50 STATES IN 50 WEEKS… WEEK 4: ALASKA

Home of: Jewel, Mt. McKinley, Sarah Palin, the bald eagle, 36 Crazyfists, Portugal. The Man, the Iditarod

Fun Facts: State flower; forget-me-not, state song; “Alaska’s Flag,” state sport; dog mushing

The Venues: Every April, Alaska’s capital city of Juneau plays host to the Alaska Folk Festival. This free, entirely volunteer run festival celebrates folk music not only from Alaska but Northwestern United States and Canada as well. The Bear Tooth Theaterpub in Anchorage, AK is a movie theater/live music venue. Also in Anchorage is the pub and brewery Moose’s Tooth. Together these venues work hard to bring big name musicians like The Wailers, The Hold Steady, and Citizen Cope to Alaska.

The Music:

Static Cycle – Static Cycle’s modern rock sound is similar to Chevelle and 3 Doors Down. For their debut album, When We Meet Again, the band worked with Producer/Engineer Mike Brown (Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Garbage) to capture their live energy in the studio. Their single “Pressure” is fast becoming a favorite of fans and radio stations all over the US.

Southside Totems – Rap group Southside Totems represent the South Side…of Saxman, AK. The Southside Totems are of the Tlingit and Haida people, Northwest Coast Tribes indigenous to Southeast Alaska. “Tlingit Traditions” celebrates the members’ Tlingit heritage as a way of life.

Theory of Hate – The weather isnt the only thing that’s brutal in Alaska. Theory of Hate is part of Alaska’s strong metal/hardcore scene. Check out their track “Inside Out” for guitar shredding, pounding drums and growling vocals.