Spring Green, Wisconsin
Thursday, September 7, 2023 | Vol. 4, No. 16 FREE, Single-Copy
Inside this edition
Violet Palms announces album release, shows
Community Calendar: live music, farmers markets and more
New Pestel column: Public Education
Pages 1, 10
Pages 6, 7, 8
Pages 3, 4
Spring Green band Violet Palms announce release show for debut album 'Compassion Fatigue'
Band announces two opportunities to see them perform, Valley Sentinel reviews album Alex Prochaska, Editorial Intern
Spring Green-based alt-rock band Violet Palms will be launching their new album Compassion Fatigue during a special performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11 at the Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret (137 W Jefferson St, Spring Green). The event will be opened by music from Alys and the Ark. Slowpoke suggests that attendees donate $5-10 to help support live music from homegrown artists. Marcus Truschinski, lead singer of Violet Palms, told us that the band emerged from him and guitarist Ben Feiner writing songs at his kitchen table late into the night working on their other band, Big Wing — which has a large format consisting of nearly two dozen members and is currently on hiatus while focusing on Violet Palms. Later Truschinski and Feiner were joined by
Photo by Rob Steffen Spring Green band Violet Palms at Slowpoke Lounge. Pictured, from left, is Craig Benzine, Ben Feiner, Marcus Truschinski, Michael Mertens and Tim Gittings. music engineer Michael Mertens on drums, Tim Gittings—who, along with Truschinski, is an actor at American Players Theater—on bass, and Craig Benzine—who is lead singer and guitarist
of Driftless Pony Club, as well as the popular YouTuber “WheezyWaiter”—on guitar. Every member of Violet Palms is from Spring Green, with the exception of Benzine, who lives in Madison.
Violet Palms debuted their first single “Anything Can Happen” on August 25, following that up with another single “All This Joy Has Made You Dull” on September 1. Violet Palms is heavily influenced by late-90s and early-2000s rock bands like The Strokes and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, while still retaining a modern edge. “While we were working on Big Wing stuff, Ben approached me with a song that didn’t quite fit that style called ‘Inevitable’ that was very Strokes-like. We both really looove that band. They really are the heaviest influence on Violet Palms,” said Truschinski. “Ben really loves John Frusciante of the Chili Peppers, too, so that really features into our songs, harmony and melody-wise.” Looking for a place to put that style, Violet Palms was born. Violet Palms played their first live show in early 2022 when business
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Savor the River Valley and Cates Family Farm to host 'Open Farm Day' Sept. 17 Patti Peltier, Savor the River Valley What do farming and fishing have to do with one another? Find out during an Open Farm Day at Cates Family Farm. Cates Family Farm will be open Sunday, September 17, from 1-3 p.m. Visitors can learn how the Cates family is raising grassfed beef in a way that protects the Class 1 trout stream running through their farm.
You can also watch a fish biologist scoop colorful native trout from Lowry Creek. Then take a haywagon ride through the farm to learn how the rolling pastures have been restored and managed to nourish the cows while protecting the soil and water. The day also includes a tour of the scenic barn and a sample of delicious summer sausage made with Cates beef.
Cates Family Farm is located at 5992 County Highway T in Spring Green. This event is sponsored by Savor the River Valley. Savor is a grass-roots initiative of 40+ farmers, food processors, food retailers and restaurants in the River Valley. Savor’s mission is to increase the visibility of these businesses to the public and to connect food businesses to one
another for support and solutions to common problems. Tours begin at 1:30. This is a free, familyfriendly afternoon; however registration is required. To register for this free event, please go to www.savortherivervalley.org/events. For more information, contact savor@ savortherivervalley.org.