Music Posts

Lord, to be 35 Forever

I wish I could remember more about the first Hold Steady concert I saw. I know it was in 2005 at the Duluth Pizza Lucé. I know I went alone. I’ll never forget how Lucé felt during shows back then. But beyond that I’ve got almost nothing. No memory of specific songs they played or how big they sounded in that small room or what happened in my body and brain while it was going on.

I can’t even remember why I went. I wasn’t a Hold Steady fan. For most of 2004 I’d seen music magazine stories about how supposedly great they were, and that was my reason for ignoring them. I was early-30s going on 15 in some ways. One way was that I resisted music other people liked, as I’d done since junior high, because how would anyone know how special I was if I didn’t oppose things other people supported? (Ask me how I still feel about U2, REM, Faith No More, and INXS.) Maybe I went because curiosity wore down my resistance and misjudgment. Maybe I’m remembering it wrong and I’d been listening to them for a while.

A fan site says the show was on March 12 (a Saturday). I think I remember Lucé being full but not as packed as I’d seen it for the Black-eyed Snakes, Brother Ali, Dillinger Four, or Trampled by Turtles. Not chaotic like those shows. I think it was for sure the first time I’d heard any Hold Steady songs. Did I get bored? Sometimes that happens if I don’t know the songs, even when a band is good. Could I make out any lyrics? I had to like the actual music, which sounds like classic rock, punk, power pop, and other genres the Gen X music omnivores in the band would have inhaled while growing up.

“Bird Love Song” by Cory Coffman

Duluth’s Cory Coffman composed what he calls “this super cheesy love song from a musical that doesn’t exist.” Alexander Sandor is on piano, Adam Sippola sings and Alyssa Johnson of Blind Spot Creatives handles the video work.

MN Moder – “Christ Air”

Duluth-based hip-hop artist Zachary Moder, aka MN Moder, hangs out with Jesus at Enger Tower in his new music video, produced by Montclair Media.

Rafe Carlson – “A Place to Fall”

The new single from Hermantown’s Rafe Carlson has been released on Veteran’s Day for a reason. He’s donating 1,000 percent of his streaming revenue to 23rd Veteran, an organization that helps military veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder.

One more tribute to Low

Rick Beato on Low.

Chuck Haavik – “I Hung a Cross in My Heart”

The fifth single from Duluth’s Chuck Haavik is a bit more Gospel leaning than his previous songs. “I Hung a Cross in My Heart,” features Dave Mehling keys and Taylor Donskey on string bass.

Farewell to Mimi Parker, from Slate

Slate senior editor Sam Adams on the life and death of Mimi Parker and the music of Low.

Robert Plant pays tribute to Mimi Parker

Legendary rocker Robert Plant and his band Saving Grace, featuring Suzi Dian, paid tribute to recently departed Duluth musician Mimi Parker last night during a performance at King’s Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland.

Mimi Parker of Low has died of ovarian cancer

Duluth News Tribune: “Mimi Parker, of Duluth band Low, dies of ovarian cancer
Pitchfork: “Low’s Mimi Parker has died
NPR: “Mimi Parker, vocalist and drummer of the minimalist rock band Low, has died
Rolling Stone: “Low’s Mimi Parker, whose otherworldly vocals helped define slowcore, dead at 55 after cancer battle
PDD Calendar: Mimi Park Vigil at Sacred Heart

Rich Mattson and the Northstars – “Echo Chamber”

Rich Mattson and the Northstars have a new album titled Out There set for release on Nov. 4. “Echo Chamber” is the band’s newest video release.

Trampled by Turtles – “Starting Over”

Trampled by Turtles released a new album last week, Alpenglow, along with a new music video, shot and edited by Cooper Baumgartner.

Duluth Central High School Jazz Ensemble

The 1977 album Project Two features music by various high school jazz groups, including a track from the Duluth Central High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by James Stellmaker. The tune “All God’s Children” was composed by Dominic Spera.

Philip Blackburn’s Ghostly Psalms

I hadn’t heard of Philip Blackburn until I found this recording online. Blackburn “was born in Cambridge, England, and studied music there as a Choral Scholar at Clare College (BA, MA). He earned his Ph.D. in Composition from the University of Iowa.” At some point, he relocated to Minnesota.

Shippee – “Song in a Letter”

The third video release from Blake Shippee’s new solo album, It All Started from a Whisper, was produced by Laura Jean.

Shippee – “Moonlight”

Duluth’s Blake Shippee has a solo album titled It All Started from a Whisper. The second music video release is directed by Shane Nelson.