Imagine a 13 year-old Nate waiting in the car for his parents to finish their shopping at Wal-Mart in Hutchinson, MN. They said they’d be fifteen minutes and it’s now been AT LEAST 20. So what’s a kid to do? rifle through Dad’s CD collection of course. Now, I knew that Stan had a very decent record collection, and I was no stranger to classic rock. Having been raised on Zeppelin, Elton John, Jim Croce, The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, etc. Strangely up until that point I had never actually listened to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon from front to back, so I thought what the heck, and popped it in. Keep in mind I was very impatient already due to the fact that my parents were 5 minutes over their allotted 15 minute time frame, this album took FOREVER to start. Hearing the album on a relatively nice car stereo in a dark GMC Yukon, only seeing parking lot car lights go by through the tinted windows, turned out to be a very intense way to listen to one of the greatest albums of all time. I was able to buckle down and actually choose to pay attention to something for; what seemed looking back, the first time in my life. All of the sounds were crisp and well represented. All the whispers and background banter, everything I have learned to love about Darkside in its right place. Cliche alert: I was transported to a different place for 45 minutes. I was lost in something that I knew deep in my guts I was completely in love with.

Fast-forward to 4 years later, I’m now a junior at Hutchinson High School. I had gone through a few different phases of musical tastes, one in particular being a mild obsession with Guns N’ Roses and Metallica. After the excitement of the post hair metal era faded (keep in mind I was at least 12 years behind the curve on this) the fascination of all things classic and psychedelic came back into focus. The Beatles, the Doors, The Grateful Dead, King Crimson, and most importantly, Pink Floyd.

As fate would have it my closest friends were the instigators of this phenomenon which led me back to the band that I had connected strongly with just 4 short years prior. I always knew I liked the Floyd. I always listened casually, but now it was time to dive head first into a world that was already created and a story that was almost already fully told. For some reason I really like the thought of getting into bands many years after they have broken up, or seen their glory days. It’s a lot like looking at a collection classic cars. Some vehicles are perfectly restored and you realize the full potential, on others you can see all the damage, rust, and design flaws fully present. A lot like with albums, If you pay close enough attention to detail though, each car contains beauty and perfect intricacies. As opposed to looking at a lot full of new machines, being dazzled by their seeming perfection, but not knowing what time has in store.

Due to the fact that I surrounded myself with awesome people in high school, my friends and I became extremely obsessed with Pink Floyd and had countless debates on the quality and merit of each album. We each found our own favorite, and in a lot of ways they were a reflection of our individual personalities. Zack’s favorite was The Division Bell, as he liked the more contemporary compositions and compressed and produced vibe. Joe was into the early stuff, with an emphasis on Saucerful of Secrets and Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Biehler loved the Wall for not only it’s dark and psychedelic sound, but also the endless visuals and the fact that it had it’s own movie as well as syncing perfectly to Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. Ty-Pie’s jam was Wish You Were Here, Dillon was an Animals guy. My favorite is and always will be Dark Side of the Moon, in so many ways it’s an absolutely perfect album. However, I do find myself listening to Meddle a lot more often and I would say that it has a certain appeal in the same way Dark Side does. Thinking back, I would say that all our favorite Floyd albums were Dark Side, then we each picked a second favorite to relate to and assign to our individual personalities. Dark Side is undeniably the gateway Floyd album.

I can’t speak for any of my friends, but the aspect of Pink Floyd that I loved the most, and still love the most, was their ability to captivate mine and everyone else attention around me, making me feel independent but yet connected at the same time. It’s a journey into a crooked mind, a feeling that at any point you could go completely insane. It’s also safety in knowing that someone has already traversed that territory and are reporting back to base. The songs create a story, and give you a glimpse into a world that seems interesting and fun on the surface, but scary and dark underneath. I can honestly say that my relationship with music would be completely different if it wasn’t for Pink Floyd. Everyone knows that spine tingle you get when you hear a piece of music that brings you back to a great moment in your life. For me, Pink Floyd not only represents a band of amazing musicians who made incredible songs, sounds, and records, but also a feeling and soundtrack to some of the most formative years of my life, and for that I will always be a gracious and obsessed superfan.

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:

Nate wrote this piece about being the road a few months back. Please enjoy!

Riding In a Van

by Nate Case

Traveling The States definitely has its perks. You will experience all that the different regions of this fine country have to offer, such as seeing different cities, and meeting new, interesting people.  I could go on and on about the joys of tour, but I’m not really very interested in that.  I’m more interested in telling you the objective reality of a weekend on the road. playing rock and roll music, cracking jokes, and drinking beer.

It all starts early Friday afternoon (sometimes Thursday depending on the weekend). We waddle over to Silverback Manor (Gabe Douglas’ self-proclaimed gorilla mansion) and load the van full of gear. Most of the time, we forget something. Usually it is a super mundane item like an amp or guitar stand. But, sometimes, the stars align and on those lucky days we have all our crap in the van with plenty of space for band members and the occasional tag-along. Friends are always welcome in the van, but the trip is not for the faint of heart.

Once the vehicle is loaded, and the menial errands are taken care of (bank deposits, online merchandise orders UPS’d) we make a beeline in the direction of our destination. For the most part, we’re setting the cruise control west/east on either I-94 or north/south on 35W. It’s at this point when screen time really sets in, hard. We each lose ourselves in the comfort of our smart phone. Be it Facebook, Twitter, Reddit or the Huffington Post, hours are spent with our eyes buried in technology. A Spotify playlist is set up and everyone in the van can add songs to it with their personal device. This folks, is one of the greatest perks of technology. Radio Democracy! A trading of emotion and novelty through song. If you feel like hearing Suzanne Vega’s 1987 hit, Tom’s Diner, you can HEAR Suzanne Vega’s 1987 hit, Tom’s Diner. Just throw it on the list and have a little patience.

Patience is the key to riding in the van with 3 other dudes for hours of your weekend. You don’t necessarily have to be classified as a patient person, I know I’m not, but you DO have to force yourself to be patient in certain situations that might be out of your control. In a lot of ways it’s easy to be patient. Throw some of your favorite jams on the playlist, get comfy with an excess of blankets and pillows, kick back and enjoy the ride. Other times, this idea plays out a bit differently, and your patience can be tested. Hungry? Have to pee? Cramping up? Ask nicely, and the van will stop in a timely fashion. This is where it’s important to try and align yourself with the common rhythm of food and pee breaks. If the rhythm is thrown off, everyone gets grumpy and grumpy is no fun.

I think it’s important at this point to take a paragraph and go off on a little gas station tangent. Gas stations are one of the most culturally interesting, yet completely overlooked, aspects of American society. Every state/region has different things to offer and different ways of presenting them, but when it all boils down they’re all pretty much the same.