Music

​Getting centered in Kidder County

August 9th, 2017

Bill Bender on Center Fest, the geographical shift and Hanson’s Bar

Photo by Sabrina Hornung

The city of Robinson is nestled within the sprawling drift prairie of central North Dakota, with a population of close to 40. Though it’s a hunter’s paradise, the wildlife ascending the town this weekend won’t be their typical deer or waterfowl.

The first annual Center Fest will be taking place in Robinson this weekend. A celebration of North Dakota art, music, and the acquisition of the…

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The original: Norwegian black metal

August 3rd, 2017

By Kaycee Boe and Rachel Levy

kayceeboe35@gmail.com rlevy13@su.edu

For many people, black metal is as synonymous with Norway as snow and fjords. Imagery of young men with dark painted faces burning down churches and causing trouble in the grey Norwegian winters often comes to mind. The legacy of black metal draws fans from all over the world, who hope to learn more about the history and find out if the music they love still exists in Norway today.

Many are interested to find that black…

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​BOOTS set to perform at WE Fest pre-party

August 2nd, 2017

Local talent takes stage with big names 

Among names like Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum, the Fargo-based band BOOTS is taking the stage at this year’s WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. BOOTS is performing at the WE Fest Pre-Party on Wednesday, August 2 at 11 p.m., and again on Thursday, August 3 at 4 p.m. on the BOB 95 stage. Nathan Pitcher, guitar and vocals for the band, sat down with HPR to talk about their upcoming show and the potential for a new BOOTS album.

HPR: Is this a…

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​Grand Opening: raising the roof

August 2nd, 2017

Fargo Moorhead’s newest music destination

Last March, Jerry’s Bar closed its doors and we thought we’d lost a landmark. Fortunately for Fargo-Moorhead, Steven Langstaff and Scott Nelson closed on the property in June. This coming week they will be celebrating their grand opening with three days of music, with acts hailing from F-M to Australia, ending with their national headlining act Drowning Pool.

Though Jerry’s had undergone a remodel close to nine years ago, it has gotten…

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​Ukulele Crazy at the Red Raven

July 26th, 2017

Most of us only hear about world records secondhand. Many might think they’re not up to the challenge, others might not see the point of breaking one, and others just read about them in books and think of them as an exotic curiosity. In any case, most people don’t think about taking part in them.

This isn’t the case for a man named Julian Ruck, however. Ruck is someone who has sought to break world records on several occasions. Starting on Friday, July 28 at 10am at the Red Raven,…

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​A bouncer, a band, and a birthday

July 26th, 2017

Photo by Gary Lura

Downtown Fargo has its fair share of familiar faces. Regulars at Dempsey’s and its upstairs music venue The Aquarium will likely recognize a man named Jeremy Kinnen often watching their doors, whether by his long goatee and hair, his impressive stature, or his wide variety of band t-shirts.

Those who don’t know him no doubt see an intimidating bouncer. Those who know him, as I’ve been lucky to for the last two years, know despite what might be a scary appearance…

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​A new departure for Dawes

July 26th, 2017

Latest album doesn’t sound like anything they did before

When we had the chance to chat with Griffin Goldsmith, drummer of the popular band Dawes, they were just getting off tour with Willie Nelson. Often credited for a vintage Laurel Canyon-esque sound Dawes is making their mark.

We had the opportunity to chat with Goldsmith about their sound, their new album, and the family dynamic between he and his brother Taylor.

HPR: How’s the tour going so far?

Griffin Goldsmith: It’s been…

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Robby Takac on the evolution of the Goo Goo Dolls

July 19th, 2017

The High Plains Reader had the opportunity to chat with Goo Goo Dolls Bassist Robby Takac about their origins, their ever evolving sound, and the impact of “Iris.”

High Plains Reader: You grew up in Buffalo New York. What was the music scene like when you first started? 

Robby Takac: Our first gigs were in the 80s, ‘86 would have been our first album. The world was a much different place then. There was no internet and such, so everything was pretty hands-on and pretty local. So for…

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​Friday tunes in our city

July 19th, 2017

There is good news for our community members who love music but have a hard time with crowds. Prairie Musicians is back with an all-new season, with regional talent performing live on the Prairie Public studio soundstage. It is on Friday evenings.

Prairie Public recognized that there were many talented musicians in our region, so the show has been started to appreciate our regional music. Prairie Musicians just premiered last week as season seven on July 7.

The musicians are selected…

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​Folkin’ around

July 18th, 2017

With a wide span of genres and talent spanning from the world music of Ukrainian folk band Dhakabrahka to indie rock such as the Shins and Feist, to hip hop sensations such as DJ Shub Chali 2na & the House of Vibe there’s something for everyone at the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

While Feist was onstage she told us an anecdote on how she described the fest as “The Burning Man of Canada.”

The programming runs morning to night with both concerts and workshops that create a one-of-a-kind…

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