May 17th, 2017
At twenty years of age a lot of us are still figuring out what to do with our lives. Whether we’re still in school, trying to find that dream job, or even just trying to move out of our parents’ house, the pieces of our lives usually haven’t fallen into place by that point.
The same can’t be said of local musician Kwaician Traylor.
Born and raised in Chicago before moving to downstate Illinois and eventually Fargo, Traylor has been blazing a path for his musical career through…
May 17th, 2017
By Sabrina Hornung and Tom Bixby
When we had the pleasure of catching up with The Shins indie rock mastermind James Mercer, the band was in Virginia. Featured in the movie “Garden State” in 2004, their single “New Slang” was endorsed by Natalie Portman’s character as a song that would “change your life.” 13 years and five albums later they’re bigger and better than ever with a few new tricks up their sleeves.
HPR: When did you develop your musical…
May 10th, 2017
To the outside world, Fargo, ND is possibly thought as nothing more than a boring, redneck infested, frozen tundra, or a flyover between coasts. In other circles, we are likely thought of as violent, odd speaking caricatures of Midwesterners because of how we’re portrayed in modern pop culture thanks to THAT little movie and tv series you may have heard of. Most will not think of us as a growing epicenter for artistic expression, but this is swiftly becoming the reality. Locals on…
May 3rd, 2017
The Human Element of Fargo started off as a cover band by the name of Matty J and Friends in the winter of 2014. Originally the band only consisted of three members -- Matt Johnson, Andrew Overby, and Seth Holden.
But then they played a gig with Kari Marie Steen and everything just fell into place. The group became a new band with their own original sound and now they have their debut album coming out May 5.
I was able to sit down with them and talk about their experiences with the band…
April 26th, 2017
By Sabrina Hornung and Tom Bixby sabrina@hpr1.com
Going back in time for one night only, the Sidestreet Grille presents a powerfully nostalgic show. You’ll remember where you were and what you shouldn’t have done!
And how to describe Pat Lenertz? Congenial and approachable, a staple and a stalwart of the music scene, producer and organizer, and all-around good citizen. We were lucky to run into him!
High Plains Reader: How long has the reunion been in the works?
Pat Lenertz: I had the…
April 19th, 2017
High Plains Reader: Jucifer is incredible and unique for so many reasons, one being your longevity as you’ve been around since the early 90s, known for your never-ending tour schedule and decibel-crushing, high octane performances juxtaposed with quieter Americana-infused songs. What advice do you have for musicians who are just starting out - about finding their sound, niche, and audience?
Amber Gazelle Valentine: First of all, thank you! And really, the main thing I want to tell…
April 19th, 2017
High Plains Reader: Can we start by talking about finding your beginnings in music, how you guys got started?
Diane Miller: I grew up with pop music, as a little kid, always was drawn to it. I guess I got my start rapping in college. I’ve always been able to rap, had the ability to do it.
HPR: Freestyling or putting it together first?
DM: Writing. A tiny bit in high school, but then I got my start writing in college. But I could always rap over a track that I liked, since I was very…
April 12th, 2017
I'm currently in the back of a hot, cramped van driving through the middle of nowhere, Kansas, with the Wisconsin indie rock band Township.
Matt Weinberger, their guitarist, is driving and choosing the music (it's Alistair Hennessy right now). Nicki Halverson, (vocals) is playing Breath of the Wild on his Nintendo Switch, something he has been doing pretty much this whole tour. Ben Wittlinger (bass) is staring out the window watching the countless corn and cattle farms go by. Andy…
April 12th, 2017
Nobody knew what happened at first. Pop punk group Knuckle Puck began playing the final song of their set at So What Fest in Dallas, TX when their vocalist Joe Taylor disappeared off the front of the stage. I was standing off to the side of the stage so I was able to see him being carried away from the stage with a trail of blood following him. With a quick "thank you" spoken into the microphone, the remaining members of the band dropped their instruments mid-song and rushed offstage to…
April 12th, 2017
Even though the intention of the 2016-2017 season was to create a more “down to earth” and “personal” experience than the “blockbuster”-themed prior season, it has still been quite the adventure. Whether it was the amazing pieces of music, guest performers galore, or the return of Mr. Peter Schickele, AKA PDQ Bach, to watch his own newly commissioned work performed by his hometown orchestra, this season offered more than its share of excitement.
And now that this season draws…
By Bryce Vincent Haugen By all accounts, Democratic-Farmer-Labor U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar — first elected in 2006 — is the most popular active politician in Minnesota, whether she’s judged by polling or by her four electoral…
Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.Paradox Comics-N-Cards, 814 Main Ave., FargoCalling all nerds: it’s time to get down and nerdy with vendors aplenty, who are selling comics, toys, video games, board games, various collectibles…
June 6-7StatewideYou grab a line and I’ll grab a pole — and if you’re a North Dakota resident, you can head on down to your favorite fishing hole, no license needed (for this weekend, anyway). All other rules still apply…
By John Strand It took us over 30 years for us to reach out and ask for your help. The High Plains Reader has always been subscription free and paywall free. Our content has — and always will be — free to access for all of our…
By Ed RaymondWere women created to do the work of God?One of the first requests made by new Pope Leo XIV was to invite an expert on the alt-right conservative Catholic organization known as Opus Dei to brief him about its…
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 GionThe scarfing of canned fish and seafood products by online food influencer types is hard to miss on social media these days. Some of the consumed morsels range from exquisite to downright nasty. However, there are many…
By Bryce Vincent Haugen The curtain has come down on Jade Presents. Fargo-Moorhead’s largest event promoter has brought thousands of shows — more than 150 per year — and hundreds of artists to the area over the past 36 years. On…
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By Greg Carlson Steven Spielberg, who will turn 80 this December, returns to the subject of aliens among us in “Disclosure Day,” his first feature since “The Fabelmans” in 2022. Now closer to the end than the beginning of…
By Jacinta Zens I recently sat down for a chat with ceramicist Louie Albertson, Clay and Studio Program Manager at the Plains Art Museum. Before the interview, I had the pleasure of getting to know him a bit as a colleague when I…
Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…
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 Eli Liverani Cholesterol is probably one of the first molecules I have ever heard of in my childhood. Most of the relatives on my mother's side had high cholesterol in their blood, and apparently, levels above a certain range…
January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…
Chris M. Stoner I was recently dismissed from my role as drag show director and emcee for Dakota OutRight, a role I had been fulfilling for more than two decades. The reason given? My political commentary during shows, while…
