Nikki and the RueMates perform on Radio Heartland

Nikki and the Ruemates
Nikki Matteson, Carrie Deans, and Rich Rue of Nikki and the RueMates.
Photo: Peter Lee

We all picture bands living together in a funky, brightly colored house filled with interesting people, like The Monkees did on TV in the sixties. It could happen... or not.

Nikki and the RueMates say they sometimes feel like they live together because of all the time they spend together in the van, but they aren't "roommates." The name of the band comes from Nikki Matteson and Rich Rue, who, along with Carrie Deans, all come from the same area in lovely southwest Minnesota. There, Nikki and Carrie were high school acquaintances, while Rich was already performing. Now a trio hailing from the Twin Cities, the band is busy playing clubs and festivals.

Nikki and the RueMates stopped in the Radio Heartland studio to play some songs from their latest album, "We All Live Together" (even though they don't) for host Dale Connelly.

Songs performed: "Down on Me", "I Am Your Angel" and "I Am A Tree"

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