Events

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 like [...]

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!