Readers, We have been dealing with major internet connection failer here at Refrain Magazine. That is the reason for apparent lack of updates since before... »
July 2009
10KLF Bands By Groove
Every year for 10KLF, I offer my readers a guide to the bands of the fest. Though you can get a great little booklet on site, it offers bios coming from publicists and sometimes they just don’t tell you what you need to know. If you want to start your festival planning early, go to... »
Big Wu Reunion Reunites Jason Fladager with Band
Big Wu by Janie Franz At the tenth annual Big Wu Family Reunion (July 10-12) expect one heck of a reunion. It won’t be just a lot of the Wu fans in the region getting together to celebrate their favorite band. It will be a reunion for Jason Fladager, former guitarist with the Wu and current... »
Phish Reunion Show June 19, 2009
by Jonathan Holth It took all of one minute to begin their lyrical dialogue once again. Phish took the stage on an overcast Friday night in June to the standard nervous, excited, and anticipatory... »
Rock the Garden Rocked
By Brian Baier Who says not to trust anyone over 30? I thought it would be a good idea to attend a concert featuring Solid Gold, Yeasayer, Calexico, and The Decemberists, right in the relative back yard of Minneapolis. If the response I got from my friends under 30 via facebook regarding Rock... »
Local Artist Spotlight: Downtown Horns
For Dave Christianson, forming the Downtown Horns was pure self-interest. “As a trumpet player, there weren’t too many opportunities to play in Grand Forks,”Christianson said in a recent interview. “I always enjoyed the music of the 70s and 80s, and I just felt we were missing something musically in this area. This seemed to... »
CD Review: At the Moment of Our Most Needing – Rock Plaza Central
Live Music Alert: Rock Plaza Central, 10KLF, Saloon Stage, July 22, 6 pm At the Moment of Our Most Needing Rock Plaza Central Self Though Rock Plaza Central, a band based in Toronto, has been around since 1996, it has changed personnel so often that it has dwindled and expanded like a concertina. The only consistent member... »
Venue Spotlight: Porpoura
Most baristas open their doors because they want to make money or they are enamored by that dark brew with the enticing aroma and captivating flavor or they want to encourage acoustic music and coffeehouses are the usual venues. Though those are all good reasons for starting a business involving coffee, none of those... »
