Today Minnesota Music Resistance (MMR) hosted their inaugural event (Fight for Your Civil Rights) to benefit the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota at the Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge. It was an unmitigated success!
The back story: MMR was the brainchild of Paul Engebretson, aka Front Row Paul. Paul had an idea to use the Minnesota music community to fight for democracy, freedom and rights in the United States. He called his friends, he got things started and then he got sick and left us with a solid plan and a lot of motivation.
Today we made good on that plan with an amazing day of music and a community of old friends and new raising money for the ACLU. The first event of many, I hope. Performers, in order of appearance included:
Dad Bod is a young band that been around for a few (5+) years now. They got the crowd going with loud, but dreamy music.
The Daily Norm is a man with a guitar. It couldn’t be more straightforward but oh will he capture your attention. Just lovely.
The Muatas was a new band to me, an awesome blend of punk and hip hop with some surprising techno edges. The have been playing together for decades.
Walken Schweigert & August Judd of Open Flame were something completely different in the best way. It’s hard to beat the sound of a saw.
The Silent Treatment will always bring the rock for me. Loud and fascist-fighting. And makes you want to dance.
Strong Buffalo, or Buffalo Weavers, brought good music and a air or solemnity or spirituality to the event. It was a perfect balance.
Turn Turn Turn, hot off their tour of Spanish, with flavors of country and rock singing songs about relationships with a retro spice.
M.A.Y. turned the side stage on its end with powerhouse of sound of guitar, looping, tracks and a fantastic voice.
Christy Costello turned frustration with the world to red hot music. Getting folks ready with chants and onto lyrics to song along.
Ganser drove up from Chicago. It was such a treat to get to hear them. A short but very sweet set.
And I got a chance to catch up with the folks at the tables: ACLU, Move to Amend, ERA Minnesota, Dissonance, Women’s March MN and MN Music Resistance.
Mostly Minnesota 