Homegrown Band and Musician Registration for 2011

Band and musician registration for the music festival with the most impressive ratio of big:cheap begins Jan. 15 and ends Feb. 15. If that seems early, it’s ’cause we moved it up after suddenly realizing no one was gonna stop us.

The Duluth Homegrown Music Festival runs May 1-8 and features 150 local bands at two dozen venues. As we enter our 13th (oooooh, so spooky!) year, Homegrown is run by a volunteer — but hardworking — steering committee of local music types who intend to show you a badass time.

Visit duluthhomegrown.com for a registration form, available as soon as signup begins. Be prepared with a couple of mp3s and photos, and maybe get around to asking your drummer his last name.

xoxo from the Chicken

31 Comments

mac

about 14 years ago

You pricks better not shut the populace out of any Retribution Gospel Choir living room shows like you did last year. ;)

Appendix Fever

about 14 years ago

Just an observation!  


It would be really really really really cool if this year, ehem, you did not allow play-one-time bands that encompass individuals who are already playing in 1,2,3,4,5 other bands that week.  I'm not saying these "bands" don't have the right to submit songs, but it seems in years past there was plenty of talent around duluth that did not play because they couldn't get in. Then there were bands that had individuals who seemed to play in multiple acts, these acts I had never heard of nor have I seen them since.  Maybe I'm not understanding the Homegrown mentality ... any comments?

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago

I'm no longer on the Homegrown steering committee, but I think I can speak for it when noting that bands can play as many free house parties as they want. The police have the jurisdiction to bust up house parties, but a music festival has no power to stop your favorite band from doing a basement show if it wants to. Give me a break. Go cry on your tan cock.

Oh, and Retribution Gospel Choir didn't play a living room show last year -- at least that I'm aware of. It did play a Homegrown show at the NorShor Theatre in front of something like a thousand people, though.

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago

As for the people-who-are-in-multiple-bands comment, all I can say is there was a big effort last year to prevent that from happening as much as possible. 

It's tricky to totally enforce that, because there are a lot of great bands that share, for example, a bass player. But the one thing that was cracked down on is there were no solo acts last year that were people who were also in bands.

Uncle Dave

about 14 years ago

I TOTALLY agree about the multiple bands idea. I know many good band who did not get in, yet some performers (won't name names) played in 3-5 different acts who ONLY played at Homegrown. Let's get some new blood into the festival by allowing as many local band as you can and try to make an effort to prevent overlap.

gothgimpbadcooking

about 14 years ago

I think the living room show Mac's referring to was the Black Eyed Snakes ... we didn't include them in the festival because they shared too many members with Retribution Gospel Choir.  

Juuuuuuuuust kidding!!!!

Seriously though, AF, I totally understand what you're saying.  It is definitely a mentality.  The way I see it is this: Homegrown showcases and celebrates the Duluth music community, which is an entirely unique beast.  I seriously ain't seen nothin' like it, nowhere I've ever lived.

One of the more peculiar features of the scene here is how insular it is. Four of the five members of one band will start a separate project.  Paul's right when he says we can't reject a band just because there's a bass player who's playing too many gigs that week.  We can, and will, totally reject a band that was formed just to play Homegrown.  It gets more streamlined each year, for sure.  Remember, we're talking about an event that has slowly transformed from a birthday party to an all out festival.  Growin' pains.

The best way to get new blood into the festival is for bands who think the festival is closed to new talent to submit applications.  Two major requirements -- have a strong connection to Duluth, and play some gigs during the year.  Trust me, I'd like to see some new faces too.

Shane

about 14 years ago

Will Danecdote make the list this year?

mac

about 14 years ago

In case anyone didn't get it, I was being completely sarcastic and making light of the "Homegrown Hate" post here.

Someone needs to get Bob Dylan to play at Homegrown.  Now that would be the shit ... he is homegrown talent, kinda, sorta, right?

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago

Ha! Mac, your emoticon should have given your sarcasm away, but I missed it. However, in the true spirit of Homegrown I still hope you cry on your tan cock.

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago

By the way, Danecdote is playing Carmody Irish Pub on Jan. 21 in the Winter Fiasco, which is a Homegrown-sponsored event to raise awareness that band registration moved up two weeks.

Who plays Homegrown will be determined by a committee at the end of February. Whether that includes Danecdote or not will remain to be seen, but I think the odds are good. (Again noting that I'm not on the committee anymore and am just making an educated guess.)

I was on the scheduling committee last year and at least two Homegrown steering committee members advocated strongly for Danecdote to be included, but ultimately some tough decisions had to be made in order to cut 80 bands. Some members of the steering committee were in bands that didn't make the cut. It was a challenge.

One of the great things about Homegrown, though, is that if your band is cut, you can always play a show in your basement, on the roof of the mom's house, or on a highway median, and it will be more awesome than a sanctioned show at a bar -- although people who don't find out about it will be mad they missed it!

Bad Cat!

about 14 years ago

Danecdote will be teaming up with Mark Gartman in a band created just for Homegrown, but will only play in someone's basement. ;)

Jake

about 14 years ago

I always try to play in as many bands as I can.  It's kind of a contest.

ha

about 14 years ago

If Danecdote gets into Homegrown, this year, look for PDD to become a way station for musicians to come and write oodles of whiny "Why not me" gripe-posts, because, hey, it worked for Danecdote!

Squeaky wheel gets a slot in the festival?

gothgimpbadcooking

about 14 years ago

Not at all, ha. I understand why it might seem that way, but here's the logic: bands who don't play shows year round don't (typically) get into Homegrown.  Danecdote himself correctly identified the fact that he hadn't played out in Duluth as one of the main reasons that he wasn't included in the 2010 festival.  Since then, he's played a number of shows at different venues in the area.

Musicians who get that concept and make efforts in the intervening year to play out more get slots.  Squeaky wheels, though, get to suck it.

TimK

about 14 years ago

Wait a minute. I play Duluth maybe once or twice a year- including Homegrown. Like mint tea ice cream after sushi, I am an acquired taste. Not everyone in Duluth is going to come see my show. I'm certainly more well-known than a number of acts, but not as well-known as others- I just tour outside of Duluth. SO, in order to keep my eligibility to play Homegrown, you can catch my show on Saturday January 22nd at Teatro with Logan Erickson and Talking Computron.

gothgimpbadcooking

about 14 years ago

That's good Tim -- you were on the "maybe" list for 2011.

Appendix Fever

about 14 years ago

woohoo, got that train chugging along! chugachugachugachuga! choo choo! 

Obviously others feel the same.  I understand the steering committee is essential to choosing a good mix of groups and they do a damn good job.  Really what I was trying to convey to all those out there reading is that for those that play in the random bands--(seriously there are some ladies and bro's out there who are friggin awesome musicians and bands need their talent to make the whole sha-bang sound right (i.e. rhythym section))--for a new years resolution, maybe those "guys" who are well "known" around town and quite possibly are just playing because "hey I'm well known with money, I should be showcased in 3 bands!" should probably volunteer to sit out. LOL!! 

Oh and if we are making Gartman comments, he is the sheeznit and I love ALL of his music.  Seriously though. 

p.s. the snake's show was epic last year.

edgeways

about 14 years ago

fwiw, and this is totally NOT a slam on Danecdote merely a reflection of my own taste, I would rather go see Tim Kaiser than Danecdote.

in.dog.neato

about 14 years ago

i'm w/edge...

but just cus i'm geek like that.

save me a seat @ teatro, edge.

adam

about 14 years ago

1) Fuck Bob Dylan. Seriously. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck Bob Dylan. And his fans.

2) It was the Black-Eyed Snakes at the DingWop house. There had to be 150 people. And expect more of it: Homegrown is looking at ending all shows across the board a little earlier than in years past. So, get off your tan cocks and get your vacationing neighbor's house ready for a par-tay.

3) Winter Fiasco is Friday, January 21. It is FREE. Coyote and Rachel Kilgour @ Teatro; Danecdote and Alrights @ Carmody; Moon is Down and Manheat @ Rex.

4) I stay as far away from the band selection meetings as possible because I'm smart.

baci

about 14 years ago

@ A.F. and others crying about who is in what band and playing how many times ... 

If you make insinuations, man up and be open about who you're talking about! Also, VOLUNTEER before you start moaning. Also also .. some of us have been playing in Homegrown festivals since day one at Lafayette Square on the point and have the band passes to prove it... we've helped, planned, sponsored, volunteered, schlepped gear and set up lights (not to mention playing in the bands) and generally made it what it is today. I think the planning committee has always had an impossible job and done it well. I think they've balanced the unbalanced and still kept a sense of fun .. I encourage those on the committee this year to not succumb to whining and do what they think best.

Appendix Fever

about 14 years ago

Understood baci, but I am not crying, a simple observation, seriously though, homegrown IS awesome. I applaud your efforts over the years and admire the organizers who put the time and effort to keep this thing afloat! 

I suppose I better "man up" up though and volunteer :)   I'll help move gear (I really enjoy it, great for me pecs!) and do all of the things you mentioned, with a big grin on my face and a 22 ounce surly in my hand. 

p.s. I can't sign up now because my work thinks this site is okay, but the homegrown site bad. Stange isn't it?

Shane

about 14 years ago

I probably should have added a sarcasm emoticon to my post too, however, I personally think emoticons are stupid, so I didn't.

adam

about 14 years ago

Oop: Southwire, not Coyote. And I'm working on Witch Farm for Anti-Valentine's, but don't hold your breath.

W.T.F

about 14 years ago

I've been in on the last 8 or 9 Homegrown orgies and I have to say hats off to the committee! Thankless job and someone is always pissed about something (including me a time or two about really bad sound) BUT...every single year it has gotten better and the committee has listen to legitimate gripes and done their level best to address and rectify whatever they can. I.E. we now have quality sound at most every venue! Nothing as cool as walking down the street during Homegrown and every single person I meet has got a mega smile on their face. 

" As I walk down the street
everyone I meet, gives me a friendly hello"*
 
Like Tim K. above I'd like to take a moment to "credentialize"* myself in case the committee is reading, come see my show at Sir Benedict on Fri Jan 7th 9PM. Gonna be Rockin' and Honky Tonkin' and singing the Blues. It's free so you'll get your moneys worth right away, the rest is on me!

*Duke Ellington tune sung by Louis "Pops", "Satchmo" Armstrong.
* A word I made up.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's Satchmo sized smile.

pbroman

about 14 years ago

Blargh! Tim Kaiser on the "maybe" list?? This is a joke, I'm assuming. If so, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Logan (Low-Gain) Erickson

about 14 years ago

So how does one get on the "maybe" list for 2011 before registration has even started? Is there a "for sure" list or a "hell no" list too? har har I'll be signing up this year for sure!

Born and raised in Duluth. Moved to STP 8 years ago. Just not sure Duluth can handle the sonic wave forms of "Low-Gain" ... but we'll see bout that on January 22. Cocky? Damn right. You gotta be in this business. Come see what I'm talking about in January. 

In the mean time, less talk and more rock guys. You want to play Homegrown? Do what you can to show you deserve to be on the line up. Keep playing shows, and make sure you register! You're just spinning your wheels sitting around ranting about who should and shouldn't be playing on an online forum/blog.  ;)

Now can we do something about bringing back more all-ages venues in Duluth? The kids need a positive place to hang and listen to some fine Duluth talent! 

Peace and love Duluth! I miss my Sunday morning breakfasts at Luce. I'll move back eventually.

hunter

about 14 years ago

Some venues last year needed to clear out tables if they want to be part of Homegrown or the band should be put in a venue that fits people in it without being a fire hazard .... especially if tickets are 30 bucks. I don't think it's too hard to figure out ... just a suggestion and I plan on volunteering again.

adam

about 14 years ago

Homegrown 2010 weeklong ticket price was raised to $25 (from $20). It will be $25 in 2011.

You can learn more about volunteering at: volunteer [dot] homegrown [at] gmail [dot] com

hunter

about 14 years ago

I swear Electric Fetus was selling them for $28 last year. I could be wrong though.

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