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:

A User Friendly Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

It isn't easy for an artist creating original music to get a start - not only in MN, but anywhere. I.R.O.M.A., the Iron Range Original Music Association, is a wonderful non-profit that supports local, original musicians. We'll hear from a few of their artists this week on Centerstage MN including The Tisdales, Sela Oveson and Aaron Kaercher, who will be joining me live in-studio.

Aaron Kaercher is a singer/songwriter from Ely who writes unique music that blends many different styles. He released his first solo CD, "User Friendly Radio" last year, and while there definitely is a thread that ties all the music together, the range of sounds and genres is impressive. From the friendly and fun "smile" to the moody and edgy "She," the album covers as many emotions and feelings as it does styles. It's going to be a lot of fun having Aaron in-studio.

Aaron will be joined by Mike Gemberling and The Tisdales, High Drama Blues and Sela Oveson for Live Original Music in Concert under the Rotary Tent at the KAXE Amphitheater on Sat. May 15th. This is a FREE celebration of local, original music. KAXE teamed up with I.R.O.M.A. for this event - the Iron Range Original Music Association, a non-profit working to help musicians succeed in northern MN. Get more info about the concert here.

Plus new music from Pieta Brown, The Brass Kings and Trampled by Turtles. TBT's new album "Palomino" debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart - right on Turtles!!!

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 Pioneer 90.1 in Thief River Falls, Saturday nights at 11pm.

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.

Holy Winds and Fits of Rage on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Pat Surface has been creating music in Northern MN for over 30 years and his new CD with The Boundary Water Boys is called Holy Wind - an album inspired by Pat's deep spiritual beliefs with a mix of original and interpreted material. What got my attention right away about this CD was the integration of Pat's religious beliefs with some classic songs. How do you feel about Bob Marley re-written to sing, "Stir it up...for Jesus, Stir it up..."? I got beaned by that curve ball... But when I told some of my co-workers about the concept of this album and some of the unexpected twists, Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" with the words of "Amazing Grace" got the most riled up response. Mark Tarner said, "what ever happened to 'Thou shalt not bear false witness'?" I'll ask Pat about these "holy-oldies" this week on Centerstage MN, Thursday night at 6. And I'll be talking with John Wozniak of Marcy Playground.

The first time I picked up an electric guitar I was 12 years old (I think)...it was my Uncles "Terminator" (that's all I remember of the name, my cousin might remember the brand...it had a built in speaker that got nice and distorted if you turned it up loud enough :D). Back in high school, one of the albums I sat in my room and learned all the songs on was the self-titled Marcy Playground. Not just "Sex and Candy", but amazing tunes like 'A Cloak of Elven Kind" and "Opium" (one of the best songs EVER). The unique sound and style continued to evolve on Shapeshifter (1999) and MP3 (2004). But I think my favorite album from Marcy Playground is the new release Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage, and I am SO excited to have John Wozniak on Centerstage MN to talk about it.

Guitarist and singer with Marcy Playground, John Wozniak's songwriting for the Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage is his most personal to date. Seriously, I want to ask him why he didn't put himself naked on the cover! There is lost love, found love, self-reflection and pure emotion presented with John's trademark soft-yet-intense vocals & melodic music which twists and jumps through life's experiences through the eyes of John. Marcy Playground songs often sound sad, but hopeful; and I'll ask John about his inspiration for songwriting, where the music comes from and what it's like opening yourself up and sharing in such a personal way.

Here's a video of Gina Nordquist, Rob Wheeler and Marty Halverson of Chisholm's High Drama Blues live on Centerstage MN last week:


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.

Centerstage MN Gets High on Drama

by Doug MacRostie

When I was told, "I'll be bringing a digital piano," to the session for Centerstage MN, I thought it was a fancy way to say "keyboard." Nope. I'll be joined in-studio by High Drama Blues for some live music and conversation this Thursday night at 6 - and it's a REAL digital piano!

From Chisholm, HDB is an original and intricate blues & rock band. In-studio I'll have Gina Nordquist in vocals, Rob Wheeler on guitar and harmonica and Marty Halverson on digital piano and accordion. Their self-titled debut release was recorded at on the Iron Range at Sparta Sound by Rich Mattson - it's a great CD, but there is an energy to them when they play live that you'll want to hear.

Having met at Open Mic nights, HDB started working on original material right away, with Gina writing the lyrics and songs coming from impromptu jam sessions. The music is great and the vocals powerful. They are part of I.R.O.M.A., The Iron Range Original Music Association. Rob Wheeler has been heard on the show before with both The Wheeler Dealers and the Gypsy Prophets. They have a good thing going and it'll be a lot of fun to have them on Centerstage MN.

To set up the High Drama Blues, we'll hear from the new Janiva Magness album, "The Devil is an Angel Too." Janiva is a Blues and R&B singer with a rich and soulful voice that can lead an audience from deep sorrow to overwhelming joy. And we'll hear from some folkers with new music from Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys, the Blue Drifters and Bill Isles.

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.

Non-Conformist Unite: Enchanted Ape On the Way!

by Doug MacRostie

The band name Enchanted Ape has one historical reference (that the band found out after coming up with the name); Philosopher Thomas Carlyle used 'enchanted ape' as a derogatory term for people who were non-conformist or who went against the grain - perfect for this original and unique roots-rock band out of Minneapolis. I'm very excited to have Enchanted Ape for our first ever 'Closing the Tent Event' under the Rotary Tent at KAXE's Amphitheater in Grand Rapids Sat. the 15th. And this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN I'll be talking with Chris O'Brien; singer, songwriter and guitarist with Enchanted Ape.

Chris and I will be talking about their latest CD Off the Ground which came out last year, and we'll hear music from their 2005 debut Three Ring Symphony. Both albums are outstanding examples of organic and evolving music with an earthy blend of acoustic, electric and slide guitars mixing in elements of jazz, blues and improvisational music. In previous blogs I've said they, "further the vibrations of the Grateful Dead" and I am VERY excited to see Enchanted Ape in action for the Closing the Tent Event on Sat. the 12th - click here for more info!

Also on Centerstage MN Thursday night there will be a set of future guests including The Hobo Nephew of Uncle Frank, which is the brother songwriting team of Ian and Teague Alexy along with drummer Paul Grill. Their new album Traveling Show is an excellent CD with their musicianship, songwriting and musical vision rising to new heights. Another future guest will be indie roots duo The Pines from Minneapolis, made up of Iowa natives David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey. Their new CD Tremolo has a dark, Americana sound, highlighting their songwriting and musicianship. And the other future guest in the set is Steve Kaul, he's put out Solo Guitar - a wonderful (surprise) solo album featuring Steve's outstanding guitar work. Originally from Bemidji, Steve is the singer and guitarist with The Brass Kings out of St. Paul.

I've also got new music from Junkyard Empire; they're new release is called Rebellion Politik; a crazy mix of hip hop, jazz and civil-discontent. And a new self-titled release off the Iron Range from High Drama Blues which ranges from straight-up blues rock to emotional slow-moving grooves.

Next week I'll be joined by Josh Collins, son of the late John Collins - a founding member of late 60's and 70's folk-rockers Podipto from the Bemidji area. Josh will bring along previously unreleased and never-before-heard recordings!!!! It's going to be awesome :D

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.