If there is one city in the world that doesn’t need an excuse to party, it’s Duluth, MN. It’s in the air they breathe, in the beer they drink, the wild rice burgers they consume. I should use “we”, since I still feel a very close connection to the city that I left a mere 2 short years ago. Alas, I am now a big city outsider with starry eyes.

No, Duluth needs not a single excuse to party-they are the party! They are the people others around Minnesota, western Wisconsin and select parts of Canada look to to provide the good times. The people they look to keep their glasses and hearts full. Duluth is 2 parts innovation and 8 parts hospitality.

It’s this feeling and vibe that emanates out of the somatic woodwork of the walls and dwellings in Duluth. It’s this sentiment that gives Duluth it’s fuel and motivation to keep the Homegrown music festival raging on the verge of control and out-of. It’s  this same sentiment that gives Duluthians another great opportunity to cut loose, the Duluth Dylan Festival.

Bob Dylan was born in Duluth, and a the majority of people there want you to know that. And this is fine. I was raised in Hutchinson, MN. A city who proudly claims Les Kouba and Wally Pikal (the former a world renowned water color painter, the latter a performer best known for his ability to play 3 trumpets while simultaneously hopping on a Pogo Stick). Cities love paying homage to the success stories they birth and nurture. Duluth is no different. The first shadow Bob Dylan ever cast was in Duluth.  It was small back then, but rather large now. He’s been back to perform a few times, but none of which have been very memorable performances. Just sort-of in and out.

It’s almost better this way. I already sort-of imagine Bob Dylan as a ghost. His stories are, year-by-year, being filled with hyperbole and greater imagination. The movie “I’m not There” from 2007 is an epic semi-biography where Dylan is played by a black kid, Cate Blanchett, Mason Jennings. The film definitely plays off this notion of mystique surrounding Bob Dylan. I might be letting the idea of Bob Dylan get away from me a bit too much, so I’m going to reel it in here. The Blood on the Tracks Express, a 6 hour train ride from Duluth to Two Harbors and back is a wacky adventure filled with drunk characters and insane amounts of fun. There’s almost nothing Dylan about it other than the occasional Dylan cover by some of the bands or Jamie Ness and Brad Nelson playing Dylan songs as their band the Boomchuck’s pseudonym, the Free Wheelers.

This year’s train ride features The Black Eyed Snakes, Feeding LeRoy, Wolf Blood, Tin Can Gin, Clover St. Cronies, and the Social Disaster. The Boomchucks will most definitely do their Free Wheeler set at the Two Harbors VFW (or Legion I can’t remember) while the bar slings cheap tacos and dollar jello shots between train trips. I’ll be playing with Andy Olmstead at Fitger’s Brewhouse as Gabe Douglas and his Silverback Colony rock the Red Star directly after the train arrives back at the Fitger’s complex. Designed to be rowdy and adventurous, it sounds like this year will not be an exception to the party. See you on the train!

Nacho

Art-A-Whirl certainly is a special time of the year. NE Minneapolis is overrun with art, music, and gangs of bicyclists. Having lived in NE for 2 years now I have experienced the phenomenon a few times and it is a really fun and slightly overwhelming few days. This year I’m taking steps to try and make sense of the madness, so I have compiled a list of shows that I will most certainly not miss. Although some of the time slots are in conflict with each other, the distances are short enough and my 1985 Gitane road bike is swift enough where I believe I can make half and half, not the most ideal listening situation, but that’s what you get when faced with these sort of tough choices. Here are my picks for Art-A-Whirl 2015:

Friday, May 15:

4 pm – Hennepin County Millionaires Club – Sociable Cider Werks
7 pm – Fattenin’ Frogs – 612 Brew
8 pm – Zoo Animal – Fair State Brewing
9 pm – Viva Knievel – Bauhaus Brew Labs
10 pm – Traveling Suitcase – 331 Club

Saturday, May 16:

3 pm – Rich Mattson & The Northstars – Indeed Brewing
3 pm – BBGUN – Bauhaus Brew Labs
4 pm – Matt Latterell – 331 Club
5 pm – Erik Koskenin – Indeed Brewing
6 pm – Nathan Miller – 612 Brew
6 pm – American Scarecrows – Indeed Brewing
7 pm – Nato Coles and the Blue Diamond Band – Indeed Brewing
8 pm – Retribution Gospel Choir – 331 Club
9 pm – Cactus Blossoms – Grumpy’s
9 pm – Chris Koza – 612 Brew

Sunday, May 17:

1 pm – The Lowland Lakers – 331
2:30 pm – Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures – Sociable Cider Werks
4 pm – General B and the Wiz – 331
5 pm – The Pistol Whippin Party Penguins – 331
6 pm – Romantica – The Anchor Fish and Chips
7 pm – Southwire – 331

Chatting with a few of my musical colleagues, they have an array of messages pertaining to both their bands and Art-A-Whirl in general.

“It will be the Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins first year playing art a whirl, and we are very excited to play at the 331 club on Sunday at 5! We have been attending as fans for years and are honored to celebrate 20 years of art a whirl this weekend! Two members of our band live in the heart of Northeast, and have enjoyed seeing art a whirl grow each year. Between the great art and live music, it’s hard to decide where to be at any time of the day. Throw in some delicious food trucks and you’re ready to roll. (On bikes, that is). If parking is an issue, ride your bike! However, a lot of folks are onto this method of transportation, and it might get crowded on those bike racks. Oh buckets, we can’t wait for the weekend! Cuz everybody’s weekend, weekend, weekend!” – Ryan Schallock aka Doug Canyon of the Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins. Catch them at 5 pm on Sunday at the 331 club.

“The first time I went to Art-A-Whirl, I was there to babysit two people on a mushroom trip who wanted to be outside. It seemed to me like 331 Club owned the whole show, which is funny, because there were only maybe 40 people watching Charlie Parr that afternoon. Years later, it’s…well, it’s bigger. Noah, who plays in my band, is playing 3 other gigs in NE this weekend. Aside from a few tented vendors, I’ve never even seen other forms of art at Art-A-Whirl. Did music steal other art’s thunder on this one? I could tell you I’m glad to be playing Art-A-Whirl, but I’m a NE MPLs dude, so it’s closer to the truth to tell you that I’d be depressed if I weren’t playing it. And hey, Retribution Gospel Choir. They’re good. The weather is going to be great. Wear sunblock. Eat a really big breakfast.” – Matt Latterell. He’ll be playing almost every cut off of his record, to be released in the fall, Phase and Field, 4 pm at the 331 Club’s outdoor stage on Saturday afternoon & on Friday evening at 8pm slinging guitar with Zoo Animal.

“I lived in Nordeast for a few years and always loved Art-A-Whirl weekend. It was amazing watching bands, art, and people. I must admit, I was always a bit envious of the bands because I wanted to be playing so badly. Now that I’ve gotten the opportunity to play with my band I’m gonna bring my all to the set! 612brew has always been a huge supporter and a believer in my band’s music, they’re amazing people and are making some of the best beers in the city.” – Nathan Miller. Him and his band the Unstoppable Company will be on the 612 Brew stage at 6 pm on Saturday afternoon.

“A band’s music is a piece of art in itself when you see it live versus just hearing it on recording, and Art-A-Whirl is a place where people can go to hear or see the art that is created by artists that call Minneapolis home. It’s a guaranteed good time for all, and a great way to experience a talented artistic community.” – Mark Larson of the Fattenin’ Frogs, they’ll be stomping their rootsy blues and old timey dance grooves at 612 brew on Friday at 7 pm.

“This will be our first year performing and attending Art-a-Whirl, but we’ve heard such great things. I’m really looking forward to being there. And after you’ve seen it all, we’ll sing for you on Sunday at the 331!” – Jerree Small of Southwire, performing with her band of heart-throbs at 7 pm on Sunday evening at the 331 club.

So there you have it folks, another list of Art-A-Whirl recommendations by another musician who’s been around long enough to know it’s really fun and worth while to not only promote your own music, but also that of your diverse and talented friends. Once again, can’t stress the importance of the ever handy bicycle (gonna play dad here and also suggest a helmet and solid lock). That reminds me, I need to go right now and get the old two wheeler fixed. I feel a 30 mile weekend coming on! See y’all out there. You can find me among the art. Stay fun, stay safe, stay wild.
Nacho

…because it’s ok for him to speak again!

Nate Case recently underwent a minor vocal chord procedure. He talks about it on The Lowland Lakers Blog.

Glad he is ok. I am also thinking about getting him a Speak & Spell: