Brian and Julian are two first generation Cuban-American cousins who riff on topics ranging from pop culture to geopolitics, dynamically filtered through Julian's queer lens and Brian's cripplingly hetero point of view. There's a little something for everyone in this Cuban Cousin Kiki, so just hit play already!
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Brian Bogart Podcasts
Brian Oake is a Minneapolis radio icon. This is a show about music, popular culture, interesting characters, irreverence and laughter, not always in that order.
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Ep 516 Chris and Karl from Bogart's - Celebrating 50 years this Saturday!
59:26
59:26
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59:26This Saturday, September 20th, beloved Apple Valley-based venue Bogart's Entertainment Center will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a huge outdoor concert! Co-owner Chris Loth and events manager Karl Xavier III stop by to talk about the event lineup, the state of independent venues across the country and how it's easier than ever to bowl a …
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You may know her as Diane, host of The Local Show on The Current. Maybe you know her as her hip-hop alter ego DianeAlsoRaps...but did you also know that she has a really cool upcoming gig at The Dakota paying tribute to Connie Francis? And that she's sharing the bill with HER MOM?? Diane is bright, funny and genuinely delightful company. Cheers!…
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Ep 519 Chris Mozena from The Hook & Ladder
1:03:00
1:03:00
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1:03:00This time, Chris Mozena (aka 'The Guy' at The Hook and Ladder) stops by to talk about the plight of the independent arts venue, something we've been discussing a lot on the show lately. The Hook is an incredible volunteer-run, non-profit space with the primary goal of providing artists with a spot to do what they do. In our view, this is a crucial …
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In addition to being one of the coolest people to ever set foot in the SmartStart MN studio, Minnesota musician Chastity Brown is a very busy bee! She has a show coming up this Friday (9/26) at The Parkway featuring a string quartet. The very next day, she headlines a big FREE all-day outdoor music fest/celebration in Burnsville. Get the details an…
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Ep 517 Sarah Morris (New album coming soon and upcoming shows)
1:00:13
1:00:13
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1:00:13Sarah Morris is back! She's got a great new album 'Say Yes' coming out on 10/10! Come listen and celebrate live that evening at the Dakota. Here, we talk about music, our convoluted world and the creative process. She's always so insightful and warm. I hope you enjoy!
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She's back! Mary Bue makes a more than welcome return to talk about her music, her yoga, and her journey back from Lyme Disease. We also talk Taos, Tae Kwon Do and The Partridge Family. If you are growing weary from conctantly raging against the dying of the light, Mary's got you. She's a freaking sunbeam! Your day will be brighter for listening. E…
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514 Cindy Lawson and Barb Brynstad for Do Re #Metoo at the Parkway on 9/12
53:29
53:29
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53:29Another fantastic episode! Two of the coolest women in Minnesota Music, Cindy Lawson (The Clams, Cindy Lawson) and Barb Brynstad (Turn Turn Turn) join us to talk about the 5th Annual Do Re #MeToo event happening this Friday at The Parkway Theater. It's an evening of 'sexist songs destroyed by righteous feminists' that features the cream of the fema…
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Ep 513 DJ Tricky Miki and Janey Winterbauer-forDo Re #Me Too 9/5 at The Parkway
50:32
50:32
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50:32WOW! What an episode! Today we sat down with the inimitable Tricky Miki and Minnesota musical mainstay Janey WInterbauer, two of the featured vocalists for an exceptional evening of music coming up on Friday. The 5th annual Do Re #MeToo event, an evening of 'sexist songs destroyed by righteous feminists' is going down Friday, September 12th at The …
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Ep 512 Scarlet Rivera (Bob Dylan's Violin/Fiddle player)
54:06
54:06
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54:06It's not every day that Bob Dylan pulls the car over and spots you on the street and then asks you to come to the studio to hear you play...her story doesn't end there. Scarlet Rivera has had an amazing life, and it's only getting better. She has a new album dropping in January, and she'll be performing tomorrow night (9/5) at the Silver Bay music …
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JC Lippold is one of a kind. A Minnesota musician with an inspirational mission statement. We do a deep dive on his music, our mutual cultural nostalgia and the importance of service. The word of the day: Enoughness. Enjoy!
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Ep 510 - Ryan Rud - The Rabbit Hole Radio on LIve365
54:30
54:30
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54:30Today, our guest is Ryan Rud. Ryan (along with his brother Matt) is founder, program director and show host of Rabbit Hole Radio, an internet radio station found on Live365. We talk music, our shared history of growing up in Coon Rapids, and the importance of certain sartorial choices, even in a non-visual medium. Enjoy!…
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We were joined by country music royalty in Sherwin & Pam Linton today! Sherwin has played the Gand Old Opry and most likely in your town in the upper Midwest. He just celebrated his 86th birthday and they'll be playing in Silver Bay on Thursday and the South Dakota County Fair soon. Pam drops a new music video soon too.…
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Matt Levitt (Sycamore Gap, Ledfoot Larry) stops by to talk about Treylor, his Taylor Swift tribute band. We talk Taylor, the decades-long impact of The Cure, and get all medieval on the Renaissance Festival, pirate pants are NOT optional. Enjoy!
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Our favorite punk-rock librarian visited us from Vermont. Jon Copeland has been through hell and back with medical issues and spent nearly a month and a half in the hospital. He's back! He's seeing tons of shows again. Listen to his story. So glad he's okay!
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Ep 506 Brian Ziemniak and David Anania
1:01:47
1:01:47
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1:01:47On this episode, a couple of pervious guests appear on the 'cast together for the first time. David Anania (Blue Man Group, Greazy Meal) and Brian Z (Dr. Mambo's Combo) are both members of Those Medley Kids, a prog rock tribute band. They have a gig coming up at Crooner's on the 15th. We talk about the event a take a serious Prog Rock deep dive. Le…
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Ben Cook-Feltz is back! This time, he's got a brand new release. A song-for-song re-creation of Harry Nilsson's 'Son of Schmilsson' (out today!). He has a big release party/concert at The Parkway on 8/10, featuring a truly stellar line-up. Here, we talk about the process and the result. Enjoy!
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Let's dance! This Saturday (8/2/25) there's a massive street dance in northeast call D.E.I.: Disco Energy Infusion. It runs from 2-9 at Dutch Bar (2512 Central Ave NE) and features a day full of building community and sweet, sweet grooves. Family-friendly, this event is free and open to the public. Event MC, producer and main brain, DJ Tricky Micki…
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Fascinating! Hopeful! Today, we spoke with Hailey Bailey, Chief Advancement Officer of the ACLU Minnesota. She has lived and worked all over the world, almost always in the most war-ravaged, famine-stricken locations. These days, she is a crucial component of a group working tirelessly to protect the Constitutional rights of every single Minnesota.…
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Ep 502 Jason Schommer (Fringe Festival Show-Get tix!)
1:07:46
1:07:46
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1:07:46One of our favorites is back! Local storyteller and stand-up comic Jason Schommer stops by to tell us all about his new Fringe Festival show 50: A Totally Rad Comedy About the Gnarly Reckoning of a GenXer. Jason is quick-witted and very funny. He made me laugh really hard and you will likely too. Enjoy!…
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Ep 501 Miss Georgia Peach from Beebe Gallini
1:02:25
1:02:25
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1:02:25Wow! Just had a rousing conversation with Miss Georgia Peach (Beebe Gallini, et al.). She's a guitar player, singer, fashionista and so much more. Opinionated, insighful, and absolutely hilarious! She's got some brilliant stories, great music and a couple of excellent upcoming gigs. I hope you enjoy this half as much as I did. I don't remember the …
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Ep 500! Jeffrey Morris (Creator of The Eagle Obsession Film)
1:17:55
1:17:55
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1:17:55Our favorite Future Dude ever, Jeffrey Morris stops by to talk all about his new feature length film, The Eagle Obsession. Jeffrey is a Director, Futurist and, most impotantly, a Humanist. So smart, so talented and genuinely thoughtful, we couldn't be happier to have had him as our featured guest on Episode 500! Listen and enjoy!…
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Dave Egemo returns for his 4th visit to the SmartStart MN studio to promote the 3rd Annual Parkinson's Foundation Fundraiser feat. Flamin' Oh's and Annie & The Bang Bang. A great lineup for an even better cause. Listen, learn and come out to The Hook & Ladder on the 16th. Cheers!
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Mary Strand (Mary Strand and the Garage) makes her inaugural visit to the SmartStartMN studio! This lawyer-turned-novelist-turned-musician has a new album on the way. I Don't Need Your Permission will be released Aug 1, and the big release party at the Hook and Ladder is happening the night before, July 31st. We get to hear a lot about her wild rid…
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Ep 497 Michael Anschel OA Design Build Architecture
1:05:14
1:05:14
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1:05:14Michael Anschel, the main brain behind OA Design Build Architecture (a sponsor of this fine podcast), stops by for another rousing discussion. This is far more than an hour long infomercial, it's a robust discussion of community, our relationship to the natural world and the ongoing battle against the erosion of human decency. He's also conjured up…
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Andra Suchy shares great stories about growing up in North Dakota, Daisy the cow, performing with amazing musicians and Poky here sweet pooch!
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Ep 495 Jenny Case (Flamin' Oh's, She Rock She Rock and so much more!)
46:17
46:17
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46:17Jenny Case was on the show today! She's an amazing guitar and bass player in so many bands and she heads up SheRockSheRock.com to teach girls to rock! She had some great song picks and we talked about the Laurie Lindeen scholorship for her camp and her connection with Jill Sobule, who recently passed away in Woodbury. Enjoy the show!…
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Ep 494 Matthew Hope for Open Arms at The Hook July 12th
50:50
50:50
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50:50Matthew Hope certainly lives up to his name! Matthew, a musician in his own right, has organized an incredible benefit for Open Arms MN coming up July 12. The musical line up is killer and it couldn't be for a more important cause. Learn all about the event and enjoy the music! Cheers!
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Ep 493 Minnesota Music Resistance (Event at Hook & Ladder Sunday, 6/22)
53:35
53:35
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53:35Claire Luger and Mikkel Bee join us to talk all things Minnesota Music Resistance. It's a new organization that puts on events to raise money for great causes. Their first event is Sunday at Hook & Ladder Theater & Lounge in Minneapolis starting at 2pm and going until 7. A killer lineup of bands including Silent Treatment Buffalo Weaver, Turn Turn …
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She's a force in the Twin Cities music scene and a fierce advocate for people's rights, Tina Schlieske joins us on this show to talk about her show at Lowertown Sounds on Thursday and her show atop the Hewing Hotel on Sunday. We commemorate Sly of Sly and the family stone, Brian Wilson and hear a great Tina song! Enjoy!…
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Ep 491 Dave Rave & The Governors (at least one of the governors)
52:38
52:38
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52:38Legendary Canadian rocker Dave Rave (Teenage Head, The Shakers) and MN musical everyman Craig Teiken (Edie Rae Band, Bleek & Grimm) join us to talk about the latest expolits of their mutual music endeavor, Dave Rave & The Governors. The band is finish up sessions for their 9th (!) album at Rich Mattson's Sparta Sound, and we caught them just before…
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490 Randy Casey and Nate Westgor (Willie DelMar)
49:20
49:20
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49:20This episode features MN music stalwart Randy Casey along with Nate Westgor (aka 'Willie' of Willies American Guitars). They both joined to talk about a great show coming up this weekend. Sunday night (6/15) at The Parkway Theater in South Minneapolis it's a special Father's Day celebration of the legendary Joey Molland of Badfinger. We hear some g…
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More great local music! This time we are joined by Ben, Chris and James of Minneapolis-based band The Federales. Are they Country? Are they Rock? Are They Roots? YES! Listen and learn. Also check them out live Friday April 13 at Palmer's. Cheers!
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What a treat! Zippy Laske makes her inaugural visit to the SmartStart MN Studio to talk about her new self-titled EP (out 6/13) and the big EP release celebration at the Green Room (also 6/13) with other luminaries like Chastity Brown and Leslie Vincent! Zippy is real, funny and definitely lives up to her nickname. Enjoy!…
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She's back! Annie Enneking (Annie and The Bang Bang, Glass) makes her 4th visit to the SmartStartMN Studio in scenic South Minneapolis. Annie is reliably insightful, funny and brings so much amazing enegy to everything she does. She's also a fight director, so she can help you kick someone's ass without actually kicking their ass. So great to have …
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Ep 486 - Doc (Sawtooth Witch, Theyself, "Desert Islands" on KFAI")
1:10:25
1:10:25
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1:10:25Doc (Sawtooth Witch, Fairfax AK, Elle PF, Theyself) makes their inaugural visit to the SmartStartMN studio! Doc is sharp, eloquent and hilarious. Also, a great musician with an excellent ethos. Basically, Doc is just plain cool. Sawtooth Witch has a brand new single on the way and a ton of shows on the near horizon. Listen, learn and enjoy!…
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Nick Leet (High On Stress, Figure Eights podcast) makes a long-overdue return to the SmartStartMN Studio. We talk about his new solo record (Detours) and all that that entails. We also dig into the forthcoming new High On Stress record, his podcast (which is excellent, btw), and his partcipation in Front Row Paul Fest, happening all weekend at Palm…
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Ep 484 Butch Roy Twin Cities Improv Festival
59:00
59:00
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59:00He's been improvising for 30 years in the Twin Cities. His main group is "Five Man Job", but he also ran Huge Theater. He runs Improv-A-Go Go at Strike Theater the 1st, 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month AND he helps to run Twin Cities Improv Festival which is happening June 5th through 9th at Phoenix Theater on 26th and Hennepin in Minneapolis. (Get t…
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Ep 483 - Sally Linda (Big Salt, PARISHES)
57:53
57:53
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57:53Sally Linda (Big Salt, PARISHES) makes her inaugural visit ti the podcast to talk a little bit of everything. Her roots in Iowa, the two great bands she sings with and being a single mom who knows how to Rock n Roll. She's delightful, insightful and very funny. She also brought along some great music. Enjoy!…
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The Combo is back in the house! Julius 'Juice' Collins and Brian Z (Dr. Mambo's Combo) return to talk about a very special tribute to Prince. 'Forever In My Life: A Birthday Tribute To Prince' will feature the Combo playing Prince songs from every era of his legendary career. The celebration is on Weds, June 4th at The Parkway Theater. Juice and Z …
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Ep 481 Billy Dankert (Gear Daddies, Institutional Green, Solo Work & Doug Collins & The Receptionists)
59:21
59:21
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59:21MN music stalwart James 'Billy' Dankert (Gear Daddies, Insitutional Green, etc) stops by to talk music and the world in which we live. We get lots of good stuff - Gear Daddies stories, tales of backstage debauchery and hear his latest solo effort. I wish we could have kept him longer! Enjoy.
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Ep 480 Paul Irmiter (local filmmaker)
1:04:58
1:04:58
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1:04:58MN filmaker Paul Irmiter (39 Seconds) joins us to talk process, story and many other fascinating facets of filmaking. Hit latest full-length documentary '39 Seconds' tell the very little-known story of a man who many considered the greatest baseball player of his generation. It's an incredible story, and the story about making this film is also ver…
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Edie Rae (The Edie Rae Band, The deLinda's, etc) makes her inaugural visit to the SmartStart MN studio! From humble beginnings in Spread Eagle, WI, she brings a lifetime of songwriting, storytelling and a fierce love of the Twin Cities music community to the conversation. She runs her own record label, is bringing out a MN Music themed cookbook, an…
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Ep 478 Breanne Marie (of Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners)
57:14
57:14
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57:14What exactly is a front porch sinner? You'll just have to listen to find out. This outstanding Duluthian band has a new album coming out soon...if only enough people kick on their Kickstarter campaign. https://tinyurl.com/525yusfk We had a great conversation with Breanne and found out why she's so passion about their music AND she shared secret pla…
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Our old friend, Youa Vang stopped by to share what she's working on at the Ramsey County Historical Society and of course her amazing cross-stitch work with her sister. Third Daughter, Restless Daughter work can be found at 3drdcrafts.com and on all the socials. See them at Art-A-Whirl this year. We love Youa!…
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Ep 476 Chris Mozena & Ira Ford (Hook & Ladder Bong Show 4/20)
56:11
56:11
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56:11This Sunday may be Easter, but it's also 4/20!! Chris Mozena, Executive Director of the Hook & Ladder, tells us all about the annual ZEN20 celebration. Stoner bingo, live music (dosh!!!) and a coule rounds of The Bong Show, hosted by local comedian Ira Ford. Tune in turn on and turn out this Sunday for this highest of holidays! Cheers!!…
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Matthew French comes back to the 'cast and opens up a vein! We go unexpectedly deep on his journey with mental health. We also hear three songs from his new full length "Circles', which is largely informed by his aforementioned journey. The new album streams everywhere May 1st. You can also check him out live in Duluth on 4/27. Find out more at mfr…
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It's mostly a White Lotus season finale recap - we're pretty much disassociating from everything else rn!
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These days, Drew Peterson is a solo artist, but he used to be the main man behind Midwestern greats 40 Watt Bulb. This Friday (4/11) at the Hook and Ladder, Drew and company will be playing 40 Watt's debut release 'Shovel's Length Short' in it's entirety to celbrate the 21st anniversay of that release. We talk life in rural Minnesota, on the road a…
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Ep 473 Ryan Robert Nelson (Actor, Improvisor, Writer, singer)
1:01:20
1:01:20
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1:01:20Ryan Robert Nelson joined us on today's show! You've seen him in local TV commericals, in local productions for many years at Brave New Workshop and Yellow Tree Theater and now Ryan joins us to talk to us about his current project, the Folsom Prison Experience and original Johnny Cash tribute show that is touring and will arrive at the Fitzgeral th…
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It's the return of the Unofficial Mayor of St. Paul! Once again, Martin Devaney is back in the SmartStartMN Studio. We talk about his latest release, Blueprint For A Ghost, and his upcoming gigs. I'm glas Martin is a friend of the show. Enjoy!
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