Marc Gartman has collaborated with many of Duluth’s best-known musicians for many years. The core of Marc Gartband has evolved over time, forming into Too Many Banjos for many years. Now, with a few changes to the lineup, it’s back to being Marc Gartband. The group consists of Gartman on guitar and main vocals, Dave Carroll on banjo, Teague Alexy on harmonica, Owen Mahon on the upright bass, and Tyler Dubla on drums. The sound is a variety of different folk styles. The band plans on releasing its first album in 13 years in time for Homegrown.

Mara Lovejoy plays a sweet and cathartic blend of glammy, broody, punky, earthy rock ’n’ roll. After releasing the solo album Liminal one year ago, Lovejoy teamed up with drummer Shanna Willie and bassist Clancy Ward to form a trio for opening night of Homegrown 2024. The band has a live album titled Ephemera that could be available before this year’s Homegrown. Lovejoy’s music engages with a scrappy drama, with lyrics that clash perennial optimism against existential dread. It is fun, ferocious, heartfelt, communal and present.

“Four-piece, no-nonsense rock and roll” is a fitting descriptor for Mallards. Simon Thill plays rhythm guitar and takes the vocal helm, Ryan Nelson hits the skins, Alex Chocholousek plays bass, and Andy Lipke supplies energetic lead guitar, including some nice slide work. Unlike their avian moniker, these practitioners of “garagicana” stay north for the winter, hunker down and stay warm tapping into 1960s and ’70s rock roots, a bit of American twang, and their own brand of duckiness. An EP and a 7-song digital album are available on Bandcamp.

Israel Malachi is not your average orchestra leader, but he’s created his own personal blend of blues, rock, punk and soul. Malachi writes all the tunes, but said every member of the band adds something different to the music. Shawna Weaver, Eric Bong, Aaron Reichow and Jack Seiler are the other members creating the “big, happy sound.” Malachi said the band continues to play music because it feeds the soul. “Artists must make art, or they will wither and die inside,” he said.