From Minnesota's Native American tribes to today's rockers, music has always played an important role in the state's culture. While the sounds of yesteryear live on in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, its vibrant music scene embraces diverse genres, ranging from classical to hip-hop.
Native American Music
The Ojibwe and Dakota tribes who still call Minnesota home have always viewed music as an important spiritual component of their lives, not just entertainment. Flutes, drums, and rattles are the most prominent instruments, often accompanied by singing and other vocalizations. Legend says that the flute originated while a woman mourned the loss of her dead husband. To comfort her, a spirit traveled on the winds and blew through the reeds. Drumming symbolizes a heartbeat, whether of the people, Mother Earth, creation, or the Indian nation as a whole. Many songs are meant to accompany dances, with specific song styles paired with each type of dance.
Until the late 19th century, musicologists showed little interest in Native American music, believing it all to be much the same. However, while tribes across the country shared similar instruments and musical styles, differences did exist. Among the earliest recordings of Native American music is a set of six songs sung by Swift Flying Feather, an Ojibwe member from Leech Lake. Recorded in 1899 by Alice Fletcher, the songs inspired anthropologist Frances Densmore to undertake a serious study of Native American music. A Minnesota native, Densmore began recording Ojibwe singers in her home state in 1907, amassing more than 500 tunes over five years and publishing two books on the subject. She went on to record songs by Minnesota Dakotas, as well as the tunes of 28 other tribes across the country. Her work with the Ojibwe is still considered one of the largest, most complete analyses of Native American music.
Today, both the Ojibwe and Dakota sing many songs in their native languages as a way to keep their mother tongues alive. Traditional songs remain part of their repertoire, but new songs address contemporary interests and concerns. Throughout the state, powwows are held during the summer, where visitors can see and hear traditional music and dance. During the school year, Saint Paul's Indian Education Program sponsors monthly public powwows, held mainly at the American Indian Magnet School.
Scandinavian Sounds
Europeans began migrating to Minnesota in 1825, many of them from Scandinavian countries like Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. They brought their musical styles with them, especially folk music. Many folk songs belonged to the dance music tradition, such as schottisches, polkas, and waltzes. Church music was also popular.
Common instruments used in Scandinavian music included fiddles, accordions, and guitars. However, settlers from different places also introduced unique instruments from their homelands. For instance, Swedes brought the nyckelharpa, a traditional instrument more than 700 years old. While nyckelharpas have evolved over the years, their basic shape looks like a long, narrow fiddle with a thick neck containing a row of keys. Four strings are played with a bow, with their pitch altered by pressing the keys; on some nyckelharpas, one of these strings is a drone instead of a played string. In addition, 12 more strings resonate as the instrument is played.
Norwegians contributed the hardingfele, similar to Italian-style violins. Like the violin, its played strings are pressed by the fingers, but it also has several resonant strings like the nyckelharpa. Besides their characteristic sound, hardingfeles are known for their beautiful inlay work, pen and ink drawings on the instrument's body, and carved heads at the top of the pegbox. These carvings usually depict lions, other animals, or maidens.
Early settlers tried to maintain their own musical traditions and sometimes succeeded, as with Finnish brass septets. However, many musical styles inevitably influenced each other. Norwegian and Swedish music in particular blended together, and now is sometimes referred to as "old-time music." Scandinavian styles were also influenced by music from other European traditions, such as German, Irish, Polish, and English.
Although Scandinavian music fell out of favor after World War I, interest in traditional genres were revived in the 1970s. Today, many musicians in Minnesota play traditional music from their countries of ancestry, like the Finnish American brass band Ameriikan Poijat. Others play a mix of styles. For instance, Skålmusik incorporates Swedish, Norwegian, and Scandinavian American music in their concerts.
Travelers interested in Scandinavian music will quite likely find a performance to take in, whether at a local watering hole or a cultural center like the Swedish American Institute. Of course, festivals are a great place to hear a variety of traditions and learn more. Nisswa-Stämmen, held in June in Nisswa, focuses on Scandinavian folk music. The Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival in Moorhead, on the other hand, casts a wider net. Its 2007 schedule included music from the Viking age; church music played on the rare, one-stringed psalmodikon; and kulning, a type of singing mainly practiced by Swedish women, originally used to call cows in from the pasture.
Musical Medley
While Native American and Scandinavian music have been predominant ethnic musical styles in Minnesota, many other genres have been popular as well. A number of musicians from the Land of 10,000 Lakes have also become known throughout the country.
One of the earliest Minnesota-born music stars was Judy Garland. Born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids in 1922, Judy debuted at her parents' theater in the city when she was two and half years old, singing Jingle Bells to a delighted audience. Soon thereafter, she joined her older sisters' song and dance act, which performed around Grand Rapids as the Gumm Sisters. After her family moved to California, Judy further honed her singing, dancing, and acting skills, signing a contract with MGM in 1935. Starring in numerous musicals, she rose to become one of the most beloved Hollywood stars of all time. Fans can visit the Judy Garland Museum, located in the Grand Rapids home where Judy was born. The museum also throws an annual Judy Garland Festival in late June.
Beginning in the 1940s, Minnesota's music community really took off. The Andrews Sisters from Minneapolis hit it big during World War II, with popular songs like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. After the war, a thriving jazz scene developed in Minnesota. The state's first recording studio, Kay Banks, opened in 1955. Its recording of The Trashmen's 1964 hit song Surfin' Bird helped establish the studio in the music industry. In addition to rock groups, the 1960s brought a flourishing folk music scene, headed by musicians like Leo Kottke and Bob Dylan. Dylan, from the town of Hibbing, began his career playing free shows at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, which he attended.
The late'70s ushered in the heyday of the Minneapolis music scene, which lasted about 10 years. During this time, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis launched their successful music producing careers with their recording of Funkytown by Lipps, Inc. Prince debuted in 1978, and his catchy blend of funk, disco, R&B, and pop made him a major force in the music biz. His success, as well as his Paisley Park Studios in the Twin Cities area, helped his musical protégés, like Morris Day and the Time, become popular in their own right. At the same time, punk and other rock bands were carving out their own niche, including Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, and The Replacements. The Jayhawks folk rock band was formed in 1986, and a year later so did riot grrls band Babes in Toyland.
Although the Minneapolis music scene slowed after the late'80s, it didn't die. A few alternative bands, like Semisonic, rose to national prominence in the'90s. Hip-hop also became a big musical force in the city, with Rhymesayers Entertainment producing talents like Atmosphere and Brother Ali. An underground electronica scene began as well.
Today, travelers who want to groove to some live music will find a wide variety to choose from, especially in the Twin Cities and other urban areas. Jazz, rock, folk, country, classical, hip-hop, blues, and world beats are all represented in the state's musical repertoire. Major acts play at large venues like the Target Center in Minneapolis and at the state's casinos. Those who enjoy classical music will find orchestras in several cities, including St. Paul, Rochester, and St. Cloud.
Music festivals throughout the state run the gamut, with many devoted to a particular genre. Among them are the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, WE Fest (country music) near Detroit Lakes, Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop, and the 10,000 Lakes Festival (rock and alternative) in Detroit Lakes. Of course, there are many more music festivals, large and small, to choose from.
With its varied musical heritage, Minnesota is an excellent place for music lovers. Whether listening to unfamiliar songs at an ethnic celebration or enjoying your favorite styles at a nightclub, a little music will add some zest to your Minnesota vacation.
