Harmony can mean bringing two or more parties together, despite their separations, and blending them together into a sum that exceeds their parts.

Sometimes, that separation can be a great distance, like the length of a trip from Minneapolis to Bismarck.

That's the length of the journey Neal Peterson, a musician with North Dakota roots now making his way in the Twin Cities, will make in time for Saturday's Harmony Festival, which kicks off at 11 a.m. at Municipal Ballpark on South Washington Street.

Peterson will play his set at 4:30 p.m. on the BNCStage. Fourteen acts are scheduled throughout the day across two stages, including Gypsyfoot, Trifecta, Ben Suchy, The Levee and Luke Graner. Admission will be $10 at the gate.

This will be Peterson's first time performing at the annual Harmony Festival. "Iwas invited by my good friend, Luke Graner,"Peterson said. The two played together in the band Curious Yello for several years across North Dakota and Minnesota. "Between that and Luke living in Bismarck, Ialways seem to get to town to play a show every now and then."

Peterson was born in Bottineau and grew up in Minot. He says he believes that growing up in our state can be beneficial to any developing artist.

"It's amazing how western North Dakota is such an isolated area, yet it fosters immense creativity in so many that come from it,"he said.

Peterson will be rolling into town fresh on the heels of releasing his new EP, "Chaos Theory, Explained." He describes the new album as "an experiment."

"What's exciting about this CD is that it's a pretty radical departure from my previous acoustically driven albums," he said. "The music is built upon synthetic beats, but it still retains a solid rock feel by the integration of guitars and melodic vocals.

"I've decided that life is too short to repeat a chorus, and the songwriting reflects that it moves fast. It's the type of disc you listen to twice when you need to get something done."

The CD will be available for purchase online at Peterson's Web site, www.nealpeterson.com, or through iTunes within a couple of weeks. However, anyone interested can get their hands on a disc at Harmony Festival through a pretty special deal.

Instead of selling the CD there, he will be asking people to "pay it forward,"and giving the money they would have spent on to the charity of their choice, in exchange for the disc. "I've been recommending the Humane Society for those who don't have a preference,"he said.

"After all,"he said in closing, "I'm working on a revolution."

(Columnist Kelly Hagen can be reached at 250-8259 or kelly.hagen@;bismarcktribune.com.)