is there an underground music scene in Fargo/moorhead? (colleges, live)

[seanski33]

I am 23 and might be moving up to Fargo in a few months from tucson, arizona. My family is from ND so i know generally about how nice most people are up there, the cold winters, and the fact that most people do a lot of drinking. But I listen to a lot of non-radio-friendly punk; folk; indi; and metal music, and was wondering if there are any venues that get bands of that nature to play shows, or if there is even anyone up there that listens to that kind of stuff. I am also into art and like to go to galleries with less commercialized art in them. Is there anything like that in fargo? I know there are a few colleges in the city, but i wonder how many art students and musicians there are. I am also very liberal and like Obama for the most part and hated George Bush. Do you think people would shun me if i spoke about political views like that?

[rsdplaya]

Ok, let's see here...

There is somewhat of an underground scene, yes. Check out The Aquarium above Dempsey's for that...they put on a lot of indie stuff and less known talents. They definitely cover what you're looking for. There's a nice music store called Orange Records...good stuff.

If you're into the art scene, to be honest, I don't think it's a great place to be. I kind of sense that you might be a bit of a hipster...? I may be wrong, but it I'm right, I personally don't think the area offers much for you...there's only so much of it in Downtown Fargo and outside of downtown, there's nothing much as far as that scene goes.

I'm a big Obama supporter myself (I went to his inauguration in DC), and you probably know ND is on the conservative side to say the least. I haven't met many Obama supporters...I'm sure they're out there, but they are definitely outnumbered.

[acfreema]

consider visiting the rourke art gallery. james o'rourke (the proprietor) is a nice guy that is pretty cynical of much art, which generally keeps some of the "mainstream" art out. i haven't been to the plains art gallery in a long time, and there is a newer gallery, ecce, it's on broadway.

as for underground music... i guess it depends on what you mean by "underground". a handful of years ago, there used to be a building called "the compound" where heavy metal concerts happened almost nightly. it was a small concrete building on a small road off main avenue in fargo. did people know about stuff there? maybe a couple hundred people in this area did.

the best people to ask about "underground" stuff are the artists.

knds is the only station worth your time; it's independent, college radio.

as to being shunned for spewing political propaganda... only if you're saying things that people don't want to hear. so, if you're doing that, you're talking to the right people (if you're trying to change people's minds). be warned: there are plenty of us here that are educated enough to show anyone the flaws of their points, be prepared to defend yourself.

[seanski33]

im no hipster. im just not a redneck, church going, conservative, sports fan. Im not saying you are any of that, but i just want to know if ill be able to find a niche in fargo. thanks for the info. i heard about that record store on another web site. anymore info from anyone else is encouraged.

[jwmn]

Believe it or not, not everyone in Fargo is a George-Bush-loving country music fan.

[TravisW]

Another bar that caters to original music is the Nestor.

[rsdplaya]

Originally Posted by TravisW

Another bar that caters to original music is the Nestor.

i live right across 10th ave. from there...definitely a "different" bar lol.

[acfreema]

the nestor is on 10 STREET, not avenue

[rsdplaya]

Originally Posted by acfreema

the nestor is on 10 STREET, not avenue

duh, don't know why i said ave.

[southfargo]

I would say there is a upcomming rave/techno seen in fargo. i have attendend more than a couple raves around the area that havent been here in the past. for example google severn sect or "back to the barn" at the johnson barn in aurther ND i beleive. the seen was widley known in the upper midwest. great artists from around the USA and europe played there. There is usualy about 300-500 people at these events. Also there are the local rock and jam bands that play down town and at many other bars and locations. and if you look hard enough you can find yourself and a rap/hip-hop show at some of the other less well known places. Also the HUB usualy has a veriaty of diffrent music conserts. from country to rappers such as chingy, and mimms.