The Mid West Music Fest 2013 Artist Sampler presented by The Noisy Neighbor is finally here. It’s got over 30 songs and all from different MWMF 2013 artists. And the best part is you can download it for FREE! So, go get it and listen to some MWMF acts before the festival.

Have you heard about The Noisy Neighbor yet?

The Noisy Neighbor will be your new source for Winona’s Arts, Music, Food & Culture. The full website launching soon will have a calendar of Winona events that also allows you to submit your own events. You’ll also find interesting articles, photos, community groups, and directories of artists, bands, and local businesses as well as all kinds of local deals, specials, and buzz.

The Noisy Neighbor aims to support the Winona community by acting as a multimedia hub, connecting individuals and groups to the arts, music, food, local business and entertainment, and cultural events happening in Winona and its surrounding area.

Download the MWMF 2013 Artist Sampler presented by The Noisy Neighbor

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Mid West Music Fest (MWMF) will be on KQAL from 1:00-3:00pm for the next three weeks on Wednesdays leading to the festival! We’ll be talking about the festival and spinning a few tunes so be sure to tune in. KQAL is located on campus of Winona State University. Join us live on the air if you can catch the waves. If not stream us live on the internet at www.KQAL.org. Tune in to your radio alternative!

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Once in a while there is a band that just has the freak ability to make everyone in the house dance. Apollo Cobra may just be that band!!! Based in Minneapolis this three piece will be bringing the funk to the stage at Jefferson’s Event Center on Friday April, 19th starting at 11:00p.m. They are no strangers to Winona. As the story goes a friend of Edward Hoffman gave him an Apollo Cobra album that he put on his computer. One day he had his itunes on random while painting and the debut Apollo Cobra album Dance To This started playing all of the sudden they were live in his bar, multiple times. Last year they finished the festival at Ed’s. This year they are gracing a larger stage!  Hopefully all you festival goers will feel the vibe and DANCE TO THIS!!! HEY NICE T SHIRT!!!

Apollo Cobra will be joined by the People Brother’s Band from Madison and Push & Turn from Rochester. The music starts at 8:15 that evening at Jefferson’s Event Center!!! See you there!!!

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Did you know that Charlie Parr’s new album was recorded in Winona? It’s true! Barnswallow features Winona natives Jamie Harper’s (Salvaged Medium) artwork on the album cover.  Doctor Joe Tadie wrote the liner notes relating to the life of a barnswallow. Jenn Baechle took the photo on the back of the album of the fellas in front of the Winona Arts Center where they recorded. Charlie Parr will be playing on Thursday April 18^th at 11:00 pm at Ed’s(no name)Bar during the Mid West Music Fest. Sharing the stage that evening will be My Private Eye, Portage and Jaybone Bell and Restless Light.  Who knows you may hear someone yell “Where’s the guy with the log!!!” and Jamie Harper suddenly appear on stage. Only time will tell. See you at Ed’s.

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Mid West Music Fest is excited to have Retribution Gospel Choir gracing the stage this year. It’s an Alan Sparhawk project, who is a MWMF alumni playing the fest with Black Eyed Snakes last year and is also a member of seminal ’90s group Low.

Check out this very favorable Pitchfork review of their latest album “3″
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17533-3/

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We’re proud to announce Winona’s own radio alternative, KQAL, is signed on as one of our sponsors. KQAL is the only full service, independent radio station in Winona and has been serving the area since 1975. There is something for everyone on KQAL: jazz and rock music, public affairs, educational, arts, and culture programs, and WSU Warrior play-by-play action.

Check them out at http://www.kqal.org

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Mid West Music Fest is proud to announce that Minneapolis-based alternative hip-hop act Astronautalis will be headlining MWMF’s Vega Productions stage this year at Jefferson’s Event Center on Thursday, April 18th. This (and all) shows during the fest are included the 3-day wristband (on sale now HERE). $20 Friday-only day passes will also go on sale soon. Admission for this show only will be $15 at the door.

AllMusic.com has described Astronautalis as “if Beck were a decade or so younger and had grown up more heavily immersed in hip-hop,” with his rapping style noted for “blending styles of indie rock, electro, and talkin’ blues” with hip-hop. He has described himself as “historical fiction hip-hop.”

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Mid West Music Fest is thrilled to announce that Red House Records will be bringing their 30th Anniversary celebration to Winona for this year’s festival. Red House Records artists Willie Murphy, The Pines and Andra Suchy will be performing the Masonic Temple on Friday, April 19th. Red House Records staff will also be on-hand with special Red House Records releases, label catalogs and merch. This (and all) shows during the fest are included the 3-day wristband (on sale now HERE). $20 Friday-only day passes will also go on sale soon. Admission for this show only will be $15 at the door.

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Every year MWMF selects several charitable organizations who support kids and / or the arts in Winona. This year we are proud to announce that Winona’s Early Childhood Initiative (WECI) will be the sole recipient of funds from the fourth annual MWMF. WECI’s commitment to building a brighter future for the next generation of Winonans is in-step with what we value at the MWMF.

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MWMF Festival Director and Founder Sam Brown received the Winona Fine Arts Commission's Annual Award

From the Winona Daily News.

Festival founder honored

Mid West Music Fest founder Sam Brown received an annual Fine Arts Award from the city’s Fine Arts Commission last month for his work on the festival and for supporting local music.

Commissioners nominated 35 local individuals and organizations who promote performing, literary and visual arts in the Winona area. The two others honored were Chris Livingston, owner of The Book Shelf, and the Winona Symphony Orchestra.

The three received the awards at the commission’s meeting last month, and were acknowledged at Monday’s Winona City Council meeting.

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