MONDAY – ARI HERSTAND
Minneapolis-born singer/songwriter Ari Herstand will be headlining his first gig at First Avenue tonight in the Entry. This Los Angeles based guitar player previously attended the University of Minnesota and McNally Smith, earning appreciation throughout many venues including several local cafes. His UMN performances are still talked about today, winning over fans and critics alike. Herstand has performed solo since 2010, preferring an intimate set between him, his guitar, and the audience– knowing for his stellar looping work onstage. Catch this guitar extraordinaire tonight!
Sounds like: Mat Kearney, Chris Koza, Matt Nathanson
TUESDAY – SUGA SHANE Layback Music 2 Mixtape Release and Pre New Year’s Eve Bash
R&B singer/producer Suga Shane will be hosting his mixtape release party in the Entry tomorrow night, titled Layback 2. Aptly titled, it is an easygoing R&B mixtape with some incredible production provided by many emerging producers in ATL. He can be compared to rising star Miguel, who has won over many fans from their intimate croons and use of expansive falsettos. While the mixtape can be found online, it surely worth hearing online, the 14-track epic would be the perfect soundtrack for winding the night down on one of these cold Minnesota nights.
Sounds like: D’Angelo, Miguel, Frank Ocean
WEDNESDAY – NAUGHTY NYE ft. TICKLE TORTURE, TAWST (DJ Shannon Blowtorch and Sophia Eris) – SOLD OUT
Minneapolis’ favorite sex-pop star, Tickle Torture, will be returning once again to his stomping grounds, the 7th St Entry this Wednesday night. Known for captivating audiences through the most sexual, eccentric, and shocking ways imaginable, this city cannot seem to get enough. His 2014 effort, the ambitious electro-funk Spectrophilia is a great live album, and with Tickle Torture’s stage theatrics, ticketholders know they are in for a show. This show will be hosted by Twin Cities darling Lizzo, and co-headlining will be TAWST, comprised of local veteran DJ Shannon Blowtorch and GRRRL PRTY collaborator and electro-R&Ber Sophia Eris. Those who jumped on early tickets are in for a spectacular evening at this long sold out show.
Sounds like: Painted Palms, De Lux, TEEN
FRIDAY – THE MODERN ERA, HOLY WHITE HOUNDS, THE MISSING LETTERS, and DIRTY LOUIS
Friday night in the Entry will be comprised of four co-headlining bands, all budding rock bands from the Midwest, four of them from right here in the Twin Cities. The Modern Era, Minneapolis founded, are not afraid to dive into the punk and garage realms of there otherwise-rock n roll classics, emerging as a promising band in the post-grunge scene with very listenable riffs. Des Moines group Holy White Hounds have been bringing swashes of synths to their brilliant garage-rock tunes, and their 2013 release Oh, Mama! was known for being one of the sleeper hits of the year. The Missing Letters, hailing from here in the Twin Cities, bring a timeless sound to the stage, with lead singer Jake Hall reminding audiences of a young Eddie Vedder. They are festival regulars here in the Twin Cities, and will also be joined this Friday by contemporary blue-rock n rollers Dirty Louis.
Sounds like: Cymbals Eat Guitar, Death From Above 1979, Pearl Jam
SATURDAY – J.E. SUNDE
Infamous for his co-founding of The Daredevil Christopher Wright, Eau Claire’s J.E. Sunde will be gracing the stage for his first solo show this Saturday night. He will be performing work on his newest record, Shapes That Kiss The Lips of God. Sunde’s newest work has been fluenced by the likes of Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen, fiercely honing in his lyric work using many of the rhythms and riffs he has been working on during his music life. A majority of the album was performed and recorded by Sunde himself, challenging his musical abilities and determination to finish the album. Catch this indie rock star performing his newest material this Saturday night.
Sounds like: Bon Iver, Tallest Man On Earth, Jeremy Messersmith
[Andy Moe]
