Late last year, Minneapolis songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eve Speers released their debut EP as EVV , Homebody . At a brisk nine minutes in length, it left listeners wanting more while still providing three great songs. Today, we're premiering the video for lead single and standout track "Dead to Me." One of the most immediately striking things about the video is the colorful, hazing lighting. Speers said, "My inspiration was to incorporate this idea of anger and sadness that we feel within our relationships, typically romantic ones. I wanted to mix the colors, showing the phases we can experience. The video was shot by Emily Schoonover, and Speers edited and put it together. Watch the "Dead to Me" video below. Listen to Homebody here .

EVV - "Dead to Me" (self-released)      After putting out the R&B-inflected " I'm Not Your Woman " at the end of last year, EVV is back with a second single. "Dead to Me" is another combustible song, but instead of erupting, it simmers. Yet again, it is anchored by Evelyn Speers' vocals, each syllable overflowing with righteous disdain. A former lover craving forgiveness is shunned as a direct consequence of their actions. The guitars maintain a grunge edge without overwhelming the slinking bassline and walloping drums (especially during the chorus). EVV is an increasingly genre-agnostic project, guided only by Speers' musical whim. With such strong songwriting and incomparable vocal abilities, EVV can do anything. GOWNS - The Hollows EP  (self-released)    If I had to summarize GOWNS' debut EP in a single phrase, it would be "uncomplicated music for complicated times." To be clear, I don't me...

It's the first (and hopefully not last) Local Music Round-up of 2020! The passage of time is meaningless! My first column of the year tends to end up focusing on what I missed from the last couple of months in 2019, whether it was due to a focus on our year-end content or the fact that I can't manage my time properly. I missed a bunch of great music, so now is the time to catch up. Here's some gems of 2019 (plus one from 2018 and also Oftener). Ben Abrahamson - "Fireflies" (self-released) I can say with full confidence that I never expected to be writing about an acoustic Americana instrumental, but here we are! Ben Abrahamson is a local guitarist with a more extensive background than I think anyone has a right to have - I mean, he studied flamenco in Barcelona. His latest song "Fireflies" is a winding, idyllic snapshot of a humid August sunset. Rich chords trade playful blows with a smiling banjo line. Like the slowly-building clouds before a th...