Girl at the Rock Shows

Another weekend, another day spent in a foreign-to-me Minnesota town enjoying some truly fantastic music. Saturday was the fifth (and final) year of the Rochester Thaw Music Festival. Unfortunately, it was my first. What a shame. I spent my day hoping around between seven stages catching nearly thirty acts. Although, by the end of it, I was absolutely exhausted, there was a giant smile that never left my face. I hate the fact that this was my one and only time experiencing this fantastic event but am so glad that I did the most I possibly could by catching all but three of the sets that happened. There’s a lot to go through here so let’s hop to and run down every single act that I had the absolute honor of catching live on Saturday.

I got my day started off with Destiny Boyum at Art Heads Emporium- a super cute art store and studio that had opened up their studio space to live music. Destiny is a Rochester native and is known for creating meaningful music. To say what she was giving was meaningful would be an understatement. She started my day off with not only a very calming and zen aura, but also with a fire of passion and talent behind her. Destiny Boyum

Much like other festivals I cover, I didn’t get to stay in any one place for a very long time but I loved the fact that I popped into The Hollow Doubts’ set at The Bleu Duck Kitchen in time to catch them do a Rancid cover. The cover was good enough that I had to stick around for an original and I’m so glad that I did. This Rochester-based punk band has a super cool vibe to them. It’s raw and vulnerable but has that grit and energy that I always look for in a punk band. Here’s to hoping that this is a band that makes the short, hour and change trek to the Twin Cities soon! The Hollow Doubts

Clay Fulton & the Lost Forty is not a new-to-me band. In fact, I’ve been able to see this band a couple of times but something felt particularly special about seeing them in their hometown. That plus the setting of the gorgeous Chateau Theatre led to a truly stunning set from this gritty Americana folksy, bluesy band. It may have been early on in the day but they had a packed audience and for good reason. Not only are they an amazing band, their drummer Nick Novotny is the founder and director of this amazing festival. They deserved the full house and then some and were absolutely a highlight for all of these reasons and more. Clay Fulton & the Lost Forty

There was this cool almost 60’s vintage kind of energy about Faux Pseudo that caught my ear. There was also something super fresh and energized about their performance that caught my eye. This band was not only ridiculously fun to listen to, they were electric to watch as they powered through their set on the small stage of Treedome (a super cute record meets vintage store). Faux Pseudo

If the aroma of Cafe Steam and their delicious coffee didn’t draw you into the small and intimate cafe, the sound of Als Fona sure did. This Rochester-based indie-rock band had a sound as smooth as butter and an energy that felt just as amazing and electric as the coffee. Although the stage was small leaving two members of the band on the ground, this band didn’t hold back and absolutely blew the coffee shop into the ether. Als Fona

It has been far too long since I have seen Maria and The Coins live. Their performance on Saturday was a reminder of what I’ve been missing out on. Call it pop, call it glamorous rock, call it whatever you want, this is the kind of band that knows how to bring it. The way they balance the bombastic feeling of fireworks with something a bit more subdued and tender is insane and, from what I saw on Saturday, although brief, I can tell you that they nailed that balance yet again. Maria and The Coins

Carriage House may have been soft and sweet but like most of the other “tamer’ acts I saw on Saturday, they hit me like a beautiful freight train with the emotion and talent they had in the spotlight. Carriage House’s sound somehow lulled me into a meditation of sorts while giving me a little burst of energy that I needed to keep on going through the rest of the afternoon and evening. Carriage House

It was back to the Cheateau Theatre for me just in time to catch a little bit of Jillian Rae. To say I adore this woman would be an understatement. To say that I love her band would be an understatement. To say that I obsess over everything Jillian Rae would be, you guessed it, an understatement. I will never get sick of seeing Jillian Rae charm crowds and win everyone over with not only her talent, but her raw power, genuine heart, and slight snarkiness that comes through every time she performs. Even if there was someone in attendance on Saturday who had never heard of Jillian before, they surely fell in love with her set. Jillian Rae

To say that Elizabeth Ghandour, the vocalist of ELOUR, is a force would be a lie. What’s more than a force? She’s a hurricane. A beautiful, siren-inducing hurricane that instantly transfixes you with her voice. Add in her band and you are left with a truly staggering, jaw-dropping performance of “Femme Rock.” The way this band’s sound echoed throughout Treedome was great but I think my favorite part of ELOUR’s set was hearing Elizabeth’s vocals all the way outside and a few doors down. Seriously, the power behind this band and Elizabeth in particular is something that just has to be seen to believe. ELOUR

It was a quick jaunt across the street to LC’s Venue to catch the always lovely Leslie Vincent. I may not be the biggest jazz fan on the planet but I am absolutely a fan of Leslie’s. She has the elegance of classic jazz singers but the spitfire energy of something more akin to a punk band. Add in the big band she had behind her and the talent that they used to enhance Leslie’s truly awe-inspiring voice and you were left with an absolutely gorgeous set. Leslie Vincent

It was back over to Cafe Steam to catch a quick snippet from Hannah Hammond. Although young, Hannah clearly has a knack for music. From her stunning voice to the slight almost Joni Mitchell-styled edge that she brought to the delivery of her songs, Hannah is absolutely a young act to keep your eyes and ears on. Hannah Hammond

PEGASIS was one of the many “new-to-me” acts on Saturday and absolutely one that I want to know more about. Hailing from Green Bay, Wisconsin, PEGASIS has such an amazing, cool, and unique sound. It’s groovy and jazzy with a definite fusion kind of element to it but it’s also poppy and, at times, even R&B leaning. It was a fresh sound with a beautiful delivery that I hope I get to experience again sooner rather than later. PEGASIS

I know I just say Fiona Hayes a couple of weeks ago in Red Wing during the Big Turn Music Festival but that didn’t mean I was willing to miss her set on Saturday at Art Heads Emporium. This young woman is absolutely going somewhere. The grit and energy that she brings to her singer-songwriter tracks is insane and her voice will make you feel things that you may or may not want to. Either way, after just a couple of notes, you will be trapped in Fiona Hayes’ world and never want to leave. That’s what happened to me a couple of weeks ago and it happened again on Saturday. Fiona Hayes

The 1928 Cocktail Lounge was absolutely packed for BRUTE and DJ Sumthyn Sumthyn which means I didn’t get much for photos but I was absolutely blown away by the intensity that radiates from where these two were performing. BRUTE’s raps were harsh but they were really and the flow he had was absolutely turning every head in the intimate bar. BRUTE

If you know Them Coulee Boys, you know. This folksy Americana band seems to be a bit like the leader of the pack when it comes to the super popular scene here in Minnesota and for good reason. Everything this band does is perfectly but, more importantly, it’s all done with a sense of heart. Both of those things were in the spotlights at The Chateau Theatre on Saturday, Them Coulee Boys

I see the members of Big Salt around town from time to time but haven’t been able to catch them perform live in a hot minute. Seeing them perform at Treedome on Saturday was everything I had ever needed and then some. With vocal powerhouse Sally absolutely wailing behind the microphone and the rest of the band following suit in all of the best ways and with a truly electric energy was one of the many jaw-dropping moments of my day. Big Salt

Last time I saw Sawtooth Witch, they were a duo featuring Doc on guitar and vocals and Haley on violin but, on Saturday, they were a solo act. Obviously this changed the sound and dynamic a little bit but, in the grand scheme of things, it felt just as magical. Just like last time, I was completely in awe of Doc’s talent on the guitar and microphone. What they do is so beautifully organic and so very complicated but it sounds so smooth and just perfect. I’ve known Doc for quite some time and being able to see them shine and perform will never get old to me. Sawtooth Witch

There were a lot of fresh sounds on Saturday but Amateur may have been the freshest. It was definitely rock music but with a little soul, indie, and even folk woven into their sound. I loved how, clearly, Amateur’s sound was very intricate but their music was so easy to follow and get lost in. Amateur

Is Hiahli one of the best local Twin Cities bands right now? I feel like that’s a bold statement because there’s so much amazing music all around me here in the Twin Cities but, at the same time, I don’t think that that statement is that much of a stretch. The amount of joy and fun that could be felt as Hiahli was performing was insane. Not only did they bring a positive light to an already ridiculously sunny day, they brought a dance floor for everyone and anyone to join in on and that’s exactly what happened. Instead of being just another set, Hiahi turned the space at The Bleu Duck Kitchen into a complete dance party that was hard for me to leave. Haiahli

There was a big difference between the bombastic sound of Hiahli and the more subdued energy of LaPlant Road, the next act that I caught, but the theme between these two acts was the same and that theme was passion. LaPlant road’s passion came in the form of a folksy, jazzy act that was soft and tender but that quiet volume spoke volumes and I feel like the calm of their performance gave me a moment to pause and breathe before diving back into the rest of the festival. LaPlant Road

Helping me say goodbye to the 1928 Cocktail Lounge was Death Valley Yacht Club. The name of this duo is what me hooked but it was the soft yet electric sound of this Duluth-based duo that had me sold. Their sound was the perfect blend of nostalgic rock and something a bit more modern. With a little southern flair and no shortage of energy, Death Valley Yacht Club definitely stole a piece of my heart on Saturday. Death Valley Yacht Club

Closing things out at The Chateau Theatre was the always spicy, always amazing Gully Boys. Definitely one of the heavier groups of the festival, Gully Boys didn’t hold back and gave the large audience in attendance everything they had– the sweet, the salty, the naughty, and the nice. It was a dynamic performance from a truly dynamic band that is absolutely putting the Minnesota music scene on the map as they tour around the nation. Gully Boys

Although I was absolutely exhausted by this point in the day, there was no way I was going to miss a band called Kurt Russel’s Muscles. Thankfully, this band isn’t just a great name, they are a great sound. It was rockin’ but with a little vintage flair and a whole lot of power. It was a fun set that I was sad I couldn’t catch more of but I guess I’ll just have to catch this band again soon for a full set. Kurt Russel’s Muscles

Although it was later in the evening, Cafe Steam was still packed as Josiah Smith performed their sad hipster-country sound. Although I wasn’t able to stick around long enough to catch one of their awful puns as advertised in their bio, I was there long enough to know that I am absolutely enamored by this musician. Josiah Smith

The first time I saw Sleeping Jesus, they weren’t my thing. They were great but their sound just didn’t do it for me. The second time I saw them, it’s as if a switch flipped and I got it. The third time I saw them, they stole a piece of my heart and, at this point, it’s as if this band owns my entire heart. With their own indie-rock spin on a more classic rock n’ roll vibe, Sleeping Jesus was the perfect band to close things out at LC’s Venue. Sleeping Jesus

The realization that I had a nearly hour and a half drive back home after all was said and done at Rochester Thaw was starting to hit me. Thankfully, Nur-D (with the help of DJ Hayes) gave me the life and energy that I needed to get through. I’ve written about Nur-D so many times and have seen him perform many more than that but it never gets old. His honest and raw style always gets me and his words about living a more positive life and being true to yourself is something that needs to be shouted from the rooftops. Nur-D

There are times in my life when I live off of macaroni and cheese. Heck, my breakfast half the time is a cup of easy-mac (adult, I know) so how I was I supposed to say goodbye to Rochester Thaw without seeing The Mac and Cheese Band. This trio was fun and lovely but also calm and chill. My timing matched up with a cover of a Beatles song from The Mac and Cheese band and although I we all know that The Beatles were just okay (inside joke and shout-out to my little brother), The Mac and Cheese Band did a great job with the cover and I loved how Iwas still able to hear them through it. The Mac and Cheese Band

Minot, North Dakota based Dakotah Faye was my final set at Rochester Thaw and, although I would have preferred that this day never had to end, I’m glad it ended with a set from Dakotah and a bunch of his buddies including Jantzonia, Hooey and more. I could feel the floor of Treedome bend ever slightly with the pressure of the audience jumping up and down to the infectious beats coming through the speakers. Typically, this would set off my anxiety but, on Saturday night, it just felt right. Dakotah Faye

I truly loved every moment of Rochester Thaw except having to leave. Like I mentioned, I wish I could say that I will see you there next year but there is no next year for this amazing festival. Although absolutely gutted about that,. I am beyond honored that I was able to make it to their lasr hurrah and see what all this festival had to offer. Now excuse me while I try and fit a nap in before hitting another show tonight! What a perfect whirlwind of a Saturday.