Thomas Kivi

I was out in the Twin Cities last weekend and I asked some co-workers to take me out to see some of their local music. (We're ad guys and specifically deal alot with music that get's...well redundant to say the least.) I had heard the scene in Minneapolis was amazing...like approaching some sort of Golden Age...at least that's the hype. So I wanted to see for myself and I needed something serious to help wash out all the Top 40 crap I had been working on all week. We headed to a spot called the Fine line...and immediately I was skeptical. It was all a little bit too polished to seem like it could possibly serve up what I was looking for. I ordered a local beer and got myself situated as the openers got ready. Brighton, MA (ironically named after a town 20 miles from where I grew up in Boston) opened and played a wonderful set with elements of the Strokes and this strait ahead Folk-Rock that had me breathing easier immediately. The main event was the CD release party for Thomas Kivi a singer-songwriter with an outstanding band and everything from Cello, to lap-steel. It was Indie music, it had an edge, and the introspective (if not somewhat dark) lyrics had me hooked from the first swell of the set's lead song. I've basically had the CD on repeat since I picked up that night...it is phenomenal and there is without a doubt a purity and this new breath into what is essentially folk-music. It's like the biggest folkie out there would respect what is going on here, but at the same time it is current, it is modern and in some areas the production pushes the rules a bit. So, needless to say, I had what I was looking for by 11pm...and then the headliner Communist Daughter (I assume named after the Neutral Milk Hotel song) came on. They totally rocked...and truly blew my mind. I mean I see some of the hottest acts out of Brooklyn at least 5-8 times a month and these guys, well. I didn't understand why I hadn't heard of them, and (no offense) what they were still doing in Minneapolis. Coincidentally, this was a big week for that band. They had two songs including the opening track on Grey's Anatomy and they are unquestionably on the radar with any Indie label worth it's salt. Which is a good thing, this is music that needs to be heard. Lyrics that make your spine tingle...it's like this guy is inside your head. And the layers, oh my goodness...it's nowhere near psychedelic but the depth of the harmonies of this 7 piece crew of brilliant Indie-rockers put's out...check it! Thank you Minneapolis. If this was any indication of what your city has to offer...you are ridiculously spoiled! I will be back soon, and I'm bringin' friends.