Julian Hernandez and Katrina Axtell perform as the pop duo Axtell. The two will perform locally for two days in June before heading off to other parts of the Midwest and western U.S. Katrina is a graduate of Cook County High School and is the daughter of Treg and Denise Axtell of Hovland.
The Buenos Aires, Argentina-based pop soul duet “Axtell” will be returning to the North Shore in June as part of a five-month, 16-state tour of the U.S. Midwest and West.
The band’s namesake, Cook County graduate Katrina Axtell, traveled to Buenos Aires in 2015 to finish a bachelor’s degree in biology. Although untrained in singing, her voice and stage presence at a local jam caught the attention of young Argentine soloist Julian Hernandez.
Through some twists of fate, a spur-of-the-moment road trip to Chile, and first lessons on a plastic ukulele, the duet emerged. After months of performing on the city’s subways and trains and writing songs in both Spanish and English, they announced the name “Axtell,” recorded their first EP (No More Monkey Business, 2016), and organized their first U.S. tour, including stage performances at Fisherman’s Picnic and the Hovland Art Festival.
Amazed at the response of their new audience, the duo quickly announced a second, larger tour to accompany the release of their sophomore EP, “Traveler” (June 2017).
The tour kicks off in Duluth followed by a free performance at Cascade Pub & Restaurant in Lutsen on Thursday, June 15, and a donation-based CD release show at the Grand Marais Playhouse on Friday, June 16.
Physical copies of both CDs as well as band T-shirts and stickers will be available at both Cook County performances.
Learn more about Axtell, the “Traveler” EP, and their 2017 tour, or hear their music at axtellduo.com or facebook.com/axtellduo!
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