MAHNOMEN, Minn. - Anishinaabe artist Doyle Turner is coming home, and he’s introducing his new album to its place of origin. On Friday, Nov. 13th, the Gizhiigan Arts Incubator in Mahnomen, MN will host the premiere of the songs for Turner’s new recording “Inland.” Turner’s band, “The Sweet Beans,” featuring the musicians who recorded the album, will perform with him that night. His brother, musician Steve Turner, will play an opening set. The show begins at 7:00 p.m., is free, and is open to all ages.
Turner grew up in Naytahwaush, MN - at the very heart of the White Earth Reservation: bike trails, endless days spent in the outdoors, a tight-knit family, and one stop sign at the top of the hill, Turner’s ”little town tucked back in the woods” became the inspiration for a new album after he saw an art show based on the people of his hometown. Naytahwaush visual artist Kent Estey’s show “Naytahwaush; Faces, Stories and Artists Exhibition” was first displayed at Gizhiigan in the Spring of 2024. Turner said, “Seeing all of the people I knew from my childhood featured as creators really made me realize how influential that town and those people were on me and my music.”
The new record features Dan Schwartz (Neighborhood Quartet), Nate Lebrun (Humbird, Bad Bad Hats, Squinny), Matthew Blake (Gentleman’s Anti Temperance League) and Sarah Morris (Sarah Morris and the Sometimes Guys) with appearances by Nikki Lemire, Kai Brewster, and Cameron Kinghorn. The songs are infused with the sound of 70s and early 80s country and rock and roll with a healthy dose of the Turner family 8-track and vinyl collection. “Inland” was produced by Sarah Morris.
A 2026 Dylan Fest Songwriting Contest Winner, a 2025 Great River Folk Festival Songwriting Contest First Runner Up ,and a 2023 Red Lodge Songwriting Contest Finalist, Turner released his previous album, “Paper Maps," in late 2024.
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine wrote, "Turner creates from the heart without filter or pretense,” and named the title track to its Best New Songs from October 2024 in its “Minnesota Playlist October” feature.