Smouse In The House
Articles that feature music venues in Minnesota.
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Studio Shorts: Defhaus Studios and Hot Dad Labs
One thing the corona-virus hasn’t affected is the desire for musicians to create. We’ve seen online concerts, live streaming performances to demo new songs, and creative ways for collaboration to happen during these unique times. This insurgence of expression is promising and continues to keep us connected. Recording studios have continued to be a […] More
Studio Shorts: Studio 65 and Carpet Booth Studios
Recording studios operate unlike almost any other business. Their reputation and sustainability are directly based on the music they touch. You won’t see any advertisements in newspapers for recording studios. Word of mouth is key and musicians sharing their experiences. Referring other artists is crucial. This week we take a look at two studios that […] More
Studio Shorts: The Hideaway Studios and The Garage Studio
Recording studios hold an important role in our community. These magical places are the cornerstones for developing bands and finding a desired sound for their music. Studios are tucked away in corners of our neighborhoods, in buildings often without signs, and removed from any advertisements. “If you had a sign above every studio door saying […] More
Mortimer’s Rebuilds A Neighborhood Music Scene
Mortimer’s Bar and Restaurant has been a conduit for music and community since 1976. The corner of Lyndale and Franklin is a busy hub for businesses. It has seen a greasy spoon, a pharmacy, a butcher shop, a convenience store, and a steak house throughout the years. Mortimer’s expanded its business by adding a music […] More
The Oldenburg House Cooks Conservation and Music Together at B&B
Glenn Swanson was trying to come up with a ‘short little something’ that would signal to a bed and breakfast guest that the Oldenburg House is very much connected to the natural world. The B&B is next to Jay Cooke State Park, the Willard Munger State Trail, the National Kayak and Canoe Center, and the […] More
Pony Rug Helps Artists Rein in Success
The past two years have been busy for a group of friends recording live music videos. Pony Rug is approaching 100 high definition videos showcasing Minneapolis artists and music. There’s an unquantifiable style with which every video is stamped. Every video carries traits of professionally warm lighting and the glow of the musicians, all stationed […] More
Sacred Heart Music Center Echos High and Low in Duluth
When you first walk through the doors of Sacred Heart Music Center, the enormity of the venue is felt by the immediate echo of your voice. Sitting high upon the Duluth skyline, Sacred Heart Cathedral is a historic landmark that opened its doors in 1896 and installed a renowned Felgemaker organ in 1898. It was […] More
Sorry, We’re Open: Palmer’s Bar
Palmer’s Bar has been a West Bank institution since 1906. It has survived prohibition, bootlegging, two World Wars, the smoking ban, cathouse raids due to an upstairs brothel, and various urban renewal projects. A core trait of Palmer’s has been that everyone is welcome. You see that in a collage of regulars including professors, cabbies, […] More
Magical Moments Grow at Grand Oak Opry in Saint Paul
If you were strolling through the Dousman Park neighborhood in St. Paul, you probably wouldn’t notice the pre-civil war house with a double lot and a 225-year-old white oak tree as a magical music venue. Although the oak towers over the house, the most noteworthy feature of the property has become the June-September series of […] More
Combining Ages and Genres, Eagles #34 Represents Community
On Nov. 19 the Fraternal Order of Eagles will be celebrating its 120th year of existence. As an international charitable non-profit organization, the mission statement can easily be summarized as “People Helping People,” which resonates with what Eagles #34 does for the community. It’s no small task to run an organization that carries a lot […] More
The Garage Develops More Than Music in Burnsville
For almost 20 years The Garage has been the all-ages music venue version of First Avenue. With the similar stylistic themes of black bricks and a variety of talented national and local artists, the correlation between the two is separated most by the location. The Burnsville venue has been an important resource for developing young […] More
SolSta Records Spins Forward With Ingenuity and Versatility
In a way, Solsta Records was always destined to be a vintage store. The building was previously occupied by The Pink Closet, a consignment clothing shop. It has seen generations of treasures and memories passed back and forth. Fitting perfectly along the Minnehaha Mile, which is aptly named for the long row of vintage and […] More
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