Music

​Though physically gone, New Direction is alive in spirit

February 22nd, 2017

As some of you may know, local venue The New Direction closed back in September 2016. For several years, this small, all-ages venue located below street level Downtown, hosted concerts showcasing talent from numerous independent and local music acts.

Although unforeseen circumstances caused the physical location to close its doors, people are still eager to keep its spirit of supporting local and independent music alive.

I had the opportunity recently to speak with Jack Stenerson, one of…

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Dave Simonett: the fuel behind his fire

February 15th, 2017

The album “Furnace” marks a number of firsts for Dave Simonett. Not only has he asked for a hiatus from popular string band Trampled by Turtles in order to focus on his current project, Dead Man Winter; he’s opened himself up to his audience emotionally, with his topical album “Furnace.” The main inspiration behind the album was the dissolution of Simonett’s 10 year marriage and the fragmentation of his home and family.

When asked what inspired the album musically, “All of…

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​Celebration through the years

February 15th, 2017

You sit in the Fargo Theatre talking with your neighbor when the lights go out. You turn towards the stage and watch as the first performer walks to the middle and prepares to start their performance. Finally you are immersed in beautiful music from some of the best female performers in the area.

This is something that you can experience on Saturday during the Celebration of Women and Their Music event, where many local performers will play or sing their best pieces so that they can…

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​Off With Their Heads acoustic tour

February 15th, 2017

Off With Their Heads have been making waves in the underground punk scene ever since their formation in 2002 and after their signing to Epitaph Records in 2010 have been slowly gaining worldwide attention. We had the chance to do a quick Q&A with singer and founding member Ryan Young about their upcoming tour, his multimedia company, and his own struggles with mental health.

High Plains Reader: What made you decide to do an acoustic tour? Have you done one before?

Ryan Young: I decided…

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​Young and Restless

February 8th, 2017

Formed in 2013 Jake Luppen (vocals/guitar), Nathan Stocker (guitar/vocals), Zach Sutton (bass), and Whistler Allen (drums/vocals) -- also known as Turntan, Stitches, Espo, and Beans -- met at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Though each member played in different bands throughout high school, they formed Hippo Campus shortly after graduation. Since then they have sold out First Avenue on their home turf, toured extensively with acts like Modest Mouse, played on Conan,…

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After a Decade, Sovereign Sect Shelves the Beats

February 1st, 2017

Fargo has had no shortage of musical talent come and go over the years. The musical scene in the area caters to any number of genres from folk to hip hop to metal. As far as electronic dance music (or EDM for the hip youth) is concerned, hardly a group has made more of a name for itself around here than Sovereign Sect. In fact, this marks their third or fourth appearance in this publication, not to mention being featured in Fargo Monthly. However, after about ten years of delivering…

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​Lookin for a Heart of Gold at Sidestreet

January 25th, 2017

Rock n’ roll, as the original music of rebellion, comes with a long history of social criticism. Arguably one of those most fiery voices in the genre is Neil Young. With his haunting tenor vocals, virtuosic skill with the guitar, and oftentimes personal lyrics decrying what he sees as the excesses and shortcomings of American society, Young has touched the minds and hearts of millions of listeners over a decades-spanning career. On top of this, the man has also made quite the name…

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​Supply and demand

January 25th, 2017

“I’ve been in bands before and I was looking to be active again--I got a good taste of it that night jamming in the basement.” says Matthew Gebhardt bassist of Fargo punk trio Pretty Hardly.

Gebhardt and Pretty Hardly guitarist Sam Ova met at a party at Ova’s house--affectionately referred to as “The sh*t house”--one fateful night. The two bonded over beers and a jam session. Ova met fellow musician Michael Pink in a similar scenario and the punk trio Pretty Hardly was…

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​We Banjo 3: a natural blend

January 18th, 2017

This weekend, We Banjo 3 will be performing at the Top Hat Theater in Ulen MN. Combining the sounds of modern folk and traditional Irish music, the band promises an evening of fun and laughter for all ages.

We Banjo 3 incorporates banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals, and percussion to achieve their unique sound. The band is headed by two sets of brothers: Enda Scahill, Fergal Scahill, Martin Howley, and David Howley. The group grew up in Galway, Ireland, developing their skills and…

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​An intimate evening with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra

January 18th, 2017

While there have been lulls in the unforgiving temperatures now and again, this winter in Fargo has been a bitterly cold one, with below-zero temperatures for sometimes a week at a time. It is in this frigid weather that the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra offers a reprieve with its third concert in the 2016-2017 Masterworks Series sponsored by Sanford Health, “The Intimate Tango.”

In keeping with the more “personal” feel that FM Symphony Orchestra executive director Linda…

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