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Slope City at Wild State Cider. Photos by Jill Fisher.

Slope City is the band of the moment after seeing it perform on a cool and rainy afternoon this past Saturday, Oct. 3.

It was one of four bands that helped us celebrate Wild State Cider’s “Friends Fest.” While I missed the first two bands, I made sure to arrive in time to see Slope City.

The band performed under cover on loading dock, while fans tried to stay dry under umbrellas and pop-up tents. Others sought out both dryness and drinks inside the cidery. For those of us who braved the weather, it was a fine show by a band under the leadership of Mike Smišek that has evolved into a very fine ensemble.

As I recall, Mike Smišek was playing solo, with acoustic and electric guitars, the very first time I saw him, maybe as far back as 2022.

I was a bit confused back then by him calling his act Slope City (a reference to Duluth’s hilly geography). He has since explained it had to do with his last name being a bit tricky to spell and, for some, difficult to pronounce (not so hard: smee-zik).

The second time I saw Mike perform was during Homegrown’s 2023 Winter Fiasco and then again in May that year during the Homegrown Festival when he played at Studio Four in the Depot, accompanied on a few songs by Isaac Valley playing cello.

The next time I saw Slope City was in 2024 when it played Fourth Fest in Bayfront Park with the band expanded to include Ethan Gibbs (keys), Tarek Makky (bass guitar) and Matthew Groom (drums).

And last fall the group performed at Sacred Heart Music Center for its benefit concert, Duluth Does the Eagles on Sept.27, when it played “I’m Already Gone.” I noted the band’s “great” harmonies in my review of that concert.

So, despite Slope City not being new to me, I felt the need to track it since it seems to have a different makeup every time I see it. And I am sure glad I did.

At this gig, the band had further expanded with two additional musicians: saxophonist Mike Schell and Rick Bruner, who was filling in on drums for Ian Hopp (who has flown the coop).

Matt Groom was still involved and playing the congas and other percussion instruments.

The six-man band was swinging and sounding very fine playing mostly original songs written by Mike.

These originals included “Which Side of Love,” “Another Goodbye”, “Rewind” (a reminiscence about his brother), “Meet You Again,” “Alone I Fly” and “Old Friend,” among others.

“Old Friend” was particularly wonderful.

These are soulful, romantic ballads for the most part; upbeat, swingy and danceable, not at all sappy. We could understand the lyrics which were heartfelt and very relatable. I was impressed.

Mike Schell’s saxophone interludes added depth and a bluesy note to these tunes. With Matt Groom playing chimes, tambourine and along with congas — a highly polished professional sound was achieved.

In other words, they were tight! The rain didn’t dampen the mood with these guys playing.

Big Wave Dave and the Ripples at Wild State Cider.

Of course I needed to stay for the last band playing this festival: Big Wave Dave and the Ripples. They are absolutely a non-stop dance band which I have reviewed several times previously, so I need not repeat all the superlatives I’ve described them with again.

Now for the reason I missed the first couple bands playing the Wild Cider’s festival: I had been intent upon seeing the Pipes and Drums of Thunder Bay play a “Wake Up” gig at the Bayfield Apple Fest.

I dragged the Curmudgeon along for the nearly 90-mile drive over there early that morning, specifically to get a fix of bagpipe music.

However, I was mistaken about exactly where the group was playing (they were at the Port Superior Marina rather than the Bayfield Marina) and so we missed them.

Had I been alone, I probably would have stayed to hear them that afternoon in a parade through downtown Bayfield, however, the C wanted to get back home in time to see the Yankees in the major league baseball playoff game for the World Series.

And. anyway, I also wanted to see Slope City at Wild State Cider.

I hear the Thunder Bay bagpipers are a yearly feature of Apple Fest, so I guess I’ll have to wait until next October for that fix!

Los Dos on the Apple Fest Grandstand Stage.

But before we headed back to Duluth, I got to hear Los Dos, Grace and León on the “Apple Fest Grandstand Stage.” As their name implies, they were a duo. The young woman is a Bayfield resident, while her swarthy partner is from Spain.

I didn’t recognize most of the tunes since they were original compositions. Indeed, several numbers had León singing in Spanish. Both sang, played drums and an electric Rickenbacker guitar, switching places for different songs.

The one number I recognized was a cover of Donovan’s “Season of the Witch.” These two were definitely worth hearing, so much so I bought one of their CDs before the C dragged me away to drive us home. (The autumn leaves were worth the drive in any case.)

Their stage name and their actual given names bring up totally unrelated information on the internet so the only way to check them out is at “@los2.music.” 

Daryl Yankee and Rick Bruner at Sir Ben's.

Prior to all this traipsing around for music during the weekend, the C and I got over to Sir Ben’s on Wednesday, Sept. 30, to see Daryl Yankee and Rick Bruner reunited. (Ten Crow Moon broke up a couple years ago and Daryl moved away with his sweetie, Heather, to Houston of all places.)

The two played several of their tunes from back then plus some covers, including “Shine a Light,” “Wichita Lineman” and Dylan’s “Girl From the North Country.”

Ron Detters sat in on a few songs playing harmonica. They all were in fine form and it made for a fun evening to hear these fellas playing together again.

Thankfully, we were told that Daryl and Heather will be returning to the Northland regularly when the temps get too hot in Houston.

Blue Valentine at the Cedar Lounge.

On Friday, Oct. 2, it was off to Cedar Lounge with the goal of finally getting to hear Blue Valentine, a Tom Waits Tribute band. Because this group played after two others, starting at 10:30 pm, we didn’t stay for the entire set and so I didn’t get the names of all of the members.

Tony Petersen, of the band The Social Animals, plays electric guitar and sings.  \They played the more electric and rockin’ of Waits’ repertoire, which included “Chocolate Jesus” and “Ol’ 55” that Waits himself covered.

Another interesting cover was “Ice Cream Man” written and recorded in 1953 by John Brim.

Dane and Becky at Cedar Lounge.

Dane and Becky, a duo based in Moose Lake, were the opening act. The husband and wife team played a fairly long set of mostly covers. Tunes made famous by Johnny Cash, John Denver, Patsy Cline, John Prine and Dylan were in the mix. We also heard three of their original tunes: “The Low Road Blues,” “Last Night” and “Man From Texas,” which were all quite nice.

Climes was the second group to play. That band is headed by Drew Anderson, who played a lute dulcimer. The other two members there that evening were Clifton Nesseth (fiddle and flute) and Rebecca James Alsum (cello).

The group’s regular bassist and drummer were unable to make this gig so it was a trio we heard.

Climes at Cedar Lounge.

They had an Appalachian vibe on several numbers, while Jethro Tull’s sounds were pronounced on the tunes where Clift played flute.

They were good and I’ll want to hear the full five-member band sometime in the future.

Interestingly, the three groups playing that evening were connected by members who were school chums from Cloquet.

UPCOMING: Remember the Whiskey River concert this Saturday, Oct. 10, at Clyde Iron, which is a benefit for West Theatre. The music starts at 7:30 pm.

Also, the Sunday Blues Jam, starts up again this year on Oct. 11, with the venue now being Pizza Lucé. The music starts at 4 pm. See you there!