Thor Leseman is a singer/songwriter known for artfully weaving passionate lyrics about life, love and the ultimate pursuit of freedom. His soulful, punching guitar work is rooted in folk and country, but explores expressions of rock, punk and American bluegrass. Leseman’s work digs into the American song tradition, uncovering and shedding light on some of the heaviest emotion. In addition to his regular shows at the Sawmill in Virginia, Leseman performs across the region and even in his back yard, having founded Thorfest, a Labor Day weekend event on his property in Eveleth.

Duluth native Nikki Lemire is an accomplished harpist, vocalist and songwriter who has earned widespread acclaim for her debut solo album, Live at Lakewood, released in May 2024. The album showcases deeply personal songs exploring themes of love, loss and motherhood. Lemire’s work has received regional radio play, including being spotlighted on The Current’s Scouting Report as “someone to watch.” Now living in the Twin Cities area, Lemire made her hometown solo debut at Sacred Heart Music Center in October as part of her northern Minnesota tour.

The band name LEIFHINKEL is a stylization of the musician’s name: Leif Hinkel. Duluth-native Hinkel spent some years away in Seattle, playing music all the while. He writes his own songs “about just being a human and what goes through (his) head,” singing along with an acoustic guitar. Although he could fit right in playing at an adult coffee shop, he does not necessarily fit that traditional mold. The solo musician is typically joined by a backing track on a laptop. The best way to hear his newest music is to come out and see him live as he has not released an official album for a couple of years.

A chemist, a doctor, a nurse and a health-insurance account manager walk into a bar. They are doing their very best to have a hobby. That hobby? The Leave Alones. At their core, the Leave Alones are men who are either in a mid-life crisis or on the brink of a creative awakening. The band is a mix of Midwest alternative influence, the cold bite of early punk, and a gust of classic garage rock. The stars of the joke setup are lead chemist/guitarist Cole Holstrom, account and bass manager Dave Mold, rhythm guitar doc Erik Sather and drum nurse Mike Ballard.