Luke Callen

At the intersection of Harry Smith’s Old Weird America – the songs of heartworn highways – and the tumult of today you can find the music of Luke Callen. The songs – equal parts tragic comedy and hopeless reverie – paint a picture of the places and people that make up his earthly home.  A poet – a player – a folk singer – Luke has traversed his country unraveling tall tales – short tunes and all that’s hidden underneath.

Originally from the river town of La Crosse, Wisconsin – the heart of the Driftless Region on the Mississippi River – and currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota by way of Colorado  Luke brings his humble sense of humor and humanity wherever he may go. His previous two solo albums – I’ll Take it With Me (2017) and below your knows (2019) – reach from the ethereal to the eternally real – whimsical walks in the out of doors to hopelessness and heartache and all the in betweens.

Luke’s latest release – Hard Sardine, released May 18, 2021 – was recorded in Winona, MN by Noah Glenn Short. This self-produced album features Lauren Anderson on bass, Elliot Heinz on drums, Wolf van Elfmand on guitar, Joe Kopel on guitar and harmony vocals, Siri Undlin on harmony vocals, Noah Short on organ, and Adelyn Rose on clarinet.

Luke has played hundreds of shows spanning both coasts, the American west, south, and heartland. He has had the opportunity to provide support for Dom Flemons, Dead Horses, The Dustbowl Revival, Kacy & Clayton, James McMurtry, Whiskey Shivers, Charlie Parr, The Lowest Pair, The Last Revel, Lilly Hiatt, Chicago Farmer, and Robbie Fulks among others.

Past Shows


Apr
17
th
2023
Turf Club
Apr
17
th
2023
Turf Club

The Band of Heathens

with Luke Callen
Mar
5
th
2023
7th St Entry
Mar
5
th
2023
7th St Entry

Margo Cilker

with Luke Callen
Feb
16
th
2023
Turf Club
Feb
16
th
2023
Turf Club

Buffalo Nichols

with Luke Callen
Sep
18
th
2022
Turf Club
Sep
18
th
2022
Turf Club

Dead Horses

with Luke Callen
May
28
th
2022
Turf Club
May
28
th
2022
Turf Club

The Last Revel

with Luke Callen
Sep
4
th
2019
7th St Entry
Sep
4
th
2019
7th St Entry

Buffalo Gospel

MOVED FROM TURF CLUB
with Luke Callen
Aug
17
th
2018
7th St Entry
Aug
17
th
2018
7th St Entry

The Ghost of Paul Revere

with Luke Callen
Sep
29
th
2017
Turf Club
Sep
29
th
2017
Turf Club

Fruition

with Luke Callen

More Shows

Jul
24
th
Turf Club

Courtney Marie Andrews

Oct
17
th
Fine Line

Carbon Leaf

Jun
23
rd
First Avenue

The Klituation Pride Party

with JAX (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Dizzy Fae, Maria Isa and more!
Aug
15
th
7th St Entry

GEL

with The HIRS Collective and Truth Cult