At its best, harmony duo singing can transform simple math into a magic trick. One plus one, instead of equaling two, suddenly yields an unexpected third thing. An upper-case ONE. A universal hum. A deep vibration that encompasses two different points of view. On their latest release, Every Time I Think About You, brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum, aka The Cactus Blossoms, once again prove themselves to be among the most adept – and distinctive – modern practitioners of that magic. But like any great magician, The Cactus Blossoms can’t – or won’t – fully explain the illusion they create. “Harmonies are a big part of our sound, but in some ways they’re the part we focus on the least,” says Burkum. “We put most of our attention and energy into the songs themselves and then the harmonies just happen.” There’s all kinds of magic happening on Every Time I Think About You, a record that sounds more like a band than any other in the Cactus Blossoms discography, thanks to contributions from Jeremy Hanson (drums), Jacob Hanson (guitar) and Phillip Hicks (bass). “There She Goes” casts its romantic regret against a danceable bop beat, and the title track is a heart-wrencher about loss and letting go. “Even if you don’t set out to write songs with a theme in mind it seems [...]

Some folk, some country, some blues-grass, all good for the soul. Maygen & The Birdwatcher’s music is Americana that isn’t afraid to embrace eclecticism, but it’s also firmly rooted in folk and country. Their new Leap Year EP (released August 2) is a refreshing yet contemplative collection of songs inspired by the celestial symbolism of 2024, and speaking to the heart of their modern meets traditional musical vision. To achieve their rich, full sound, the band fills out the sonic details, with multi-instrumentalist Nik Pellinen adding banjo, lap steel and electric guitar. Along with bassist Chase Rabideau, who rounds out the bottom, mandolin player Jesse Moravec, who also contributes vocals, fiddle player Evin Haukos, and drummer-percussionist Peter Anderson create a new take on bluegrass-folk-country. It’s a hyphenated hybrid that can come only from a seasoned—and tightly knit—band. It leaves music fans wanting to hear more as Maygen & The Birdwatcher leap forward this year, and take their original music to the next level. Follow On Facebook!

“…a well oiled rock n’ roll machine” – Peter Jesperson (Manager of the Replacements) “Having backed Slim Dunlap on stage, and opened for Tommy Stinson, it’s no wonder High on Stress evoke the rootsier side of legends The Replacements. But behind the meaty, full-throttle guitars are enticing, wistful beauties providing seductive respites..” – The Big Takeover “Brace yourselves, ‘Hold Me In’ is a hell of a journey you’ll want to accompany High On Stress on” – Spectral Nights HIGH ON STRESS HAS SHARED THE STAGE WITH SLIM DUNLAP & TOMMY STINSON (THE REPLACEMENTS), JACKSON BROWNE, TOMMY KEENE, MATTHEW RYAN, DAVE PIRNER & DAN MURPHY (SOUL ASYLUM), GEAR DADDIES, CRAIG FINN (THE HOLD STEADY), GARY LOURIS (THE JAYHAWKS/GOLDEN SMOG), JESSE MALIN, ANDREW HYRA (BILLY PILGRIM), GREG NORTON (HUSKER DU), DR FINK (PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION), PHIL SOLEM (THE REMBRANDTS) AND MORE… Follow On Facebook!

Since forming in northeast Minneapolis in 2006, The High 48s have been making music that combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern attitude. They’re a band with one foot in tradition and the other in the world of music today, and one of the very few who can find an overlooked bluegrass classic in a song by M. Ward or the Clash then throw down hard on a standard by Bill Monroe. The High 48s are also a band of songwriters. Here, too, they take a modern approach, heeding the well-worn advice to writers: write what you know. Their songs ring true to their lives as northern city-folk rather than an imagined “sweet, sunny south” of coal mines and dark hollers. In addition to keeping up a busy performing schedule, the High 48s are passionate about music education and in demand as instructors, teaching one-on-one, online and in workshops and jam camps around the country, including their now twice-yearly bluegrass jam camp for kids, Grass Seeds Academy. Learn More: https://www.rjac.org/event/high-on-stress-2025/ Follow On Facebook!

ABBAulous is comprised of two dynamic divas, Mary Lieser and Dianna Parks, on lead vocals along with incredibly talented musicians who cover a variety of instruments to recreate the complex and layered recordings of ABBA Gold. They are: Chase Kelly on keys; Dave Kies on drums; John Wheeler on keys, banjo and guitar; Carl Stephenson on lead guitar; Scott Kee on bass; Becca Stiles-Nogosek on backup vocals; Kevin Kleist on acoustic guitar; Kevin McGarry on sax; and Kevin Reid on percussion. You can never get enough Kevins. And you can never get enough ABBA. Dancing Queens bring your disco pants and feather boas and join us for all the great songs from ABBA. Learn More: https://www.rjac.org/.../fabbaulous-abba-tribute-band-2025/ Follow On Facebook!

With roots in the church and a solid foundation of musical education, Joyann Parker found her authentic voice later in life and created her own blend of roots music that combines soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and traditional blues styles. Parker has been a steadily rising star on the Midwest music scene and now brings her full range of talent as an accomplished singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter to national and international stages. Joyann’s rootsy, genre-blending sequel, “Out of the Dark,” was released on February 12, 2021 and debuted at #11 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #1 on the NACC Radio chart. Joyann’s new album, “Roots” is planned for a June 3, 2023 release. “A singing, songwriting, guitar-playing, self-producing, self-aware powerhouse, but the driving force is unquestionably her voice — a formidable instrument she wields with soul and taste.” - Bliss Bowen/Pasadena Weekly “Joyann Parker knows her way around a song. She climbs inside it, dwells in it, lives with every note and phrase, delivering performances that seize our emotions and capture the ragged despair and heightened joy of life.” - Henry L. Carrigan, Jr./Living Blues Magazine Learn More: https://www.rjac.org/event/joyann-parker-2025/ Follow On Facebook!

CRANKING OUT THE HITS OF THE RECORD PLAYER ERA! LP and the 45s is a classic hits cover band from Rochester, Minnesota. We pay tribute to the pioneers of pop, rock, country, rockabilly, and soul by covering some of their greatest hits – songs by artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and many, many more! Members of LP and the 45s have shared the stage with Paul Revere and the Raiders, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Head East, The Guess Who, .38 Special, and Jonny Lang. Follow On Facebook!