UWS Students to Perform in Homegrown Festival

By Brittany Berrens
Staff Writer
Posted 4/20/09

University of Wisconsin – Superior students Angela Brannan and Brian Doyle will perform in the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival as Narcissistic Trio on May 3 at 10 a.m. at Pizza Luce in Duluth, wrapping up the week-long music festival in the Twin Ports.

Brannan and Doyle have been making music together since the fall of 2007 when the two met while studying abroad through the Wisconsin in Scotland program.  The band features Brannan on acoustic guitar, vocals and piano. Doyle is a percussionist. He’s been known to play African and Celtic inspired drums, and is involved in a percussion ensemble on campus.

The folk-rock duo has been playing at various venues throughout the Twin Ports, but the Homegrown festival is something new for the two. Finally being able to play beside popular bands of the Duluth music scene such as Trampled by Turtles is exciting for the duo.

“I get giddy about it,” confessed Brannan.

“It’s a really cool thing and just to be part of it is really exciting. It’s one thing when you’re playing at home just messing around with friends, but it’s a whole other thing getting shows and making a CD,” said Doyle.

The Duluth Homegrown Music Festival was started in 1999 by local musician Scott Lunt. It started out with only ten bands and has now grown to present over 200 acts that include DJs and poets throughout Duluth and Superior.

New this year is a music video contest. Those interested in competing will have 24 hours to create a music video to go with a song off of one of the Homegrown compilation CDs. The videos will then be presented on public access television and at various venues.

KUWS 91.3 FM DJ Walt Dizzo will broadcast a Homegrown oriented show on April 23 at 10 p.m. The show will feature local music and will include some special guests associated with the Homegrown festival.

The festival runs from April 26 to May 3. Popular venues to see bands are Pizza Luce, Red Mug Coffeehouse, and Beaner’s Central. Tickets can be purchased at various Twin Ports businesses or online. Visit www.duluthhomegrown.com for schedules, band biographies, and merchandise.