There is truly a wealth of musical talent here in the Chippewa Valley; so many bands and artists playing great music in a multitude of different genres. Hip-hop, metal, punk, folk, electronic, country, jazz, and more! …whatever type of music you are into there are quite likely some local artists writing, recording, and performing your kind of tunes. It’d be quite the undertaking to try and list each and every one of them here, so for this article we’re just going to be highlighting three in particular who have had really exciting and noteworthy developments happen recently and who have been getting some regional, national, or even international attention. It also just so happens that all three have some upcoming shows in the very near future (hint hint: you should go to them!).
So whether you’re new to Eau Claire or just want to jump in deeper with the area’s much talked about music scene, here is a jumping off point of three great EC bands/artists to check out:
Idle Empress
Idle Empress is a three-piece band that writes evocative folk-rock music. The trio is fronted by Lauren Anderson, who got her start as a singer/songwriter playing solo at open mics in EC. After connecting with Elliot Heinz (drums) and Josh Frederick (bass), the band quickly became an Eau Claire favorite. Idle Empress released their debut EP earlier this year and it has garnered them attention beyond the Chippewa Valley, including a recent appearance on WPR’s Set List! These three are also a very big part of EC’s house-show scene and routinely put on and play house shows at different DIY spots throughout the city including “Vivian”, the basement venue they all help run.
Read More About Idle Empress:
Stereogum – Idle Empress EP Write-Up
WPR – Idle Empress Having A Good Time As Eau Claire’s Next Generation Of Musicians Emerge
GoldFlakePaint – Introducing the Torch-Like Folk of Eau Claire’s Idle Empress
Music:
Upcoming Shows:
9/9 @ The Mousetrap Tavern w/ Ego Death & Two Castles
21+, free, more info here
9/10 @ House of Rock w/ Distant Friends, The Chinchees, Arms Aloft & sloslylove
21+, $5, more info here
Sniffle Party
Sniffle Party is the moniker of vocalist/lyricist Serena Wagner who teams up with producer/beatmaker Eric Christenson (aka Two Castles) to make what Serena describes as “dreamy sad-girl pop”. The songs are catchy, danceable, atmospheric, and fun but tinged with just enough melancholy to be right for almost any mood–whether you’re happy or sad, these songs manage to sit just right with you. The debut Sniffle Party EP came out earlier this year and is titled “Peach Dream”, and one of the tracks off the EP (“Cavalier”) was just recently selected for an official Spotify playlist and has since racked up nearly 60,000 international listens.
Read More About Sniffle Party:
Volume One Magazine – A Case of the Sniffles
Dimestore Saints – Sniffle Party Premiere
Music:
Upcoming Shows:
9/11 @ Vivian for Unbound Zine Release Show w/ Idle Empress, The Nunnery
All ages, $5, more info here
Arms Aloft
Arms Aloft is an EC/MPLS four-piece punk band made up of Seth Gile (guitar/lead vocals), Jack Gribble (drums), Alex Bammel (guitar/vocals), and Matt Keil (bass/vocals). The music that Arms Aloft makes matches driving, anthemic instrumentation with lyrics that speak to modern struggles both personal and political. They’ve been around for nearly a decade now, they’ve played all over the US, been on three European tours, and are heading out this fall with punk supergroup The Falcon and standup comedian/Comedy Central darling Kyle Kinane. They’re also dropping their brand new record “What A Time To Be Barely Alive” this month, which will be getting released and distributed internationally and will add to their current discography which includes the “Comfort At Any Cost” EP, their debut full length entitled “Sawdust City” (which you can listen to below!), and a split 7″ they did with French punk band Guerilla Poubelle called “Taches Noires Vivantes/Living Black Spots”.
Read More About Arms Aloft:
Volume One Magazine – Arms Abroad
Volume One Magazine – Barely Alive, Kicking Hard
AV Club – Arms Aloft Searches For Answers On “The Truth Is Out There”
Music:
Upcoming Shows:
9/10 @ House of Rock *RECORD RELEASE PARTY* w/ Idle Empress, Distant Friends, & sloslylove
21+, $5, more info here