DIEGO is the 2022 debut release from THE OTHER HIT, a Minneapolis-based band formed in 2014. The album is a nod to the sounds that drifted out of transistor radios in the 1970s. Radio stations playing hits of the day featured a tapestry of bubblegum pop, straight-up rock, soul music, cross-over country, and acoustic-based singer-songwriter fare. The  variety of styles that a kid could hear in a few hours glued to a Top 40 station on the A.M. dial influenced a generation (or two) of music fans. That influence comes through clearly on the ten original songs on The Other Hit’s album Diego. In August 2022, Aldora Britain Records of Rothley, UK, released remixes of “I Don’t Live in Colorado (Anymore)” and “Up on the Street (Swede Hollow),” featuring newly recorded drums by Harry C. Wilkinson Jr. Harry can be heard on the radio every day, drumming on Michael Murphey’s smash hit “Wildfire” – one of the very radio classics that influenced The Other Hit.   

The Album. Diego is loosely sequenced as an “electric side” and an “acoustic side.” Lyrically, the songs walk a path from historical inspiration to personal reflection to anticipation of coming days. The title track pays homage to artist Alberto Giacometti, “Up on the Street” is dedicated to St. Paul’s enigmatic Swede Hollow, and many of the songs’ roots run closer to the source. The songs developed into a quest by the writer to better understand his own life (if only a little bit) and are reflective of the variety of sounds and styles that played on the radio as he was growing up and coming of age. 

The Band. The Other Hit is Pat Courtemanche, Linda Haus, Carla Tollefsrud and Jim “Jimmy T” Tollefsrud. Pat, Jim and Carla have performed together in bands for more than 30 years, and they hooked up with Linda in the band The Bovine Alliance more than 25 years ago. From 1998 to 2009, the four were part of the band Candy, performing frequently around the Midwest, including such Twin Cities venues as the Viking Bar, Lee’s Liquor Lounge, 7th St. Entry and the Varsity Theater. Jim Tollefsrud (keyboards, vocals) has been a member of influential Twin Cities bands including NNB, Safety Last and the Front Porch Swingin’ Liquor Pigs. Carla Tollefsrud (vocals) has taken guest turns with Twin Cities acts including Parisota Hot Club, Willie Murphy, and many others. Linda Haus has played in bands covering most styles known to rock and acoustic music, including Mantra Truck, Spiney Norman, and Ruby Giant. Pat Courtemanche (guitar, keyboards, vocals) wrote the ten songs on Diego.

Guest musicians on Diego include Daryl Boudreaux (Sounds of Blackness, Minnesota Orchestra, Bruce Henry Band) – percussion on “Flag of Convenience” and “I Don’t Live in Colorado (Anymore)”; and David Courtemanche (a Buffalo, New York-based musician from the band Gutter Prophets, and Pat’s brother) – bass on “Open to Changes.” The remixes of “Colorado” and “Up on the Street” feature drums by Harry C. Wilkinson Jr., who has worked with Larry Coryell, Terri Gibbs, Michael Martin Murphey and many other greats.