Hatten, directed, shot, edited and performed in the video.
Boxcar – “Freedom March”
On Election Day, Duluth band Boxcar‘s new video reminds Americans that “love of country begins with love of our countrymen and countrywomen.” The group’s second album, For Madmen Only, was released in October. The “Freedom March” video was edited by Adam Jones from public domain footage.
Did Kiss play Duluth twice in 1974?
Fifty years ago today — Nov. 3, 1974 — Kiss played the Duluth Arena in what is believed to be the band’s first of eight Duluth shows spanning five decades.
But the documentary TV series Biography released a two-part episode on Kiss in 2021 that briefly shows a handwritten 1974 tour schedule with the band slotted to play Duluth on March 27. Did Kiss play Duluth twice in 1974? Or does the documentary use a fake schedule scribbled together to create imagery for an interview cutaway shot? Or was there a canceled Kiss show before the real one seven months later? (more…)
Alan Sparhawk – “I Made This Beat”
Alan Sparhawk launches “The White Roses Tour” this weekend with four shows in Europe followed by stops in 14 U.S. cities during the month of November. The new lyric video for “I Made This Beat” is a helpful guide to learning all four of the words in the song.
Josh the Rapper – “Halloween is Coming Up Soon”
From the graveyards of Duluth, Josh the Rapper throws down about the impending holiday.
Video: Steve Solkela in the Superior Spooktacular Parade
Superior Porchfest took part in the 10th annual Superior Spooktacular Parade on Saturday, represented by musician Steve Solkela. The video was made by Bret Holland.
Anthony Bennett – “Happy Halloween”
Perfect Duluth Day’s own Tony Bennett has a hot new single burning up the Halloween charts.
Big Into – “A Werewolf’s Journey”
Iron Range nerd-rock band Big Into marks the full moon and the spooky season with the release of a werewolf-themed song and video.
DNT: Sarah Krueger leaving Duluth
According to this lavish article in the Duluth News-Tribune, Sarah Krueger (aka Lanue) is leaving town for Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She has provided our city with one of its most unforgettable stage performers and recording artists. Her music videos are pure celebrations of Duluth. (more…)
EmbalmingEva – “Scared of Me?”
Galalee Wright and Jesse Hatten take to the sand dunes of Minnesota Point in their latest EmbalmingEva music video.
Boxcar – “For Madmen Only”
Duluth band Boxcar is releasing its second album, For Madmen Only, on Oct. 18. The video release for the title track is directed by Lance Lindahl.
Mary Bue – “Right Now”
Mary Bue frolics her way across Minnesota in her new music video “Right Now.” The track is from her ninth album, The Wildness of Living and Dying, due out in early 2025. The video was directed by Jon Herchert of Deck Night Productions.
Superior Porchfest 2024 Recap Video
The 2024 season of Superior Porchfest concluded on Sept. 5. The event is a free, family-friendly music and art series in which attendees can bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic and/or simply stop by to enjoy the show. The performances are typically held either on a residential porch or at a city park.
Alan Sparhawk – “Heaven”
Alan Sparhawk‘s solo album White Roses, My God drops on Friday. “Heaven” is the third video release from the record. It was directed and edited by Rick Alverson.
More on Sparhawk and the new album in the New York Times: “Alan Sparhawk of Low Lost His Other Half. He’s Learning to Sing Again.“
Shaky Ray Records Reissues?
I don’t remember where I heard this, but is it true that Shaky Ray Records is planning to reissue its local music recordings?
Big Into – “Used to Go”
The latest music video from Big Into includes cameos by a variety of other Iron Range rockers, but the real star is a cheese-flavored cracker. The video was shot at Mesaba Co-op Park near Hibbing.
Ian Alexy – “Dancing in the Dark”
Ian Alexy offers a take on Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” on his new EP of cover songs titled Campfire Extraordinary.
The performance footage in the video was shot by Sarah Jane Hale with assistance and lighting by Dan Dresser. The additional footage is from two educational films, Asking for a Date (1949) and Show ’em the Road (1954).
North Shorror! 2024 Call for Art
It’s time to reanimate those brains!
North Shorror! 2024 will be taking place from Oct. 11 to Nov. 2 at the St. Louis County Depot in Downtown Duluth. The annual eerie event features regional artists of all kinds in celebration of the spookiest season. The aim is to create an extraordinary space to build community connections … while also giving visitors the chills. And the organizers are looking for art to fill up the Haunted Art Gallery and visitors’ senses to do just that. Check out the Call for Art to learn more, and see the Proposal Form to send in an idea. Proposals are requested by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22. Earlier submissions are appreciated.
Trampled by Turtles – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Trampled by Turtles performed the Bob Dylan classic “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” at Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine on June 30.
Lanue – “Fire in My Mind” aboard Papa Gaucho on Lake Superior
Sarah Krueger goes sailing with Jerree Small, Alan Sparhawk and Emma Deaner in the new Lanue video for the title track of the 2022 EP Fire in My Mind.
The video was shot last fall by Keely Zynda with sound and additional editing support by Ethan Gibbs.