Music Posts

The Social Animals – “Smithereens” (Live)

This video has been removed from YouTube.

Another studio video by former Duluth band the Social Animals, shot at Type Foundry Studios in Portland, Ore. The band’s new home base is Nashville, but a trip to Duluth is planned in May to play the Homegrown Music Festival.

Monster Mob – “Bloodfeast”

Monster Mob“Bloodfeast” is the latest single from Duluth band Monster Mob’s 2015 album American Grindhouse. Upcoming gig: Monster Mob and Ball Slashers at the Barrel Room at Fitger’s Brewhouse on May 25.

Roe Family Singers – “Sail Away Ladies”

Roe Family Singers return to Duluth on March 12 for a concert with the Holy Hootenanners at Teatro Zuccone.

Kraig James – “Afterbloom”

Kraig James & the Campfire Stars are releasing a new song each month in 2016 for a project called Campfire Americana: Volume 1. This is the second track, available for download at kraigjames.com/music. The video was shot in Ely.

Gaelynn Lea to appear on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series

GaelynnLeaDuluth musician Gaelynn Lea has been chosen as the winner of National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Contest. NPR asked musicians from across the country to send a video of an original song, performed behind a desk. Specifically, the contest was seeking “a song and a sound that felt original and a performance that felt inspired.” Among 6,100 entries, Gaelynn Lea was the favorite. Below is her audition video.

“The melody of this song wouldn’t let go – it just stuck with me, it stuck with all the judges. It conveys an overwhelming emotion of yearning and love that’s unforgettable,” said Bob Boilen of NPR Music — whose desk has served as the stage of more than 500 Tiny Desk performances. “What we look for in the contest is an artist who has something singular about what they do, something unique to them, something no one else is doing. Gaelynn Lea has that, and that simply won our hearts.

Erik Koskinen – “Nothing Without You”

Michigan native Erik Koskinen has called Minneapolis home for the past eight years, but he has a long-running relationship with Duluth, having performed here frequently for nearly 20 years. He returns March 5 for a concert at Sacred Heart Music Center. The video above was shot live at the Turf Club in St. Paul on Dec. 15.

Holy Hootenanners – “It’s Time to Let it Go”

Holy Hootenanners - It's Time to Let GoCheck out the new video from the title track of the Holy Hootenaners album It’s Time to Let it Go. The song was written by Colleen Myhre and the video was produced by Paul Marvin Arts.

The Adjustments – “North Shore Sinner” Parts III and IV

The Adjustments are releasing their second studio album, At North Shore, with two concerts in the region. The Iron Range release party is tonight at Tommy’s Rainy Lake Saloon & Deli. The Duluth release party is March 11 at Carmody Irish Pub.

The Social Animals – “Let Me Go”

This video was removed from YouTube

The Social Animals is a band that formed in Duluth and now resides in Nashville. This live studio video features a song from the group’s not-yet-released second album, recorded at Type Foundry Studios in Portland, Ore. The band plans to return to Duluth in May to play the Homegrown Music Festival.

Low – “Into You”

New video for a song from the 2015 release Ones and Sixes. Directed by Jim Burns and Beth Chalmers.

No Interest at the Speakeasy

Hardcore punk band No Interest, performing in a Duluth basement that was recently taken off the party market.

Red Cowboy Hat (featuring Jim Hall) – “Duluth Blues”

Jim Hall recently brought his Red Cowboy Hat trio to the KUMD studios for a Live from Studio A session. They performed this tune, perfect for a sub-zero windchill day in Duluth. Audio of the full session with Jim and company is available at kumd.org.

Perfect Indoor Concert Venue: Red Herring Lounge

PDDPerfectIndoorConcertVenueLogoWhen it comes to picking the best indoor concert venue, there are a lot of things to consider — seating, acoustics, general vibe, etc. There might be plenty of room for argument on just about any criteria, but in one facet Duluth has a clear winner. It would be tough to dispute that any local concert hall, club or coffee house has consistently brought more high-caliber talent to its stage in the past two years than the Red Herring Lounge. Among the top four in PDD’s poll, the Herring pulled out a clean win with 35 percent of the vote.

The Alan Sparhawk Project

Ten year’s ago, Duluth musician Alan Sparhawk had his name dropped in this little comic (specifically panel three):

Alan Sparhawk Project

Questionable Content is an internet comic strip by Jeph Jacques of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It started in August 2003 and is still in production. The publish date of the comic above is not known, but it was first posted to PDD on Feb. 9, 2006.

John Mark Nelson & Kara Laudon – “That’s What You Do”

John Mark Nelson and Kara Laudon perform “That’s What You Do” for a Lutsen Mountains Gondola Session during the Gndwire Records’ Ski Party last weekend. Video by Brian Wegner.