Author: Adam Wiltgen

  • General B & The Wiz: New Drummer, New Music, & Horror Stories From The Road

    General B & The Wiz: New Drummer, New Music, & Horror Stories From The Road

    Adventurous Twin Cities-based blues rock quintet General B and The Wiz return to Winona this week for a “Halloween Spook ‘n Roll” costume dance party at Ed’s (no name) Bar with soul band Ali and The Scoundrels. I checked in with guitarist Seth Duin ahead of Friday’s ghoulish event to get up to speed on what…

  • “Live at Ed’s” Album Review: Mike Munson Done Right

    “Live at Ed’s” Album Review: Mike Munson Done Right

      Winona blues musician Mike Munson’s new live album successfully incorporates many of the desirable qualities of live recordings and very few of the downsides. Solid audio quality, impassioned performances, new arrangements, extended versions, delightful improvisation, a cohesive choice of songs that includes previously unreleased tracks, and a masterfully tasteful dose of ambiance from the audience, not to…

  • Breakaway Builds Emphatic Electronic Sound with “Postcarious”

    Breakaway Builds Emphatic Electronic Sound with “Postcarious”

    From start to finish, Postcarious feels like an album Breakaway created with both feet firmly planted in an electronic sound. With only minimal and atmospheric use of guitar, Breakaway puts his trademark operatic vocal experimentation, impressive falsetto, and infectious intensity to use over a digital landscape rife with detail and sonic stimulation. Layered vocals and aggressive beats…

  • The Ultrasounds Champion Pixie-Goth Sludge Rock on “Lost My Mind” EP

    The Ultrasounds Champion Pixie-Goth Sludge Rock on “Lost My Mind” EP

    The Ultrasounds’ Lost My Mind EP is a solid debut recording that leans heavy on deft distorted guitar work — just like their raucous live performances. The EP is a polished snapshot of this co-ed quartet’s ’90s rock-influenced sound. And while the guitars are indeed prominent, the mix shifts from song to song, and Megan Hanson’s bittersweet vocals…

  • Polish Pays Off Big on Debut EP from Jake Ilika & The Heavy Set

    Polish Pays Off Big on Debut EP from Jake Ilika & The Heavy Set

    The new self-titled EP from Jake Ilika & The Heavy Set is a sophisticated and impressive debut. It boasts both high production value and well crafted songs, and for good reason. The songs and their arrangements benefited from the luxury of developing organically at Jake’s weekly residency at the friendly Ed’s (no name) Bar in Winona.…

  • Leo “Bud” Welch brings the blues to Winona

    Leo “Bud” Welch brings the blues to Winona

    Leo “Bud” Welch may have been donning his best Sunday suit at Ed’s (no name) Bar on January 19th, but the 81 year old musician, with decades of experience playing in gospel groups around his home in rural Mississippi, was clearly here in Winona to sing the blues. Equipped with a microphone headset and perched…

  • Downtown Businesses Get Boost from Earth Day Event at Levee Park, Renews Enthusiasm for Revitalization

    Downtown Businesses Get Boost from Earth Day Event at Levee Park, Renews Enthusiasm for Revitalization

    Sunny skies graced throngs of both tourists and locals taking in the activities at the Winona Park & Rec Dept.’s lively Earth Day Celebration at Levee Park this past Saturday. With an estimated 1,200 in attendance over the course of the afternoon, the sunshine and action also extended to nearby businesses. Mister Groovys, Dibs Cafe,…

  • Gripping The Book of Love: Q&A with Jacob Grippen on Music Politics Love

    Gripping The Book of Love: Q&A with Jacob Grippen on Music Politics Love

    Acoustic singer-songwriter (and southeastern Minnesota native) Jacob Grippen returned to the area Saturday, July 6th for a performance at Some Sum Studio in downtown Winona with Savannah Smith and Austin Weatherhead. Grippen recently released an original studio recording of The Book of Love from The Magnetic Fields’ epic 1999 three-volume concept album 69 Love Songs. Listen…