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The Music Distillery
Exploring Americana Music Through Interviews, Reviews & Essays
Written by Carol Roth, Jaclyn Nott, Sarah Morris, Jacson Miller, and other guest contributors
![Event Review: 2022 Mid West Music Fest in Winona, Minnesota](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1651770288353-C0RUKIK8TTZX5U5YZV8N/801fae-20220119-mid-west-music-fest-lineup-poster-2022-740.jpg)
Event Review: 2022 Mid West Music Fest in Winona, Minnesota
The AiA crew took in two days of music on a rainy but magical weekend in southeast Minnesota.
![Music Review: Eleganza!, ‘Water Valley High’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1650988509480-202REIARG0DB8LEF01NY/eleganza+album+cover.jpg)
Music Review: Eleganza!, ‘Water Valley High’
The genre-straddling Minnesota rock band serves up their trademark eclectic blend of styles and influences on a potent new album.
![Artist Q&A: Brandon Henry of Art Vandalay](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1649187195071-5S6UYIM3WN4RC45B8O78/Champagne+%2B+Chandeliers_album+artwork.jpg)
Artist Q&A: Brandon Henry of Art Vandalay
As the Americana rockers prepare for a long-delayed album release show, the band’s founding member shared his thoughts about their recent record Champagne & Chandeliers and more.
![Music Review: Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, ‘FORE!!!!’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1646066352241-9MG7RWHAPLQCSFHJVCE0/FORE+Cover+for+WEB.jpg)
Music Review: Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, ‘FORE!!!!’
Though the themes are darker than past releases, the new EP from this working-class Midwest folk act is bursting at the seams with warmth and heart.
![Single Premiere: Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, “April 7th, 2020”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1646069097069-A8AMF3GY9M6HEJXXP7TX/Farmer+Band+Melody+Barb+2.jpg)
![Music Review: The Cactus Blossoms, ‘One Day’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1645555656411-Z8J5M6Z70QQ66QIPF6WP/One_Day_Cover_1000x1000.jpg)
Music Review: The Cactus Blossoms, ‘One Day’
Nostalgia, pain and optimism coexist on the Minnesota group’s new album, which showcases a new facet in their ever-evolving sound.
Show Review: Joshua Ray Walker with Andrew Hibbard at the Turf Club
On a frigid Sunday night at the Turf Club in St. Paul, the headliner exceeded high expectations and the opener won over the crowd.
![Music Review: David Jameson, ‘Tall Dark Pines’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1643648203231-82148BXSAVEFUW5CWHKI/Tall+Dark+Pines+album+artwork.jpg)
Music Review: David Jameson, ‘Tall Dark Pines’
On his new album, a world-traveled singer-songwriter finds home in classic country, traditional folk and romanticized Old West outlaw imagery.
![Blue Ox Reveals Initial Lineup & Details for 2022 Festival](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1642878978757-RRD1THPIF1ODVCYMI81W/2022BO-Lineup-Vertical2.jpg)
Blue Ox Reveals Initial Lineup & Details for 2022 Festival
Find out who’s playing and what’s new at this annual Wisconsin gem.
![Virtual Listening Party: Mark Joseph](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1642531842123-4C6QF5IOLR0VHF8J527B/Mark%2BJoesph%2B_%2BVEGAS%2BMOTEL%2BAlbum%2BCover.jpg)
Virtual Listening Party: Mark Joseph
A song-by-song exploration of Mark Joseph’s ‘Vegas Motel’
![Top 5 Ways to Support Musicians & Venues in 2022](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1642097095188-R8MWIFGQKY5EPQZYLGT4/anthony-delanoix-hzgs56Ze49s-unsplash.jpg)
Top 5 Ways to Support Musicians & Venues in 2022
When times are tough, supporting the artists who create the music that support us makes us part of an ecosystem, a community based on connection, love, and joy. A community that shows up for each other is only stronger for its struggles.
![Music Review: Cole Allen, ‘The Other Side’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1641493125755-M8LERIGEKNF536I4JZVL/CAtheotherside4A+copy+finished+adjusted.jpg)
Music Review: Cole Allen, ‘The Other Side’
The veteran Minnesota blues rocker strips down his sound to tell a powerful, emotional story on his new acoustic EP.
![Music Review: Boots & Needles](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1640289963869-FSJFU91S385FG5Z6KUSW/Boots+%26+Needles+by+Dani+Werner.jpg)
Music Review: Boots & Needles
The self-titled debut EP from this charming Minnesota duo is like a candy sampler, with tantalizing tastes of what’s to come.
![Music Review: Russell James’ ‘Feel Your Pain’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1640037472895-TL65VY8KEMW2YG14UA8B/Feel+Your+Pain+album+artwork.jpg)
Music Review: Russell James’ ‘Feel Your Pain’
Native American indie-folk singer songwriter Russell James’ fourth album dives down into struggles with autism, depression, and trauma but also provides space to explore vulnerability, pain, and transcendence.
![Music Review: Land at Last, ‘Windbound’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1639669221870-X2IDCF18IUWF79LF11AO/Windbound+album+art.jpeg)
Music Review: Land at Last, ‘Windbound’
Minnesota superduo Jake Ilika and Mike Munson join forces on a new, surprisingly multilayered EP.
![Music Review: Anthony St. James, ‘Songs of Anthony St. James’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1639500920290-DFNPPKZVSYO3MMI842AC/anthony+st+james+3.jpg)
Music Review: Anthony St. James, ‘Songs of Anthony St. James’
The Pennsylvania folk singer-songwriter’s debut album is a vivid collection of working-class story songs about his native state.
![Music Review: Mark Ross & the Three-Nineteen, ‘The Unreal Deal’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1639070781983-94T6XGONIXZ108300R0R/unreal+deal+album+artwork.jpg)
Music Review: Mark Ross & the Three-Nineteen, ‘The Unreal Deal’
The southern Minnesota band’s debut album delivers punchy, story-driven Americana alt-rock.
![Music Review: Riddy Arman](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1638842113058-L4AC7CPO0W5CKT98HBBY/Riddy+Arman_album+artwork.jpg)
Music Review: Riddy Arman
This weathered and wise debut album from newcomer Riddy Arman delivers a kind of rich, contemplative sound that evokes the classic country from decades past, full of story and gentle power.
![Music Review: The Younger Brothers, ‘Hanging on July’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1637251633642-CVOIVEO2AGVCKW0ZJNG0/Hanging+on+July.jpg)
Music Review: The Younger Brothers, ‘Hanging on July’
The retro folk-pop duo is back with a second release—a harmony-drenched EP of pure bliss.
![Music Review: Barbaro, ‘Under the Covers’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1636649759479-TJTP4DQI3BAVN7O2HJXL/Under+the+Covers+EP+Art.png)
Music Review: Barbaro, ‘Under the Covers’
The Minnesota neo-bluegrass outfit charms with a quirky benefit EP of covers for a good cause.