For new music, nothing beats the Midwest for the occasional surprise from left field.

The Minneapolis scene has produced acts that changed rock. In the ’80s, fans of progressive across the country knew The Replacements and Hsker D.

Now, alternative’s gone corporate, and indie music is on life support.

Minneapolis is no different.

One band breaking away from the pack is named for a Minneapolis neighborhood where the winding streets crisscross in what is known as Tangletown.

Tangletown plays alternative roots rock and recently released its first album, “Ordinary Freaks.”

The band’s music is described as “classic rock with a Midwest feel.” Its style, reminiscent of The Connells, is supported by the lyrics and husky vocals of Seth Zimmerman and backed by Peter Sands’ Hammond organ, giving Tangletown a unique alternative folk sound.

Sands, according to Zimmerman, is a “keyboard junkie.”

“He’s got every vintage keyboard instrument,” Zimmerman said. “He uses the Hammond a lot, and he ties it together like glue; a lot of keyboard players don’t make the group, but this guy does.”

Zimmerman is the nephew of folk icon, Bob Dylan. His famous family connection may make his musical inclination and talent inevitable, but it doesn’t guarantee his band’s success.

For Zimmerman and Tangletown, the industry works the same: Business as usual. A famous family connection can be a double-edged sword with obstacles as well as benefits.

“In some ways, people are curious,” Zimmerman said, “but their expectations are high for what you can produce; it puts more heat on the performance.”

Zimmerman also pointed out that Dylan’s influence was no more than that of any other uncle who might be musically inclined, adding that music has its own power to influence.

“I wouldn’t say that I am influenced by him that much, but you’re always influenced by your family,” Zimmerman said. “When you’re exposed to music as much as I’ve been, you’re going to be influenced.”

Tangletown is doing its best to avoid the corporate formula dominating music of the ’90s.

The band has been lucky enough to get what a lot of bands haven’t had since the heyday of the Minneapolis scene — airplay.

Tangletown produces and picks the tracks on its albums, and unlike a lot of bands today, the group gets spun in its hometown.

“We’ve done something a little different; we’ve actually got some radio play,” Zimmerman said. “[In the ’80s], you had renegades spinning records, and now things are geared toward AAA format; it’s more calculated.”

The live music scene has also been hampered by a glut of musicians which, according to Zimmerman, means audiences who are into live music may not have a clue as to who is worth the money.

“There’s a lot more bands now, anyone can get a job if they aren’t drunk and are in tune. It’s hard for the average listener to discern what is good, and rock critics are just reacting to what’s popular,” Zimmerman said. “Back then, the stories were bigger than the recordings; people talked about the shows — how loud Hsker D was.”

The band is back in Minnesota putting the final touches on its new video, but Friday, Tangletown will make a stop in Ames for a 9:30 p.m. show at People’s Bar and Grill.