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writing to you from the pit
Hey!
I’m Macie, and I’m new here. I’ve been doing music journalism for the last two years and thought I’d find a place to sporadically share some casual, unfiltered thoughts. Most will be about music. And maybe some about my own life?? And maybe some about notable video essays, articles, etc.? Who knows! How often will I post? Who knows!! Maybe someone will stumble across this page someday.
Where did “From the Pit” come from? Jeez, coming up with a name is hard. As someone who reviews shows, my thoughts do sometimes originate in the middle of sweaty bodies pushing me around. I’m nostalgic for a time when younger me felt absolutely enthralled to hold a friend’s hand and jump up and down to BROCKHAMPTON — my first on-the-floor concert experience. Or to lose myself in a burst of joy in Beach Bunny’s moshing crowd at First Avenue. Or to sing along to Origami Angel in a basement. But also, maybe “the pit” is a place where I’ve avoided excavating and edifying thoughts due to a worry of being perceived. Anyway:
Can’t stop, won’t stop listening:
“Docket” - Bully/Blondshell
“My Honesty” - Been Stellar
“Crimson to Chrome” - Friko
“Pink Pony Club” - Chappell Roan
“This Mess We’re In” - PJ Harvey
“Donkey Show” - Model/Actriz
NEW! from the Twin Cities:
all pleasant dreams - malamiko
Concrete Settles In The Canyon’s Mouth - berzica
“Same Old” - Trash Date
On stage recently:
Early Eyes - Fine Line, March 29
It feels wrong to title this bullet point with the headliner’s name when the show’s line-up spanned some of the most exciting Twin Cities acts. I missed Anita Velveeta, an artist whose catalogue is packed with variations of most genres, but tends to stay within punk lanes when playing live. Huhroon followed with his sung/rapped autotune vocals on top of his backing rock band. Kate Malanaphy, who released an exceptional and extremely overlooked album, Rock, last year commanded the keyboard in their powerfully melodic set. (Listen to “Tomorrow” and “Keep It Down”). After two months on the road, Early Eyes returned to their hometown, filling out the easily digestible indie rock soundscapes of old with more electro-pop, experimental groves. Lead vocalist Jake “Ren” Berglove gave off a nonchalant confidence as they hit their vape between the songs.
Malamiko - Cloudland Theater, April 6
The Minneapolis band joining a growing group of shoegaze adjacent artists in area played the new(ish) live venue on Lake St. to celebrate the release of all pleasant dreams, noted above. I discovered the band at the 331 Club and was pulled in by their cover of an early Mitski song. (I wish I remembered which one!) Both haunting and hypnotizing, the songs, which the band labels as “sadgaze” drugged through swamps of roiling synth parts. You know when a band head-bangs to a weighty instrumental bridge genuinely worthy of their own physical involvement? Yeah, that’s malamiko.
As Kim Gordon said recently: “BYE BYE”
