Best of Minneapolis: 2014

2014 has been the busiest year yet for The Aural, as I found myself at over 30 shows in Minneapolis and saw almost 90 different bands - most of which were local talents. I talked to more people than I could sanely keep track of, hung out with many new friends, and had some of the best conversations in years. I fell in love with Turf Club after it reopened, ended up in the front row at First Ave more than once, and am on my way to becoming the most loyal attendee of 7th Street Entry. My favorite moments however, were spent seeing many local Minneapolis acts more than once - seeing them grow and evolve and letting their music become a part of my personal fabric. So this post is dedicated to the following 14 groups, for being my biggest musical (and for some, personal) influences of the year. And to read about more local Minneapolis music from 2014 and on, check out Sofar Sounds Minneapolis, and follow Facebook and Twitter. 

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Andrew and Julie of Har-di-Har

Har-di-Har

First - and the absolute best (in my world, anyway) - are the musical duo of Andrew and Julie Thoreen. Last July, they opened for Hundred Waters at 7th Street and my friends and I attempted to pick our jaws up off the floor after their set to talk to them. The words that came out of our mouths were things like "fantastic" and "brilliant" and "operatic" and "what the f#$%." Besides appearing as swooning fan-girls, we were sincerely amazed. Both singers and musicians, these two think beyond what is possible not only with two people, but within the realm of the average indie song. Currently, for example, I do not know any band in which two people share a drumset between them, and it makes the music better instead of worse. Rhythm, pitch, tone, and musicality come like instinct to this pair - and it's no surprise that with their chemistry they share a binding legal bond. They are also two of the most positive and inspiring people you could ever meet, and I'm so very happy they have settled in Minneapolis and were able to play a Sofar Sounds session this summer. Har-di-Har have great ambitions for 2015 in writing and recording, so catch them live if you can - you won't ever forget it. 
Favorite track: "We've Been Missing" 

Chris and Rebekah Bartels of Bora York

Bora York

I met Chris and Rebekah at the Entry when I first moved to Minneapolis in 2012 and they had just released Dreaming Free. This year was quite exciting as the five-piece band has released two new singles: "Let Loose," and "Leagues," with new collaboration involved - including electric guitar by Cory Wong, as well as mixing and mastering done across the country in LA and New York. It's a busy time for this couple, now with a third member of the family and Chris managing Anthem Falls Music, but keep a look out for the full album sometime this year.
Favorite Track: "Leagues" 

JT, Mugsy, Sean, Garrison, Mitch, and David of Black Diet

Black Diet

This six-piece is an exciting mix of connections made on Craigslist and great friendships, which together, make for one of the biggest breakout bands of Minneapolis this year. You may have heard them on The Current, or seen them live at the Sociable Ciderwerks Block Party, or perhaps caught them being featured on the Lowertown Line. These kids played a Sofar Sounds session on my birthday this past summer, and I'll never forget it. Special shout out to David for his many talents in video work, he directs and shoots many of the group's videos, including this hilarious one for "Unbroke." 
Favorite track: "Nothing to Say" 

Casey, Kristine, and members of Enemy Planes

Enemy Planes

To be honest, I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting this good-looking gang that makes up Enemy Planes. I have, however, seen them several times this year and been quite impressed. They create a dark and grungy base of sound, on which is layered floating vocals and a wash of electronics, all while switching between a laid-back build up and full-on rocking out. If you're looking for a solid definition of modern alt/indie rock with a dynamic stage presence, look no further. 
Favorite track: "No Strings" 

Leah Ottman

LOTT

Where to begin... LOTT is the solo project of Leah Ottman, a member of local groups We Are the Willows and Batteryboy, among others. But she is a master of the stage in her own right, and after seeing her at least four times this year, I still am not satisfied. In October she performed for Sofar Sounds (left), and she performed twice at the Southern Theater Sessions, as well at Live Letters this year. In the canon of Kishi Bashi and other rising instrumental and vocal loopers, LOTT defies the definition of "one man band" with simply her voice, her violin, and some technological enhancement. And her stage outfits are often even as unique as her music. 
Favorite Track: "Stacked"

Jonathan Sunde

J.E. Sunde

Formerly of The Daredevil Christopher Wright - read the story here - Jonathan Sunde has branched out on his own as singer-songwriter J.E. Sunde, and recorded a first LP, titled Shapes That Kiss The Lips of God. And thank goodness, for this album is surely something else. A fan of the band, Sunde's vocals carry through as the same identifiable and heartbreaking tenor, but this time the stories he spins are more his own. Imagine if Messersmith was more of a realistic philosopher than a romantic, and that the comedy in his lyrics broke your heart a little more than they saved it, and you have a sense of J.E. Sunde. But you won't truly know until you hear him yourself. 
Favorite tracks: "Easy Kid" & "I'm Gonna Disappoint You"

The Persian Leaps

In 2014 Drew Forsberg and friends released Drive Drive Delay, The Persian Leaps' second EP in two years that follows their Praise Elephants EP. Released on Land Ski Records - Drew's independent record label in Saint Paul - The Persian Leaps are fully in charge of their ambitions. Self-described as "noise pop," these experienced rockers create a sound reminiscent of garage bands but with more purposeful harmony and less teenage distortion. They make for the perfect night out at 331 or whatever musical nook you might catch them in around the cities. 
Favorite Track: "Permission"

The Person and the People

High school buddies and brothers, these four have been working together for longer than many of the bands on this list have known each other. But The Person and the People have only kicked it into high gear recently, releasing their first LP Big Whoop in late 2013 and their second, What A Drag, less than a year later. Their single, "Vitamin C" made some waves on The Current this fall, and is a great example of their sound: a heavily 90's and Weezer-influenced alt rock, with solid melodic focus. Nick Costa takes the lead as frontman and primary songwriter, and you wouldn't be surprised to find him jamming solo at a coffee shop or local venue when the band isn't on stage any given weekend. With this recent release, Costa confidently sings about the confusion of life, and guitarist Sam Sanford takes a winning shot at lead vocals on "Don't Fear the Richard." These Saint Paul residents are now signed to Land Ski Records and have quite a few shows coming up in 2015. 
Favorite Tracks: "NYC Freakout" & "Don't Fear the Richard" 

Lynn O'Brien

This lady has not only a voice, but a personality, of gold. Accompanied by ukulele and now a well-mastered vocal looper, O'Brien's music is overflowing with originality and optimism. Sofar Sounds is lucky to have her now twice as a performer over the past two years, captivating entire living rooms. She has until recently, been a music therapist, but quit just this fall in order to fully commit to her personal music endeavors. I have few doubts about the success of her dream; she has already convinced me that almost anything is possible. 
Favorite Track: "Not Aiming For Land"

Paul, Harry, Doug, and Nick of Beasthead

Beasthead

These kids are old friends, and play together with effortless chemistry. 2014 was a busy year for them, full of residencies, shows around town - including opening for Royal Canoe this fall - and a Sofar Sounds set. In a world of overused electronics and vocal effects, Beasthead manages to capture the perfect medium of altered sound. In this multi-talented group, Paul also designs show posters and Doug is genuinely interested in everyone he meets, which has created a fully-functional self-promoting band who doesn't wait for opportunity to come to them. 
Favorite Track: "Louder"

Toni Lindgren and Reina del Cid, center

Reina del Cid

Reina del Cid comments that she may have "one of the world’s quietest singing voices," but volume in no way denotes quality. I first heard her with Toni at last summer's Sofar Sounds session, Reina's lovely tones accompanied by Toni's unparalleled picking skills. She sings often of romance and nature, which are topics perfectly suited to the bluegrass-influenced indie folk sound which completes those lyrics. Catch this self-proclaimed "girl next door" at a venue around the corner when you get a chance - she's got several shows lined up already in January. 
Favorite Track: "Emily" & "Pretty Lie"

Aaron and the Sea (AATS)

My knowledge of AATS comes from a rather unusual series of events, involving the purchase of a musical instrument on Craigslist last winter - one of those coincidences that doesn't feel so coincidental. Immediately hooked on the sound - indie electronic done achingly well, I recruited Aaron for a Sofar Sounds set last spring, and saw him again at Turf Club soon after. You should listen, but AATS is a must-see live. 
Favorite track: "Vudu II"

Ancient Mariner

I fell in love with this project of Gabriel Jorgensen's even before I knew he and I had both moved to Minneapolis in the second half of 2012. The EP In Solitude (currently free on Bandcamp) was released in 2013, and now as a trio, Ancient Mariner is working on a second EP and hopefully an LP in the near future. The minimalist and fleeting vocals of Jorgensen layer on top of gorgeous instrumental mixes and long-held electronic tones. More compositions than songs, the music they create requires length and repeated listens. I happened by 7th Street Entry this fall and was lucky to catch them live for the first time.
Favorite track: "Child of Wrath" 

Graveyard Club

I caught Graveyard Club opening for The Drums this past September at Triple Rock, and was inclined to leave after their set so I wouldn't be disappointed with the rest of the show. That same week they released their LP Nightingale, a sensuous and haunting album of Matthew Schufman's low voice perfectly blended with dark, hazy dream-pop instrumentals and Amanda Zimmerman's vocals. They inspire a sense of longing you didn't know you had. 
Favorite track: "Easy, Killer"

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Names Too Big to List:

These bands had an absolutely fantastic year, and were a big influence in mine - so you probably heard about them. But in case you did not, get listening. 

We Are The Willows - Picture Portrait
The Ericksons - Bring Me Home
Jeremy Messersmith - Heart Murmurs
Haley Bonar - Last War
Chris Koza - In Real Time
Steprockets - "Kisser"