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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Trampled by Turtles

    • December 31, 2012
    • PBS

    This pilot episode featured alt-bluegrass band Trampled By Turtles along with special guest and fellow Duluth native, Alan Sparhawk of the band Low.

Season 2

  • S02E01 Brother Ali

    • October 31, 2013
    • PBS

    Minneapolis-based hip-hop artist Brother Ali brings the beat to Saint Paul in this episode of The Lowertown Line.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Chastity Brown

    • December 14, 2017
    • PBS

    The Lowertown Line featuring singer/songwriter Chastity Brown. Chastity performs with her band in front of a live studio audience at tpt and is interviewed by local hip hop artist and writer Dessa.

  • S03E02 Malamanya

    • April 21, 2014
    • PBS

    This episode of The Lowertown Line features the Minneapolis-based Cuban son ensemble Malamanya. The six-member group combines the traditional rhythms and melodies of Latin American and Caribbean music.

  • S03E03 Haley Bonar

    • December 18, 2017
    • PBS

    Haley Bonar performs live in tpts Studio A and discusses keytar, her creative process, and the South Dakota punk scene with hip hop artist, Dessa. Bonar's alternative country/folk-rock style has been a part of the local music scene since she was a teenager, earning her critical acclaim and recognition.

  • S03E04 Har Mar Superstar

    • December 19, 2017
    • PBS

    Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and energetic performer Har Mar Superstar and guest Lizzo, bring irresistible grooves to The Lowertown Line stage at TPT. Har Mars music style is an eclectic mix of classic soul/R&B and disco.

  • S03E05 The 4onthefloor

    • January 25, 2015
    • PBS

    With four signature kick drums and all of their songs in 4/4 time, its easy to see where rock band The 4ontheFloor gets its name. Delta blues and classic rock are also major influences to The 4ontheFloors energetic style.

  • S03E06 Black Diet

    • February 8, 2015
    • PBS

    Black Diet is a garage/indie/soul band putting on shows that look like Baptist church services held at punk houses. Part of a stream of vintage sounding acts coming out of Minneapolis' Pinata Records, they're spitting out sharp, testimonial jams for the masses.

  • S03E07 The Blind Shake

    • December 22, 2017
    • PBS

    Known for killer live shows with synchronized dance moves, The Blind Shake has been playing around the Twin Cities for over a decade. Their musical sound is steeped in 60s psychedelia with a contemporary garage rock drive.

  • S03E08 Doomtree

    • February 22, 2015
    • PBS

    Minneapolis hip-hop collective Doomtree performed at the Varsity Theater on December 10, 2014 as part of a week of shows for the tenth and final Doomtree Blowout.

  • S03E09 Heiruspecs

    • August 19, 2017
    • PBS

    Formed while attending St. Paul Central High School back in the 90s, hip-hop veterans Heiruspecs have continued to make music for over a decade. Heiruspecs play hip hop live without samples, and are known for their distinctive song writing style and well received live shows.

  • S03E10 Kitten Forever

    • August 20, 2017
    • PBS

    Taking inspiration from feminism, punk and pop music, Kitten Forever's aesthetic is both stripped down and personal. The bass and drum trio rocks a low-fi, high-energy sound. Kitten Forever performs a live set at The Amsterdam Bar and Hall in Saint Paul and sits down to talk about their tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the power of flower crowns, and feminism.

  • S03E11 PaviElle

    • August 27, 2017
    • PBS

    Growing up in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul and getting her start at Penumbra Theater, multidisciplinary artist PaviElle's neo-soul voice is as robust as her career. From writing a one-woman play to performing with a large backing band, PaviElle has taken the Twin Cities music scene by storm with her intimate performances and expressive sound.

  • S03E12 Nicholas David

    • August 27, 2017
    • PBS

    A top three finalist on season 3 of NBC's hit television show "The Voice," Nicholas David is a vibrant , soulful and prolific singer-songwriter who incorporates multiple genres, instruments and influences into his music. He also uses his musical talent as an agent for social change, whether it be raising money for local public schools, as an ambassador for "Smile Work International," or with...

  • S03E13 Cloud Cult

    • December 8, 2015
    • PBS

    This episode features music & interviews with Minnesota orchestral rock band Cloud Cult. Watch as the band performs for thousands on the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza for the opening of the 2015 Northern Spark art festival. Plus, hear from band members about their commitment to giving back to the environment, creating visually artistic shows, pre-show rituals and spirituality.

  • S03E14 John Mark Nelson

    • March 14, 2016
    • PBS

    John Mark Nelson performs for an episode of The Lowertown Line from TPT studios.

  • S03E15 POLICA

    • April 23, 2016
    • PBS

    Electro-synth band POLIÇA performed their album, “United Crushers,” to a sold-out crowd for an episode of "The Lowertown Line."

  • S03E16 The Cactus Blossoms

    • May 24, 2016
    • PBS

    The Cactus Blossoms perform in TPT studios and discuss their music for an episode of "The Lowertown Line."

  • S03E17 Sonny Knight and the Lakers

    • August 2, 2016
    • PBS

    Minneapolis soul ensemble Sonny Knight & The Lakers perform for a sold out crowd in TPT's Street Space for an episode of "The Lowertown Line."

  • S03E18 Davina and the Vagabonds

    • September 13, 2016
    • PBS

    Watch Davina and the Vagabonds blow the roof off during a live performance at TPT.

  • S03E19 Songwriters

    • October 11, 2016
    • PBS

    Mayyada, Barbara Jean, and Mayda perform in this songwriters compilation episode.

Season 4

  • S04E01 Communist Daughter

    • November 16, 2016

    Communist Daughter performs in front of a live studio audience at Twin Cities PBS studios.

  • S04E02 Dead Man Winter

    • January 29, 2017

    Dead Man Winter performs in front of a live studio audience for The Lowertown Line.

  • S04E03 Bruise Violet

    • February 14, 2017

    Bruise Violet perform in front of a live audience and discuss their emerging music career.

  • S04E04 P.O.S

    • March 21, 2017

    Hip hop artist P.O.S performs live and chats about music, hating and kidneys.

  • S04E05 Siama Matuzungidi

    • April 11, 2017

    Congolese-born guitarist Siama Matuzungidi performs for a live audience, and talks about growing up in a seminary, the popular musical genre known as Soukous, and his life in music.

  • S04E06 The Roe Family Singers

    • May 17, 2017

    Old-time Hillbilly band The Roe Family Singers perform live at TPT studios in Lowertown St. Paul. The band recalls their origin story, their fondness for circus instruments, and the economics of being modern day musicians. Filmed on February 9th, 2017.

  • S04E07 jeremy messersmith

    • June 12, 2017

    jeremy messersmith performs in front of a live studio audience, and discusses being king of wuss rock, embracing nerd culture, and his fundamentalist upbringing.

  • SPECIAL 0x1 Minnesota Music History

    • May 25, 2018

    The Lowertown Line looks back at music in Minnesota