A few weeks ago, Jim Walsh penned an article for MinnPost that asked a bold question: "Is Northfield truly becoming Music City, Minnesota?"

In his piece, he profiled several people who are instrumental in Northfield's bustling scene--most of whom have their hands in at least two or three different aspects of the community--and found that the small, tight-knit town in the Cannon River Valley appears to be fostering a strong and well-supported network of independent musicians.

One of the subjects interviewed in Walsh's piece was Jessica Paxton, host of the free-form "All Wheel Drive" radio show on Northfield's KYMN-AM, and we were so intrigued by what she had to say about the community that we invited her to be a guest on this past weekend's edition Local Show. Paxton had lots to say about the Northfield scene, and you can hear many of her thoughts and a few of her favorite new acts in the audio segment here:

I also wanted to take a moment to round up some of the bands she brought in to play on the show and provide some additional info about their upcoming shows and albums. Here are a few of Jessica's picks for Northfield acts worth seeking out:

The Counterfactuals
About: This group of college professors from Carleton and St. Olaf have been turning heads with their jaunty, Americana-influenced indie pop. The single we played on last night's show, "Look up at the Light," was just recorded last week, and is expected to appear on their debut full-length (tentatively titled Minimally Decent People) that is due out in the spring. 
Hear more on: Bandcamp; Facebook 
Next gigs: Sunday, Nov. 11 at The Amsterdam Bar & Hall (along with Wesley Church & The Fabulous Vanguards and Tramps Like Us); Friday, Nov. 16 at The Chapel (along with The Rice County Roosters).

Furia
About: A new project featuring established songwriter Meredith Fierke and bandmates Stephen McKinstry and Dylan McKinstry. Furia also sent over a brand-new track, "Here Lies The Heart," to play on the show, and it will appear on their forthcoming album, Heirlooms, in early 2013.
Hear more on: Her website
Next Gigs: Friday, Nov. 23 at The Chapel; Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Cedar Cultural Center (Meredith only; opening for Rogue Valley).

Alison Rae
About: Singer-songwriter Alison Rae has made a name for herself on the strength of her intimate, sometimes gut-wrenching acoustic performances. On last night's show, we debuted "Hide and Seek" from her forthcoming EP, I wrote you a letter. 
Hear more on: Bandcamp
Next Gig: Saturday, Dec. 1 at The Tavern Lounge.

Dirty Petrov & The Gentillionaires
About: I'll let their bio speak for itself: "Nine white college kids living in the heart of Minnesota became infatuated with sounds from Eastern Europe and South America and formed a gypsy band like no other." Their latest album is titled, appropriately, Klez is More! 
Hear more on: Bandcamp; Facebook