When Twin Peaks returned to television in 2017, I quickly learned to check my expectations at the door and submit myself to the experience. One surprise (of many) was that the Roadhouse had transformed into a thriving music venue hosting real life touring artists. Many of the bands that graced the stage were new to me, and upon hearing their song “Mississippi” in Part 3, I took an immediate liking to The Cactus Blossoms. Eight years later, this Minneapolis-based alt-country band stopped in my hometown on tour and I finally had the pleasure of seeing them perform live.
THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS IN SACRAMENTO, CA
On Sunday March 9, 2025, The Cactus Blossoms played to a packed house at The Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA. Frontmen Page Burkum and Jack Torrey were joined by a touring lineup of Jake Hanson (lead guitar), Jeremy Hanson (drums), and Phillip Hicks (bass).
The band ripped through several tracks from their newest release, “Every Time I Think About You,” but found plenty of time in their 90-minute set to reach back to 2016’s “You’re Dreaming” for longtime fans.
The crowd cheered upon recognition of the drum intro to “Mississippi.” I confess, I snuck a peek at the setlist so I would have my camera ready.
The band paused after this song and Burkum asked the audience, “Does anyone here like Twin Peaks?” This was met with applause. “Rest in Peace, David Lynch,” Torrey added. He reflected on what a unique artist Lynch was and how much The Cactus Blossoms enjoyed working with him, saying “he was so kind to us.”
To my surprise, Torrey then spoke directly to me. He had clocked my outfit, which consisted of Pizza Eaters’ dutiful recreation of the C.O.O.P. shirt produced during the 1991 campaign to save Twin Peaks from cancellation, and an Electric Light Orchestra hat.
“I love your hat. Is it new? I have to get one of those,” Torrey said, as ELO is one of The Cactus Blossoms’ primary musical influences.
“He’s wearing a Twin Peaks shirt and an ELO hat,” he said to the crowd. “That’s our entire demographic,” Burkum responded with a chuckle.
With that ice breaker, I was at ease approaching the band after the show. They were happy to chat about Twin Peaks, saying how surprised they were to be featured so deliberately when they expected to be used in the background. Torrey and Burkum recalled attending the premiere event at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles on May 19, 2017. The star-studded event was a bit intimidating for the young musicians, but they fondly remember David Lynch addressing the crowd to speak about his love of trees and wood.
The duo asked if Sacramento was a “Twin Peaks town.” I told them that until recently, I didn’t think so. But the enthusiasm at this show and the recent David Lynch fan memorial has made me reconsider.
They kindly signed my record and posed for a photo with me and Bookhouse Gal Christin Carlano before parting.
THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS ON TOUR
If you have the opportunity to catch The Cactus Blossoms on tour, you won’t be disappointed. You can find details on the band’s upcoming shows HERE.
And Jack, if you’re reading this, you can find your own Electric Light Orchestra hat HERE.
