HOMEGROWN HACKED

A QUICK-AND-DIRTY GUIDE TO DULUTH’S BIGGEST MUSIC PARTY

BY CHRISTA LAWLER

Twenty-one years ago, before Homegrown Music Festival was the beast it is now, it was merely the whimsy of a man with a band and a birthday.

Scott “Starfire” Lunt rented out the Lafayette Community Center on Park Point, invited some musicians, lit some candles and tapped some kegs. It was a mellow night that has, since then, turned into a mega thing-thing. It’s an eight-day, dozens-of-venues, art-genre-crossing fest that, at its core, features about 200 bands in 45 minute increments. Consider it part

Born Too Late

intro to the local music scene, part reunion, part reason to take a week of vacation in the spring.

You will probably see someone dressed as a fashionforward chicken, but no one has seen the glitter gun for years. If you are limited in fun-hours, here are just a few of the must-see acts to ensure the Duluthiest of Homegrown Music Festivals.

Homegrown Music Festival runs April 28May 5 at venues in Duluth and Superior. Go to duluthhomegrown.org

This band of rocker teens got a ton of chatter after last year’s Homegrown Music Festival debut — and kept the momentum going through Tribute Fest, Dylan Fest and a Buddy Holly Tribute Show. Born Too Late — singer Rokkyn Kavajecz and drummer Traxx Kavajecz, bass player Taylor Shykes and guitarist Bella Hanson — cover classic rock, country tunes and fan favorites. There are two chances to check out the band, including the kiddoaimed Children’s Music Showcase and then again late in the fest.

Born Too Late plays at 3:30 p.m. April 28 at the Lake Superior Zoo, 7210 Fremont St. All ages. Free. They also play 7 p.m. May 3 at Beaner’s Central, 324 N. Central Ave. All ages. Wristband required.

MAMA’S STOLEN HORSES

If you’ve ever fallen madly for the idea of a life less tethered to lawn maintenance, this is the band for you. Abby Jo and Kristoffer Robin spent a decade touring as glassblowers on the Renaissance Festival circuit and picked up music gigs along the way. The folk duo lives here now, but that wherever-the-wind-blows aesthetic lives on in the band’s sound: banjos, twang and the kind of dust-cutting lyrics born under a big sky.

Mama’s Stolen Horses plays at 7:30 p.m. April 30 at Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 394 S. Lake Ave. All ages. Free.

Ingeborg Von Agassiz

Ingeborg von Agassiz’s “O Giver of Dreams,” her 2018 debut, is a true Duluth-y accomplishment. The entire electric folk album was a DIY project for the musician from writing to its artwork. Her style is both a literal homage to the view from her window (see also: “Oh, the Hillside”) and a sonic tribute: it’s pretty, it’s windy, its both colorful and cold. It swirls and it swears. Ingeborg von Agassiz tends to say yes to life, whether she is playing brunch at Pizza Luce, a fundraiser, or a pop-up show on a frozen Lake Superior on a night when the moon came up like a big, red supernatural being. Ingeborg von Agassiz plays at 9:45 p.m. April 30 at The Sports Garden, 425 S. Lake Ave. 21+. Wristband required.

BLACK-EYED SNAKES

Prepare for a blurry Thursday. Black-eyed Snakes, a blues rock band most likely to just grind away, maybe toss in a harmonica, cut the heck loose, until frontman Alan Sparhawk has crowd-surfed to the far-reaches of the joint, plays the late show on Wednesday night — thus ensuring that no one is leaving Mr. D’s without sweating through a T-shirt. This band is among the long-time Homegrowners and is always a thrill.

Black-eyed Snakes play after midnight May 1 at Mr. D’s Bar & Grill, 5622 Grand Ave. 21+. Wristband required.

Father Hennepin

Literally the reason for the season. This alt-country band features HG-creator Scott Lunt on guitar and vocals, in addition to Ted Anderson (guitar, vocals), Jimi Cooper (guitar), Suzi Ludwig (accordion, keyboards), Brad Nelson (drums) and Bob Olson (bass). Fat Hens, as the band is known to its friends, played the first fest and, among its greatest hits, is a charming take on the Moose Wallow Ramblers’ “I Like It in Duluth.” Expect a bunch of charm. Father Hennepin plays at 9 p.m. May 2 at Cedar Lounge, 1715 N. Third St. Duluth.

The Latelys

It has been a couple years since Jenna Harting unleashed that great big beautiful bluesy voice on Homegrowners for the first time and it was whoa. The trio also includes CJ Hanson, a pianist, and Rachel Riefenberg, drummer, and in addition to original tunes, can bust out a pretty wicked Janis Joplin.