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Dakota Midday: Nathan Edwards Travels 'Far Away from Here'

Paul Schipper

Nathan Edwards says his upcoming album, Far Away from Here, is the culmination of several years of writing and recording. The songs center around themes of time and travel. He says they’re a means of sharing his struggles with the existential search for meaning and the answers to why we’re here. Edwards says creating this album says was a time of intense growth, both as a songwriter, recording engineer, and as a person.

Raised in Wisconsin, Nathan Edwards is currently assistant professor of audio technology in the digital arts and design program at Dakota State University in Madison. Although Far Away from Here isn’t officially out until May 19th, he has an album release concert on Wednesday at the Brickhouse in downtown Madison.

Nathan Edwards joined Dakota Midday and played a couple songs from the new CD.

To sample some songs from Far Away from Here, click here.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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