Give Sound 2019 | Event Feature

One of the greatest features of live music is its ability to organize fans to help a group of people or raise awareness for an issue (Live Aid anyone?).  So, when Alex Smith of the band Flip Rushmore found time to come up from Nashville to play a show, the band wanted to make it something more than a low-key bar gig. They initially planned on playing an all-ages show, but things grew from there and Give Sound 2019 was conceived.

"We thought it might be a good idea to plan a charity show, and we really wanted to play an all-ages show because we haven't been able to play one of those yet," Smith told Ear Coffee. "We've got younger siblings and fans who haven't been able to come to a bar and see us play."

Alex went on to explain that the charity connection led them to look for other band's Flip Rushmore hadn't played with before, and they enlisted the help of the Minneapolis punk band Gramma, who took the lead in adding Mister Wes and Lapdogs to the bill.

To make this mini-festival extra special, two bands will be coming out of "retirement" - indie rock trio Silent Agency and Christopher Keller's (Kristoff Krane) folk project Kadoka. As a high schooler, Smith had booked Silent Agency for shows.

Silent Agency's frontman Evan Bakker said, "Alex (Smith) had reached out to us because he helped organize a festival a long time ago." He went on to say, "We had still been in contact, and he reached out to us a few weeks ago about this charity show he had been doing. Ultimately, the stars aligned and I happened to be in Minneapolis that weekend."

The band hasn't played a show together in six years - distance and personal schedules led to an amicable ending for Silent Agency. Bakker eventually ended up in New York City, and their bassist Keagan Potts lives in Chicago.

The day will be split into two sessions with everything being hosted by Youtuber and sketch comedian Jon Pumper. Session A will feature the Kadoka and Silent Agency reunions plus Flip Rushmore and Timisarocker, and session B will be Gramma, Lapdogs, Mister Wes, and The Shackletons.

All profits from the festival will benefit the charity Kids in Need MN, which provides children with the resources to help them succeed in school. According to its website, KINMN works with Minnesota schools in which 70% of their student body participates in the federal lunch program.

Give Sound 2019 will be held this Sunday, August 25 at the Depot Coffee House in Hopkins. Tickets are  $7 to attend one session or $12 to attend both. As an extra incentive, First Avenue donated tickets (Mac Demarco, Two Door Cinema Club, and Low), a First Ave merch pack, and a $50 gift card to The Depot Tavern, and anyone who prebuys their ticket will be entered for a chance to win their gift of choice.

You can listen to our interview with Silent Agency and a short playlist of bands playing Give Sound 2019 below.