Happy New Year! Here's a handful of fresh videos from local artists who are dead set on proving that Minnesota music doesn't have a "slow season." Ever. Which is totally fine with me.

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1. Caroline Smith & the Good Night Sleeps make an Eagle's Nest

This track off Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleep's 2011 album Little Wind gets a beautiful new treatment with an official video, which opens with some sweet, layered a capella harmonies before pulling us into an old-timey Western campfire scene for the remainder of the song.

2. Lizzo takes center stage

Just a few weeks after announcing that she's officially parted ways with musical collaborator the Larva Ink, Lizzo stars in this new video for "W.E.R.K.," which is a track off the Chalice's debut EP.

3. The Ericksons take us to April Base

I'm calling it now: 2013 is going to be the Erickson's year. Their new full-length album, The Wild, which was recorded at Justin Vernon's April Base studio and produced by Field Report's Beau Sorenson, is due out January 17. This video offers a fitting preview of what to expect.

4. Saint Anyway go for a winter drive

Cheers to Erik Thompson for unearthing this little gem. The video doesn't offer up anything fancy, but it's a familiar scene for those of us with cars here in Minnesota and it serves as a great introduction to this trio from Cloquet.

5. Audio Perm cypher in advance of the Best Love is Free

The fourth installment of the Best Love is Free compilation will coincide with a big release show at the Fine Line on February 9. In the weeks leading up to the show, the events' organizers will be releasing a series of videos from participating artists; I'm particularly fond of this first one, which features freestyles from up-and-coming collective Audio Perm.