Music

​Wizard Rifle packs plenty of ammo

September 11th, 2019

Wizard Rifle

When asked to describe their sound, Max Dameron guitarist and vocalist of the Portland, Oregon based two piece Wizard Rifle replied: “People call us a doom band sometimes which I think is funny because we are pretty spazzy.”

On multiple platforms their sound has been categorized as psychedelic, sludge or thrash metal topped off with impressive vocal harmonies. Though they don’t just stop with their uncategorizable sonic landscapes, drummer/vocalist Sam Ford is a working visual…

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​Local Music and School Lunches

September 11th, 2019

Lunch aid guitar - photograph by Beau Thiege

As children, school lunches were something many of us likely took for granted. For those who went to public schools, school lunches were as ubiquitous a part of the public school experience as running the mile in gym class or taking standardized tests. Life was simple. However, when we grow to be adults, we find out that life is not so simple, even when it comes to something like school lunches.

That is what Kari Lugo, owner of Northern PR and Marketing found out during a…

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The Greenway Takeover Festival rocks downtown Grand Forks

August 21st, 2019

Design by Raul Gomez

If you’ve ever craved an outdoor music festival where you can walk to downtown shops, do yoga or go fishing in between sets, you’re in luck. The Greenway Takeover Festival returns to two stages in the heart of Grand Forks September 5-8. Now in its third year, the festival re-imagines The Greenway -- 2,200 acres of outdoor green space along the banks of the Red and Red Lake Rivers -- as a community gathering place. This year’s line-up features four days of music, including…

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​‘And then the people would sing’

August 21st, 2019

Victor Wald on piano - photograph by C.S. Hagen

NAPOLEON – Without his trusted Beltuna accordion, Victor Wald turned to the antique piano. He pushed a few keys. Listened. It was still in tune.

The old German Russian folk songs flowed effortlessly from his large hands. His wife, Barb, picked up the words half way through “In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus,” or the “Hofbräuhaus song.”

“Water is cheap, pure and good, but it thins our blood, far better is a drop of golden wine, but the best is this: in Munich is the…

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​Dearly Departed from Then to Now

August 21st, 2019

Dearly Departed-photograph by Fargo.live

By Gary Ussery
usseryg@gmail.com

There is something inherently mystical about musicians. We are talking about individuals or a group of individuals who are like you and I, but dream big. They know that pursuing their dream is a one in a million shot, yet they do it anyway. They know that it will be a task filled with turmoil, defeat, depression, and the most back breaking work they have ever attempted, but that will not stop them.

Musicians live in a special kind of hell. They give up free…

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​‘Like being naked in public’

August 21st, 2019

David Crosby - photograph by Will Scott asst. Kellie Miller

HPR had the exclusive opportunity to chat with David Crosby prior to his appearance at The Fargo Theatre on Sunday August 25. Crosby is a two time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). He was recently the subject of a documentary called “Remember my name” and he’s released four albums within the last four years and is currently working on a fifth album.

High Plains Reader: Where did you find your folk/musical…

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​El Gato del Rio unmasked

August 21st, 2019

El Gato del Rio-photograph by Latoya Myran

We had a chance to connect with El Gato del Rio, a mysterious masked quartet from the wilds of Western North Dakota--Stark County to be exact. It’s hard to pin them to a genre. Dark cabaret? Country Gothic? Labels are irrelevant at this point, not only are the fine folks of El Gato del Rio skilled musicians, they’re gifted storytellers with a taste for theatrics. We had a chance to chat with band member Ripley Crow about the band, the masks and what’s next for El Gato del Rio.

High…

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​50 Years of Peace & Music at Bluestem (from someone who was there)

August 21st, 2019

Woodstock 50 - photograph by Rod Hadland

By Rod Hadland
rodanthonyhadland@gmail.com

Woodstock 50 died a slow death in the months leading up to August 2019. Maybe it was doomed from the start? Maybe it was just bad luck, but what worked in 1969 doesn’t work today. I was always set on attending the Bluestem 50th Anniversary tribute show in Moorhead when I first heard about it. I first went to Bluestem back in 2011, and have been to a dozen or so great performances there since. This was written in the aftermath of the past…

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Maria Cree: Playing, Planning and Promoting in Minot’s Music Scene

August 21st, 2019

Maria Cree - provided by Maria Cree

Maria Cree has been active in the music scene in Minot for 10 years, but has loved music all of her life. A drummer, music promoter, and festival organizer, Cree does not let the grass grow under her feet. She has been a part of promoting Girls Rock in Pine Ridge, Grip Fest, and Why Not Fest, an annual three day arts festival showing local and international talent.

The High Plains Reader caught up with Cree and asked her about her role past, present and future in the Minot music…

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​Make it a double: HPR chats with Sangha and Maul

August 21st, 2019

Double photograph by Ben Hoos and Gabe Schwanke of Sangha

By Martin Beckmann
beckmanniscool@gmail.com

August 24th at the Aquarium, Radio Free Fargo will be throwing the first of two four year-anniversary parties. 

This event will feature five of Fargo's premier metal bands and two great Midwestern acts with Sunless and Tongue Party. Sunless is a monstrous technical death metal beast from Minneapolis making their second appearance in the FM area. Their most recent album Urraca is out on Willowtip Records, and is a must listen if you're into…

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