Sleeping Jesus is the dream pop project started by Nick Elstad in the small river town of Winona, MN. The now five piece project, featuring Tyler Steinley, Andy Bauer, Seamus St Clair, and Dante DeGrazia, is set to release their debut album, Leave the Party Early, on July 25; made with friend and producer Mike Noyce. The band began to find their musical voice creating this album, splitting time during the pandemic between Winona, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Nick’s wife’s family farm in Northfield, Minnesota. Leaving comfortable approaches behind, Mike helped the group tread into new sonic territory. Melancholy thoughts about leaving your twenties behind and feeling out of place are accompanied with swirling pop landscapes throughout the nine track, 30 minute listen. This is truly the first brave step of this young band.

The Immaculate Beings is a queer, psychedelic, indie band focused on the importance of self-love, care, and validation through music and performance. Coming together from across the Midwest, Trevor (vox, guitar), Griffin (lead guitar), Martin (drums), Christian (bass, backup vox), Casey (backup vox), and Staurie (keys, backup vox), have dedicated their music careers to helping create a safe space, which is showcased in their first full-length album, Mental Space.

Present Company is an indie band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They released their first album (Talking on Couches) in 2020. Notable for their heavily dramatized performances, early ’80s post-punk sounds, and modern indie flair, this group of four was started by Christian Nelson and Eddie Chisham (songwriting, vocals, guitar, keys). They were later joined by Seth Lemmon (bass) and Berin Joseph (drums).