Them Coulee Boys

Just a short hike away from the Chippewa Valley is one of the coolest music festivals in the state, the Mid West Music Fest, happening in La Crosse on April 14 and 15, then across the river two weeks later in Winona, Minn. on April 28 and 29 featuring 100+ Midwest-based artists over the course of two weekends. Tons of the Chippewa Valley’s own will be set to make a splash at the MWMF including Them Coulee Boys, Idle Empress, Waldemar, LASKA, and Len Voy over both weekends. To learn more and snatch up tickets, head to www.midwestmusicfest.org

With Eau Claire’s bevy of amazing recording studios, the in-studio show is becoming more of a thing in this area. You have two upcoming chances to partake in a cool in-studio show, one at Toy Car Studios and one at Pine Hollow Studios. On April 14 at Toy Car Studios, Blugold Radio presents an eclectic night of tunes with Canadian indie rock band Close Talker on the cusp of the release of their new album “Lens” along with local acts Sniffle Party and The Ronald Raygun. Tickets are available at toycarstudios.brownpapertickets.com. Then on April 28, Minneapolis band Rogue Valley – headed up by local favorite Chris Koza – is bringing their dynamic live show to Pine Hollow Studio with a special guest set by Waldemar. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2863534.

Released in late March, you can now stream and buy a new solo EP by local musician John Buxton, who appears in local bands Distant Friends and Caveat. For the solo effort, it’s by the John Buxton Experience, and the CD is titled “Rinse and Repeat.” It finds Buxton singing and playing all the instruments for a rough-around-the-edges lo-fi feel with cutting tunes. Mostly it sounds like he’s uninhibited and having a great time doing it. Check out the EP on Bandcamp at thejohnbuxtonexperience.bandcamp.com or pick up a hard copy at The Local Store, 205 N. Dewey St.