Get to know our best new bands of 2015 before their performance on Friday at First Avenue. Tickets on sale now!
Aero Flynn frontman Josh Scott has worked on several projects throughout the years, including his Eau Claire, Wisconsin band Amateur Love. In March 2015, Scott and his newest project, Aero Flynn, debuted their self-titled album produced by Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver). Consequence Of Sound describes it as “subtle and understated… an engrossing artistic statement born out of tumultuous circumstances. This one mesmerizing piece is worth savoring all on its own.”
Hailing from Red Lake Reservation in Northern Minnesota, Baby Shel has hit the local rap scene with words blazing. At just 26 years old, he’s released two mixtapes (in the span of one year) and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Listen to mixtapes Killing Time and Impeccable Intellectual Rez Electric Music on Bandcamp.
First Ave: What was your favorite gig you performed in 2015?
Baby Shel: I would have to say when my team and I brought Twista to my hometown Red Lake. It wasn’t the biggest show of 2015 but it meant the most because we had so much support from my people back home when we were doing shows out of state and around the state from the beginning of 2015 to the end, and we wanted to thank them by bringing a national act (which we NEVER get) to our reservation, and to see everyone be so happy and excited was an amazing experience I will never forget. I Love Red Lake!
F.A.: What is your New Year’s resolution?
B.S.: Learn more.
F.A.: Favorite artist of 2015?
B.S.: Post Malone.
F.A.: What is your favorite post-show snack?
B.S.: Breakfast.
Bruise Violet is punk rock riot grrrl power in all its glory. In just the past year, the young trio released their Survival Of The Prettiest EP and were named one of City Pages’ Picked To Click. They’ve made the rounds playing venues like Triple Rock and First Avenue, and were recently featured in Go 96.3’s “Go Local Spotlight.”
F.A.: What was your favorite gig you performed in 2015?
Bruise Violet: Our EP release at The Entry or The Replacements tribute, both extremely memorable nights that left us in awe afterwards.
F.A.: What’s your band’s New Year’s resolution?
B.V.: We hope to tour sometime soon, as well as releasing some new music sometime soon!
F.A.: Who is your favorite artist of 2015?
B.V.: Screaming Females! If you ever drive in a car with us, chances are we will be screaming along to the Rose Mountain album.
F.A.: What is your favorite post-show snack?
B.V.: We love Indian food, so we go to DarBar in Uptown frequently together- preshow or post-show.
After working with many of the biggest names in the Minneapolis music scene over the past six years (Lizzo, Caroline Smith, Toki Wright, and more), Eric Mayson released his debut solo album Detail in the Fall of 2015. Star Tribune described the release as “An ambitious sonic collage of psychedelic R&B grooves, experimental hip-hop and straight-up sexy pop tunes with Mayson’s smooth but piercing voice out front.”
F.A.: What was your favorite gig you performed in 2015?
Eric Mayson: Our Icehouse show with Nookie Jones and Big Cats was the best. Great vibes, Colonel Mustards, Aaron Carter.
F.A.: What’s your band’s New Year’s resolution?
E.M.: Have more socks, be taller, and get rid of Google Calendar.
F.A.: Who is your favorite artist of 2015?
E.M.: Skyler Nowinski of Controversial New Skinny Pill
F.A.: What is your favorite post-show snack?
E.M.: Whiskey, Taco Bell, and sex.
Another young figure new to the Minnesota scene is Lexii Alijai. The rap songstress has picked up steam with her sharp lyricism and smooth flow. Oh, and she recently teamed up with Kehlani for dope track “Jealous” (which premiered via Complex last year).
City Pages describes Murder Shoes’ newest release, Daydreaming, as a “mirthful laugh at existential dread.” Currently featured on Radio K’s Weekly Release Spotlight, the album is ethereal, absurdist, punk-rocky, and pokes just enough fun at that daunting thing we call death.
F.A.: What was your favorite gig you performed in 2015?
Murder Shoes: Our show at the Turf Club with Joy Formidable.
F.A.: What’s your band’s New Year’s resolution?
M.S.: Be better at everything!
F.A.: Who is your favorite artist of 2015?
M.S.: Rupert Angeleyes/Strange Relations
F.A.: What is your favorite post-show snack?
M.S.: Crazy frozen pizza
Dream R&B outfit Perfume Monster provide funky, wispy, groovy jams. Watch an in-studio performance at Radio K of “Purple Crane” and be sure not to miss them at our Best New Bands showcase next week.
F.A.: What was your favorite gig you performed in 2015?
Perfume Monster: Had to be NYE opening up for Tickle Torture at the Fine Line. Lot’s of fun. Eric Mayson (best new band) had some dude in yellow suspenders that hopped on stage and ate multiple bananas SUPER aggressively. That’s a win in our book.
F.A.: What is your band’s New Year’s resolution?
P.M.: Jazzercise more as a band. We’re just not there yet 🙁
F.A.: Who was your favorite artist of 2015?
P.M.: Channing Tatum! That was easy.
F.A. What is your favorite post-show snack?
P.M.: Totino’s frozen party pizza. Split between the five of us. We’re all about portion control in Perfume Monster. PM gets PC. Tell ya friends.
