Mitch Thompson, a Minnesota native from Albert Lea, spent the first three decades of his career deeply involved in the creative process. He provided lighting, studios, and camera equipment for the production of movies, TV commercials, documentaries, and various forms of visual media. Often referred to as the “nuts and bolts” of the creative process, Mitch understood that excelling in his role was crucial for enabling others to achieve their best creative work.

In his new career at the Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) and its signature initiative, the Minnesota Music Archive, Mitch‘s mission remains similar. His goal is to ensure that the work of Minnesota’s musicians is preserved and promoted.

This mission is driven by a sentiment expressed by musician Nick Cave: “I feel that music isn’t just entertainment. It’s possibly the last authentic opportunity for transcendent experience we have left to us in the secular world. I think that music is a moral force for good — that’s embedded within the nature of music itself: It can make things better, so I take that really seriously.”