The Suburbs & Dennis at Think Bank Down by the Riverside Series

89.3 The Current (88.7 in Rochester) will sponsor ‘MN Music Night’ – Sunday, July 15 (Week #2) at 7PM in Mayo Park, featuring Minneapolis punk-pop pioneers The Suburbs with Rochester’s own electronic pop sensations DENNIS at the Think Bank Down by the Riverside FREE Outdoor Concert Series in Rochester, MN. Think Mutual Bank

THE SUBURBS (Headliner): Often described as a Midwest Roxy Music, but with more humor and rock scruff, The ‘Burbs have been making their unique punk-pop-art-dance records and performing off and on ever since the ‘Mpls Sound’ heyday. Founded in 1977, The Suburbs are recognized worldwide as among the original heroes of the “Minneapolis Sound”; a historic music era that saw the emergence of other bands like The Suicide Commandos, Prince, The Replacements and Hüsker Dü.

They demonstrated with their albums from the early 80s, such as In Combo, Credit in Heaven, and Love Is The Law, that it was possible for a group to be danceable and tough, intellectual and approachable, radio-ready and underground friendly – all at the same time.

With dance-club hits like “Waiting” and ”Music for Boys” and radio hits like ”Life Is Like”, “Rattle My Bones”, and the recent marriage equality anthem, “Love Is The Law”, The Suburbs could be forgiven for resting on their laurels. But the music and accolades keep on coming. Their last single “Turn The Radio On” was voted “Song Of The Year” by a poll of local music critics in the Mpls Star Tribune in 2013, and their brand new album Hey Muse! is already gathering what can only be described as a worthy buzz. Their music from then sounds as fresh now as it did when it was first released. Nobody was surprised then when The Suburbs returned after a 25 year hiatus with an album just as good as those from back in the day. https://thesuburbsband.com/

DENNIS (Opener): Inspired by a lifelong obsession with pop music, DENNIS is a DIY Britney Spears-meets-Grimes electronic pop band based in Minneapolis. Producer/artist Katie Bolin of Rochester started DENNIS in ’09, and has since grown into a trio with bassist Sarah Morrison and drummer Nigel Carleton. Their catchy melodies and colorful live sets have created a pop cult following in the Twin Cities. Their self-appointed, addictive “ratpop” sound—mixing biting lyrics and self-love vibes with electric beats—always leaves you smiling, dancing, and wanting more.

(RATPOP definition) Ratpop is a pop music genre and DIY philosophy created by DENNIS. It encourages all people to create the music they want, on their own terms, in their own spaces, with any budget, free of gender-biases or socioeconomic barriers.

Their song “I Could Never Let You Go” was featured as The Current’s Song of the Day on on December 1, 2017 and came in at #11 on The Current’s Top 89 local Minnesota songs of 2017. “Party” Music Video on the Friday Five in the Local Current Blog, November 2017. “Party” Music Video in Top 5 MN Music Videos in City Pages, October 2017.http://www.dennispop.com/

QUOTES: “…upbeat, hopeful, shimmering…” —Jade, 89.3 The Current, December 2017; “…carefree music like DENNIS’s is more necessary than ever.” —Jerard Fagerberg, City Pages, October 2017; “Minneapolis’s premier purveyors of ratpop.” —Jay Gabler, The Current, March 2015.

The free series takes place over six Sundays in July and August (July 8 through August 12) in one of the most beautiful green spaces in the area, Mayo Park (behind the Mayo Civic Center and Rochester Art Center). This is an open-to-the-public City park, so lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers are welcome. On-site concessions are also available. More info at: riversideconcerts.com/