Music

make some noise

October 3rd, 2018

Hornung - Noise-Suspicion playing at Fargo Noise Fest 1 on August 19 2016 photograph by Zach Schiermann

When asked what attracted Brandon Wald, noise musician and force behind the independent Fargo based record label Black Ring Rituals, to noise music, he said, “That it’s different. When I first heard noise music it was the sound I had been trying to find my whole life but couldn’t find.” He went on to say, “ I like the sonic extremism that it brings, the harshness, the inaccessibility...it makes me like it more. The more uncomfortable it makes me the more I like it.”

Why…

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Bouncing around with the Swingin’ Utters

October 1st, 2018

Osborne-Swingin Utters-photograph by Alan Snodgrass

It wasn’t until about three questions into this interview that I realized I was talking to the wrong person. Swingin’ Utters singer Johnny “Peebucks” Bonnel was kindly answering a question about New Jersey or something when I realized he wasn’t one of the dudes from the Bouncing Souls. I quickly checked the email from the Fat Wreck Chords publicist and sure enough. I didn’t just misread the band’s name in the email, I’ve been conflating the Bouncing Souls and the…

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Old Favorites Return for a New Season at the Orchestra

September 26th, 2018


Fall has come around again, which of course means the beginning of a new season of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Masterworks’ series sponsored by Sanford Health. These concerts bring in a large number of listeners both old and new and never cease to amaze, and this season is gearing up to be no different in that sense. However, this year’s concert season does not have a particular theme, according to executive director Linda Boyd, “Other than emphasizing that…

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Back in the saddle

September 19th, 2018

After a long hiatus members of Teenage Lobotomy reunited for the first time in 22 years at Center Fest in Robinson North Dakota this summer. With influences such as Husker Du and the Circle Jerks their high energy immediately had the crowd’s attention. Now they’re bringing that sound and energy to the Sidestreet this Friday. We had a chance to catch up with guitarist Jim Kennedy on the history and the future of the band.

High Plains Reader: How Long since Teenage Lobotomy last…

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​With his life relocated to Thailand, Jon Wayne brings his Pain back to Fargo

September 5th, 2018

Jon Wayne and his wife Jordan with a tiger - photograph provided by Jon Wayne

It’s only been a little more than a month since former Jamestown/Fargo/Minneapolis musician Jon Wayne uprooted his wife and life and boarded a plane to move to Thailand. At what some might call the pinnacle of his career, touring over 200 dates a year throughout the United States and sharing stages with some of his scene’s most established artists, he made the unexpected decision to take a bit of a break from the madness that is the road and focus a bit more on family, relaxation,…

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​Trampled by Turtles: On the road again

August 21st, 2018

Trampled - photograph by David McClister

Last time we chatted with Trampled by Turtles frontman Dave Simonett, he was on a hiatus from the band and working on a different more personal project with Old Man Winter. Now, a year later, Trampled is back together and they’ve released their first studio album in four years. We had the opportunity to catch up with him and chat about the band reuniting and a fresh perspective on touring.

High Plains Reader: So what got everybody back together?

Dave Simonett: Oh I don’t know, it was…

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​A Far-go Out Time on Woodstock’s 50th

August 15th, 2018

Woodstock: even people who were born years after the original three-day music festival recognize the name. The event, which took place between August 15th and 18th at Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in southern New York and attracted over 400,000 attendees, featured the most famous musical talents of the day and was a pivotal event not just in the history of popular music but the American counterculture as well.

The summer of 2019 will mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary music…

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​Three Pieces Of Advice To Aspiring Musicians From Erik Turner Of Warrant

August 15th, 2018

Warrant the band - photograph courtesy of Warrant

By Travis Hopkins
trav.hopkins@yahoo.com  

Every musician remembers the bands and artists that lit their fire, igniting the spark for their love of music. It’s a love like no other, one that molds a lifestyle, fuels a dream and takes you on a journey. No matter who you are or what kind of music it was, it changed your life. To many Warrant is one of those bands. They came from an era of music that exuded fun, flash and excitement with loud guitars and catchy hooks. Their music videos…

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The British are Coming to Bluestem

August 8th, 2018

Symphony Rocks - photograph by Urban Toad Media

The fledgling United States of America was formed when the colonies took to revolution against the British monarchy over two centuries ago. Of course, that revolution did not prevent the British from invading us almost two hundred years later, during the 1960s and 1970s. Albeit then, they did it musically. The “British Invasion” marked a prolific influx of British musicians and rockers who left an indelible impact on pop culture on both sides of the pond, from The Beatles to…

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​A Carolina blue collar love story

August 2nd, 2018

Carolina Story-photograph by Laura Partain

The story of Ben and Emily Roberts could be summed up best as a blue collar love story. The husband and wife Americana duo spend close to half of their year on the road but there’s more to their setlist than filling the world with silly love songs.

“I love a good love song but a lot of our songs are very personal but they’re more about our life. The ups, downs, moments of discouragement, and the small victories along the way.” Said Ben Roberts.

High Plains Reader: How did the two…

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