Folk Punks Reunite!
Review by: Lucas Kurmis, Writer @KurmisTheFrog
Additional Photos by: Lucas Kurmis, Tom Michaels, Nik Linde, Pour Choices, Michelle Kil’Dager
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Writer/Assistant Editor @PlaylistTC
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Photo by Lucas Kurmis
A Night to Remember
On March 4, 2023, a vast majority of the Minneapolis folk punk scene gathered at the Underground Music Cafe for an event called Folk Punks Re-Unite. I’ve been away from Minneapolis for school, but I’m so glad to be here for this. On my first day back in town, I got to catch a ton of my music friends in the folk-punk scene all in one place–at the Underground Music Venue in downtown Minneapolis. This was a night to remember, with 18 acts and 6 hours of music.
A Primer on Folk Punks Unite
This massive undertaking of an event is the brainchild of veteran musician Josh Wirtanen. Josh is the songwriter and lead singer of A Sunken Ship Irony, who played in this festival. This isn’t the first Folk Punks Unite event (hence the Re-unite). I actually played a set in the first Folk Punks Unite event in 2019 at Part Wolf. Much like Re-Unite, the first event featured a large ensemble of acts fitting under the folk punk umbrella. After Folk Punks Unite, Josh orchestrated a livestream event in March 2020 called Big Folking Livestream. Once again, this featured a large cast of various folk acts. This was originally planned as another in-person event, but Covid had other plans. Josh managed to switch gears and still create this event as a livestream. Folk Punks Re-Unite was like both of these events, but this is the biggest one yet in scope, attendance, and just the sheer amount of musicians in one place.
Photo by Lucas Kurmis
The Tom O’Bedlam
Per Andreassen kicked off the evening with a solo performance of music from his project The Tom O’Bedlam. I’ve played a few shows with The Tom O’Bedlam, including a few on his own urban farm. Donned in a phantasmal masquerade mask and an acoustic guitar, Per set the scene with political anthems rooted in classic folk style. Per sang about collective power and resistance, including staying in trees to stop gasline construction.
“I don’t know that I’m right
But I’m sure that they’re wrong”
Photo by Michelle Kil’Dager
Mia
Second to play was Mia Camille Read, also equipped with an acoustic guitar. Mia’s music is more on the punk end of the folk-punk spectrum, with a lot of emo and pop-punk influence in her music. Mia’s lyrics are quick and punchy, and her style sounds familiar to the emo scene while still staying very much her own creation.
“I wish I was present
As much as I’m stressing”
Mia: Facebook
Photo by Tom Michaels
Emmett Doyle
Emmett “Eagle-Eyes” Doyle is known in Minneapolis for both his music and comedy. At this show, Emmett flexed his musical muscles. Like The Tom O’Bedlam (and many of the acts (this is a folk-punk fest)), Emmett’s music was political and inspiring rebellion. Unlike The Tom O’Bedlam, Emmett had a bit more blues in his songs, though there were clear folk influences as well. Emmett’s music was catchy and upbeat.
“Pack me up a baker’s dozen
Because you know how I feel about 12”
Emmett Doyle: Facebook
Photo by Tom Michaels
Liluna
Repping Admiral Fox with one of their shirts, Morgan McCandless took the stage as Liluna. Morgan played acoustic guitar as well, also in an emo style, though still fitting as folk-punk and at the same time being an original sound. Liluna swept the crowd with catchy melodies and unreal vocals. She played both my favorite Smoke Break and a fan favorite Running Thin.
I’ve got a pocket full of cigarettes
You’ve got something on your mind
Trade you one if I could get a peek of it
You say they help you unwind”
Photo by Tom Michaels
Teablood
I’ve only seen Teablood once or twice before this at the Sociable Cider open mic. They were another in the lineup of solo guitarists, and they had a model folk-punk musical aesthetic, with a hint of screamo. Teablood played originals as well as covers of Against Me and The Front Bottoms. Teablood introduced the Front Bottoms medley by saying “you might recognize one of these songs.” Admittedly, I recognized only Twin-Sized Mattress and not the other song as predicted. Having performed my own Front Bottoms medley at the first Folk Punks Unite, I was happy to see that element continue.
“Coffee! Pills! Blood!”
Teablood: Linktree
Photo by Nik Linde
Ethan Caviness
Ethan was the last in this string of solo guitarists. Ethan’s style was a lot more indie folk, harkening back to his Silversun Pickups influences. Ethan had a warm vocal delivery while showing off his guitar skills, making use of a lot of single-note walks and fills.
“I don’t care about your man”
Ethan Cavincess: Instagram
Photo by Tom Michaels
King Sized Coffin
This was King Sized Coffin’s first show! They had the ecstatic energy of a new band that you can feel the potential of, but they also played like they had everything down pat. This was a 7-piece band dressed in black playing 11 instruments between them. There was a vocalist; an electric guitarist; a drummer (who at one point was also playing saxophone); an upright bass player; a band member who played trombone, autoharp, and acoustic guitar; a mandolin player; and someone who played banjo and theremin. This extensive ensemble was still a tight unit, performing something between blues and doom folk. Their music is dark and upbeat with a bit of screaming as well. There were hints of other Minneapolis heroes, Ungrateful Little String Band, and Riverrats, but the main comparison I would make especially to the singer is a mix between Man Man and Tom Waits.
“You’re invited to join us if you dare”
Photo by Pour Choices
My Mom’s Guitar
This was the first show of the year for folk-punk duo My Mom’s Guitar. While they said they were nervous, they killed it onstage as they so consistently do. This duo consists of Joey Novacheck on vocals, guitar, and banjo; and Jae Yates on cello and vocals. They performed a classic folk cover as well as two classic originals, Start Moving and Roadkill. Both originals pick up momentum as they go, swelling in their own ways by the end. Roadkill becomes a punky banger, whereas Start Moving is swelling with an emotional delivery of the titular line repeated again and again.
“You’re speaking too soft
You’re speaking too loud”
Photo by Lucas Kurmis
Cap’n Seabeard
Abound with energy, Seabeard took the stage. He was mostly a solo act with vocals and acoustic guitar, but electric guitarist Ben Mohr solo’d over one of his songs, which added an extra hooky element to his already lively set. The name Seabeard fits, as there is an element of shanty in his music while still fitting very well with the folk-punk sound of the night. Seabeard is a stage performer through and through with a lot of movement. Seabeard took his shirt off later in the set, which he is also known to do.
“I’m going where all the work is done”
Photo by Tom Michaels
Pine and Fire
This duo started off strong with explosive vocals on the first song. This group consists of Jobi Adams and Brandi Foster. They both sang, Brandi played mandolin and kick drum, and Jobi played guitar. Together, they created great harmonies and round singing, and they seemed to fit right into the folk-punk theme. They also had great personality, both as songwriters and performers. They ended on the catchiest song about serial murder I haven’t heard in a while (though contended with several other songs about murder through the night).
“So I grabbed my gas can
And my old shotgun
And I did what had to be done”
Photo by Tom Michaels
Straight Line Arrival
While SLA is usually a four-piece emo band, tonight featured lead singer and guitarist Sky Husebye. This was her first solo acoustic set in four years! With this setup, we were really able to focus on Sky’s singing and lyrics. Her singing featured some powerful notes and powerful screams thrown in here and there. Sky’s lyrics are heartfelt and witty. Right after Pine and Fire’s “gas can and old shotgun,” Sky serenaded us with a song about burning a town to the ground, though there was plenty of ground for all sorts of subjects and moods.
“Here’s a pill just to sleep
Here’s another one just to get through the week”
Photo by Tom Michaels
Kyrie Nova
Michelle Kil’Dager took the stage as Kyrie Nova. While Kyrie Nova was also performing a solo act, she has a bit of a change-up playing her signature vocals and bass performance, slapping a homemade bass guitar. Kyrie Nova’s bass skill is unmatched, and she showed off on this night, as she should. The crowd was whooping and murmuring about her slap-tap-tastic solo work. On top of that, she has a great stage presence in her banter between songs as well as in her lyrics during songs. Tonight was a lot of spoken word, which was carried by quality lyrics.
“You ramble on and on and on and on and on and ON!”
Photo by Lucas Kurmis
A Sunken Ship Irony
Josh Wirtanen, Morgan McCandless (Liluna), and Michelle Kil’Dager (Kyrie Nova) united after Kyrie Nova’s set as A Sunken Ship Irony to highlight what their combined skills can do. All three members sang, with Josh on lead vocals and guitar, Morgan on synth, and Michelle on bass. They previewed some new visual elements of their performance with black and white striped outfits, flower crowns, and a fog machine, though Josh hinted at more visual/performance elements to come in future. The first song was a medley, as were several songs in the set. Familiar fans can find surprises in the ways they’ve rearranged these songs, and unfamiliar fans will notice the dynamic changes even without knowing what “usually” comes next.
“It was a cruel, cruel world we’ll say goodbye to”
Photo by Tom Michaels
Cretin Avenue Hop
These guys performed as a Ramones cover band. They had a lead singer and guitarist, a background vocalist and box drummer, and a bassist. Each performer was dressed up in Ramone’s getup including leather jackets and sunglasses. They played Ramone’s hits, including Blitzkrieg Bop, Rockaway Beach, I Wanna Be Sedated, and R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
“Ay! Oh! Let’s go!”
Cretin Avenue Hop: Instagram
Photo by Tom Michaels
The Serfs
“We are also a Ramones cover band” joked the lead singer cheekily, but they do match the punky energy of the previous band. The Serfs consists of 5 band members, with two members playing guitar and vocals, one member playing bass and vocals, one member on drums, and one on harmonica. There were some technical difficulties trying to mic the harmonica player, and unfortunately, the harmonica player never came through on the P.A. clearly, but they still sounded great. The Serfs were upbeat and fun with a lot of drinking references, though there were darker moments as well. Matching the resistance and destruction themes of the night, The Serfs had a song about tearing down a factory.
“Beer beer, beer beer beer!”
The Serfs: Facebook
Photo by Lucas Kurmis
Joe Bartel
Known for his own legendary shows hosted with Emily Ask at the 319 Club and Badger’s Den, and also known for his own folk-punk performances, Joe Bartel took the stage with an acoustic guitar accompanied by Maddie Thies. Maddie is also known legendarily for her help in several bands across the twin cities including Ginny and the Fizz and The Briefly Gorgeous among many others. Joe’s music has a classic folk-punk sound, striking Jeff Rosenstock appeal, though Joe is mostly incomparable with his signature wordy, witty lyrics. His music is equal parts edgy and inviting.
“But I’ll get by
Drinking red wine
Chasing coffee as black as the sea”
Photo by Tom Michaels
Pour Choices
The schedule was running a bit behind at this point. To save setup time, Pour Choices moved off the stage and played right up to the crowd, who had moved back by that time. This band featured four members that night, and everyone in the band was singing, sometimes swapping lead parts, sometimes as a shout chorus, and sometimes everyone singing different parts. Their band members were playing guitar, ukulele, washboard, and accordion. They had a Rail Yard Ghosts vibe, and playing close to the crowd unplugged really added to the authentic charming energy they had.
“Don’t be such an asshole
‘Cause we’re all in this together”
Photo by Lucas Kurmis
All the Pretty Horses
All the Pretty Horses headlined the night, and it is maybe the saddest thing that the crowd was dwindling, as they missed an unforgettable performance. Unfortunately, the venue had advertised it ending at 8pm, so some people didn’t stay without knowing the real length. I was glad to be among the crowd to catch it anyways, and everyone there was similarly blown away. They were the rockiest set, bringing the house down. I’d put them somewhere between rock and punk, with a clear performance element as well, complete with head thrashes, guitarists leaning towards each other, and the classic lean-back-kneeling-guitar move. Venus DeMars leads the project, playing guitar and singing. There was another guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer completing the group tonight. They had the roughness of a hard rock band, but the smoothness of a band that has their set down tightly.
“Justice
Just a hole”
Photo by Tom Michaels
Afterward
By the end of the show, everyone was pretty tired, especially those who’d been there 6 hours or more. There was loose talk of an afterparty, but most were ready for bed, including myself, waking up the next morning at 8 a.m. to drive to Eau Claire. We were all tired but glad to be there. It really seemed like everyone brought their A-game to this festival, and I was glad just to catch it, and gladder now to share it!
