Artist Spotlight

Erik Lunde’s “Steel Militia” Wrestles With The Painful Legacy of the Afghanistan War

Erik Lunde releases the single “Steel Militia” on August 27th in the shadow of America’s disquieting exit from Afghanistan, 20 years after the events of 9/11 led to “America’s Longest War.” As a self-described “Tolstoyan Christian Pacifist” who tries to live by the principles of non-violence laid out in the “Sermon On The Mount”, Lunde wrote the lyrics to “Steel Militia” from his despair over the tragic American military response to 9/11 after reading the devastating true story of the Wise Brothers in a Washington Post article entitled “One Family, Two Sacrifices”. The article told the story of the passions and motivations of two patriotic brothers from Arkansas who both enlisted and were killed in the war in Afghanistan. Written in the narrative storytelling vein of classic American folk songs like Bob Dylan’s “Masters Of War” and Pete Seeger’s “Waist Deep in The Big Muddy”, the song serves as a powerful, anti-war protest song that is dedicated to the memory and sacrifice of the over 2,300 American soldiers that tragically died in Afghanistan.

As the final American forces leave the country to meet the September 11th withdrawal deadline, “Steel Militia” wrestles with the extreme religious fundamentalism that led to 9/11 and sparked the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. While the lyric critiques the dark ideological forces and politics that started the wars, it also empathizes with the passionate devotion to God and country that burns in the hearts of young soldiers who enlist to fight in foreign wars – pondering the sense of futility and hopelessness that some surviving veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced. As a songwriter dedicated to peace and reconciliation, Lunde wants it to be clear that the song is not an “anti-soldier” song – but is an anti-war song about the “wages of death” in wars that arise from extreme religious fundamentalism. Having performed “Steel Militia” at a Wounded Warriors retreat and seen the emotion that it provoked in Afghanistan veterans, Lunde hopes that by releasing this song into the world he can help raise awareness of the important work that the Wounded Warriors Foundation does for America’s soldiers. “This is why I support the important work of the Wounded Warriors Foundation – and hope to use this song to raise awareness of their work with our wounded veterans,” says Lunde.

Erik Lunde Soapstone Natural Area. Guitar.

“As a Christian pacifist who tries to live by the principles of non-violence, I wrote this song because I was deeply anguished by the events of 9/11, our subsequent invasion of Iraq, and the seemingly futile outcome of the occupation of Afghanistan.” – Erik Lunde

A folk-rock poet and Americana songsmith with a captivating voice, cinematic songs, and a dynamic stage presence, Colorado-based artist Erik Lunde “pens lyrics that are haunting and memorable poetry married with one of the widest arrays of melodies this area knows”. Having lived and wandered all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, hopping from place to place like a character in a Jack Kerouac novel, searching for stories and songs and experiences, and chalking up about 40 different addresses across North America, Erik Lunde is a songwriter and musician whose songs and sound bears the geography, culture, and history of his midwestern origins. Influenced by a wide variety of genres including gospel hymns, bluegrass, traditional country, rock & roll, and artists like Elton John, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, The Beatles, and David Bowie – Lunde has created his own genre-bending mashup that reflects that dichotomy. The founder and frontman of the Lunde Station band, a well-known staple on the Northern Colorado music scene from 2012 -2017, Lunde has re-emerged as a solo singer-songwriter, performing under his own name, searching for stories and songs and experiences, and chalking up about 40 different addresses across North America, he’s still chasing that same crazy dream with the stories and songs on this new record.

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Connect with Erik Lunde:

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Artist Spotlight

D. Edge drops irresistible new single “GO T.S.F.G.”

D. Edge is back with a bang! With his latest release, “GO T.S.F.G.,” the dynamic artist continues to impress with a catchy melody, infectious rhythm, and a living and breathing sound evolution that gives us plenty of reasons to keep an ear out. This track proves how D. Edge is a rising force in the new music scene, presenting a perfect balance of addictive beats with outstanding vocal flow.

The music has a driving energy but a laid-back feel, allowing the track to breathe and groove effortlessly. The hypnotic cadence of the melody keeps listeners moving and numbers vibrating at the same time. It’s a perfect demonstration of how D. Edge understands how to combine energy with ease, making every moment feel seamless and effortless.

But this is not only about the beat. But what makes “GO T.S.F.G.” stand out is D. Edge’s flawless melodic flow. His delivery rides effortlessly over the instrumental, carving every phrase easily and in style. It’s a performance with a sense of freedom throughout a single song. His voice hits sweet, almost ethereal notes and confident, nearly commanding ones, and he captures in his notes every turn.

Regarding lyrics, it sounds like an invitation to a unique sonic experience. MDOT D. Edge provides an atmosphere for the audience to jump into the unexplored world of the track, breaking free of the everyday to lose themselves in the soundscape truly. The song title, “GO T.S.F.G.,” raises a question, adding to the song’s allure as fans ponder its meaning.

This is an incredible song, and if you have been listening to his music for years or if you’re thinking about listening to it for the first time, Go T.S.F is a must. It highlights the evolution of someone like D. Edge. With this release, he has cemented himself as an artist to follow in the constantly changing music landscape.

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Artist Spotlight

Peter Wilson breathes melody into Utah Phillips’ legacy with haunting new single “Old Man”

“Old Man,” Peter Wilson’s newest song, is a raw intergenerational dialogue steeped in empathy and aching humanity. Written in collaboration with the now-deceased Utah Phillips, a legendary folk musician known as the “Golden Voice of the Great Southwest,” this song presents a moving narration through the eyes of someone society too often neglects.

With lyrics by Phillips and music by Wilson, “Old Man” unites two poets in time. The effect is a gorgeously stripped-down folk ballad that comes across less like a performance than a moment of authentic listening, like a man on a park bench finally telling you the truth about his life, and you can’t help but lean in. Wilson’s acoustic music is spare and stark, letting the story do the heavy lifting. Every chord sounds intentional, as if he’s allowing room for the words to breathe, not speeding them up, just allowing them to speak. His tone is steady and gentle, almost reverent, echoing and channeling the spirit of Phillips’ storytelling. Every note carries the respect you can hear.

However, what makes “Old Man” land so much harder is its unvarnished honesty. There’s no fancy version of homelessness here. No over-dramatization or overproduction. Just quiet, contemplative music that puts you in someone else’s frayed shoes. It’s the kind of song rarely written, inviting you to rest momentarily contemplate. The track feels timeless, rooted in classic folk, and has fresh emotional resonance. It resonates with today’s audience as incisively as it may have decades ago, reminding us that tales like this still play out on every street corner daily.

By combining Utah Phillips’ words with his musical setting, Peter Wilson has created more than a song. He’s made a vessel for compassion, memory, and our oneness as humans. “Old Man” has no interest in working for your attention. It quietly earns it.