Unknown Mortal Orchestra, with Seafoam Walls, at First Avenue, Minneapolis (07 April 2023)

Opening the show was Miami’s Seafoam Walls, playing a 45-min set of songs from their debut album, XVI, which came out in 2021 via The Daydream Library Series, the house record label of Ecstatic Peace Library operated by Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) & Eva Prinz.



Originally formed in 2014 by singer and guitarist Jayan Bertrand, Seafoam Walls added bassist Joshua Ewers, multi-instrumentalist Dion Kerr and drummer Josue Vargas. By the time the debut album was written and recorded, it turned out to be a deeply personal record for Bertrand, who wrote that the album was “dedicated to the memory of my father and all the people we’ve lost. My father was born on October 16th and I September 16th. Aside from the artistry I inherited from him, I always felt like that number kept us connected.”



Listening to the band play, it was a very laid-back jazz and Caribbean rhythm… which is perfect for the band, as Seafoam Walls is conjure up a relaxing image within a seafoam green room. In fact, the band self-described themselves as “jazzgaze”, a play off of shoegaze.



I would have to say that perhaps it was sound difficulties, but it was hard to hear Bertrand (dressed in the shag jacket) him sing or speak in the first few songs. By the time they played the “celebration” track (which they used to describe “You Can’t Have Your Cake and Ego Too (Happy Birthday)”), they might have fixed the problem.



Seafoam Walls’ debut album XVI is out now.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra (23 Jun 2013)

Apology for lack of photos for Unknown Mortal Orchestra. For this tour, the band had some very unusual photo requirements.



We’ve seen the band before (a few times), the last time, in June 2013, we said, “Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s first headlining show in Minneapolis took place last night at the Cedar Cultural Center, according to singer Ruban Nielson. The Portland-based band previously played with Solid Gold for “Into the Black” (art gallery in Minneapolis) in June 2012, and a month later, returned to the city supporting Liars.”



Remaining tour dates: