May 6th, 2016
The blues guitar wizard has been a legend since opening for B.B. King and John Lee Hooker when he was just in junior high. At 38 years old, he has 12 solo albums under his belt, one Grammy nomination and he even performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall. His latest release “Blues of Desperation” saw him teaming up with some of Nashville’s top songwriters to record an album of entirely original compositions.
In addition to his solo career, Joe Bonamassa is part of Black Country…
April 28th, 2016
North Dakota roars for hip-hop. Some people here in rock/country-town just don’t seem to know it yet. Perhaps it comes from the influence of Minneapolis, with its strong presence of underground/alternative rappers. Or maybe hip-hop’s dominating presence nationwide plays an effect.
Of course, the genre has influence over our local artists, including Minot/Grand Forks-native Ryan Tetzloff, a.k.a. Cold Sweat. The rapper just released an 11-track album, “Right To Arm A Bear,” which…
April 27th, 2016
HPR caught up with local musician and former “The Voice” contestant Blind Joe before his Fargo Lions Club benefit show at the Fargo Theatre last Friday. Although he lost “The Voice,” the experience propelled his career. He’s been touring the U.S. nonstop while also working with school assemblies and he even found time to record a new album titled “By the Fans, for the Fans.”
The album comes out on May 5 and features 12 tracks, including the three songs he performed on…
April 27th, 2016
By Payton Berger
At first listen, the music of The Lowest Pair can be summed up as simple, dramatic and expressive. As one becomes more acquainted with the music’s depth, the idea of using only three adjectives is an understatement. The interplay between the two voices at work moves between beautiful and harrowing, tense and light, while always being poetic. The Lowest Pair’s movement of song is liken to the movement of life. Like the distinction of folk roots and separate stories,…
April 15th, 2016
Though the current weather doesn’t seem to indicate the fact, it has officially been spring for several weeks now. In the art and mythology of human history, this season has always been associated with new life bursting forth from the dead, barren landscapes of winter: a time for planting fields and gardens, for flora and fauna to create a new generation. All this is in preparation for the hardships of the next winter after which the cycle begins anew.
It is this intimate interplay…
April 14th, 2016
By Ben Rheault
Don’t ask Holler House for a sheet of lyrics because you are writing a review of their first full-length album, “Lodge.” You will only receive a PDF file of a dozen or so abstract, geometric designs that remind you of those brain-teaser puzzles you used to get from your grandma for Christmas.
Not to say that Garth Blomberg, Mike Novak, Alan Erbach, and Tony Spaaij deem their lyrics unimportant. Instead, they take the approach that the listener should derive meaning…
April 13th, 2016
Whether you’re looking for limited pressings of vinyl records or a chance to snatch up some oldies at discount prices, you’re bound to find unique experiences at each local record store as they celebrate Record Store Day 2016.
“It’s a really great thing for drawing attention to local record stores,” says Aaron Swinkels, who has much to celebrate this year since his store Junk Giant recently moved downtown with the former location becoming Vinyl Giant.
Instead of selling a…
April 13th, 2016
New York born Joe Satriani cultivated an appreciation of music at an early age. Not only is he the world’s most successful solo guitarist, he’s worked with some of the biggest names in rock and roll such as Mick Jagger, Deep Purple, Brian May of Queen, and Robert Fripp of King Crimson, to name a few. Satriani took a minute to chat with HPR about his musical beginnings, guitar building, and his latest artistic endeavors.
High Plains Reader: According to your website, on September 18,…
April 6th, 2016
‘80s supergroup Loverboy can attribute their successes to not only to just working on the weekends. It’s taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears to come such a long way. It’s hard to believe that at the beginning of their career, they were rejected by all of the major American record companies until Columbia Records Canada picked them up. “We had a lot of disappointments in the beginning” says lead singer and founder Mike Reno.
They eventually went on to become one of the top…
April 6th, 2016
When Kyle Gass isn’t busy rocking socks off with Jack Black as part of the comedic rock duo Tenacious D, he rounds up a talented team of players for the Kyle Gass Band. The latest project of his was formed following the breakup of his longtime band Trainwreck in 2011 and features a ’70s-tinged classic rock sound that will satisfy plenty of Tenacious D fans.
Prior to their performance at the Aquarium on April 14, the Rage Kage himself took the time to chat with HPR about the side…
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By Bryce Vincent Haugenbrycevincenthaugen@gmail.comThe High Plains Reader has compiled a guide to inform West Fargo voters about candidates and issues. On June 9, West Fargoans will elect a new mayor —who is running unopposed — as…
By Michael M. Miller Francie M. Berg, native of Hettinger, N.D., edited an impressive book, “Ethnic Heritage in North Dakota,” published in 1983. She grew up on a ranch near Miles City, Montana. Her son, Richard Berg, is…
Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m.Fargodome, 1800 University Dr. N, FargoHeralded as "The Nicest Man in Stand-Up" by The Atlantic, Nate Bargatze is also one of the top-grossing comedians, breaking both streaming and attendance records. Now…
By Sabrina Hornung As the school year comes to a close, a new crop of young people are starting a new chapter in their lives. As a former young person, I’d like to offer my unsolicited advice. As cliche as it may sound, be the…
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 Gion A brand new food event called the "ONE BITE Challenge" will launch in downtown Fargo on May 23. Rocky Schneider, executive director of the Downtown Community Partnership told us more. HPR: Hi Rocky. Thank you for…
By John ShowalterIt’s that time of year again. The long-running battle of the bands at The Aquarium, Battle of the Hamm’s, is entering its twentieth year, and local bands will be facing off against last year’s champs,…
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By Greg Carlson The perpetually busy documentarian Morgan Neville profiles the perpetually busy producer Lorne Michaels in another of the moviemaker’s sturdy celebrity profiles. Following closely on the heels of nostalgia…
By Sabrina Hornung The Plains Art Museum has been a trailblazing force in the North Dakota art scene since its inception and it’s not slowing down any time soon. In fact, this summer they are preparing to break ground on a major…
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 Fuglie Okay, here I go again, warning (whining? complaining?) about another threat to the North Dakota badlands. Sorry. Please put up with me for a few hundred more words. Now, some folks I don’t think want to put a…
