Girl at the Rock Shows

Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and everyone within driving distance– what are you doing next Saturday night? If your answer is anything other than going to catch Exact Same Speed at the Underground Music Cafe, your answer is wrong. Exact Same Speed (also known as Aaron Waldman) will be making his first ever stop in Minneapolis and will be opening for Freak When Sees’ album release show along with Glen Circle and Lent. Unfortunately, I will be out of town covering a festival in Chicago but I expect you all to go to this show and, collectively, have a full review with photos on my desk by 8 AM on Sunday. Okay, just kidding but, really, I’m so very bummed that I have to miss this show. That being said, I wanted to know more about all things Exact Same Speed and all things Aaron so I jumped on the chance to ask him a couple of questions that both have to do with the show and have to do with nothing other than pure curiousty.

Before we get to the answers, let me just say, this kid is a road warrior so, even if you don’t live near the Twin Cities, I highly encourage you to check out Exact Same Speed’s tour dates and catch him when he comes near you. If his lovely, calming, and highly emotive music doesn’t catch you, maybe the charm showcased in this super fun little interview will.

What’s your go-to coffee order?
Black at the deli in the winter, cold brew with a little oat milk this time of year!

What’s your go-to purchase at a gas station (outside of gas) when on a road trip?
Planter’s Peanuts

How would you describe your music to your grandma?
It’s sad, but that’s okay because you’re dead and maybe that’s why I’m so sad

If you could have dinner with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Both Tunde Adebimpe & Adrienne Lenker are up there. We have a few mutual friends from our time in NYC, so I think we could have a normal conversation about life & music without it getting awkward.

Have you ever been able to finish a Rubik’s Cube?
Never /:

What is aquaculture?
Farming, but with sea creatures! I founded an oyster company with two close friends of mine 6 years ago, and it’s been quite a journey. Sustainable seafood is going to play a huge role in how we feed the world, and I’m excited to be a small part of that world. Plus it’s tasty.

What’s the worst concert you’ve ever been to and why?
Oof. I feel bad for the folks who were at any of my shows before 2016. Those were realllll rough.

What’s your favorite method of listening to music?
Vinyl DJ’s in a chill bar setting. Not a listening room, not a swanky lounge, just a bar with a good vibe. Sorry for getting oddly specific on that one!

If you could compare yourself to a dog breed, what one would it be and why?
Doodles. We have the same hair cut

Favorite lyrics of all time?
Random Rules (Silver Jews) beginning of verse 3:
“I asked a painter why the roads are colored black. He said Steve, it’s because people leave, and no highway will bring them back.”
But I also have to shout out the bridge of Dancing On My Own (Robyn). I work in a wedding venue, and even though I’ve heard that song hundreds of times, I still tear up at her delivery on “I just came to say goodbye”

What’s your favorite menu item at Taco Bell?
The DIY Fiesta Burrito! You can still build your own by starting with a bean & cheese burrito and adding all the goods.

If you were to rob a bank, what would be the song playing in the getaway car as you escape?
Percolator by Charli Bliss. Starting right on the chorus

Sonically, your music is super chill but I have a feeling it hasn’t always been that way. How did you get started in music?
I fronted a theatrical punk band for much of my 20’s. Make up, stage diving, the full 9. It was a hell of a time.
We reunited for a charity show a few years back. It was a lot of fun, but when I jumped off the stage the same cement floor I’d been falling onto for years felt a lot harder. Not saying I won’t do it again though!

Where do you do the most of your lyric writing?
A lot of lyrics come to me while I’m driving… Not ideal from a safety perspective! I like to walk around industrial, isolated areas of NYC writing poems (I don’t blame you if you puked when you read that), and I’ll often use lines from those to piece together lyrics and song ideas.

If you had to assign a drink to your music, what drink would it be and why?
Whatever helps you relax and take your time- Manhattan riff, Martini, nice mezcal, etc.
But only have one, cause we’re all going out after the show (:

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Tough to choose! Gonna go with LCD at Knockdown Center this spring. We went as a “staff party” for one of the bars I work at: It was an unforgettable outing with the most dysfunctional family I could ever hope for.

Everyone says that every crowd is their favorite but, what city has the best audience and why is it Minneapolis?
I’m playing my first show in Minneapolis later this month, and I can’t wait to find out why you all are the best audience! I’m assuming it’s somehow related to The Replacements?

Speaking of playing shows in Minneapolis– you have a show coming up on June 27th. How did you find this show?
I reached out to Underground Music Venue, and they reached out to Freak When Sees, who had a hold on the date for their album release. FWS kindly agreed to let me be a part of the bill, along with Glen Circle and Lent. It’s going to be an awesome night!

What are you most excited about as far as coming to the Twin Cities?
Meeting great people in the DIY community! Booking and hosting live music is tough work, and it’s always an honor to meet the folks who are making it happen.

Are you going to have any down time while in town? If so, what do you plan to do? If not, say you did– what would you want to do?
I won’t have too much down time unfortunately- I’m playing in Des Moines the night before, then scooting over to Madison- but I’m going to find a vegetarian Juicy Lucy, and hopefully hang out at the favorite local dive of whoever’s couch I wind up crashing on!

You’re out there grinding and this is part of a 45 day tour– so far, what has been the wildest thing to happen while on this tour?
Hmmm. There was one recent interaction that was so off-putting I’m not ready to talk about it, so let’s go with one of the highlights. I played a DIY space in Eugene where the audience was a decade younger than I was, and mostly there for the hardcore band playing after me. It wound up being one of the best audiences of the tour- 40+ folks I’d never met, and they were so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The other bands were killer, and everyone had plenty of time to mosh for the headliners.
I also attended a wedding celebration in Oakland for two people I’d never met. Everyone was dressed as sea creatures, and since I only packed black clothing I said I was the Mariana Trench. I wound up drinking wine with a few real cool folks in a tiny cardboard boat until 4:00 AM, it was a great time.

What is the most nerve wracking thing about being a solo artist on tour and how do you cope with it?
Loneliness. I’m fortunate to have friends all over the country- I’ve only stayed in two motels, and I’ve played dates on both coasts and in between- so that helps. Meditation, exercise, and calling friends on the long drives make a world of difference too.

What else do you want everyone to know?
If you read this before 6/27/2026, come check out Freak When Sees’ album release show at Underground Music Venue! For everyone else- if you’ve ever considered hosting a house show, do it! DIY is the future, and there’s no better way to build community and support independent artists.

I couldn’t say it any better myself. DIY is the future, and I wish we all spent a bit more time supporting and even creating a nurturing environment for strictly DIY artists like Exact Same Speed. Like I mentioned, Exact Same Speed will be playing at Underground Music Cafe on Saturday, June 27th! For those of you who live close to the Twin Cities, snag a ticket and go! For those who live a bit further out, this kid is on one heck of a tour, so check his schedule and make sure to catch him when he comes by your town. Heck– how about you reach out to him about setting up a DIY house show?! The possibilities are endless and one thing is for sure– you will be so happy to have spent some time with this amazing musician.

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