Adventures in Americana

10/14/2026

Had such a great time last night I forgot to post about it! Jake La Botz joined Mikkel’s long-running Tuesday evening Workers Playtime series at the 331 Club in Nordeast Minneapolis. It’s always a joy to see these two play together, and luckily they do it pretty often!

10/14/2026

The new edition of About That Song is here, featuring Elexa Dawson! The powerful Kansas-based singer-songwriter, citizen of the Potawatomi Nation in Oklahoma, and Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM)'s Board President sat down with series creator Sarah Morris to talk about important music and moments in her creative journey, her 2025 charting album Stay Put, and the role FARM has played in her music career. Check out the full interview on our Music Distillery blog (link in comments) and then get out to see Elexa play--she's got a couple of pre- and post-conference Twin Cities appearances!

In the 116th installment of our special series on songwriting, Sarah talks to the powerful Kansas singer-songwriter about music and experiences that impacted her artistic journey.

10/13/2026

Today on The Hook: Ozarks singer-songwriter and 7th generation farmer Lyal Strickland is set to release his first album in about a decade this Friday, Oct 16th. “Shooter of Truth” is a raw, sharply written collection about depression, love, failure, survival, and the price of continuing to pursue a life in music. Strickland spoke with Christine about the inspiration for the album, how it came together, and how he continues to make music a priority while also balancing fatherhood, marriage, and taking care of the farm that has been in his family for generations. See the full interview on YouTube or our website (link in bio).
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10/07/2026

Allison Russell is coming back to First Avenue in Minneapolis on Nov. 1, and we had the honor of interviewing her ahead of her visit! Tom Smouse sat down with Russell to talk about the intensely community-minded focus of her new album and what we need from one another in these trying times. Check out the full article on our Music Distillery blog (link in comments).

The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, poet, activist and multi-instrumentalist talks about her new album, In the Hour of Chaos , and her upcoming show at First Avenue in Minneapolis on November 1.

10/06/2026

Today on The Hook: Levi Foster’s second full-length album, “Appalachian Funk Tree,” is the sound of an artist who seems increasingly confident letting genres overlap, collide, and take the music to new branches. Produced by Shooter Jennings at the legendary Sunset Sound in Hollywood, the record pulls together Appalachian storytelling, bluegrass, blues, psychedelia, funk, country and rock ’n’ roll, while also taking on distinctly modern questions, including our rapidly changing relationship with AI. Christine spoke with Levi about the new album, which comes out this Friday, October 9th. Check out the full interview on YouTube or our website (link in comments)!

10/05/2026

This year’s Great River Folk Festival was a testament to the independent Wisconsin festival’s enduring charm, and a reminder of folk music’s vital importance in times of turmoil. Check out the full review on our Music Distillery blog (link in comments)!

Fifty years in, La Crosse's volunteer-run folk festival is still one of the Upper Midwest's best-kept secrets, and its lineup and listening crowds are as strong as ever.

10/05/2026

Night two of The Cactus Blossoms at the Parkway was just as amazing as the first! We got a Bob Dylan cover, some brand new (fantastic) songs, and an invitation to “see you soon in St. Paul” (which I take as confirmation of the January Turf Club residency coming back!). Lead guitarist Jacob Hanson always wows but had a special fire tonight (swipe to the end for a sample, tho I wish I’d captured his extended and ecstatic solo at the end of “Boomerang”). These two nights were such a gift!

10/05/2026

First up tonight at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis: Doug Otto and Hilary Thavis! This duo has a seemingly effortless symbiosis, creating heavenly harmony in a set of originals and well-chosen covers. Always happy to get a chance to see them!

10/04/2026

FREE TICKETS—COMMENT TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY! We’re giving away a pair of passes to see Medium Build with Bella White on Sunday 10/18 at the First Avenue First Avenue mainroom in Minneapolis. Comment on this post for a chance to win!

Medium Build is the project of Nashville based singer-songwriter Nick Carpenter. His sound mixes lo-fi indie with country, built on sharp, self-examining lyrics and a dry, often very funny wit. His shows have a reputation for feeling communal and cathartic, and years of nonstop touring have taken him from small DIY rooms to festival stages.

Calgary-born bella white started playing guitar at eight and grew up on the bluegrass, classic country and old-time music of her father, a Virginia-born bluegrass musician. Since moving to New Orleans, she has taken those roots into a moodier, more adventurous kind of folk and Americana, with her striking voice at the center. NPR said of that voice, “Sometimes the minute you hear a voice, you know it’s for the ages.”

How to enter: Just leave a comment on this post by 11:59pm CT Wednesday 10/7. The randomly drawn winner will be announced Thursday 10/8. You can enter once a day until the entry period ends. (Please note: if we can’t confirm our winner can make it to the show, we may choose another.)

Show details:
Medium Build with Bella White
Sunday, October 18, 2026
First Avenue, Minneapolis
6PM Doors
7PM Showtime
All ages show

10/04/2026

Exhilarated. That’s the only way I can sum up how I felt tonight at the first of The Cactus Blossoms’ sold-out two-night run at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. Although I love seeing them at dive bars and outdoor festivals and any other chance I get, there’s something special about seated theater shows with rapt listening audiences. There are no distractions, just complete absorption into their incredible sound and storytelling.

I went through many emotions during the set (do yourself a favor and swipe to the end to hear a bit of their John Prine cover 😭) but the overall feeling was exhilaration. I can’t wait for the second show tomorrow!

Oh and for those of you keeping score at home, this was CBs show 105 for me!