Music

D Mills & the Thrills talk writing, their new album, and sensuality

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…

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​Township

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…

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​Knuckle Puck to play all ages show

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…

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​Spring is a riot in the orchestra

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…

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​Party on with Gorgatron

April 12th, 2017

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview local metal band Brutalur about one of their upcoming concerts. Their guitarist Nathan ‘Natanic’ Pehler gave me the great idea to get more exposure for other local heavy metal acts. Recently I had the opportunity to do just that as I sat down with three of the four members of Gorgatron at Duffy’s.

Gorgatron is slated to perform at the Aquarium on April 20 with Brutalur, Benefactor, and Jucifer in what’s sure to be an…

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​25 years with The Big Wu

April 12th, 2017

I recently sat down with Terry VanDewalker of The Big Wu. One of the original members, and a good friend of mine. He had great insight into their history, and how they made it to 25. He’s now a husband and a father of three. His entire adult life has been comprised of playing with The Big Wu, something he never would have imagined when he was 18.

Now, 25 years later, a celebration of the music, and the people of The Big Wu, is coming to The Sanctuary Event Center.

Not a lot of bands…

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HPR exclusive: Kosha Dillz interview

April 5th, 2017

With the ability to rap in English, Spanish and Hebrew, Kosha Dillz may be one of the most diverse hip hop artists of our generation. HPR got the chance to ask Rami Even-Esh, aka Kosha Dillz, a couple of questions about his tour Oy Vey, his life, and his upcoming show at The Aquarium.

High Plains Reader: Kosha Dillz has collaborated with some pretty big names, including Matisyahu and the Rza. What was it like to work with the Rza?

Kosha Dillz: Rza brought me to the studio one day and it…

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HPR exclusive interview with Gabriel Douglas

March 29th, 2017

The High Plains Reader had the opportunity to sneak away from the festivities of South by Southwest to meet up with the 4onthefloor frontman Gabriel Douglas, over drinks and cupcakes left over from a party the night before at a surprisingly quiet bar on Fourth Street -- strong contrast with the bustling foot traffic and the sound track of traffic, chatter, distant amplified music and occasional sirens in the streets.

HPR Publisher Raul Gomez and I arrived early to test out the light…

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​The Vistas: new album, same great sound

March 29th, 2017

If you’ve ever found yourself downtown at one of Fargo’s music hotspots on a Friday or Saturday night, chances are you’ve seen The Vistas, the funky soulful jam band made up of guitarist/vocalist Jake Schaefbauer, bassist Grant Wigen, and drummer Eli Davis.

This Saturday night, The Vistas are celebrating the release of their first full studio album with a concert at The Aquarium.

High Plains Reader sat down with two of the band’s members to talk music, their style and how The…

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​No matter where we go

March 29th, 2017

Photo by Daniel Topete

With influences from Marvin Gaye and The Band, Chicago-based indie folk rock band Whitney’s Julien Ehrlich considers their sound to be “country soul.” Throughout the album Ehrlich’s warm falsetto is melancholy yet optimistic, combined with strings, brass, and even an occasional bit of twang. Who would ever have thought country and soul could pair so well?

Whitney has been on a rigorous touring schedule to promote their record, “Light Upon the Lake” to…

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