Music

​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…

Read more...


​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…

Read more...


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…

Read more...


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…

Read more...


​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…

Read more...


​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…

Read more...


​Making a statement with the Deportation Tour

March 22nd, 2017

Changes in the presidential administration are always bound to bring out artistic expression, whether supportive or critical. The recently inaugurated Trump administration is no different. It’s safe to say that the 45th President of the United States, in the two months he has been in office, has inspired his own fair share of artistic response. One local example is the upcoming “Deportation Tour” to take place at Zandbroz, with a name that calls to mind Trump’s highly…

Read more...


​Free Truman is #cool

March 15th, 2017

Fargo-Moorhead’s artistic output shouldn’t be underestimated. From visual art, to film, to music, there’s plenty of creative work being produced in the area every year. Yet with so much content being made, it’s easy to overlook some of the talent that comes from Fargo-Moorhead.

Free Truman is one group that many people might not yet be aware of. The band consists of Tayler Krabbenhoft, who provides vocals and plays guitar, her sister Tia Krabbenhoft on drums, and Scott Heidinger…

Read more...


Double your pleasure: Sean Anonymous and Sims play The Aquarium

March 8th, 2017

Sims, from Minneapolis hip hop super crew Doomtree, will be performing with Sean Anonymous at the Aquarium on March 11. HPR was able to talk to both of them about their relationship, the upcoming Fargo show and what they both have been up to musically.

High Plains Reader: Last September, HPR was able to chat with you before you played at the Sanctuary Event Center with Gentlemen of Doomtree. What have you been up to since then?

Sean Anonymous: Not gonna lie, life has been wild. The last…

Read more...


​A long-awaited homecoming for PDQ Bach

March 8th, 2017

Those who have been following the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra during the 2016-2017 season realize that their concerts have been evoking a more personal, intimate feeling. Whether it was the “Intimate Tango” of this January, the “Orchestra and Guitar” of November 2016, or “The Great Romantics” of September 2016, the Masterworks series has focused on a more earthy, passionate relationship with the audience than the equally astounding blockbuster-themed previous…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry Farrms Tracker Pixel for Entry Cottonwood2 Tracker Pixel for Entry Cottonwood2 Tracker Pixel for Entry hjemkomst Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA syndrome is defined as a group of signs and symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition and any complex of symptoms of an…

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 Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As we continue to deal with the ongoing horrorshow of racism, misogyny and transphobia embraced by the current administration, films like “Sally” can serve as an important reminder that…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

North Dakota play about mental health launches Midwest tour in AugustBy Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com A new one-act play inspired by patients buried in the Old Cemetery at the Jamestown State Hospital will tour festivals in…

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…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

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…