Rock Garden Tour

CALLING ALL ROCK GARDEN TOURISTS

We want to spice things up a little on RGT online, which is why we want your submissions for our North 40 segment. North 40 is a collection of the musical musings of RGT contributors and listeners, in 40 words or less. Essentially, we just want to know what's flowing through your earbuds or what's on heavy rotation on your vintage Dynavox portable record player.

Here's what we need from you: The artist. The song or album. A description, in 40 words or less, explaining your selection. Your picture. Any hyperlinks (this could be to your website, twitter page, etc.). Your full name.

To get a feel for what other submissions, click here. Or, check this submission from Deadwood legend, Potato Creek Johnny:

Artist: Pavement

Song: Gold Soundz

"A lot of people don’t know that if you listen carefully, put your ear to the ground and stir up the earth for a spell, you can hear gold calling your name. That’s how I found the world’s largest nugget."

Send your submissions to music@pickfresh.com.

- The Music Director

Artist: Joey Ryan & The Inks

Song: You Are All Friends of Mine

"There’s nothing worse than dead air when your musical summer soul needs it most. To avoid this frustration, I pop in Joey Ryan & The Inks. Ideal for a cruise session, they mix ‘60s surfer vibes with intricately dreamy harmonies."

Artist: Heiruspecs

Song: 5ves

"Coming off a 605 Summer Classic appearance, '5ves' is not only my favorite song from Heiruspecs, but it holds a special place in my heart. Our Luther College ultimate frisbee team turned this song into a team cheer. Can't lose."

Artist: Harry Nilsson

Song: The Point

"Firsts are important things probably. My first record was Captain & Tennille. My first concert was Diana Ross. And when given chance to select my newborn’s first album I cranked Baby Mozart. Humor. The answer is Harry Nilsson’s The Point."

Artist: Radical Face

Song: Doorways

"I’m consistently enamored with Ben Cooper’s ability to juxtapose rhythm, melody and beautiful lyrics. Both this song and its video take me to a place where I can forever hold on to a childlike sense of wonder about the world."

Artist: The Decemberists

Song: June Hymn

"Although released in the cold of January by a band with a winter month as part of it's name, this tune evokes the sunny sound of summer. The kind of song perfect for lazy afternoons and campfire sing-a-longs." 

Artist: The Felice Brothers

Song: Frankie's Gun

"Earlier this year I had the privilege of hosting an event featuring Michael Lang, the co-creator of the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair*. We swapped musical interests before the event and he introduced me to the Felice Brothers."

Artist: Janelle Monáe

Song: Tightrope (feat. Big Boi)

"Since its release last year, Janelle Monáe's 'Tightrope' has held strong amongst my top 40. Her take on old-school funk and Big Boi's layed back rhyming are a deadly combo. So get ready because you're totes gonna move to it."

Artist: Pretty Lights

Song: I Know The Truth

"I'm stuck on this dubstep trip lately, because the genre turns over so quickly. Songs are the hottest thing since sunspots one day, then are forgotten or remixed into oblivion a month later. This tune is at its pinnacle."

Artist: Yellowbirds

Album: The Color

"Yellowbirds – 'The Color' has been in heavy rotation for some time now … I feel Sam Cohen is channeling Roy Orbison with this project.  And he’s co-created some great animated music videos that you can find on the website."

Artist: Scott Hesse

Song: Wires Weird

"Originally from Sioux City and now living in Chicago, Scott is one of the baddest guitar players on the planet. His knowledge is endless, but he always plays from the heart. If you haven't checked this guy out, do so!"

Artist: Pink Mountaintops

Song: The Gayest of Sunbeams

"Undecided between EAR PWR and The Black Swans so I’ll go with GAYVILLE SD GAZE DAZE SUNGAZING FESTIVAL* theme song ‘The Gayest of Sunbeams’ by Pink Mountaintops. It thumps like a convective heat burst and is definitely worth a spin."

Artist: Mayer Hawthorne 

Song: Don't Turn the Lights On

"Mayer Hawthorne's Impressions EP covers both old and new. "Don't Turn the Lights On" is a Chromeo tune about a gent who falls in love with a ghost. Hawthorne mixes equal parts homegrown Motown sound, heartbreak, and sexy. Ghost sexy."

Artist: French Cowboy

"When recently presented with the band, French Cowboy, Oil Can gave listen.  Here’s what the Can learned (in order); they’re not Cowboys.  They don’t play country and western*.  They are French.  They play rock.  And Oil Can likes. Oil Can."

Artist: Steve Thorpe

Album: Reasons **

"He plays guitar like he’s from the Mississippi River delta, with driving rhythms and playful melodies and blows soulful, bendy solos on harmonica. But he’s far from a Dylan wannabe. He has a regional flair that’s unmistakably South Dakota-inspired."