Sela Oveson: Her Music's In My Bones

by Doug MacRostie.

I have been quoted saying "Sela is one of my favorite MN musicians - she has a fire that burns within her, a voice that's powerful and songs with meaning. She sings in a unique style that can carry you away to the heart of her music." She was "a wonderful surprise when I had her in-studio" and "The music scene in Northern MN is a much better place since she embraced her creativity." And all of that was before she even released her first full-length album!

I am very excited to welcome Sela Oveson back to Centerstage MN to talk about her debut album "Rogue Lightning." It's powerful stuff. As a solo artist her music is already commanding, but she invited many of her favorite Iron Range musicians to join her on this CD. When a song starts with her delicate guitar and then a bass note slides in, a drum pounds and you hear the pull of a violin the music wraps around you, inviting your mind to sail through the great unknown. Sela has captured Rogue Lightning in a bottle.

Sela will be performing with the Roxie Magistrate on Thursday, Dec. 23rd for a Christmas Special at the MN Discovery Center in Chisholm, starting at 6:30. On Friday, Jan. 15th, she'll be at the I.R.O.M.A. Masquerade Ball at the MN Discovery Center in Chisholm starting at 7pm. And Tuesday, Feb, 9th, Sela Oveson is hosting a CD release party for “Rogue Lightning” at Brewed Awakenings in Grand Rapids starting at 5pm. 

We'll also hear new music from Todd Clouser. He is a Minneapolis musician who recently moved to Baja, Mexico and mixes elements of 70's rock with modern jazz defining his own genre of instrumental music. And we'll hear another song from Mason Jennings new acoustic CD "The Flood." Also Pieta Brown and The Sunny Era.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji and can be heard again Sunday mornings at 6. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org. Centerstage MN is also heard on KSRQ in Thief River Falls Saturday nights at 11 & Wednesdays at Noon, and on WTIP in Grand Marais Thursdays afternoons at 4. Often featured on MNartists.org.

There's a Reason They Call it "Greater Minnesota" ;p

by Doug MacRostie

This week on Centerstage MN we've got a lot of Northern MN talent to enjoy. We'll be hearing a recording of a concert by Yasen Marie, a 4 piece "hippie pop-rock" band operating out of the Twin Cities. Three of the four members are from Bemidji.

We'll also hear from Sela Oveson, a very talented and unique singer-songwriter from Orr. I've got a copy of her forthcoming, debut release "Rogue Lightning". Plus Uncle Shurley from Bemidji, an organic roots-rock band with a great vibe. And we'll hear from Aurora Baer - she plays a unique style of blues/folk and is one of my newest fav MN musicians.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji and can be heard again Sunday mornings at 6. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org. Centerstage MN is also heard on KSRQ in Thief River Falls, and on KMSU in Mankato. Sometimes heard on KFAI in Minneapolis & St. Paul and WTIP in Grand Marais. Often featured on MNartists.org.

Get Awestruck by Aurora

by Doug MacRostie

I had been hearing about this really good songwriter from the Iron Range. A young girl. Musicians who stopped by the station would mention her name. From Aitkin. Promoters of festivals would be excited to have her. Also plays the harmonica. Producers would expect her to, "not be around here long, this girl is going places". And they were right. I am very excited to have Aurora Baer in-studio this week on Centerstage MN. Trust me, you're going to love this :) And, she will be opening for the Mark Olson (of The Jayhawks) concert we have here this Monday night!

On her way to 22 years old and still new to the being a professional musician, Aurora is breathtaking. She has a very emotional and powerful voice and writes a unique style of acoustic soul-blues. When asked about music and songwriting as a form of therapy, she said, "Definitely I consider it for me and for the listener. But isn't that the point, isn't that the point of music? I mean, that's kind of a broad question but: what is the point of music? Isn't it... to help people deal with things and process emotions, you know. Big part of it. Why do you go see live music? Because it makes you feel better and allows you to move stuff in your mind and deal with things. Or teach lessons, tell stories, you know. "

And she's not the only Northern MN artist we'll hear this week. I'll also be playing Trampled by Turtles and Lance Benson. Also a new band to Centerstage MN, Saint Anyway's new album Two, they're from Cloquet.

I am really excited to have a master copy of the upcoming release from Sela Oveson called "Rogue Lightning". The artwork isn't even done for this album yet and it isn't available anywhere, but Sela stopped by the station to drop off :D Sela is one of my favorite MN musicians - she has a fire that burns within her, a voice that's powerful and songs with meaning. She sings in a unique style that can carry you away to the heart of her music, and she has many Iron Range musicians joining her for a thicker presentation on this CD.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji and can be heard again Sunday mornings at 6. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org. Centerstage MN is also heard on KSRQ in Thief River Falls, and on KMSU in Mankato. Sometimes heard on KFAI in Minneapolis & St. Paul and WTIP in Grand Marais. Often featured on MNartists.org.

A FREE Celebration of Local, Original Music

There is an excellent opportunity for you to show your support of local music… 91.7 KAXE has teamed up with the Iron Range Original Music Association, I.R.O.M.A., for a FREE concert of local original music, this Saturday May 15th under the Rotary Tent at KAXE’s Amphitheater from 3-8pm.

Be sure to be here at 3 to see Sela Oveson. From Orr, Sela is an intimate and emotional songwriter with a powerful voice and meaningful songs. Then we’ve got Aaron Kaercher and Mike Gemberling from Ely with a unique mix of folk-rock, followed by High Drama Blues, an intricate and original blues & rock band from Chisholm. Then we rock out the evening with The Tisdales and their blazing guitars, sing-along choruses and general “lets rock” attitude.

This is a FREE celebration of local original music THIS Saturday under the Rotary Tent at KAXE’s Amphitheater starting at 3, come out and support your local music scene!!! Bring your own coolers and chairs and be ready for an afternoon of excellent music.

I.R.O.M.A. is a non-profit organization working to help musicians and artists succeed in northern MN.

Call us for more details: 218-326-1234 or online at KAXE.org – see you Saturday!

Here are videos of Aaron Kaercher, Sela Oveson and High Drama Blues performing live at the KAXE Studios:

Original Local Music Live In Concert

91.7 KAXE and I.R.O.M.A. are pleased to announce an afternoon/evening of music on Sat. May 15th from 3-8pm, featuring local musicians under the Rotary Tent at KAXE’s Amphitheater. First up will be Sela Oveson – an intimate and emotional songwriter from Orr with a powerful voice and meaningful songs. Then Aaron Kaercher & Mike Gemberling from Ely with an eclectic mix of styles we’ll call “a unique blend of folk-rock.” After that we’ll hear the cool sounds and heated vocals of High Drama Blues – an original and intricate blues & rock band from Chisholm. And we’ll rock the night out with The Tisdales, the loudest band in MN representing Sparta and Duluth with sing-along choruses, blazing guitars and a general "lets rock" attitude. Join KAXE and I.R.O.M.A. for this FREE celebration of local ORIGINAL music, bring your own chairs and coolers. I.R.O.M.A. is the Iron Range Original Music Association, a non-profit organization working to help musicians and artists succeed in Northern MN. Call us for more information, 218-326-1234 or KAXE.org.

Sela-way with Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Following your dreams and embracing your passion is something all of us should do - whether you wish you could build your own home or learn to play cribbage, it's never too late. Sela Oveson didn't pursue her dream of being a "rock star" until she was somewhere around 30 and in the last two years has been defining herself as a unique, talented and emotional songwriter and performer. Born and raised in the wilderness of Orr, MN, Sela spent much of her childhood enjoying music. The music scene in Northern MN is a much better place since she embraced her creativity. Her voice is powerful and her songs meaningful. She sings in a unique style that can carry you away to the heart of her music, and I am very excited to have her joining me in-studio for some live music and conversation this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN. Seriously, you're going to love this! Sela is performing as part of Iron Range Original Music Association's Winter Warmer on Sat. Feb 27th at Mac's Bar in Mt. Iron along with Mike Drianis, Aaron Kertcher, Mojosaurus Blues band, Swingdogs and more all getting started at 5pm.

I've also got the new Brass Kings CD "Live Huminger" which will be released Sat. Feb 27th at the E Squared in Brainerd at 8pm. Consider this a sneak peak for the 6th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival this year :D That's right, the first line-up leak for the biggest event of the summer: Brass Kings will be performing at the KAXE Amphitheater this summer along with... ...an OUTSTANDING LINE-UP that is To-Be-Announced :p "Live Humdinger" is a great selection of BK tunes and also includes guest musicians like Molly Maher, Nate Sipe of Pert Near Sandstone and Grant Johnson from the Bitter Spills.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.