Jesse Roper channels the blues.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JESSE ROPER

Interview: Five Questions with Jesse Roper

October 13, 2026 in interviews, blog

Canadian songwriter Jesse Roper is playing an all ages show at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 13), with Mae Simpson opening in support.

Jam in the Stream caught up with Roper for a short interview this week.

He’s got a compelling story that he expresses through his songwriting. He talked about what inspires his writing, his music recently being included in a video game soundtrack, his struggles with stage fright and how he overcomes periods when he struggles to write.

Mark Joseph wasn’t sure how, but he knew he wanted to honor Bob Weir some way. PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream

The Big Wu honors Bob Weir at The Fitz Oct. 16

September 28, 2026 in live events, blog, interviews

The Big Wu is throwing a concert to honor Bob Weir.

The beloved Minnesota jamband will be covering Bob Weir and Grateful Dead material at Saint Paul’s Fitzgerald Theater, Friday, Oct. 16.

Weir, who was one of the last surviving original members of the Grateful Dead, died on January 10.

“When he passed away back in January, I decided right then and there I was going to do something to honor him,” said The Big Wu’s Mark Joseph. “I didn’t know what.”

Saltydog at their Thursdays in March residency at The Hook and Ladder Theater in Minneapolis. PHOTOS BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream

Saltydog plans first tour to Western U.S.

July 09, 2026 in blog, interviews, live events

Saltydog, Duluth’s funky, folk-inspired improvisational rock band, is heading out on their first tour to the western U.S. late this month and into August.

Salty’ will be headlining shows in Montana and Washington for the first time, as well as making a couple of stops on the way out in North Dakota. The band caps off the tour with somewhat of a homecoming at Park Rapids’ 2nd Street Stage series on Aug. 13 and a spot high up in the lineup at Big Top Chautauqua’s Lake Effect Music Fest on Aug. 15.