Monthly Archives: February 2014

Episode 16 shines a spotlight on brand new music from Eau Claire indie rock quintet Adelyn Rose, in addition to anti-folk acoustic blues from Winona puppetmaster Robert “Dr. Bob” Armstrong, dark-wave “witch-house” from Winona to MPLS transplant Breakaway, post-rock Winona throwbacks Good Luck And Godspeed, indie soul from 9-piece SMUMN alum act Ali and The Scoundrels, indie rock from up and comers Bad Bad Hats, and last but not least a pair of heart-on-their-sleeves tracks from Winona’s Amanda Grace and La Crosse’s (now defunct) Elliot Arms.

Robert “Dr. Bob” Armstrong is known along the Mississippi River and beyond as a singer, songwriter, puppeteer, psychic surgeon, and taco provocateur. He also used to operate the former Green Lantern Coffeehouse in Winona. In collaboration with filmmaker Noah Hauser of “Little Noah Productions”, Dr. Bob created an attention grabbing music video for his song “Eyeballs”, which is featured in this episode. The video is a prime example of the irreverent creativity and uniqueness found in all of Bob’s projects.
Click here to view the music video for “Eyeballs.”

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Episode 15 tees off with music from La Crosse alt-rock trio Porcupine, before settling into some funky folk from Minnesota-proud solo act Adja Gildersleve, and music from Duluth folk/roots duo The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Winona acoustic duo Tour Funk, and Twin Cities shoegaze/psych/indie/drone acts Chatham Rise and Gospel Gossip.

I kick off the show with music from Porcupine, because they’ve been so prolific, creative, and consistently awesome for at least the past six years. But for whatever reason, they have flown relatively under the radar in the Twin Cities area. Their vinyl releases and high-quality music videos really make the act standout here in the Driftless, but Dan Tennyson of [Twin Cities blog] Rift Magazine sums up Porcupine’s appeal and cred in a review of “The Sensation of Being Somebody” by saying:

“The mark of any band worth their creative salt knows how to utilize their influences and achieve an original sound but also how not to be redundant when they capture that sound. The 3 musicians that comprise LaCrosse,WI’s Porcupine have become so adept at this skill that the recordings are both effortless to listen to but also challenge the listener in a way few rock acts are able to. It’s true that in all likelihood none of the members of Porcupine have a phone number that begins with 612, 651, 952, or 763. But the Twin Cities music scene would do well to accept and embrace this band as adoptive sons. It’s been almost 4 years since the release of Porcupine’s last full length “The Trouble With You”. In that time they satiated appetites with “Live at the Warehouse” and a split 7” with Copenhagen duo Metal Ghost. But anyone that followed the band was intently awaiting their next complete studio recording.”

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Episode 14 begins with a francophone folk-gem from De Temps Antan, a traditional Quebec music trio, who’ll be performing at the MN Marine Art Museum in Winona on March 14th. Music is also featured from Charlie Parr‘s new instrumental album with Alan Sparhawk (of Low, Retribution Gospel Choir, et. al), in addition to tracks from now-defunct Winona instrumental progressive rock trio Brass Lamp and Winona bluesman Mike Munson.

Here’s how Charlie describes “Hollandale” on his website:

“Hollandale is an all instrumental record of 5 songs featuring mostly 12-string with a bit of National resonator and a banjo improv based on “Barnswallow.” The songs are all improvised around 5 different open tunings and are enhanced by the electric guitar of Alan Sparhawk, who also produced the album. I’ve always wanted to do a record like this, I’ve always been real chicken to do it until Alan encouraged me and gave me an opportunity to sit in the house he was renovating and just play whatever I felt. The songs will never come out that way again, but that’s alright, they’ll come out some other way and that’s what I love about this style of music. No one gets hurt, all the air you moved while playing this music just goes back to where it was when yr done.”

Stream or download this episode via archive.org by CLICKING HERE.

Click here to view this episode’s playlist