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Jaerv-OK Factor together with Ponyfolk Adjacent at Sacred Heart. Photos by Jill Fisher.

It must be the season for album releases judging by the string of events celebrating them the past couple of weeks.

But first, on Friday, Oct. 16, there was a special show at Sacred Heart Music Center. It was a collaboration of the Swedish band Jaerv and the two women who comprise OK Factor, which is based in Minneapolis. They have an album out, Traditions, though this was not a brand new release.

The musical fare was a blend of traditional Swedish and American folk music that produced a unique style. This is music one should hear live to really appreciate. The string instruments played include the archaic “nyckelharpa” that I first was exposed to during the Duluth-Stämmen (Norwegian gathering) several years ago (reviewed in the June15, 2023, Reader). It is bowed, like a violin, but has keys that create the notes, as opposed to fingering.

Members of Jaerv are Joel Hagen (flute, whistles, soprano saxophone, vocals), Markus Gustavsson (fiddle, lead vocals), Tobias Hedlund (percussion, vocals), Harald Nilsson (guitars, vocals) and Anders Bergsten (nyckelharpa, vocals).

I found it notable that each of the male members of the group sang, providing a nice variety to their sound. The two women that comprise OK Factor are Olivia Diercks (cello) and Karla Colahan Peters (violin), neither of whom sang.

The first number they played was their composition “Duluth,” an instrumental. After that most of their tunes were “polskas” (polkas). It was explained that Sweden shared a king with Poland in the 1300s and much of the music that found its way to Sweden originated in the Polish courts: hence the polka dances.

I was unable to capture the names of tunes, but they sure made for some foot tapping!

Opening for the headliners was Ponyfolk, though one-half of that duo, Clifton Nesseth, was absent. So what we actually heard was “Ponyfolk Adjacent,” an expanded group led by the other member of Ponyfolk, Paul Sauey (acoustic guitar). Joining him was Renee Vaughan on nykelharpa, along with others on cello, cahon (box drum) and pump organ.

I found their music delightful, with its mix of Norwegian, Irish and Swedish folk tunes having both lively, fast-tempo, even strident-sounding numbers and delicate lullabies.

At the end of the concert the groups joined forces for an “Am-Swede Jam.”

The next evening, Saturday, Oct. 17, it was on to Bent Paddle for a double album release party. The Minneapolis-based bluegrass group Stringdingers got the celebration of its Cross Roads album underway with a super upbeat tune “Hillbilly Wine”—the first of 16 tunes that could blow your socks off.

I was sold on these exciting songs, though I had to forgo dancing due to doctor’s orders to avoid any exertion. Frustrating!

Six musicians make up the Stringdingers: Alex Gelking (acoustic guitar, vocals), Brett Mularkey (banjo, Telecaster guitar, vocals), Eddie “Hondo” Juntunen (keys, vocals), Jack Reuvers (pedal steel guitar, vocals), Joe Sheehan (standup bass, vocals) and Corey Hess (drums).

They all sure knew how to rev up the crowd and could have outshone the headliners if Feeding Leroy wasn’t the fabulous band it is. I got a hold of the Cross Roads CD and found it to be just as fun as the Stringdingers live performance.

When Feeding Leroy took the stage a little after 8 pm, they were joined by three additional musicians: Laura Liem from Texas on fiddle, drummer Kyle Keegan from Madison, Wis., and Cassidy William Kingsfield on mandolin, from Ashland, Wis. The sound was fuller than usual, and that’s saying a lot since the five-member FL has its own fulsome sound.

Several of their new songs were quite wonderful “Single Moment In Time” with Sonja singing lead was enhanced by some sweet harmonica playing by Luke Martin and his twin Lee’s pedal steel guitar.  “Red River Blues” and “Problems” were both memorable tunes.

Another number was dedicated to “Chuck” and featured a harmonica lead-in that was wonderfully evocative. In addition to the tracks on their new eponymous album Feeding Leroy (on vinyl only) they played some older tunes. Hearing Sonja sing “Long Gone Again” never gets old.

An additional treat during this concert was Elsa Krantz performing her latest single release, “Exit.” Not only did the expanded FL band back her up, but her two compatriots in Cigarette Picnic (Madi Phyle and Riki Francois) provided background vocals. They achieved a great country sound.

After a couple of days off from the music circuit, I got over to Earth Rider’s Cedar Lounge on Wednesday, Oct. 21, to catch Ross Thorn’s release gig for his latest album Fitting In.

He had a very short set playing only one of the tracks on that album: “Internet Blues.” It was something of a western swing number, which included yodeling. Nice! I always appreciate hearing his “Grave Digger’s Son,” which I consider to be one of his best.

Then he introduced a cool new composition, “What If I?” that showed off his whistling chops. It’s a Walter Mitty-reminiscent tune yet to be recorded.

Ross ended with “All You Fascists Are Bound To Lose,” which helped buck us up in these challenging times.

That evening the Curmudgeon and I arrived late and so saw only a couple of numbers by the Death Valley Yacht Club, which kicked off the evening.

Charlie Jacobs and Alex Oberton make up the duo, which the C thought sounded a lot like Simon and Garfunkel. It was hard to get that comparison out of my head after he said it, but it’s definitely not far off the mark and is a genuine compliment.

Following Ross’s set the Fellow Travelers, took over. I would consider this group a real rock and roll band (lead singer Max Niemann is very animated) but which is characterized as Indie-rock/Americana. They entertained us with songs from their latest album, Don’t Fail Me Now, which was released this past September. Their set went fairly long, so we didn’t get to hear all their songs. They hail from Milwaukee, so I might look them up when I next visit that city.

The next night, Thursday, Oct. 22, was the release concert for Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold’s album, Destination, at Sacred Heart Music Center.

The opener for this concert was a duo based in Wisconsin, Adam Greuel (Stevens Point) and Kenny Leiser (Madison). Adam plays acoustic guitar and Kenny plays the fiddle. Their simple set was a good foil for the headliners.

Greuel and Leiser were energetic and funny. Greuel wore a Brewers shirt in support of their state’s baseball team that made it to the World Series. Several folks in the audience (including me!) expressed solidarity with him.

The song “The River Knows Your Name” revealed the big range of Greuel’s voice. Other original songs included “Wish I Could Take Your Pain Away,” “Diamond Sky” and “Muskie Town.” They also covered a Greg Brown song, the title of which I did not get.

When Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold took the stage, member Erin Aldridge began the set with a searing violin solo that caused the nearly full house to erupt with applause. It was noted that Erin, the concert master of the DSSO, was missing its competing concert that evening!

The Danny Frank gang was augmented on several songs by the wonderful harmonies of Ren Howl, Colleen “Boss Mama” Myhre and Angie Frank. Not only that, four string players joined the band on several numbers. They were Caitin Pelleron, Ren Howl, Maggie Coady and Ethan Caody.

We were entertained with some fine, fast and furious bluegrass of the sort Trampled By Turtles is known for.

At the finale all the musicians joined together to cover Neil Young’s “Long May You Run.” It was a very special night at SHMC.

The last album release event I got out to was on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Cedar Lounge, it was for Teague Alexy and the Common Thread’s album Effervescent. I arrived late (since I hit two other gigs,  Fractals and Virgil Caine beforehand) and missed hearing the Babie Eyes’ opener. Teague was hot and his band was lively and loud. The place wasn’t Homegrown crowded but full enough to suggest he’s developed a substantial following.

The late evening didn’t make for the most meticulous note-taking. The group included Teague’s brother, Ian, the Mahon bros. (Jacob on guitar, Owen on congas), Brian Wells (bass), Tyler Dubla (drums) and a newcomer Rob Jones (keys).

Listening to Effervescent on CD I hear a polished, highly produced sound which Teague’s voice effectively pierces through. My favorite track was the shortest, “Nothing To Do.”

Effervescent is in line with Teague’s established musical repertoire, perhaps with a bit more ska/reggae beats. It does include remakes of two tunes from the Woodblind Meets Teague Alexy album (“Lion’s Share” and “Straw Man”). 

However, the “first edition” of the CD includes six bonus tracks — most of them instrumentals but one “Rock Bottom” was new to me. If you are partial to Teague’s distinctive voice and phrasing, this release is right up your alley.

UPCOMING: Well, it’s that time of year that we get inundated with spooky music and Halloween-themed shows, which I tend to avoid. But there’s one that I am curious about: Black Parade Duluth – A My Chemical Romance Tribute in which some of Duluth’s best musicians celebrate the 20th anniversary of that album. It takes place Friday, Oct. 30 at Sacred Heart Music Center, 7:30 pm. See SHMC’s website for further details.