BY ADAM QUANDT | Arts & Entertainment Editor | The Statesman
Paper Parlor may be one of the younger bands in the Twin Ports music scene, but they shouldn’t be overlooked for it.
This band is taking the scene by storm. Most recently, Paper Parlor was invited to participate in Beaner’s “One Week Live”.
“We just love playing music. Absolutely everything about it is great,” frontman Kirdan Wenger said.
The band originally started from a friendship between Wenger and bassist Wilson Johnson.
“We were just two kids who loved music with nothing better to do,” Johnson said.
After making the move from International Falls to Duluth the band began to grow in size and popularity.
UMD student Moriah Skye joined the band late as their lead guitarist.
“I just kind of fell into the band. I don’t really know how it happened,” Skye said.
Though the band is more along the lines of the indie-rock/folk genre, Skye often plays with a seven-string guitar which is more commonly used in metal music.
“We love the different sound it brings to our music,” Johnson said.
One thing Paper Parlor really strives for as a band is a very DIY and a “keep it local” attitude to most everything they do.
All of the band’s merchandise is hand-designed and hand-screenprinted by band members.
“Though they may look similar, no two shirts are alike,” explained Wenger.
Paper Parlor’s latest EP, “Dreamscreen”, debuted last April and is available for purchase at various vendors around Duluth as well as Bandcamp and iTunes.
“Dreamscreen” was recorded right here in Duluth and produced by Duluthian Gabe Naughton.
The band is currently working on writing and recording a new album with the release date still to be determined.
Paper Parlor can often be found performing at various Duluth venues such as Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, Red Herring Lounge and Red Star Lounge in the Fitger’s complex.
“People should expect to get up and dance to our music at shows,” Wenger explained.
“It makes it a lot more fun for both us and the crowd when the crowd gets into it,” Johnson said.
Paper Parlor’s next show is at the Greysolon Ballroom on Oct. 2, where they will be a part of Duluth’s Rock Your Vote event.