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Sofar Sounds Minneapolis: March 8, 2015

For International Women’s Day 2015, Sofar Sounds Minneapolis hosted a show in conjunction with other Sofar Sounds cities worldwide on March 8th. With such a hotbed of musical talent - all genders included - in the Twin Cities, we were grateful to have such a diverse pool to choose from. Our hosts Eli and Nina welcomed us into their gorgeous and historic home on the edge of Minnehaha Creek for a night of stunning sights and sounds. 

Warehouse Eyes, the fabulous duo of Jennie Lahlum and Chris Williams - who hosted our holiday gig back in December - opened our March show with their elegant dream-pop tunes. Beats filled in for the rest of the absent band, but I doubt anyone felt they were missing out. Lahlum’s vocals are captivating: both grounded and ethereal. Her classically trained voice is one of few who can hit the really (really) high notes without a trace of feeling harsh or too loud. And as she sighed “is this love?,” there was only one answer for us all: yes. 

Lahlum’s expressive hand motions, keeping our eyes focused, cued the crowd in during a sing-a-long to their third tune, “Drive,” while Williams kept the keys going. These two have strong chemistry and work ethic, and Warehouse Eyes has had a busy last two years. Their first EP Carvings came out in 2014 and now this five-piece is releasing their second EP Prisms in June of this year. Stayed tuned for when you should show up to Icehouse in a few short months. 

Niki Becker was up next, performing with band member Shawn Davis. Becker, no newcomer to the Minneapolis music scene, has a mature and soulful sound - but a fun and slightly southern one at that. This minimalist set, without the full lineup of band mates, highlighted the thought put into her lyrics and compositions. As “come close if you want to, but only if you want to” grew in emphasized repetition on her second tune, I felt something in me shift. Becker speaks simply, hailing from older sounds to create modern classics. 

Although most of her set was on the slower side, the last tune - a new single titled “Safety Mode” - picked up the pace with a more upbeat and driving tempo. Niki Becker has been working on many more new songs, and will be releasing a new album this year. See her solo on April 15th at the Aster Cafe opening for Katy Vernon, and then catch the new album Reactor and release show out mid-June of this year. 

Finally, Jessica Manning. Oh. Oh those vocals. I could listen all day to her rich, soulful, and clear tones. Joined by Zach Brose on electric guitar, Manning combined the compositions of her acoustic strings with the versatility of her voice for an intimate closing set. Elements of jazz and soul, as well as a floating atmosphere not unlike that of Angels and Airwaves, weave themselves together to create a modern sense of soul: the perfect soundtrack for sunrise or sunset.

In their first tune, Brose’s guitar soloing mimicked that of strings, and for a moment I felt myself among a string quartet. In the second, I was struck by Manning’s lyrics: “...going to the place where skies don’t fall into you.” Her words speak of a wisdom far beyond her years, but her ego does not follow. Manning is a genuine and enthusiastic spirit, with a rich musical and international upbringing. She grew up in Sweden, with her father as a strong musical influence. And I’m tempted to say that the former was a strong influence in style. 

In the recent past, Manning recorded a song in LA with Colbie Caillat’s guitarist (at the time), and next she looks forward to making an LP with a newer sound - incorporating electronic sounds and samples from influences such as Kevin Garrett. Find Jessica Manning live this month at Bryant Lake Bowl on April 25th opening for fellow Sofar Minneapolis alum Jourdan Myers. 

It’s already inspiring to be a part of something as wide-reaching and celebratory of music as Sofar Sounds. But when the global community of Sofar comes together on one day, no matter how far apart, to support and listen to musicians who historically - and still today - tend to get a bit less of the limelight, it brings us all much closer together. Hey guys, let’s do this again next year.  

Words by Kelsey Simpkins

Photos by Joel Menk

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Sofar Sounds Minneapolis: February 22, 2015

On one of the deepest freezes of this winter, hosts Gabriela and Dave welcomed us into their home for an evening of unique sounds, sights, and socialization. A mountain of shoes and boots piled up at the door as we assembled a critical mass, but the resident canine took no mind in his excitement of greeting every guest. When we finally settled down for the show, our four-legged friend found it a bit difficult to join us in the calm, endlessly enthused about whatever was happening. We’ll give him a pass - it was his first show after all, and it’s hard to contain one’s initial curiously of Sofar. 

Graveyard Club kicked off the evening, performing songs from their recent 2014 release, Nightingale, and earlier EP, Sleepwalk, at their first stripped down set (ever!). You would never guess this was their first living room session, as the improvised muting of drums and balance of instruments created the perfect sound for the space. Matthew’s vocals took us to another dimension, full in both high and low ranges. While prominent or understated as each song calls for, his rich tones fit into each one effortlessly: his vocals crafted to enhance the music and their music crafted to highlight his vocals. Amanda’s harmonies and solo features match in the same way, blending with Matthew’s to complete a lovely layered sound; each part distinguishable but part of the whole. As a whole, their sound has a dimly lit, romantic, low-key feel that would be perfect in an indie film or your everyday life. 

The members of Graveyard Club easily swapped instruments between tunes, and this visual only added to the impressive performance they pulled off. They’re a tight group, a combination of friends who have played music together for years in smaller, differently arranged groups. After Matt and Mike completed their Sleepwalk EP, Cory and Amanda joined in, and the full release Nightingale came together rather quickly. They’re hoping to tour this year sometime, but for now are playing local shows this spring - catch them coming up at Turf Club in Saint Paul on April 4th.

Bora York was up next: the project of Chris and Rebekah Bartels, plus friends, which usually makes up a five-piece. We were joined by three for the night, with Brian on acoustic guitar and Chris on electric. They charmed us with their dream pop goodness; soft harmonies perfectly on pitch between all three voices. Bora York strikes me as a form of early morning music, as it feels full of potential, and is light and hopeful, as well as tender. Not to say they can’t rock out - which is what they did on the closer “Let Loose,” a single from 2014 that will be on their upcoming 2015 album. As they are “pretty much done recording,” Chris said, I’m optimistic on a June or July release. 

Finally having Bora York at Sofar Sounds was quite fun for me, I met Chris and Rebekah at 7th Street Entry when I first moved to Minneapolis in 2012 and they had just released Dreaming Free - which they played the title track of on Sunday night. 2014 was quite exciting as the band released two new singles: "Let Loose," and "Leagues," with new collaboration involved, as well as mixing and mastering done across the country in LA and New York. It's a busy time for this couple, now with a young new member of the family at home and Chris managing Anthem Falls Music, but they’re playing at The Varsity on March 21st and their next album is due out this year. 

Part of what’s hard to translate in writing or photographs is the ambiance of an evening and the space in which it occurs. But I must confess, this location was one of my favorite houses in which we've ever hosted a Sofar show. The living room contains a huge mirror on one wall, which created the illusion of a larger space, and the color throughout the house made for a warmth that contrasted the bitter cold outside. The hallways made it so you were bound to bump into someone new, and make a new friend. It’s one of my favorite things about Sofar - audiences gaining a new community of fellow music-lovers right in their own neighborhood. 

i like you. closed out our night - and for those who live in Minneapolis, no this is not the retail shop in Northeast, but one of the most optimistic bands in the Twin Cities. Their uplifting music as well as the infectious positive charisma of lead vocalist Wendy Soleil (or Sunshine) created a delightful end to our evening. They’re a hard group to pin down genre-wise, but there’s elements of soul, reggae, blues, funk, and jazz all mixed up and delivered via six musicians who are having a lot of fun. They could hardly all fit in the living room, but their condensed energy was contagious. 

I say this about many bands, but i like you is a must-see - or rather, must-listen - in-person experience. Their songs build up in complexity and pull you in as a whole, mentally, in a way that requires few distractions - perfect for a living room show like Sofar. The band is so captivating, that despite the fact that Wendy is the sole remaining founding member after 6 years, i like you. has had no problem attracting talented new members. Both trumpet player Bobby and violist Karen saw the group live at some point and decided they needed to join, which was a fantastic choice on both their parts. Karen is so committed, she even ran off stage during a song to calm a cough, and jumped right back in after to finish it! Then they had fun covering their soulful arrangement of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) to finish the night.

i like you. is a band full of beautiful hearts, as well as beautiful music. They play frequently around town and are having a CD release this year at Cabooze on May 29th, if you feel like spending an evening with a huge grin on your face. It’s a familiar feeling to being at a Sofar show all night, with evidence of all of our smiling faces from that evening below. 

Words by Kelsey Simpkins

Photos by Joel Menk

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Sofar Sounds Minneapolis: December 14, 2014

During a brief warm spell in mid-December here in Minnesota, musicians and guests alike ducked inside Jennie and Chris' house, safe from the drizzle with mud on their snowboots. Those mild temperatures, sadly, have been forgotten completely in the month since. However, what has not been forgotten is the music and holiday cheer shared that Sunday evening. There was every type of cookie, warming drink, and pleasing sound to sooth the soul. Holiday sweaters - although a bit toasty in the packed first floor - abounded, themed show posters by designer Theresa Ptak (below) adorned the walls, and as usual, cords, microphones, and instruments lay set around the room as we settled in. 

Lynn O'Brien - who previously performed at Sofar Sounds Minneapolis in August 2013 - graced us once again with her inspiring presence and musicality. In her songs, like "Hummingbirds," she uses analogies to describe things such as feeling supported in a relationship, and spins a subtle joy beneath each note, with soul shining brightly through. A starry-eyed audience remained frozen, in what I can assume was awe, listening to O'Brien's voice. She even commented afterward, "The only person who moved was the dog!" 

Next, O'Brien covered the recognizable, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," of Marley's - which became a sing-a-long. I was impressed by both the commitment of the audience as well as O'Brien's masterful use of loops to create a lush background of accompaniment that she sang in and with and on top of. She finished her set with pair of tunes that exemplify her current situation: quitting her day job in order to fully pursue music full-time. "Up Up Up" is a still-in-progress piece that positively reassures herself of her chosen direction, and "Let Go, Move Forward" builds in slow loops and layers to create an intricate and memorable end product. With her gorgeous and approachable voice, and optimistic outlook, I see only success down the road for O'Brien.

Reina del Cid - the most recent Sofar Sounds Minneapolis alum present, from June 2014 - stepped up next. Taking the stage once again with the talented Tony Lindgren, the duo sang, strummed, and picked their way through songs about love, life, and spending time around the campfire. Well in-sync with each other, the two created a laid-back, enjoyable performance full of mutual respect. As Reina del Cid accurately stated, it is "so great to play to a room full of people actually listening." 

Between two Sofar shows, a residency at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, opening for Chris Koza's CD release show, and more, Reina del Cid played the 4th greatest number of live shows in 2014 in the Twin Cities. They also are near the end of recording at the famous Pachyderm studios in Cannon Falls. Keep an eye out for more music and shows from this hotbed of talent, and Reina's in-progress bluegrass side project, No Tent. 

Did I mention there was a dog? The sweetest dog ever? Her name is Blanche, and she's a foster - which means she may still be up for adoption! Check out PetFinder.com and other adoption groups if you're looking to bring home a Blanche of your own. 

Finally, Tree Party - one of the earliest performers for Sofar Sounds Minneapolis - stepped up to play. This group of instrumentalists almost didn't fit in the living room, spilling over in the kitchen by about half an upright bass. A happier form of blues, with jazz and folk influences, filled the rest of the room. I don't often have difficulty describing what music sounds like - good music, don't get me wrong - but I wrote things like "music to sway to?" and "no idea how to describe this" in my notebook the evening of, if that gives you any indication of why you should pursue hearing this sound for yourself. 

Although all members are equally involved, band member Joey Ford was a 2013 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, which allowed the group to create its third album, Iced Over: Thawing Minnesota's Local Lore, a year-long project of researching stories and local history in smaller communities across Minnesota. Hymie's Vintage Records in Longfellow named it Best of 2014! Read their review here. 

If you're looking to see Tree Party live, check online for touring dates - otherwise they play with the Roe Family Singers every 3rd Monday night at the 331 in Northeast. 

Note: not only were our musical performers multi-talented, our hosts Jennie and Chris play in a local band called Warehouse Eyes! And they have a show this Thursday at Turf Club as part of The Dirty Banks EP release, if you want to check them out. 

And lastly, thank you to all 2014 Sofar Sounds Minneapolis performers, hosts, and attendees! We couldn't have done it without you. 

Words by Kelsey Simpkins

Photos by Joel Menk 

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Sofar Sounds Minneapolis: March 26, 2014

It's the last thing you might expect to take place in a vacant office space, down the street from the Minneapolis impound lot on a Wednesday night: four live local musical acts and over forty people come to listen. But then again, if you're familiar with Sofar Sounds, it just sounds like a good time. As they drifted in, people brought chairs and pillows to spruce up the stark space and make it feel more like home, like the living rooms we usually occupy for a night. There was even a (nonfunctional) fireplace! Being among familiar and welcome new faces however, is what makes Sofar Minneapolis feel like a home. 

Besides the unusual setting, there were a few other firsts for the night. One, that it was decently warm and pleasant outside - a drastic contrast to the previous show. And second, that two very plugged-in acts performed, a difficult feat for a space with only outlets and walls. The evening started off, however, with the acoustic sets: Dylan McFarling and returning alum Chastity Brown. 

Dylan McFarling, on acoustic guitar, was joined by singer-songwriter Paul Spring also on guitar and Charlie Bruber on upright bass. Their sound as a trio combined jazz, folk, and blues, with McFarling’s raw but full vocals fitting the style. The tunes were playful, with well-used harmonies and dynamic contrasts keeping the crowd silently focused. A strong focus on the instrumental elements throughout almost made the vocals secondary, Spring’s additional guitar and the string bass incorporated effortlessly. Not to say the lyrics weren’t important, however, as McFarling’s self-aware reflections added meaningful concepts to each tune. Before his second song, he joked that like all songwriters who play acoustic guitar, he’s written several breakup songs. Except he decided to mash them all together into one, “Grey and Green,” which he said ended up “a little on the dark side, but I hope you still enjoy it.” And like all songwriters, maybe he doubts the strength of his lyrics, but McFarling should not doubt his guitar playing skills. The string playing talent in this trio, who has been playing less than a year together, is impeccable. It’s like they are in each other’s heads, Bruber and Spring reading McFarling’s mind as he goes along, making it look easy. But then again, that’s just how great musicians work. Taking a break from singing, the three of them ended with an instrumental track, reminding me of summer and the windows-down road-tripping days soon to come.

McFarling and his fellow musicians are currently recording an EP at Sound Temple Recording Vault, which will be released at Amsterdam Bar and Hall on May 23 in a triple EP release party with Paul Spring and Maple and Beech. If you want to get a listen in before then, check them out at Cause Soundbar on April 23rd and keep an eye out on Facebook. 

When I asked Chastity Brown if she was a signed artist (which I know she is) in order to have her sign our release form for the evening, she hesitated. “There’s little difference in the forms,” I explained, “I just try to make sure people sign the right one.” Chastity laughed though and told me she was kind of angry with her label at the moment, so “let’s do the unsigned one.” When she started her set, she told the audience this story and how she was going to be playing all new material anyway, and we laughed, cheered, and felt more rebellious than we already did, crowded together at an event that few people in town knew was even happening. And in these new songs we heard what Chastity is known for, the unparalleled warmth and soul in her voice that has to be heard in person to fully be appreciated. The endings and beginnings as one, each song flowing into and out of the silence with honesty incarnate. With just her voice and her guitar, she can completely fill a space, using every aspect of a room with stomping or drumming on her instrument. Admittedly, she is from the south, and “not a timid Minnesotan;” announcing she was “gonna put y’all to work,” asking us to add snaps to the beat of one tune. And while we joined in on that song, mostly we were quiet and listening in, as her minimalistic sound requires a situation like Sofar: an audience who cares enough to let the musicians make all the noise. If you want to hear what I’m talking about, she has shows coming up this spring and one in July at the New Century Theater. 

After a short break, Beasthead stepped up to play, beginning the plugged-in half of the evening. After an intimidating amount of audio equipment was loaded in a few hours previous, everything worked out just fine. While some groups who have played at our shows are able to unplug and maintain their sound, Beasthead is not one of those, but it does not count against them. Their specific use of autotune and delay vocal effects is what makes their sound recognizable. And in contrast to other acts I have encountered who use these effects, Beasthead does not abuse autotune. If you have ever listened to Top 40 on the radio or been to a show where the lead singer wouldn’t be a lead singer without autotune, you know this is a problem. So while rare at a Sofar gig, vocal effects were beneficial to the poppy, grungy, and dreamy tunes that these four friends produce. There are elements of jazz at points, or maybe a desire to dance, as well as a darker element to an otherwise floating feeling. It’s easy to imagine a late night party you’d want to be at in Minneapolis with this on in the background.

With this genre, don’t make the mistake of thinking that all their songs sound the same. Their tune “Ditch” created a sense of nostalgia, inducing memories, and “Numbers” blends too many genres to count but maintains a flow that keeps you hooked. If you want to hear what I mean, catch them around Minnesota in April. They just had another gig on April 5th at Barfly (their reoccurring Pancakes and Booze event), then a show on April 18th  at the Nomad with Cruel Love and Pornono among others, and they’re also doing a 4/20 blowout in Duluth. And if you want to know more, just ask them. These guys are some of the friendliest electronic/rock musicians I know. Or you can keep taps on Facebook. 

When I found Aaron & the Sea online this past year, I was very impressed. When I saw them end the show this past week, I was not disappointed. The dark and lush sounds I heard recorded came to life loud and vibrantly in the unfurnished space, the acoustics strangely complimentary for an office space. And if we all hadn’t been tired at the end of the night (a weeknight, to be fair), the urge to move would have been difficult to ignore with catchy electronic beats that itch inside your bones. Also, like the lead singer in Beasthead, Aaron uses vocal effects to achieve his stylistic goal but has no technical need for them. While the music is airy and dream-like, his vocals are clear and focused. This strong and straight tone feels its way around the notes in the cloud of sounds created by a rotating cast of collaborative musicians. Aptly named, the rest of the group is like a sea, which ebbs and flows in accordance who is available to perform with Aaron each show. This is not to imply a lack of commitment, but rather a comment on the common way that electronically-based acts tend to operate these days. They’ve toured in Iceland this past year and do have new music coming this summer. Aaron & the Sea is also playing more shows this year, including a recent show on April 5th at the Turf Club, opening for Snowmine and Small Black (which was fantastic, by the way). 

Honestly, no two Sofar shows are ever the same; from the location to the performing acts, there is an endless amount of possibility. Even I can't predict how everything will go down, except for how wonderful they truly are. So enough of me talking - Sofar Minneapolis is growing and you can be a part of one of these shows just by signing up here! 

Photos by Joel Menk

Words by Kelsey Simpkins