The Cascade Sun
Gig Seeker Pro

The Cascade Sun

Minot, North Dakota, United States | SELF

Minot, North Dakota, United States | SELF
Band Alternative Pop

Calendar

Music

Press


This band has no press

Discography

"A Scene a Sailor'd Give His Eyes For" - EP
Released on August 2nd, 2011

1. Modelshop God
2. Last Chance to Relax
3. Drop It Cecilia*
4. Sink* º
5. Manic Pixie Dream Girl
6. Astronaut Arms*

____________________

"Frostbite" - Single
Released on December 8th, 2011

1. Frostbite* º
----
* Streaming on Facebook
º Receives radio play on 102.9 WGO in Minot, ND and 96.3 KNDS in Fargo, ND

Photos

Bio

It's easy to drive through North Dakota without stopping.

The state is completely landlocked, with no beaches or mountains, and lakes you could count on one hand. The people are friendly, but they're few and far between: the state has the second lowest population in the nation. Highway 2 could take you from Crookston, Minnesota to Bainville, Montana, and you wouldn't think you had missed a thing.

But you would have missed The Cascade Sun.

The quintet is a product of Minot, North Dakota, a railroad boomtown whose tremendous speed of growth at the turn of the twentieth century earned it the nickname "The Magic City". Now, over a hundred years later, another kind of magic has enchanted the town – this time, in the form of pop music.

The Cascade Sun was founded in 2010 by its lead singer and songwriter, Mat Charley (21). He was joined by bassist Casey Black (20) and drummer Tim Olson (21), and together the trio began to lay the groundwork that would be finished after enlisting Ben Carlson (19) on guitar and Sam Buchholz (21) on piano and synths. The five of them immediately set to work crafting the sound, image, and identity of the group, which would be solidified over the next year.

The result of this work was their debut EP, "A Scene a Sailor'd Give His Eyes For", released in August of 2011. Its six lush, innovative songs were recorded and produced independently by the band over several months' time. The record's lead single, "Sink", received highly positive attention from the Minot community, as well as regular rotation at the city's premiere radio station, 102.9 FM WGO. Garnering strong sales and positive reviews both online and off, The Cascade Sun's first effort helped establish the band's position as a cutting-edge contributor to the pop music universe.

Its members having all been born and raised in The Magic City, The Cascade Sun feels profoundly connected to its community. To bring relief to Minot after it was devastated by a summer flood that cost $1 billion and over four thousand homes, the band participated in a benefit event headlined by hip-hop superstars The Black Eyed Peas. In addition, the group has performed at dozens of community events, including benefit concerts, fairs, and parties. Minot knows that The Cascade Sun is invested in its hometown.

You probably wouldn't expect it, but there is magic to be found along that flat stretch of Highway 2. These North Dakota natives are pioneering a new approach to pop – an approach that is worth the drive.