Music

​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…

Read more...


​Leonard the energy bringer

July 12th, 2017

Photo by Raul Gomez

Leonard Podolak is both a contributor and an innovator on the Canadian folk scene. Considered a clawhammer virtuoso, the Grammy and Juno award-winning artist has entertained audiences worldwide, with a wide range of styles and influences. HPR had the chance to chat with Podolak onsite at Winnipeg Folk Fest this year about his banjo beginnings, growing up with the festival and his latest projects.

High Plains Reader: In the Winnipeg Folk Fest program you’re listed as…

Read more...


​HPR interview: Peter Yarrow

July 12th, 2017

Peter Yarrow is an American singer and songwriter who found fame with the 1960s folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Yarrow co-wrote one of the group's greatest hits, Puff, the Magic Dragon.

A veteran of Greenwich Village and a lifetime dedicated to his causes--at 79 Yarrow has no plans of slowing down.

High Plains Reader had the opportunity to connect with Yarrow on site at the Winnipeg Folk Fest this weekend. We had the opportunity to team up with John Prentice of Planet Mainstage on…

Read more...


​Billboard, bands, and business: an interview with Salt Creek

July 12th, 2017

Salt Creek is an indie/post-rock band based out of Lincoln, Nebraska. They just released their new EP, Where Strangers Go, to critical acclaim and the #5 spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

High Plains Reader: Congratulations on the new record hitting the billboard charts! How did you find out?

Nathan Richardson, guitarist: We got an email from Alex Vitoulis [from Billboard], we had tracked our sales so we kind of thought it might have been a mistake at first until he followed up…

Read more...


​Vanity Plate’s got a new album and a new tour

July 12th, 2017

Minot-based pop, punk, rock group Vanity Plate is releasing their first album, Not Cool, after previously releasing two EPs. With their new album, Vanity Plate is touring the region and the country, hitting Fargo on July 17. Jazmine and Zach Schultz, founding members and vocals and guitar for the band, chatted with HPR about their upcoming album, tour and the band.

High Plains Reader: How did the concept for Not Cool develop?

Zach Schultz: When we first started the band, we had a…

Read more...


​HPR’s Festival Guide

June 29th, 2017

Here comes summer, full of sun, ice-cold drinks, and of course, music festivals. From the southeastern most corner of Minnesota to north of the very north of North Dakota, HPR has compiled enough music festivals to enhance any music lover’s summer nights and days.

Canada

Winnipeg Folk Festival

July 6 – July 9

Winnipeg, Canada

Folk

Headliners: Brandi Carlile, Feist, City and Color, The Shins, Esmé Patterson

More information and full lineup: http://winnipegfolkfestival.ca/

Minnesota

Basilica…

Read more...


​Diane Miller promoting and producing

June 28th, 2017

Former HPR editor, musician, and current lead music promoter at The Aquarium, Diane Miller took some time out of her jam-packed schedule to sit down with HPR for an interview. She filled us in on why she works at The Aquarium, how important she thinks the venue is to the local music scene, and what musical endeavors she is currently undertaking.

High Plains Reader: When did you start working at The Aquarium?

Diane Miller: So I started at The Aquarium at the end of last September. Burt…

Read more...


Getting caught with a Mr. Meaner

June 28th, 2017

Some of my favorite interviews are with musicians and bands. They’re often relaxed, casual, and I might get a drink or two out of them. Of course, we were at the Bismarck on the night of the interview because, as banjoist Mike Schmidt put it, “The Bismarck is for business,” putting an emphasis on the first syllable.

That certainly was the case with Fargo band Mr. Meaner, who split much of their time between the Empire and the Bismarck downtown. “We live in dive bars,” said…

Read more...


Esme Patterson creating Herstory

June 28th, 2017

Jolene, Allison, and Eleanor Rigby are all very different characters made famous by pop songs, but have you ever wondered how they felt about their situations?

Singer-songwriter Esme Patterson’s latest concept album “Woman to Woman” sings their stories from their perspectives.

We had the opportunity to speak with Patterson via phone interview. We caught her in San Francisco working on a new collaboration. Unfortunately, all she could tell us was it was for a movie score. Fortunately…

Read more...


Like a Big Thief in the night

June 28th, 2017

Buck Meek of Big Thief on touring, Adrienne and ‘Capacity’

Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

Buck Meek, guitarist for Big Thief, the Brooklyn-based indie band, and songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Adrienne Lenker’s paths crossed a number of times before they finally had a chance to connect. Soon, a beautiful friendship blossomed and their collaborations led to Big Thief. She sings softly but they carry a big sound and intense touring schedule.

HPR had a chance to speak with Buck on the…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry MidwestRoadTripAdventures Tracker Pixel for Entry hjemkomst Tracker Pixel for Entry Blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans Tracker Pixel for Entry Concordia1 Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comDairy Queen restaurants across the country will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals during Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 31. At least one dollar from every Blizzard…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu The Northwest Blade, from Eureka, South Dakota, published a wonderful story in August 2020. It’s called “Granddaughter keeps Grandmother’s precious chamomile seeds,” by Cindy…

October 3-5, 2025Memorial Union at NDSU, 1401 Administrative Ave., Fargo With the theme of “Existence is Resistance: Healing Through Unity,” this year’s summit will kick off with a professional development day followed by a…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.com Yes, we know, everywhere you look, the world situation is mental. It’s almost inescapable just how tenuous life’s circumstances are. And how they are mostly — pretty much entirely — out of our…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhat are the four freedoms of Donald John Trump? Nearly a century ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said every citizen in the United States of America should have four freedoms: Freedom from…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As a follow-up to “The Whale,” a raucous adaptation of the first novel in Charlie Huston’s Henry Thompson series was a good choice for eclectic auteur Darren Aronofksy, whose bold visions…

By HPR staffsubmit@hpr1.com Mark the first weekend of October on your calendar. It’s the weekend of the Studio Crawl, which takes us all on a wonderful, metro-wide tour of our talented (and often wacky) arts community. On October…

Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comPenn & Teller are returning to their roots. The legendary magic and comedy duo will appear on the Crown Stage at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota, where they first…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com Loneliness is on the rise in North Dakota, where there is one of the highest rates of people living alone. The challenging winter can be a major contributor, yet North Dakota is not alone.…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…