Music @ Franconia - Sawyer’s Dream, Pit Stop, and Dead Horses

Sawyer’s Dream

1:30pm-2:30pm

Inspired by the writings of Mark Twain and the vocal harmonies of bands such as the Mamas & the Papas, ABBA and Fleetwood Mac, Minneapolis based Sawyer’s Dream is a unique cross-blending of Americana, Pop, Rock and Soul. Featuring powerhouse male and female lead vocals and intricate four-part harmonies, their all-original music is engaging, upbeat and earthy, offering the listener a modern take on the classic rock of the ’60s and ’70s. Sawyer’s Dream includes visual and imaginative lyrical masterpieces focusing on themes of love, life, dreams, the natural, and the supernatural. Formatted for an audience of all ages, the songs will take you back to simpler times; a time of dreams, nature and human kindness.

Pit Stop

2:45pm-3:45pm

Minneapolis-based Pit Stop plays original tunes combining elements of Americana, Blues, Country, Folk, Rock, and a dash of Doo-wop.

Inspired by the sound and songwriting of Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, Townes Van Zandt, Canned Heat, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and The Velvet Underground, Pit Stop has a familiar yet singular sound. With captivating harmonies, lyrics balancing humor and heartache, a locked ‘n’ loaded rhythm section, and guitar solos that rip, Pit Stop guarantees a dynamic and entertaining live performance.

Their self-titled, debut album was released on November 13th, 2021, followed by a sold-out album release show at Eagles #34. On Thursday, March 10th, 2022, Pit Stop opened up for Niger’s world-famous Tuareg rock band, Mdou Moctar, and NYC’s living punk-rock legends, Parquet Courts, at First Avenue. Parquet Courts’ co-frontman, Andrew Savage, encouraged the audience to support these “hometown heroes”, telling the crowd: “If I were you, I’d go to all their shows, so you could say you were there from the beginning.”

Pit Stop is currently writing their sophomore album to be recorded in 2023.

Dead Horses

4pm-5pm

Milwaukee duo Dead Horses return with Brady Street, their first full-length since their breakthrough 2018 album, My Mother The Moon, which found the band lauded by NPR, Rolling Stone, Noisey, Billboard and more for their intimate, folk-inspired songs. The duo, songwriter Sarah Vos and upright bassist Daniel Wolff came together in college. Together, they weave a patchwork of classic and contemporary influences that span trad roots, indie-folk, and other experimental musical idioms with songs that are personal, revelatory, and relatable, brimming with imaginative phrases, poetry, vulnerability, and a feeling of redemption.

Music @ Franconia | Franconia Sculpture Park

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.