DULUTH — Jason Wussow opened his popular concert cafe when he was 23 years old. The late ’90s were a different time, when tickets to folk shows cost $10 and everyone wanted a taste of rock ‘n’ roll and grunge.
He hosted his 24th annual One Week Live recording festival the week of Oct. 5. With 16 bands performing over the course of seven days, One Week Live is a staple in Duluth’s evergreen music scene, capturing the eclectic medley of sounds the Twin Ports is known for.
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Wussow says he specializes in all genres — from jazz, to metal, ska, folk, grunge and rock ‘n’ roll. But One Week Live is a build-your-own adventure. The Monday night show was mellow, turning the cafe into a listening room where only the performers’ melodies were audible. Tuesday featured bluegrass bands, a genre that grows more common across venues in Duluth. Wednesday marked the cafe's annual songwriter’s competition, while Thursday was a bit of a mixed bag.
The Friday and Saturday shows were more wild, where the cafe converted from a vibey escape to a standing room reminiscent of basement house parties. But everything calmed down by the final day, where the cafe hosted a jazz brunch to close off the...