​Making a statement with the Deportation Tour

Changes in the presidential administration are always bound to bring out artistic expression, whether supportive or critical. The recently inaugurated Trump administration is no different. It’s safe to say that the 45th President of the United States, in the two months he has been in office, has inspired his own fair share of artistic response. One local example is the upcoming “Deportation Tour” to take place at Zandbroz, with a name that calls to mind Trump’s highly controversial proposed immigration reform.

“Art is on the front lines of freedom of thought, speech, and political critique,” said Mike Dagen of the group “Day Gun”, which will be making their Fargo debut during the Deportation Tour. The group, hailing from the “back country hinterlands” of Minnesota, is comprised of Dagen on guitar and Aaron Spangler on drums.

“By calling this the ‘Deportation Tour’ we hope to shine light on the ridiculousness of the current administration’s escalated fear policy of deporting immigrants from this country and banning certain cultures from entering this republic that was built on the backs of the world’s refugees.”

Also making their premiere that night will be the new musical project “Oo”, made up of Casey Borchert on percussion and his “life and band partner” (in his words) Alyssa Notermann on guitar and vocals.

Perhaps not coincidentally, based on the name, the Deportation Tour will also mark the first and last performance of Oo in the United States before Borchert, Notermann, and their children move out of the United States. “We are moving to Porto Portugal to continue to pursue music, art, and multimedia production,” said Borchert.

Mark Weiler, AKA DJ Guy Jean, will be performing the evening of the Deportation Tour as well. In Dagen’s words, he will “be sure to facilitate the proper groove for the evening.”

Everyone involved with the musical projects that evening, except for Aaron Spangler, has performed before with other bands in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Dagen, for example, has performed prior in groups like Dorthy Fix, Shastatown, and Stene Racing. Therefore, it only seemed natural to premier these new projects in Fargo. Dagen said, “We hope this performance will give us a chance to share our music with old friends and in the process make new ones.”

Dagen described the music for the evening as “Indi-rock in darn tough socks.” The two groups involved both plan to release their music through record labels, so if the audience likes what they hear during the “Deportation Tour” and want to be able to listen to it at home they need not fret. Day Gun is test driving new material for an upcoming album called “LUVS” that they plan to release through the Abandoned Scout Camp record label. Notermann said that Oo is scheduled to record an album in their new home of Porto Portugal with Sursumcorda Records during this summer.

Day Gun and Oo were kindly invited to perform at Zandbroz by the owners of the establishment, Renee and Greg Danz. Though there is no cover charge, donations are accepted, and Dagen said, “We may pass the hat for gas money.”

“Deportation Tour” is about more than the music, though, but a philosophy as well. Dagen passionately said, “There is a consensus on this tour that it is not the role of politicians, think tanks, the military or corporations to guide the direction of a society, as this role belongs to artists and other creative minded citizens. For when free thinking citizens come together in collaboration, they become an unstoppable force that may not fall prey to special interests hell bent on greed and corruption. By keeping each other in check and freeing ourselves from outdated patterns and divisive terminology, it is possible for creative minds to project and promote a path towards a life-supporting humanity.”

Through the powerful medium of music Day Gun and Oo hope to instill that ideal into their audience. Will they succeed? There’s no better way to find out than making time to visit Zandbroz for the Deportation Tour and listening to the powerful artistic expression of some talented local musicians.

IF YOU GO

The Deportation Tour (Day Gun, Oo, DJ Guy Jean)

Friday, March 24, 8pm to midnight

Zandbroz Variety, 420 Broadway N, Fargo

701-239-4729