Northern Light Shines

The ‘Northern Light’ shines on Huff Hills

Written by: Zakarí Helms

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the local ski and snowboard resort out at Huff Hills resort. It had been about five years since I had last been there. This excursion was full of reminiscent and neo-genic memories as I carved through the powder of my youth. My main reason for attending “Huff” was to shred with my newly found friends and fans of the Beulah-based band, Northern Light. The band members consist of Jordan Eslinger, Bronson Heid, Nick Kasanke, and Danny Harildstad, I also was able to snowboard with the local legend and skate acquaintance, Ben Suchy, who also was playing a set with NL.

            After a day of shredding with Northern Light and Ben, I got to see these local gems. Vocalist and guitar player, Jordan Eslinger describes his band’s genre as “Americana, Rock, and Bluegrass”. The band was originally a two member duo consisting of Eslinger and Heid, but about six months ago the quartet was created. The Instruments they played varied, but were not limited to: banjolele (YES a hybrid of a banjo and a ukele), washtub bass bucket, and a washboard.

The venue was a corner of the Huff Hills Chalet, which was wall papered with local art submissions for their Ski Safety Poster contest. A tip jar passed its way around as the band was working pro-Bono. Songs were played ranging in diversity from: The Beach Boys to Portugal. The Man—

Bob Dylan to Bob Marley and The Wailers—

Most songs were originals with the exception of one John Prine cover of “Spanish Pipedream”.

            The way this band unifies musically makes the novice listener believe the crew has been solid for decades. With only six months of practicing together this group has been nominated for two North Dakota Music awards, Best Folk Band and Best Bluegrass Band.

            The venue wasn’t ideal for the bands, but they made it a humble stage where listeners varied in age from toddlers to Grand dads. Youngsters were inspired by Northern Light’s handmade and unconventional instruments made from what appears to be stuff laying around the farm!

            Ben Suchy played a plethora of original songs with no planned setlist. He played intimate tunes that seem to have been inspired by hip-hop/blues/reggae/folk. Suchy was a one-man band with a harmonica stand and a guitar at hand. With lyrics like, “These neckties are just upside down nooses” he captivated the audience. Suchy recalls that this is the first outdoor music event during the ski season at Huff Hills. He played songs that make reference to Shangri-la Music festival with “Harmony Park” His original, “Two Birds” shows lyricism as strong as Bob Dylan and a set of pipes that just wont break! There is also a version on youtube with John Wayne from John Wayne and the Pain.

            This weekend was a nice season finale to a good year of snow for Huff Hills, filled with great music, and great weather with a temperature of nearly fifty degrees. I hope that this is not the finale for music at Huff Hills Ski Resort and that this small step will lead to more music and recreation collaborations in Huff, North Dakota! Vote for your favorite local artists at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2NXSJQQ

and be sure to check out Northern Light on bandcamp:  https://northernlightfolk.bandcamp.com/

and Ben Suchy via: https://www.reverbnation.com/bensuchy