Girl at the Rock Shows

“Authentic and Passionate Performances by Talented Mothers to Raise Awareness for Domestic Violence Resources.” That was the theme of the “Mamma Hellcats” concert on Thursday night at The Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge in Minneapolis. Although I’m not a mom, nor do I plan to ever be, this was a cause that I could get behind and made everything else happening around town on Thursday night feel so insignificant. I knew where I had to be and was genuinely excited for whatever was to come.

Before I get into the music, I just want to give a massive shout-out to some people. First would local mom and musician Katy Tessman for putting this beautiful event on. I saw her a couple of times throughout the night and there wasn’t a moment where I didn’t feel the love from her even though I had never actually met her before. Talk about a “Mama Hellcat,” Katy is a force of nature in all of the right ways. The second is Ann Treacy. Ann is the co-host of Mostly Minnesota Music, a local radio show that I have been fortunate enough to be on a couple of times, and a good friend. Ann did a great job of emceeing the night. If you all thought I went to a lot of shows and knew a lot of people, you should meet Ann. Third is everyone at the venue, from the sound techs to Sequeerity to the bartender and everyone in between. Seriously, The Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge is one of the best venues in town. Like the vocalist of Strung Out said a couple of weeks ago, this place is a gem- support this place with every ounce of your being. I know I’m missing people, but I want to tell you all about the performances, so, long story short, if you were at this fantastic event, thank you!

I made it just in time to see the first act of the night and the mastermind behind this event- Katy Tessman. Katy’s set really set the stage for what was to come. Themes of surviving and overcoming domestic violence radiated through some of her songs, but, more importantly, each song she and her amazing band performed came with a sense of heart and passion. That’s going to be a recurring theme throughout the night, so I apologize for using those words over and over again, but, really, that was the highlight of the show for me. Katy’s set not only set the stage but also showed the modest crowd what the night was about– being a mom. I say this because her son was standing right next to her throughout the set with his guitar slung around his neck. This wasn’t an obvious, “Oh, this is my son, this would be cool” kind of afterthought. Katy’s son shined in the spotlight with every guitar solo he took. Don’t get me wrong, the entire band was great, but there was just something extraordinary about the guitar solos and Katy’s comforting and robust vocals that really hooked me.

The room shifted from the main stage to the back corner for the lounge stage in order to hear the magic of Haley E Rydell. My friend who had met me at this show had been a bit chatty earlier in the evening, but those conversations instantly stopped when Haley started playing her short solo set. Haley’s sound was soft and sweet, but you could tell there was a sense of angst in her songs that she could not hide. It added a sense of depth and power to Haley’s set that made it impossible to look away or let your ears wander. This wouldn’t be the last time we see Haley as she joined Nikki Lemire on the fiddle (which she played to accompany Nikki Lemire’s set), but even that wasn’t enough for me. Haley is an act that you feel, not just hear or see, and she is someone I truly hope to feel more of in the near future.

Following Haley’s set was a full band set from Annie & The Bang Bang back on the mainstage. It’s been a super hot minute since I last saw Annie Enneking and her amazing band play, and, looking back, it looks like I didn’t even review that show, so I am so stoked to preach the word of this band to you. The problem is, I don’t know what to say. Annie & The Bang Bang’s sound blurs lines between classic rock, punk rock, indie, rock, and singer-songwriter vibes in a way that I just can not put into words. Add the infectious charisma and beauty of Annie herself, and you will be left with a set that is as high-energy and fun as it is profound.

Another shift found the crowd back to the lounge stage in the back corner to catch a set from Nikki Lemire– on the harp. I don’t know what it is about a harp, but it fascinates me, and with Nikki’s smooth and beautiful voice on top of the mystical harp sound, you are left with a truly stunning set. Although I wanted to spend the entirety of Nikki’s short set with my eyes glued to the stage, I took a second to canvas the room. I noticed one person in particular who was sitting in a chair, watching and crying. There was something so powerful about this moment because, honestly, I could have sat right next to them and cried with them throughout the set. There was just something so emotion-provoking about Nikki’s delivery of her gorgeous songs. They were slow and sad, but they were also full of life and positivity. Like the previous sets and the two final sets, I found myself conflicted on whether this was a happy or sad night of music, but that, again, just added to the magic.

One last shift to the main stage brought Samantha Grimes into the spotlight. I was unfamiliar with Samantha’s work prior to seeing her on Tuesday, but within just a couple of notes, I wanted to know everything there is to know about this amazing songstress. Joined on stage by just a drummer and bassist, Samantha’s vocals shined over everything else, not only because of her amazing voice but also because of the actual words. I loved Samantha’s heart-on-her-sleeve style of songwriting. She didn’t hold back the snark, sarcasm, or emotion, and that made me fall head over heels instantly. Out of all of the acts that performed on Tuesday night, I felt most in-tune with Samantha Grimes’ sound. It was accessible to a pop-punk princess with me, and that attitude that came through in some of the lyrics really spoke to my heart.

Closing out this amazing event back on the more intimate (although the entire night was super intimate) stage was the one and only Kashimana. Kashimana, like the previous performers, is a mother, musician, and all-around badass woman. Don’t believe me? She kicked off her set with a super unique and ridiculously fun cover of “Word Up” from Cameo. By the end of the song, my cheeks genuinely hurt from smiling so much. Kashimana settled back into a set full of a sound that can only be called an exploration of the soul, folk, funk, R&B, indie rock, pop, jazz– OK; you get it– after that. Although she had won me over with that cover, I continued to fall into the palm of her hand throughout her set. Sadly, I had to jet off about halfway through due to dog-sitting for my little brother, but mark my words; this will not be the last time you read about Kashimana in this blog.

Thursday night was more than just a mini-festival; it was, as mentioned, an event to “Raise Awareness for Domestic Violence Resources.” In addition to the fantastic music and a super cute pop-up from Back Pocket Vintage, there were resources for survivors of domestic violence. From pamphlets to cards, this event did a great job of acknowledging the idea that we all know but seem to forget– it’s OK to not be OK, and it’s OK to ask for help. There’s a “Mama Hellcat” inside of all of us. Don’t forget that, and don’t let the world get you down.

Line Up:

Katy Tessman

Haley E Rydell

Annie and the Bang Bang

Nikki Lemire

Samantha Grimes

Kashimana

Venue: The Hook

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 42

Crowd Surfers- None

Stage Divers- None

Mosh-ability- 0 out of 10

Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- $0

Broken Bones- None

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None Witnessed

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Idiots Taken Out By Security – None Spotted

How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-

Katy Tessman – 0

Haley E Rydell – 0

Annie and the Bang Bang – 1

Nikki Lemire – 0

Samantha Grimes – 0

Kashimana – 0

Celebrity Sightings – Sally of Big Salt; Krista Wax of KFAI

Overall Score- 9 out of 10

Show on Deck —Portugal. The Man / Reyna Tropical

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