Beyond Bluegrass: Dig Deep

Dig Deep is a unique and powerful force in the roots world with a hard-edged sound far beyond bluegrass. All the band members come from a punk music background, but band spokesman Alex Dalnodar says he got into bluegrass when he walked into a tavern and heard the 357 String Band. “Joseph Huber in 357 is an endless well of inspiration. We would not exist as a band if they had never existed.”

The Stevens Point, Wisconsin-based band formed in 2015. “Stevens Point has a vibrant music scene. We bonded over the shared inspiration of traditional bluegrass and the love of rock n’ roll,” says Alex. “We have combined decades of hard gigging in the punk/metal scene.” The members of Dig Deep all left a cow punk band called The Ditchrunners. “We played a lot of country cover stuff. But we became a unit and started writing together.” The members re-formed, and the only change was the bass player. They adopted the name Dig Deep, and now they play regionally, in roadhouses, local bars, and festivals, but they have done a coast-to-coast tour and have been talking about playing abroad. “We did a tour with Steve'n Seagulls, who did AC/DC covers. We would really like to do more stuff like that.”

Attending a Dig Deep show is an energizing experience. Much more than a string band show, Dig Deep is known for its boisterous performances. The Milwaukee Record described them as “the bluegrass equivalent to a ‘dogs playing poker’ painting. It’s casual, but still professional and friendly, but also very metal,” and “foot-stomping rhythm, sing-along harmonies, and infectious mandolin and banjo picking.”

Members of the band include Alex (guitar/vocals), Oscar Noetzel (banjo), Aaron von Barron (bass), and Bob Weigandt (mandolin). The release of their album, Heavy Heart, coincided with the COVID pandemic, which trashed their plans for a tour. Other albums include Live in Denver(11.121.24), Lair of Hodag (2024), and Dig Deep (2015). The Lotta Morgan is an album released on vinyl in September 2017. The songs on the album chronicle the murder of a beloved film actress in Hurley, Wisconsin, during the great Northwoods mining boom. A description of the album on discogs.com says, “with characteristic vision, craft, and clout, the four-piece group firmly establishes their ground outside the realm of conventional Americana while exploring sonic and literary territory that plumbs the depths of power and weight.” Alex says, “It’s a noteworthy release.”

According to Alex, 75% of what they play are original tunes. They dropped two albums last year, so touring has been a priority this year. “We definitely have some songs brewing,” says Alex. “We may try to get into the studio this winter. The plan is to finish a new album in the spring and release it next summer.”

The band hosts a music festival in Stevens Point each February called Tip-Up Pike Jam. “My family does it, and yes, it is an outdoor festival in Wisconsin,” says Alex, “It has an ice fishing tournament, live music, and more, and a lot of people from the bluegrass community turn out. We raise money for a local non-profit called Jessie’s Wish.” The festival celebrated its seventh year this year. Check the Tip-Up Pike Jam Facebook Page for the 2026 festival dates.

To get a taste of Dig Deep, click here for a video of their tune, “Heavy Heart,” the title song from their 2020 album.