5 Duluth musical acts to know

February kicked off with a brand new tune for Duluth: The Current began broadcasting in the northern city today.

To mark the occasion, The Current's Andrea Swensson joined MPR News host Tom Weber to talk about the Duluth music scene and the city's acts not to miss.

Where to start with the city's musical history?

"I think everyone starts in the same place, and that is that Bob Dylan was born there, so you need to know that first, and everyone who has come after lives in his shadow," Swensson joked. The city has produced a wide range of musical acts, but the influence of the Americana genre is deep.

"I do think there is something melancholy about the music that comes out of Duluth — almost bleak — in what I find to be a very healing and therapeutic way," Swensson said.

5 Duluth musical acts to know

1) Low

"Low is a prime example of someone who has gone on to have international success, but they still call Duluth their home," Swensson said.

2) Trampled by Turtles

This is "another band that has broken out of Duluth and gone on to tour nationally, internationally," Swensson said. "They really started out as a blue grass band out of Duluth, but they've gotten this reputation for playing these breakneck live shows."

3) Southwire

Swensson praised Southwire for the group's "folk, gospel, hip hop vibe."

4) Charlie Parr

Parr is not only a Duluth music legend but also a favorite in the Twin Cities scene.

5) Sarah Krueger

"If you ever see her name on a bill, and you want to get to know someone newer from the north country," catch Krueger's show, Swensson said.

For the full discussion about the Duluth music scene with Andrea Swensson, use the audio player above.