The (Local) Fresh Five: Mean Magic, Matt Monsoor, Vespen, Maddie Thies/Lucas Rollo, and Full Catholic
For the Fresh Five we pick out five great new(ish) jams that we’re currently obsessing over. All of these songs come from local (Minnesota) bands/artists.
Mean Magic are a local rock quartet that released their debut way back in 2014 and at least online have not released anything since. Until now. II is a new collection of songs that mixes up garage and psychedelic rock with roots/country undertones. The guitar work is on point courtesy of Paul DesCombaz and Tony Mogelson, and Emily Ruiz and Mike Brady provide vox and bass/percussion. Stream/purchase II here (its great). Mean Magic’s next show is 4/11 at the Underground Music Cafe.
We’re cheating a bit on this one as Matt Monsoor is from WI. However after listening to their latest single “Sam’s Hill” we’re ready to extend the invite to bring Monsoor across the Saint Croix. We can’t share the single yet (it comes out on May 2nd) but it’s a gorgeous number with a serious Fiona Apple vibe and funky undertones (and features JT Bates, Pat Keen, Courtney Hartman and Paul Brandt). Instead we’ll share another great tune of Monsoor’s 2024 EP Better Things you can stream now and then keep your eyes/ears trained for the new material (and also consider seeing Monsoor and co at Midwest Music Fest on May 10.
Vespen is an ambient/minimalist project from local artist Jeff Ball (Maps of Norway, Field Hospitals) Ball released a new record Zoe this past month and it’s got this hauntingly beautiful single “Prodigal Son” on it. Over the course of 6 minutes Ball builds a rhythmic flow of sparse electronic tones and vocals that ebbs and flows a bit like ocean waves. Reminds me a little of Julianna Barwick (whom I love). Stream/purchase the whole album here.
We’re very much looking forward to sharing local artist (and prolific bassist) Maddie Thies’ next single “Owie” which she recorded in partnership with Lucas Rollo and will be out later this month (4/25). Since we can’t do that now we’ll share Thies/Rollo’s song from earlier this year with Aurelio Sandoval Pogatshnik “Last Ride.” It’s a very bass-forward, moody song that feels full of emotional yearning.
“TILT” is a hot-off-the-press single from local experimental fourpiece Full Catholic (coming out officially this weekend). “TILT” is the first single off of what will be FC’s third album Things Go Quiet which comes out later this summer. It’s a track with a lot of chaotic energy, mainly courtesy of some wild string work on top of the band’s rapidly paced tempestuous rock. Can’t wait to hear more.
