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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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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By Bryce Vincent Haugen By his own account, Edwin Chinchilla is lucky to still be in the United States. As a 12-year-old Salvadoran, he and his brother were packed into a semi with a couple dozen other people and given fake…
By Michael M. Miller Rev. Salomon Joachim, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah, North Dakota., delivered an address to the Western Conference of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church in 1939. His presentation was…
Wednesday, March 25, Group lesson 7 p.m., Dance 9 p.m.Sons of Norway, 722 2nd Avenue North, FargoCare to dance? If you don’t already know how to dance, the Northern Lights Dance Club can show you a thing or two about social…
By John StrandDisclaimer: This editorial is the work of someone who’s spent most of his adult life working in the media — most of those years co-owning this very entity, the High Plains Reader, since 1996. The notion that folks…
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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 Sabrina Hornung There’s a Bosnian saying that states simply, “It’s a sin to throw away bread,” which really resonates with me — especially growing up with grandparents who lived through the Second World War and the Great…
The Slow Death at The AquariumSaturday, March 21, doors at 7:30 p.m. The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe Slow Death is a punk supergroup led by Jesse Thorson, with members and collaborators that include…
By Sabrina HornungJD Provorse is a horror movie enthusiast and Fargo-based podcast host. Both he and cohost Michelle Roller have a comedy background and started the wildly entertaining podcast “We Watch Shudder” in 2022 as an…
By Jacinta ZensGraffiti is something we all see routinely on trains as they pass through the metro. If you pay attention even a little bit, you will notice that some graffiti pieces on train cars look much better than others in…
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 Ellie Liverani In November 2025, the FDA initiated the removal of the “black box” warning from Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The “black box” warning is a FAD safety warning for healthcare providers and patients…
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…
By Jim FuglieI’m feeling a little mean right now. It doesn’t happen often, but I tend to pay attention to politics and politicians and I’m pretty disappointed in one of our politicians right now. So I’m going to be mean to…
