Girl at the Rock Shows

Yesterday was about as dark as it can get for Minneapolis, but there was a shining light that was calling all lost souls to the 7th Street Entry. This was a show for the people who couldn’t feel a thing after hearing of the trauma of the day. A show for those who still believe in good in a world that is becoming increasingly dark. This was a show that I needed.

Kicking things off was the always lovely Bryn Battani. Up to her usual game, which mixes musical theatre campiness with truly stunning vocals and heartfelt original songs, Bryn instantly took away all the fear, dread, and sadness that I knew were plaguing everyone in attendance. I’ve seen Bryn a few times now, and I love the fact that every time I see her perform, she brings something new to the table. It’s not just new songs (although I think I heard one or two of those), it’s new schticks too. The “schtick” on Wednesday night was bringing up fellow local musician Drew (of d’Lakes) on stage with her. Both of these people are incredibly talented humans, so it was no surprise that they had linked up to do some collaborating, but I think what did “surprise” me was just how well they worked together. Not only did their respective musical theatre influence seem to work incredibly well together, but their voices blended into something that I can only call stunningly beautiful. I don’t know what these two humans are up to in terms of recording or working together, but it’s a match made in heaven and was just a glorious exclamation point to an already amazing performance from Bryn Battani.

Following Bryn was the one and only Socktopus. Another act that I have covered a couple of times in the past, Socktopus is the kind of band where you could be having the worst day of your life, but, within the first song of their set, you are smiling and dancing. Their unique blend of hip-hop beats and a more commercial pop feeling is something that, the first time I experienced it, caught me off guard. It’s just so unique and unlike anything else happening in the Twin Cities right now that I didn’t quite know what to do with it but, after diving deep into the catalog in my freetime and letting their music play during the tougher work days I go through, I’ve figured out that Socktopus is something I crave and they absolutely left me satisifed with their set on Wednesday. The best thing about this band is that they clearly don’t take themselves too seriously. From their lyrics to the tracksuits they all wear on stage, complete with matching red knit caps, this band just screams fun. The best comparison I can make is to a more low-key Aquabats-type band, but with a stronger rap influence than punk. That being said, when it comes to their music, they are all business. This group knows how to write a damn good song, and they have perfected their way of presenting said songs. Sure, there were smiles and laughs all around, but when it came down to it, every note had a home and was perfectly in tune, making for a truly flawless and exciting set.

Bryn and Socktopus were great, but Wednesday night’s show was about Hiahli and the release of their new single, “Smiling Upside Down.” Truthfully, I thought this song was already out because I had heard them play it when I had seen the band before, but it turns out that, although they had been playing it for some time, they hadn’t recorded this song until now, and, dear lord, we all needed it. Much like the band itself, “Smiling Upside Down” exudes positivity. I’m not going to ruin this song for you because it really is one that you just have to hear for yourself, but I will say that this world needs more songs like that and more bands like Hiahli because, for the first time on Wednesday, things felt okay to me. The world wasn’t dark. Okay, maybe it was, but at least I could hide from it if only for a couple of hours, through the music and exhilarating performance that comes from this band.

Like Socktopus, Hiahli blends the lines between far too many genres for me to rattle off. It’s almost as if Bob Marley and Kurt Cobain had a kid raised on Gorillaz and Marvin Gaye, but who had a tendency to wander off and get lost in a world of Lady Gaga every once in a while. Bizarre description that’s impossible to follow, I know, but that’s what this band is. They are everything. From chill tones that can drift you off into the most lovely of dreamlands, to more ferocious beats that make you want to go all Limp Bizkit and “Break Stuff” (okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic but I feel like it’s the best way to describe some of the angstier moments that are scattered throughout their sound), Hiahli puts it all in their music because, at the end of the day, their music is about life and, as we all know, life is a constant rollercoaster ride. Out of everything I love about this band, I think that’s the main sticking point. Their music mimics life. It doesn’t hide the bad or sad parts but shines a different-hued light on them. It’s almost like this band is trying to constantly remind you that, even when things get rough and you find yourself frowning, you may be better off thinking of it as you just “Smiling Upside Down.”

Wednesday was a dark day here in Minneapolis during a dark era of the world. There’s no other way to put it. Things are fucking dark, scary, and sad as hell. We all feel it, and it doesn’t take much to get lost in it, but Bryn Battani, Socktopus, Hiahli, and the 7th Street Entry all provided a space for us to go on Wednesday night. It could have been any show, and I would have been happy, but there was something about seeing these three bright bands on such a dark day that just made my heart so happy. I needed this show, this city needed this show, this community needed this show, and although the entire city obviously couldn’t be there, I hope they all felt the love and joy that was radiating from this space throughout the night.

Line Up:

Bryn Battani

Socktopus

Hiahli

Venue: 7th Street Entry

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 27

Crowd Surfers- 0 Spotted

Stage Divers- 0

Dance-ability- 8 out of 10

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

Broken Bones- None Noticed

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0

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

Bryn Battani – 3

Socktopus – 2

Hiahli – 2

Celebrity Sightings – None

Overall Score – 8.6 out of 10

Show on Deck — PARISHES / d’Lakes / Side Saddle Sirens

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