deM atlaS

When Joshua Turner was a kid growing up in a dysfunctional home in Minneapolis there were two things that he’d turn to for comfort when his parents fought: the Fugees records he’d listen to on a loop to drown out their conflict and the atlas he’d pore over to pretend he was anywhere else. Today Turner’s all grown up, but his sources of childhood refuge continue to play an integral role in his life. In his spare time he draws maps for fun, and, under the name deM atlaS, he’s composing his emotionally complex hip-hop records aimed at listeners out in the world who are in need of some sonic solace of their own.

His [2018] album Bad Actress is only the latest in a string of releases–including the 9-song EP DWNR that, according to Pitchfork, “splits the difference on 'depressed' and 'party mode.’” In some ways the new work feels like a debut, not just because it’s his first proper LP, but because it represents the culmination of a twisting creative path that Turner’s patiently been following since his teens. He was a poet, a painter, and the frontman for a rock band before he found his space in Minneapolis’s prolific rap scene. Once there, a philosophy of saying yes to any opportunity that passed his way quickly led him from playing shows for nugs of weed to a showcase in front of Rhymesayers CEO Siddiq, and a single recording session with Atmosphere beatmaker Ant that kept going until they’d made almost an entire album together.

The title Bad Actress comes from Turner’s inability to hide his true feelings, and he’s packed the album with unguarded emotions centered around a lifetime of unhealthy relationships, struggles with mental illness, and an indomitable drive to overcome them. Musically it draws from every stage of Turner’s young career, from the high school rock singer to the scruffy DIY-er who self-recorded his Charle Brwn EP while figuring out the basics of Garageband to the confident, versatile vocalist he is today, equally at home crooning and screaming as he is rapping over beats by heavy hitters like Ant and MF DOOM.

From the grime-caked beats to the confessional lyrics to the supercharged guitars laced throughout, Bad Actress is an album that’s deeply rooted in Minneapolis’s singular hip-hop scene, where boom-bap never went out of style and raw honesty still beats flashy materialism. Turner’s soulful singing voice, and his ability to navigate from the acidic Sly Stone funk of “Gratitude” to the acoustic balladry of “Music Man” to the purple-tinged minimalist gospel of “Runnin Back” make it clear that he’s one of the young talents who’s going to author the next chapter in the city’s storied musical history. After all, an atlas isn’t only a collection of maps, but a man who’s strong enough to carry the weight of the whole world on his shoulders.

Past Shows


Dec
14
th
2019
7th St Entry
Dec
14
th
2019
7th St Entry

deM atlaS

with Lady Midnight, student 1 and DJ Keezy
Aug
31
st
2019
Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Aug
31
st
2019
Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater

First Avenue Goes To The Fair

Hosted by Mark Mallman and Lori Barbero
Afterparty with DJ Espada
with Al Church, Brother Ali, deM atlaS and more!
Jan
11
th
2019
7th St Entry
Jan
11
th
2019
7th St Entry

Sean Anonymous and DJ NAME

with deM atlaS, Greg Grease, Lady Midnight and more!
Dec
15
th
2018
Palace Theatre
Dec
15
th
2018
Palace Theatre

Atmosphere

with deM atlaS, The Lioness and DJ Keezy
Dec
14
th
2018
Palace Theatre
Dec
14
th
2018
Palace Theatre

Atmosphere

SECOND SHOW ADDED
with deM atlaS, The Lioness and DJ Keezy
Nov
8
th
2018
Mainroom
Nov
8
th
2018
Mainroom

Brother Ali

with deM atlaS
Nov
3
rd
2018
Mainroom
Feb
22
nd
2018
Turf Club
Feb
22
nd
2018
Turf Club

deM atlaS and Thomas Abban

with Ayvah and Taylor Seaberg
Jan
19
th
2018
Mainroom
Jan
19
th
2018
Mainroom

The Current’s 13th Birthday Party

ft. BULLY, NOW NOW, THE SOCIAL ANIMALS, deM atlaS
Jan
11
th
2018
Turf Club
Jan
11
th
2018
Turf Club

Andrew Broder

with deM atlaS, Strange Relations, Nick Jordan and more!
Jul
13
th
2017
Mainroom
Jul
13
th
2017
Mainroom
May
27
th
2017
Mainroom
May
27
th
2017
Mainroom

Soundset Official Before Party

with DJ Abilities, TIIIIIIIIIIP, Psymun and more!
Apr
22
nd
2017
First Avenue
Mar
10
th
2017
Palace Theatre
Mar
10
th
2017
Palace Theatre

Atmosphere

with Sims, deM atlaS, Lady Midnight and more!
Nov
29
th
2016
Mainroom
Nov
29
th
2016
Mainroom

Atmosphere

with Brother Ali, deM atlaS, Plain Ole Bill and more!
Nov
28
th
2016
Clyde Iron Works
Nov
28
th
2016
Clyde Iron Works

Atmosphere

with Brother Ali, deM atlaS, Plain Ole Bill and more!
Jul
18
th
2016
Mainroom
Jul
18
th
2016
Mainroom

Aesop Rock, ROB SONIC and DJ ZONE

with Homeboy Sandman and deM atlaS
May
28
th
2016
Mainroom
May
28
th
2016
Mainroom

Soundset Official Before Party

with Grieves, deM atlaS, DJ Abilities and more!
Apr
22
nd
2016
7th St Entry
Apr
22
nd
2016
7th St Entry

Get Cryphy

with Plain Ole Bill, Jimmy 2 Times, DJ LAST WORD and more!
Dec
4
th
2015
Target Center
Dec
4
th
2015
Target Center

RHYMESAYERS 20

with Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Aesop Rock and more!

More Shows

Jun
28
th
Turf Club

The Koffin Kats

Jun
8
th
Turf Club

Arcwelder

with Products Band
Jun
19
th
7th St Entry

Queef Jerky

May
10
th
7th St Entry

Kash'd Out

with Dale and the ZDubs