Dessa

Dessa fell in love with language as a toddler---and she just never got over it. Coming up in Minneapolis, she collected favorite words to decorate the walls of her brain; as a teenager, she thrilled in metaphor; and when she started writing songs and touring, she'd always lean in to pick up on the regional slang (they say yinz instead of y'all in Pittsburgh; a beanie is a tuque in Canada; gotta ask for a lead to get mic cable in the UK). Now, Dessa works in most fields that traffic in words: she's recorded rap bangers as part of the fiercely independent Doomtree collective, released a live album with the Grammy-winning Minnesota Orchestra; contributed to The New York Times and National Geographic Traveler; delivered a TED talk on the intersection of romance and neuroscience that's notched more than 4 million views; hosted two seasons of the Deeply Human radio program (BBC/American Public Media/iHeartMedia); and published a memoir recounting most of the above called My Own Devices, published by Dutton (Penguin Random House). She lives in Minneapolis and Manhattan, still tours in a rented van, and is probably eavesdropping on the neighboring table, listening for a word to add to the collection.

Past Shows

Nov

2023

First Avenue

Nov

2023

First Avenue

Dessa

Past Shows

★ Local Show ★

with Lady Midnight

with Open Mike Eagle

hosted by Winona LaDuke • featuring Ani DiFranco • Indigo Girls • Allison Russell • Tia Wood • LOW • Dessa • Joe Rainey Sr • Keith Secola • Annie Humphrey • David Huckfelt & The Unarmed Forces • Corey Medina • Gaelynn Lea • emcee Thomas X

with D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and Quannah Chasinghorse

with Mayyadda

with Lady Midnight and King Pari

with Lady Midnight and King Pari

with MARGRET, roy kinsey, DJ Shannon Blowtorch and more!

with MONAKR

CLOWN LOUNGE (Turf Club basement)

with Aby Wolf

with Passion Pit, Girl Talk, BIG GIGANTIC and more!

with Passion Pit, Girl Talk, BIG GIGANTIC and more!

with Passion Pit, Girl Talk, BIG GIGANTIC and more!

with Zoo Animal

First Avenue, Majestic, and Etix present

with Dessa

with Hannibal Buress and Crescent Moon + Big Trouble

with SPECIAL GUESTS

More Shows

Geordie Greep

with NNAMDÏ

Alan Sparhawk & Mount Eerie

The Rocket Summer

with Mae

The Honeydogs

with The Penny Peaches

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