Videos
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.
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.
Dirty Knobs – “Squid Crow Pro”
Dirty Knobs, a music project of Duluth’s Zac Bentz, part of The Electric Witch and The Surfactants, released the new album Scorcher on Halloween. On Youtube the tracks come with psychedelic visualizers as above for “Squid Crow Pro,” a track I have on repeat. I would loosely characterize the album as a collection of ambient electronica soundscapes, textured and chewy. These tracks are going to get me through winter.
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.
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.
“Opiate War” by ©ontainer
When you live downtown, you see some things. I’m just a guy with windows. (more…)
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.
Climate>Duluth: Kelley Skumautz
Climate>Duluth host Tone Lanzillo interviews Kelley Skumautz, executive director of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate. The program was recorded in the Duluth Public Access Community Television studio.
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.
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.
Leta Powell Drake Compilation: The Notorious L.P.D.
Duluth native Leta Powell Drake began her broadcasting career at KDAL-TV after graduating from Morgan Park High School in 1956. She went on to host and produce more than 10,000 TV shows at KOLN/KGIN-TV in Lincoln, Nebraska.
She could be … shall we say … a little bit blunt. As a result, clips of her celebrity interviews have become popular on the internet in recent years. And for a double-dose of Duluth, the montage above includes an exchange with Telly Savalas, star of the classic “Duluth, who loves ya baby?” TV spot of 1984. (more…)
Wild Horses – “When I Was Younger”
The latest single from Grand Rapids-based Americana band Wild Horses is “When I Was Younger.” The music video was directed by Cooper Baumgartner.
Superior Porchfest 2025 Recap Video
The 2025 season of Superior Porchfest continued the mission of the nonprofit Siggy’s Musical Garden to build community with music, arts and fun. This year’s recap video features the music of Steve Solkela and Cars & Trucks, with video clips from throughout the summer of shows.
Porchfest 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.
Minnesota Historia: The Leif Erikson Viking Ship
Minnesota Historia talks to 107-year-old Lilly Haldorson, who remembers the day the Leif Erikson sailed into Duluth’s Harbor in 1927. The ship was named for the famous Viking explorer, but its captain, Gerhard Folgero, was an unforgettable character in his own right.
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.
Minnesota Historia: Judy Garland’s Minnesota
Judy Garland is known around the world for her role in The Wizard of Oz. But few know about her life in Minnesota. Minnesota Historia visits the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids to explore her childhood and return visits to the state.
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.
Mini Skirt
Intergalactic glamour and out-of-this-world fashions are featured in this montage edited by Duluth’s Jean Kirwan set to music by Esquivel.