Tracker Pixel for Entry

​A Step in the Right Direction

Music | February 17th, 2016

photo by Kaytlin Darger

Since its inception in 2011, The New Direction has played an important role in the FM music scene. It’s a community-minded, all-ages venue with a strong DIY aesthetic. New Direction Fest started as a way to stay open during a slow month in their inaugural year. Since then the three-day extravaganza gained the moniker New Direction Fest. HPR had the opportunity to speak with Jack Stenerson, the man behind the venue.


High Plains Reader: How did the New Direction come to be and how has it evolved in these five years?

Jack Stenerson: The New Direction was born out of a need for an affordable venue in the FM area. There have been a lot of venues coming and going over the years, and we got to a point where the only one left was charging us as promoters over $500 to do a show on a weekend. For a local show that is not feasible. We had been booking at the Red Raven Espresso Parlor for years and when they moved from their old location we took it over and turned it into The New Direction.

It was a learning experience from day one, because suddenly we weren’t just promoters, we were business owners as well. At first we struggled with that and had to learn how to pay sales tax, open business bank accounts, and get business licenses from the state, among many other things. It was trial and error but we eventually figured it.


 HPR: How did you choose the bands that are playing? Are they primarily Fargo Bands?

JS: The first two years had all local bands. I wanted to spread the word about the Fest to other cities, so for the third year I brought in some bands from Minneapolis and one from Iowa. It was a huge success and people loved being able to watch and meet bands from other areas. It created an awesome sense of community between the Fargo and Minneapolis music scenes that continues to this day.

Each year I like to throw in some genres that are underrepresented as well. For example, I have two hip hop groups and a jazz band playing this year. I think doing things like that really adds to the experience and gives people a chance to check out new styles of music.


HPR: Can you tell us a bit about a few of the headliners?

JS: I don’t like to think of it as headliners although there are definitely bands that people are most excited to see. The bands I’m most excited to have are Tiny Moving Parts, Lost Cause, and Household.

Tiny Moving Parts is a band with Fargo ties that has been touring the country and the world for the past few years and are on Triple Crown Records. They started out by opening shows at TND and now they are selling out venues everywhere. They haven’t played a Fest since the first year so I’m really happy to have them back.

Lost Cause is a band from Fargo that actually broke up after last years’ New Direction Fest but decided to reunite this year to play again. It is special that they are playing because they are one of only two bands that have played every Fest.

Household is one of the main reasons the Minneapolis music scene is as strong as it is. They rented a house and started throwing shows in their basement, which they called “The Household.” There is a lack of small venues in Minneapolis so The Household gave so many bands a home in the year it was open. The band itself has been touring almost nonstop for the past two years and released a full-length record last year on Blood and Ink Records.


HPR: On Saturday you will be hosting a record fair and punk rock garage sale. What can our readers expect from sellers?

JS: This is going to be a lot of fun. The punk rock garage sale has been happening every year during the Fest, but with the crazy popularity of vinyl lately we wanted to try out a record fair as well. There are a handful of local vendors that are bringing some stuff down. You can expect to see vinyl, band shirts, stickers, buttons, hats, CDs, cassettes, and even video games. I think it will be a fun new addition with a wide range of things to look through. It is also free to sell something and free to attend.

IF YOU GO:

New Direction Fest

February 19, 20, 21, 7 p.m.

The New Direction, 14 Roberts St.

For tickets and event info: www.newdirectionfargo.com

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee NelsonMore than 1,000 pro-worker events are planned for Thursday, May 1 across the country, including rallies in Fargo-Moorhead, Grand Forks, Minot and Jamestown. East Grand Forks and Bismarck will host protests…

From concerts and car shows to Japanese art and Juneteenth celebrations, there's so much going on around the region this summer. This year's High Plains Reader Summer Events Calendar is back and bigger than ever. It's packed with…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.com One description that perhaps aptly describes the mental state of many lately is that they feel they are attached to a string. Or several strings. Call it the notion that people are played like puppets,…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comFor sale: White House in D.C. housing dung beetles and giant leechesI suspect someone close to Donald Trump has read “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,”because the Trump administration is…

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 Gionrickgion@gmail.com After a very inspiring conversation with Kayla Houchin of Sonder Bakehouse a few weeks ago, I decided that it’s an appropriate time to write a column about some of the sweet people who are involved…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com The writing/directing partnership of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck has to be one of the most curious cases of crazy connect-the-dots career moves in recent cinema. From short documentaries and…

By Raul Gomezraul@hpr1.com Minutes before Modern’s Celebration of Life opened its door at the Sons of Norway, I was fiddling with the bar computer, trying to pull up the playlists of Modern’s work I had set aside for the…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

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 Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There appear to be differences in the incidence of mental illnesses between men and women. For example, women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson.nd7@gmail.com Our trucking business has me driving almost daily from gas plants in western North Dakota's oil patch to Canada. I haul natural gas liquids (NGLs) products we used to see flared off at…