The Hopefuls

I knew in writing about The Hopefuls that I was writing an incomplete story. As long as Erik Appelwick, Eric Fawcett, Darren Jackson, and John Hermanson keep making music, there’ll be more to tell. In that spirit, I’ve decided to continue to compile and document their ongoing adventures, and release updates every couple of years.   Believe it or not, it’s been two years since I sent The Hopefuls: Chasing a Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream in the Minnesota Music Scene off to the publisher, so that means it’s time for the first update, covering mid-2018 (where the book ends) to mid-2020: Appelwick When we last left Erik he was doing freelance composing, and had teamed with Johnny, Fawcett, and Todd Casper in a new band called Intl Falls, who released their self-titled debut in early 2018. More recen tly, Appelwick has taken a job at Dual Citizen Brewery, though tha nkfully he continues to write, record, and produce.  He did some playing and producing for the Minneapolis electro-pop group ...

Bio (from their website) "Citrîne was made possible by fate and modern technology. Formerly an acoustic singer-songwriter, Nashville-based Bethany traded her ukulele for synths and formed a new  sound. A string of serendipitous coincidences led to her collaboration with St. Paul-based musician and producer Erik Appelwick (Tropical Depression, Vicious Vicious, Tapes 'n Tapes) and Citrîne was born. Having never met in person, the band uses a modern-day mail-and-return system to complete songs in their respective cities. After releasing two EPs, Spine and Waves , Citrîne continues to release a steady stream of new material, building on the momentum of their Spotify success with the ambivalent break-up single, “Arcade.” Their songs have been featured on HBO, MTV, and The CW." Links Official website Facebook Instagram Discography Spine (2017) Waves (2018) Dreams (2019)

Bio Imagine John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr each had solo careers, and got together to form the Beatles. Olympic Hopefuls were the Minneapolis indie rock version of that. Their damaged power pop anthems took Minneapolis by storm from 2004 to 2006. Arising from Erik Appelwick and Darren Jackson's feverish melodic minds, the band began in 2000 as a scrappy quartet called Camaro. They reconfigured a couple of years later, adding John Hermanson (keys, vocals), Heath Henjum (bass), and Matt O'Laughlin (drums).  Eventually, former Spymob drummer Eric Fawcett replaced O'Laughlin. A run-in with the United States Olympic Committee led to the band becoming The Hopefuls in 2006. Erik Appelwick exited the band the same year.  The original line-up disbanded in 2009. Discography The Fuses Refuse to Burn  (2004, 2024 Records) Now Playing at the One-Seat Theatre  ( 2008, Draw Fire Records)

Bio Starting in 2000 as a John Hermanson solo project, Alva Star came together as a real band with players Darren Jackson (guitars, vocals), Brian Roessler (bass), and Peter Anderson (drums).  Their second album featured Erik Appelwick on bass and Ian Prince on drums. Links Alva Star on Bandcamp Alva Star on Soundcloud Discography Alligators in the Lobby  ( 2001) Escalator (2004)

Bio Bozeman, Montana native John Hermanson began his musical career as one half of Chris & Johnny / Storyhill. He went solo in 1997 before reuniting with Chris in 2001. He's the guiding force behind Alva Star, a key member of the Hopefuls, and is also a member of Intl Falls. Links Official website Bandcamp Discography John Hermanson (1998) Psalms (2009) Dragonfly (2015) Isaiah (2016)

Bio Kid Dakota is the musical appellation of South Dakota bred songwriter Darren Jackson. Originally forming in Minneapolis in 1999 with 12 Rods drummer Christopher McGuire, the duo's dark, brooding, confessional, hard-hitting music brought them to the attention of indie rock darlings Low, who would end up helping Kid Dakota release their first two records. Through ensuing albums and personnel changes, Jackson's visceral songwriting vision has served as the constant. Links Official Website for Kid Dakota Bandcamp Official Website for Darren Jackson Discography So Pretty EP (2000) So Pretty LP (2002, Chairkickers' Music) The West is the Future (2004, Chairkickers' Music) A Winner's Shadow (2008, Graveface Records) How the Light Gets In , with the Fantastic Merlins (2009, Hope Street) Listen to the Crows as They Take Flight ( 2011,  Graveface Records) Blunt Force Trauma  (2016) Denervation ( 2018, Graveface Records) Age of Roaches (2020, Graveface Records...

Bio Formed in the mid-'90s in Minneapolis by singer/keyboardist John Ostby, drummer Eric Fawcett, guitarist Brent Paschke, and bassist Brian Roessler (who left in 2000 and was replaced by Christian Twigg),  Spymob spent a few years perfecting a unique blend of funk, pop, and rock before being discovered by songwriter/producer Pharrell Williams and recruited as the backing band (both in the studio and live) in his N.E.R.D. project. Their own album, Sitting Around Keeping Score , was released in 2004 on Ruthless Records after a handful of frustrating false starts. The band parted ways in 2005, but left behind a rich catalog to explore. Links Facebook Soundcloud Discography Reno (1994) Townhouse Stereo (1996) Spymob EP (1999) On Pilot Mountain (2000, unreleased Epic Records version of first album) Basement Tapes (2001) N.E.R.D. - In Search Of... (2002, Virgin Records) Sitting Around Keeping Score (2004, Ruthless Records) Memphis (2014, recorded in 2004) Sitting Around Kee...