Music

Taken Back Sunday

October 2nd, 2014

Old-school fans of Taking Back Sunday no longer need to believe, “this all was only wishful thinking.” Their wishes have come true: the band’s “Tell All Your Friends” lineup is back together.

While the news really isn’t new anymore, it’s still significant. Formed in 1999, during a time when emo was one of the most popular forms of alternative music, Taking Back Sunday has enjoyed a long, fan-raving career. And original guitarist/vocalist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper…

Too Tiny To Fail

September 18th, 2014

Photo by Kyle Reinford

Tiny is the new large. Noisy is the new “Pleasant.” At least it is in the world of Benson-based, Fargo-grown alternative rock ‘n’ roll trio Tiny Moving Parts.

Previously, Tiny Moving Parts were the quintessential young punks who threw some of best basement/house shows Fargo’s seen in recent years. Today, this tried-and-true family band (yes, they are all related) from small-town Minnesota is appearing in publications like SPIN, Alternative Press and Vice and in music festivals…

Q&A with Fred Durst

September 18th, 2014

High Plains Reader got to interview the one and only red-Yankee-ball-capped, Nookie-screaming, Limp-Bizkit-leading Fred Durst.

After an eight-year hiatus, the original lineup is back together and kicking a few new singles, including “Ready to Go” featuring rap idol Lil’ Wayne. The rap-metal band is also currently on a world tour and promoting its yet-to-be-released album, “Stampede of The Disco Elephants.” Fargoans can catch Fred, Wes Borland and the rest of the gang this…

Following Macy Gray’s ‘Way’

September 18th, 2014

HPR talks with Gray about music, performing and living bipolar disease

On Sept. 25, 45-year-old Grammy Award Winning artist Macy Gray will promote her new record, “The Way,” in the F-M area with a concert.

When the musical soul diva, renowned for the hit single “I Try,” shares her distinctive raspy voice to the blend of guitars, percussion, bass and drums, faithful fans will vibe with her ability to blanket rock ‘n’ roll with soulful blues and pop.

Here’s is our exclusive…

Hammerhead: A band that helped define ‘90s noise is ‘Back with a Future’

September 4th, 2014

By Phil Hunt

*Adult language advisory

It’s possibly a couple years shy of a quarter-century since the Hammerhead song “Gremlin Stomp” appeared on the seminal Minneapolis noise rock label Amphetamine Reptile’s “Dope-Guns-N-Fucking In The Streets Volume 6.” This probably happened around the time that Hammerhead left the city of Fargo, N.D., if not after.

Still, if you Google “Hammerhead Fargo,” you will get about 350,000 results. That’s still quite a few, even after you…

Home on the Range: Steep Canyon Rangers at Bluestem

September 4th, 2014

Grammy awarding-winning bluegrass crew Steep Canyon Rangers will perform in Fargo-Moorhead for the first time this Saturday, Sept. 6 for the very first Roots on the Red festival at Bluestem.

The North Carolina-based outfit are known for their rich, gospel-sounding vocal harmonies, aggrandized acoustic instrumentation and traditional country music roots. The group is also known as the backing band for celebrated comedian Steve Martin. Thanks to the Steep Canyon Rangers, most of us…

Ryan Bingham on the Red

August 28th, 2014

Grammy and Oscar winning songwriter headlines Roots event at Bluestem

Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe and Americana Artist of the Year award winner Ryan Bingham doesn’t have much to be weary about these days. Four years after the release of his highly acclaimed song “Weary Kind,” from the movie “Crazy Heart” starring Jeff Bridges, the musician is as prolific, rugged, charming and humble as ever.

It’s why Bingham will make for an excellent headlining act for Fargo-Moorhead’s very…

Hannah’s Neverland

August 21st, 2014

Young local singer/songwriter releases wondrous EP, performs this Thursday and Friday

About six years ago, Fargo native Hannah Jean Westerholm started writing music. Three years ago, she began playing music in the local band Shape Than Shift. Two years ago, she began performing her original music live.

Today, at 18 years of age, Hannah has completed her very first EP, recorded at Video Arts Studio thanks to an award she won from the yearly local event Celebration of Women and Their…

FM Gay Men’s Chorus: Singing with pride

August 14th, 2014

For the first time ever, Fargo-Moorhead’s Pride Rally will kick off with it’s very own local Gay Men’s Chorus singing the National Anthem.

Angel Lira, the chorus’ co-director, said he’s in awe of how far this local choir has come in less than a year since its inception last September.

“The sounds that have been coming out of the choir in the past two to three months have been so pure and so beautiful,” he said. “And the difficulty level of the music is not attempted by…

Escape to Beat Antique

August 14th, 2014

If there were such thing as a modern magical mystery tour, Beats Antique would lead the charge. This Oakland-based three piece perform un-American-like escapist dance music, lead by belly dancer Zoe Jakes, violinist/guitarist David Satori and percussionist/producer Tommy “Sidecar” Cappel.

Next weekend Beats Antique will headline Pure Bliss Ranch’s Cosmic Ascension Festival with renowned visual artists Alex and Allyson Grey. More than 40 other acts will perform at this 3-day…