Author Archives | Frankie Carlson

Cummerbunds and kneepads galore: Local Twin Cities roller skating community hosts “Skate Prom”

When we think back to highschool prom, it may not always spark the warmest of memories. Perhaps your date ditched you, your outfit tore or you just couldn’t tolerate doing the Cupid Shuffle while sharing the dance floor with the demons who populated your senior class.

This past weekend several members of the local Twin Cities roller skating community found a way to put those bad memories to bed with a prom of their very own. Organized by local roller skate groups Chicks in Bowls Minneapolis (CIB) and Quad Chicks, Skate Prom took place on July 24 within the halls of the elegant ballroom that is the 3rd Lair Skate Park.

With over 40 people in attendance, the vast majority of whom were sporting their formal attire, the event went off without a hitch. Centering the event around inclusion and acceptance for all, organizers encouraged anyone and everyone to come out regardless of experience level.

Co-admin for CIB, Gem Carr, shared how the idea for Skate Prom first took shape when COVID-19 restrictions were initially lifted.

“Everybodys just had a rough year, and we felt like we’re kind of losing the community,” Carr said. “So any excuse to dress up and have a good time was basically what we wanted to do. We haven’t dressed up — any of us — at all for the last year.”

The night began at the sculpture garden outside of the Walker where folks met and took pictures before hitting the ramps. After that, the crowd migrated to 3rd Lair where, in addition to shredding, attendees could also grab snacks, drinks and more photos throughout the park.

Several members of the local roller skating community have noticed a rise in the popularity of skating taking place during the pandemic. CIB admin Laura Mahler shared how part of the draw for the Skate Prom event was to create a welcoming environment for new members of the community who have not yet been able to make it out to a large-scale skating meetup.

“Now that the world is starting to open up and people are getting vaccinated, we’re kind of like, ‘Okay, it’s time to now meet these new people and get together,’” Mahler said. “I think the prom was sort of an excuse to make [the meetup] a little bit more special and creative, but mostly, it was to celebrate the fact that we can skate together again.”

This event was the first local large-scale meetup of its kind since the pandemic. CIB admin, Michaela Craig, shared a bit about how these meetups are organized and how all are welcome and encouraged to come give skating a try.

“We have a couple different message forums going on, so if you find one person that you’ve met that you like to skate with they’ll for sure, no doubt, invite you to like a skate message group,” Craig said. “Everyone just says, ‘Hey, I’m going here today if anyone wants to meet up,’ or, ‘Does anyone want to state this week?’ Someone’s always looking to skate.”

Many smaller weekly meetups are constantly being organized, however the next large-scale gathering such as this is currently being organized for Halloween.

Above all, members of CIB, Quad Chicks and the local skating community as a whole value inclusion. Whether you’re an expert on 8 wheels or if it’s your first time doing anything of the sort, the skating community is here to welcome you with open elbow pads.

“I think rollerskating gets an intimidation vibe around it,” Mahler said. “Like, ‘Oh, those people are really good and they’re gonna hate me because I’m not good enough.’ There’s a little bit of that but I think that really was shattered last night.”

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Local musical artist partners with the Walker Art Center to create music for selected silent films

Local multidisciplinary artist from Minneapolis, FPA, aka Frances Priya, is this year’s featured artist for the Walker Art Center’s “Sound for Silents” event. Now in its fifth year, the program commissions artists to create new original scores for several selected silent films.

Drawing on three works from the Ruben/Bentson Moving Image Collection, FPA will perform her newly composed scores at a live screening of the films on the Walker hillside. Set for August 19, FPA will perform her scores for “Sound for Silents” alongside Patrick Horigan (keys, guitar), Madison Hallman (vox), Jon Lindquist (percussion) and DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet, bass).

The short films that will be shown will be “Jefferson Circus Songs” by Suzan Pitt, “Bowling Alley” by Shu Lea Cheang and “Horizontal Boundaries” by Pat O’Neill.

From her unique flow and delivery to her dreamy lo-fi production, FPA’s sound is entirely her own. Her self-produced 2019 debut album, “Yang Chen,” offers a lush, laid back listening experience over the project’s eight tracks. Her second album, “Princess Wiko” is set to release in the fall of 2021.

FPA spoke with A&E about her process creating music for Walker’s selected films.

Where do you start when taking on a project like this?

I started with chords and chord structures to develop the kind of mood for each video and each scene in each video. I think harmony is really important to establish the mood, and I think that that’s one thing I probably go to first and then everything else is secondary.

How does creating music for a project like this differ from the approach you took to making your album?

I think my own album is very much my own, top to bottom, and I feel like this is more of a collaborative thing. I feel like I’m adding another element to something that’s already created so it doesn’t feel like I can just do whatever I want. I can do what just like the universe is already here but I can’t just create a whole new world.

Which of the films did you find most inspiring to score as the composer?

I guess “Horizontal Boundaries” or “Jefferson Circus.” It’s probably a tie between them. The “Horizontal Boundaries” I love just because it’s really beautiful, a lot of just landscape images and things like that are really nice to look at.

As a Minneapolis local, what is it like to partner with a citywide staple such as the Walker?

I’m grateful for the experience. It’s always nice to do something like this. I think for me, whether it’s the Walker or anything else, it’s just cool to be able to compose to films, especially ones that are super interesting, dynamic and beautiful.

What type of experience are you hoping to create for audience members?

I just hope that they feel something, I think that’s the goal of this. Yes, to be entertained of course, but I want them to feel as many things as possible in 50 minutes.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length

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Underground update: Local Afro-fusion artist Obi Original prepares for debut EP release

Whether he’s recording, producing, directing or organizing, Obi Original can’t be put into one box.

Over the past three years, local artist and producer Obiora Obikwelu, aka Obi Original, has been paving his own way. Taking inspiration from a number of genres, Obikwelu has come into his own with a unique dancy, wavey, emotion-filled sound. Growing up inspired by the sounds of African Highlife music, it has been a dream of Obikwelu to help create a home for the Afro-fusion genre within the U.S. as well as in his home city of Minneapolis.

“I grew up in a space where a lot of contemporary music was your hip-hop, rap, indie music,” Obikwelu said. “And all those I like, but I was in a space where I wanted to really challenge myself to bring a new type of sound to the local arena.”

His upcoming EP, “Waves,” is set to drop July 23. Totaling five tracks, Obikwelu dives into themes of love and all of its complications, silver linings and idiosyncrasies. Taking inspiration from his time as a theater kid in school, Obikwelu created “Waves” with an emotional narrative in mind.

Obi Original poses for a portrait on Sunday, July 11 in his home studio in Minneapolis, Minn. (Audrey Rauth)

“I made the EP to listen like a musical, or a play,” Obikwelu said. “I really wanted to make something that was not too long, but every song was purposeful, every song had this emotion. I just wanted to show waves of life. Even with people that you love, you still have ups and downs because if it was just a straight line it’ll be stagnant and stale.”

In addition to his solo music, Obikwelu is a co-founder and creative director of artist collective Ozone Creations. Comprised of six artists, all of whom are first generation Americans of African descent, the group seeks to serve as a Midwestern hub for Afro-fusion.

The newest member to join Ozone, local artist Mack OC, has known Obikwelu since childhood. Mack champions Obikwelu’s unique artistic vision and his drive when it comes to ensuring that each artist in Ozone is at their best.

“Obi has really distinct ideas and he thinks so outside the box with the stuff he does, you can see it in his craft,” Mack said. “The kind of stuff that he does is so pre-planned and so premeditated. When we are coming to him with ideas, it’s so easy for him to just be like, ‘Okay this is how we can make this come to life.’”

Local artist Shy-I has also known Obikwelu since youth. He echoes the same sentiments as Mack OC and admires Obikwelu’s dedication when it comes to his work.

“I believe in Obi and his artistic ability to bring positive attention to the state of Minnesota, and to the continent of Africa,” Shy-I said. “He is a large reason for where I am as an artist today, and I know I’m not the only one who would say that.”

As live music continues to return to the Twin Cities, Obikwelu has been able to perform consistent shows in Minneapolis for the past two months. Obi Original is set to take the 7th St Entry stage on July 24, the day after his EP release.

Obikwelu hopes to continue to create and expand the reach of Ozone Creations. He hopes that the group can be a model for artists in the Twin Cities to demonstrate the power in collaboration.

“I really hope that, you know, at least with Ozone Creations that we’re able to kind of show an example to like artists in the city,” Obikwelu said. “You know you can have that talent, you can have that drive, but you can still be the captain of the ship, at least when it comes to how everything is run. Sometimes it’s like finding the right group of people that can give the same 100% that you give.”

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Spreading awareness through art: Art for Water mural to be installed in Lyndale community garden

“To honor and protect the water is our responsibility.”

This quote by environmental activist Winona LaDuke sits bold in the top right corner of the Lyndale neighborhood’s latest public art piece. The mural’s artist, Alex Dresdner, chose this quote for the piece because of its clear message: water should not be taken for granted.

Dresdner is the latest artist in the Minnesota Water Stewards “Art for Water” program. Developed in 2013, the project trains and assists artists to create work that advocates for awareness of local freshwater resources. Dresdner set out to create a mural with the hopes that it would inspire members of the Lyndale community to engage in sustainable practices surrounding water preservation.

The mural is set to go up on display in a community garden on the corner of 34th Street and Nicollet Avenue within the coming weeks.

Co-manager of the garden, Devin Hogan, spoke on the role the mural will play in the public space.

“I think the mural will be helpful in reminding people of the way our water systems are integrated,” Hogan said. “The lakes are more than recreation or nice things to look at, they’re part of an ecosystem. Part of the role of the garden is to take water that would normally just be storm runoff on a vacant lot and turn it into a way to grow food and sink water into the ground to recharge the aquifers.”

Standing 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, the intricate blue and green painting displays not only the visual beauty of our local freshwater, but also facts and data demonstrating the importance of clean water policies in Minnesota.

Dresdner organized a live painting event to get the community involved. On July 7, Zion Lutheran Church offered space for this live mural painting where members of the neighborhood were encouraged to grab a brush and a free meal made with produce from one of the Lyndale community gardens.

Dresdner also looked to the community for input during the design process. Using an online survey as well as in-person conversations with neighbors, Dresdner gathered suggestions and feedback on what parts of Minneapolis people would like to see on the mural with relation to water.

“A lot of people said that the Mississippi River was one of their favorite parts about the city — and also the chain of lakes — so that’s all going to be in there,” Dresdner said. “Minneapolis has so much water that it was really kind of hard to narrow it down and I just sort of based it on what’s most important to people in their daily lives.”

Dresdner expanded the project further with the creation of zines designed to educate the community about stormwater runoff. These zines were made and distributed throughout south Minneapolis in Little Free Libraries.

Senior Communications Specialist for Hennepin County Environment and Energy and Minnesota Water Steward Christina Schmitt explained what the Art for Water program sets out to impart on their artist applicants and the work they will go on to create.

“The primary goal here is for the artist to use their project as an outreach tool to promote water quality,” Schmitt said. “It’s a different approach than, [for example], installing a rain garden. Art taps a different part of your brain, and people react with their hearts as well as their heads to art, realizing that water is precious and we all need to do our part to protect it.”

Dresdner encourages those who want to get involved to volunteer at the 34th Street and Nicollet Avenue garden to assist in their efforts to combat food insecurity and build community in the local neighborhood. He hopes the mural made by members of the community will be a reminder to appreciate and take stops to preserve local freshwater.

“I’m hoping to kind of start some conversations of how people change their practices to be more environmentally friendly,” Dresdner said. “Everything that happens upstream affects us, and everything we do affects everyone downstream so it’s like they’re all connected and I hope that that kind of message gets through.”

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Review: “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” by Tyler, the Creator

Keeping consistent with his album release schedule of every other year, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor and comedian Tyler, the Creator is back on the scene with his latest project.

The sixth studio album from the LA-based artist, “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” is a rollercoaster of energy and musical artistry — the kind that only the Grammy Award-winning creator can deliver.

From the first track, the album grabs hold of the listener’s attention and doesn’t let go. Skipless and breakless, “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” stands out from start to finish with its seamless transitions, trailblazing production and hard-hitting verses from Tyler as well as the laundry list of featured artists. 16 tracks in length, the songs are short and sweet and move seamlessly from one to the next.

The project manages to weave a collection of styles and influences to create what is perhaps Tyler’s most sonically eclectic project to date. He revisits some of his tonal roots of his Odd Future era, while simultaneously continuing to branch out into more experimental territory.

Tyler’s several previous releases are no tough acts to follow. His stylish and conceptual 2017 release “Flower Boy” made its mark as an instant classic, while his Grammy Award-winning 2019 album “IGOR ” showed off his super power-like skills as a producer and big-picture artist. Needless to say there was nothing but anticipation for what Tyler would do next, and he sure didn’t disappoint.

From the opening track, we’re introduced to the colors and brushes that will be used to paint the larger canvas that is “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST.” The opener, “SIR BAUDELAIRE” shows off the unique sonic atmosphere with wavering clarinets and jazzy piano licks, while reintroducing us to Tyler’s braggadocious bars and low register flow. The world of the album is also introduced in the form of the shouted ad-libs from DJ Drama that appear as a motif throughout the tracklist.

Tyler’s veteran-level production is the clear highlight throughout the project, most notably on the tracks “WUSYANAME” and “RISE!” The former is a catchy head bobber that is held together by its gorgeous grooves, beautiful backup harmonies and silky synthesizers, where the latter features some of the most crisp and crunchy drum sounds to ever bless a Tyler track.

On top of this is the album’s unique instrumentation and atmosphere. The song “HOT WIND BLOWS” catches the ear with its hypnotic jazz soundscape, hovering flutes and haunting background vocal accompaniment. The buzzing bass lines, impeccable percussion and all of the other bells and whistles showcased on this album are all the proof needed to see that nobody is orchestrating quite like Tyler.

The project is just nearly as rich in its lyricism. The tracks “MANIFESTO” and “RISE!” show the LA emcee holding nothing back. Tackling topics of life after success, public persona and the self-proclamation of being one of the best there is, Tyler’s lyrics and flow on “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” are confident, calculated and raw. He also demonstrates prolific skill in storytelling and lyricism on the song “WILSHIRE,” where he details his story of getting involved in a complicated love triangle. The story unfolds from line to line, moving in a way that feels natural yet masterfully written.

The album also manages to grab outstanding performances from the slew of featured artists from the likes of Lil Wayne, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Domo Genesis, Fana Hues and Pharrell Williams.

While each song has something unique to offer, the clear standout on the tracklist is “SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE.” The track spans 10 minutes, and incorporates styles of groovy soul-pop and dreamy bossa-nova, which somehow combine to create a cohesive and dynamic composition. It is the 10 amongst an album of 9s, and with its continuous build and development throughout the runtime, this song alone is a look into how Tyler has grown as an artist since his debut mixtape in 2009.

Immensely fun and replayable, this album is hard not to get lost in. It’s only July, so we will have to wait and see, but the summer of 2021 might end up belonging to Tyler.

Grade: A

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Bell Museum opens larger-than-life bug exhibit

Fearful of bugs? Rest assured, you are not walking into your own personal nightmare. With interactive activities, fascinating facts and magnificent 3D renderings, the Bell Museum’s latest exhibit has plenty to offer for even the biggest entomophobe.

Running now through Sept. 14, Bugs: Outside the Box brings the insect world to a larger-than-life size. The exhibition, which is free to the public, presents a selection of enlarged bug sculptures that allow a close look at insects’ unique architecture and body parts.

Though there are insects featured throughout the Bell Museums permanent galleries, this is the first exhibition that has been fully devoted to the science of bugs.

If a critter crawls on your skin or you find a spider in the corner of your apartment, you might meet the insect with a bit of disgust, or even fear. But Gallery Programs Coordinator Heather Cummins explained that the little bugs around us require less fear and more understanding.

“Not only are insects beautiful, but they make the world work,” Cummins said. “They make up 75-80% of the diversity of life on the planet and, within that diversity, they do a lot of the dirty work of keeping our planet clean and habitable. They are a truly essential part of living on this planet, and learning about them helps better inform us so we can continue to improve the ways we care for the Earth.”

Now as you walk in the Bell Museum one of the first things you see across the lobby is an enormous moth at the exhibit entrance, greeting visitors. The colossal bug models were crafted by Italian artist Lorenzo Possenti. Carved and painted by hand, Possenti took immense care in creating these sculptures and each one remains a unique work of art.

Director of Public Engagement and Science Learning at the Bell Museum Dr. Holly Menninger shared how, as a temporary rented installment, “Bugs: Outside the Box” was chosen for exhibition, not only for its unique appeal for visitors, but also its safety in light of COVID-19.

“We wanted something that would be visually exciting and interesting and that would wow our audiences, but didn’t have a lot of things that people would touch or interact with,” Menninger said. “This exhibit was really attractive because we created an opportunity to invite our visitors to really look closely at insects, observe their body parts, their wonderful architecture and color — to look at things from a new perspective.”

Organizers at the Bell Museum hope that visitors will be inspired to get outside and explore the world of insects both at the museum and at home. The exhibit’s “Learning Landscape” section offers the chance for visitors to observe insects in action and engage with a plethora of unique species. Several of these exhibit activities are also available on the Bell Museum website for access anytime.

In addition to these activities, the museum is hosting a number of virtual programs lined up for the summer. From Bugs Trivia Night to Be a Pest Detective and Helping Insects Build Their Homes, there are plenty of interactive events to get involved in.

Associate Director of Public Engagement and Science Learning Jennifer Stampe hopes that visitors leave the exhibit with a new or renewed appreciation and respect for the world of insects.

“This exhibit and the associated activities give visitors a chance to move from art to science to direct observation of nature,” Stampe said. “The one big takeaway is that the natural world is fascinating and beautiful and vast, and we can learn so much about it when we slow down and take the time to observe what we find around us.”

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It’s not beginner’s luck when it comes to Papa Mbye, it’s the real deal.

Though he’s just getting started in the local music scene, rapper Papa Mbye is making a name for himself. With his unique delivery, hard-hitting lyrics and lively production, Papa has been blazing his own trail and making it look easy while he does it.

Hot off the release of the frenetic and hype-filled music video for his single “NOFOODINMYTUMMY,” the Minneapolis based MC is just getting started for the summer of 2021.

His debut EP, “MANG FI,” is in the final stages of production and is set to drop within the coming months.

Following a loose narrative, the project dives into topics of loneliness, self perception and self discovery. Mbye discussed how the EP’s underlying themes of isolation are feelings that stem back as far as the age of two, when his family immigrated to north Minneapolis from Gambia/Senegal.

“When I came here, I always stuck out so much. I always got noticed very easily,” Mbye said. “I still didn’t feel normal or like I wasn’t included, and I guess it’s hard to shake it. Those feelings never left me.”

According to Mbye, the creation of “MANG FI” came about nearly by accident. In the beginning of quarantine, he began experimenting with production software and creating his own songs. His experience as a musician at this point consisted of several performances at house shows, rapping and freestyling among friends. Despite this, Mbye dove in head first and came out the other side with six tracks and a newfound passion.

“I feel like a kid that just started a music class because I guess I don’t really have any musical understanding or experience before this, so I’m kind of just learning everything now,” Mbye said. “I still kind of feel like a beginner that got a crazy head start.”

Musical collaborator and producer on “MANG FI” Ben Farmer champions the work Mbye has put into learning the ins and outs of music production, and his drive to continue to improve his skill set.

“Papa is one of the fastest learners that I know,” Farmer said. “I remember a year-and-a-half ago he was asking all types of questions about Ableton and how to do this and how to do that, and I’d be in the studio with him and I can see him frustrated at the fact that he can’t work quick enough. And then in no time he has completely learned his way around those tools. He is fearless when it comes to his art and I’ve learned a lot from him in that regard.”

Though music production and rapping is a newer enterprise for Mbye, he has always been a natural creative. He first discovered his artistic side at an early age through illustration and cartooning.

Producer for “MANG FI” Zak Khan first began collaborating with Mbye after an unplanned meeting at one of Khan’s studio sessions. Mbye did what he does in whatever setting he is in: create.

“Papa showed up with his drawing book and a bunch of crayons and pens and stuff in a bag.” Khan said. “He sat down and while we we’re making music he was just drawing. At some point, I just remember looking over what he had and it seemed like he was making drawings but also writing lyrics. And we were curious to hear what he had written over the beat I was making, and so he performed what he had written for us. It was really spur of the moment and organic.”

As live shows are finally returning, Mbye is making plans to re-take the stage, most notably at his show September 9 at 7th Street Entry opening for local artist Miloe alongside Bugsy.

Mbye hopes to continue honing his artistic skills from all areas. Whether it be through music, video, illustration or anything else he takes on, this is one artist to keep your eye on.

“You know I’m still pretty early on in my musical journey and more than anything, I’m just having a lot of fun figuring things out,” Mbye said. “Finding this new form of expression is really exciting and I guess I’m just kind of developing my language, and what I want to say through it.”

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Underground Update: Keep for Cheap is back on the scene

Whether you’re headed out for a road trip, going for your daily frolic in the local field, sneaking out at night for some moonlit cow tipping or anything in between, it’s time to consider adding Keep for Cheap to your rotation.

St. Paul-based prairie-rock band Keep for Cheap has spent the past several years stealing hearts and weaving gold with their one-of-a-kind sound. Charming and touching, proficient and powerful, the group’s soaring instrumentals and gorgeous harmonies combine to create songs that are honey for the ears. From their debut 2019 EP, to their latest single released just last week, the KFC discography will keep you coming back demanding more.

Their latest single “Losing,” released June 17 is the B-side followup to the bands formative track “Forgive Me,” released way back in November of 2020. Bassist, vocalist and occasional guitarist Kate Malanaphy shared the band’s love for the two singles, as it reminds them of the pre-pandemic era in the band, when they were performing in person and garnering attention from the Twin Cities music community.

“I feel like they’re both very sentimental just because we started to perform them just a few months before COVID-19 hit,” Malanaphy said. “They kind of represent this era in the band where things were really ramping up and we had a lot of fun. An era of our sound where we really started to lean into rock, country, and a little bit of pop influence.”

On top of this new single, the group is also putting the finishing touches on their debut album which is currently in the mixing phase. Though there is no title or official release date at this time, the project is intended for the fall of 2021 with one or two singles off of the album expected to drop this summer.

While the new album will continue to feature much of the flowery and country-inspired Keep for Cheap sound that we’ve become familiar with, the group claims to be shifting toward a slightly more pop-influenced style. Guitarist, vocalist and bassist Autumn Vagle discussed the new sonic directions the group has been steering toward lately.

“Our roots are still very much in the same type of influences,” Vagle said. “We still have that prairie rock sound and it’s still folky, but I’d say the production is where it’s definitely like a step up. I feel like we’ve just overall grown so much and like these songs are kind of like a production of that.”

On top of their recorded music, the group is looking forward to returning to the live performance scene.

The five will be celebrating their first show back post-pandemic on June 27 as part of the Pride Bloq Party hosted by “Grrrl Scout Entertainment.” Keep for Cheap can also be caught at several other big shows this summer, including two sets at 7th St. Entry, opening for the Bad Bad Hats on July 30 and 26 Bats on August 6.

Videographer Abby Thompson worked with Keep for Cheap on the video for their single “Forgive Me,” which was released in November of 2020. She expressed her adoration for not only the band’s music, but how it has grown since their inception.

“It’s been really cool to see Keep for Cheap evolve,” Thompson said. “I’ve been following them since [their start] and it’s super cool to be a small part of their journey. They are so down-to-earth, super open to creative ideas and easy to work with. Both the band and myself have lots of ideas for video stuff down the road, so folks can keep their eyes peeled for what’s next.”

Malanaphy, Vagle and the other members of the Keep for Cheap family are all looking to the future with anticipation. With their album on the way and shows on the schedule, there’s a lot of reasons to be excited about this bunch.

“I’m very grateful for it. It feels surreal,” Malanaphy said of the band’s devoted listeners. “It’s hard to really fathom that so many people are listening to our songs.”

“It makes me just even more excited, even more like I want to just go and do it,” Vagle added. “It definitely gives me more energy just knowing that more people are appreciating and enjoying our music. It feels like we haven’t even gotten started yet.”

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From digital shop to a physical space, Moth Oddities opens vintage shop in Northeast Minneapolis

Vintage collectors Yana Pietras and Ian O’Neill have spent the past several years transforming their passion for vintage collecting into their living. Now, they’re transforming their digital vintage shop into a physical space.

What began as an online shop in 2014 evolved into a physical storefront in Northeast Minneapolis with a grand opening on June 12.

After watching Moth Oddities grow from a website to a traveling pop-up shop, Pietras and O’Neill are beyond excited that their baby has now found a permanent home.

“It has always been a goal of ours to open a brick-and-mortar,” said co-owner Ian O’Neill. “Our favorite part of Moth Oddities is meeting our shoppers, engaging face-to-face and seeing their reactions when they find that perfect vintage piece. Plus we are designers by trade, and we enjoy the process of creating a feeling and experience within a space.”

Walking through the front door, you are immediately surrounded by a plethora of unique sights — garments hanging from the racks, walls and mannequins, and friendly faces thumbing through the variety of vintage items. The store’s charming back room, referred to as “The Den,” houses changing rooms, couches and a map illustrating the many places that the couple has sourced vintage from around the U.S. The shop is open every weekend.

Co-owner Yana Pietras expressed her thrill following Moth Oddities’ opening weekend.

“The first week has been so fun and busy as heck,” Pietras said. “We have been visited by so many familiar faces and friendly new ones. The community, their adorable pups and sweet kiddos have made us feel right at home. It’s like we have already been there for years. This feeling reassures us that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.”

Pietras and O’Neill first met in college and spent many weekends scouring the racks at local thrift stores. For them, date nights were vintage hunts.

This love of collecting quickly evolved into the idea for their online vintage shop which they eventually launched together. Over the years, the two have acquired large portions of their collections whilst road tripping across the country in their Jeep Wagoneer (a.k.a. Eleanor.)

When Moth Oddities was solely an online pop-up business, they sold their vintage goods at the storefront of lifestyle and grooming product shop, Duke Albert. In the last year, however, the two shops have gone through somewhat of a switch. As Moth Oddities has been opening their brick-and-mortar store, Duke Albert has transitioned to online-only, with their products also available for purchase in the Moth Oddities shop.

“Yana and Ian are the most honest authentic kind people, and you can see that reflected in their new shop and with their selection of vintage. They are all in,” said Sarah Dwyer, co-owner of Duke Albert.

Community and sustainability are at the center of the Moth Oddities mission.

The shop offers local BIPOC- & LGBT-owned products and brands, and the owners plan to continue to include more and more local names to their inventory. The owners also have plans to host workshops in the space that promote sustainable practices of upcycling, mending and generally caring for clothes in eco-friendly ways. During their Grand Opening Weekend, the shop donated 10% of sales to OutFront Minnesota in honor of Pride Month.

Pietras and O’Neill look hopefully to the future as they begin this next chapter of their business. While they look forward to continuing to fine tune the store, they still plan to find the time for their clothing haul road trips.

“Traveling and collecting will always be a part of Moth Oddities, we plan to keep that up even with the addition of the storefront,” O’Neill said. “It is exciting to have a hub to bring all the goods home to.”

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From digital shop to a physical space, Moth Oddities opens vintage shop in Northeast Minneapolis

Vintage collectors Yana Pietras and Ian O’Neill have spent the past several years transforming their passion for vintage collecting into their living. Now, they’re transforming their digital vintage shop into a physical space.

What began as an online shop in 2014 evolved into a physical storefront in Northeast Minneapolis with a grand opening on June 12.

After watching Moth Oddities grow from a website to a traveling pop-up shop, Pietras and O’Neill are beyond excited that their baby has now found a permanent home.

“It has always been a goal of ours to open a brick-and-mortar,” said co-owner Ian O’Neill. “Our favorite part of Moth Oddities is meeting our shoppers, engaging face-to-face and seeing their reactions when they find that perfect vintage piece. Plus we are designers by trade, and we enjoy the process of creating a feeling and experience within a space.”

Walking through the front door, you are immediately surrounded by a plethora of unique sights — garments hanging from the racks, walls and mannequins, and friendly faces thumbing through the variety of vintage items. The store’s charming back room, referred to as “The Den,” houses changing rooms, couches and a map illustrating the many places that the couple has sourced vintage from around the U.S. The shop is open every weekend.

Co-owner Yana Pietras expressed her thrill following Moth Oddities’ opening weekend.

“The first week has been so fun and busy as heck,” Pietras said. “We have been visited by so many familiar faces and friendly new ones. The community, their adorable pups and sweet kiddos have made us feel right at home. It’s like we have already been there for years. This feeling reassures us that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.”

Pietras and O’Neill first met in college and spent many weekends scouring the racks at local thrift stores. For them, date nights were vintage hunts.

This love of collecting quickly evolved into the idea for their online vintage shop which they eventually launched together. Over the years, the two have acquired large portions of their collections whilst road tripping across the country in their Jeep Wagoneer (a.k.a. Eleanor.)

When Moth Oddities was solely an online pop-up business, they sold their vintage goods at the storefront of lifestyle and grooming product shop, Duke Albert. In the last year, however, the two shops have gone through somewhat of a switch. As Moth Oddities has been opening their brick-and-mortar store, Duke Albert has transitioned to online-only, with their products also available for purchase in the Moth Oddities shop.

“Yana and Ian are the most honest authentic kind people, and you can see that reflected in their new shop and with their selection of vintage. They are all in,” said Sarah Dwyer, co-owner of Duke Albert.

Community and sustainability are at the center of the Moth Oddities mission.

The shop offers local BIPOC- & LGBT-owned products and brands, and the owners plan to continue to include more and more local names to their inventory. The owners also have plans to host workshops in the space that promote sustainable practices of upcycling, mending and generally caring for clothes in eco-friendly ways. During their Grand Opening Weekend, the shop donated 10% of sales to OutFront Minnesota in honor of Pride Month.

Pietras and O’Neill look hopefully to the future as they begin this next chapter of their business. While they look forward to continuing to fine tune the store, they still plan to find the time for their clothing haul road trips.

“Traveling and collecting will always be a part of Moth Oddities, we plan to keep that up even with the addition of the storefront,” O’Neill said. “It is exciting to have a hub to bring all the goods home to.”

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