LAAMAR is the latest project led by Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and composer Geoffrey Lamar Wilson. Former frontman of Brooklyn-based Jus Post Bellum, Wilson is also known for his multilayered looped saxophone performances and catchy podcast ditties (Terrible, Thanks for Asking). On the band’s debut EP “Flowers,” Wilson blends his idiomatic inspirations bridging folk, soul, R&B, and country with a constant ear toward racial and social justice issues and the shared human experience. 

 

“In the EP’s deceptively sweet and warm title track, he relays a memory of his mother ‘lighting candles and putting flowers on the boulevard’ in memory of another dead man of color. In the standout track getting airplay on the Current, “Home to My Baby,” he relays his personal fears of getting pulled over by police,” writes Chris Riemenschneider of the Star Tribune. 

 

Recent acclaim for LAAMAR includes debut single “Home to My Baby” being named KAXE’s “Best Song” of 2023 and a nod as one of First Avenue’s Best New Bands. 

 

“With Flowers,” writes Malachy Koons of KAXE, “LAAMAR has crafted a stunning debut that does not shy away from difficult topics. The new EP features four instantly catchy songs, with each taking a different approach to issues of racial and social justice.”

 

The band is working with Nat Harvie (Low, Cole Pulice) on their debut full length, tentatively planned for release this Fall.

Yonder is an emerging Minneapolis-based Alt-Americana band with a heavy edge. Leading ladies Hattie Peach (violin, vocals) and Emma Jeanne (rhythm guitar, vocals) began experimenting as co-writers in their Duluth dorm room years ago. Peach’s heartfelt folk storytelling and Jeanne’s punk rock sensibilities harmoniously blend in their writing. Joined by Oliver Gerber (Lapdogs) on lead guitar, Dylan Hilliker (Greentop) on drums, and Calvin Carrison (Big Delicious) on bass, Yonder fuses influences from their previous local projects into a fresh, eclectic sound. They’re set to soon release their debut EP, Momento Mori.

Drenched in the heartland spirit of Minnesota, The Holy North is a musical force that blends the rootsy charm of Americana, the soulful grooves of Blues Rock, and the raw emotion of Alt-Country. The band is a tight-knit group of five musicians who share a passion for crafting music that resonates with the soul and speaks to the core of the American musical tradition.

Onstage, The Holy North is a powerhouse of energy, captivating audiences with their infectious melodies and soul-stirring vocals, and lyrics. The chemistry between the band members is palpable, creating a dynamic live experience that leaves audiences yearning for more.