Music

Music Quick Hits | February 2018

Eric Christenson |

Sniffle Party
Sniffle Party

Eau Claire synth pop artists Sniffle Party just got some serious love from HBO. In the latest episode of High Maintenance, which tells miniature stories connected by the same nameless bicycle-bound weed dealer in New York, tapped the locals for their song “All The Snow Is Gone” off 2016’s Peach Dream EP and played it in the final scenes and over the credits of the fifth episode of the show’s critically acclaimed second season. If you don’t have HBO and you still want to hear the song you can find it on Spotify and Bandcamp.


Coming to The Metro on April 12 is none other than three-time Grammy winning hip hop artist Wyclef Jean. The former member of The Fugees is bringing his eclectic styles to the burgeoning Eau Claire venue for one of the biggest shows to come our way in a long time. He’ll be joined by Eau Claire’s own Irie Sol. Tickets are available at The Plus and online at eventbrite.com for $35, and they’ll be $40 at the door the night of.


Speaking of The Metro, the venue is the new host of legendary Eau Claire festival Decadent Cabaret, where dozens of local bands come together and play tribute sets of their favorite artists. The organizers just released the full lineup of bands for the weekend long event on March 1-3. Thursday: Wayward, Chamber Noise, Orenda Fugue, The Lie, John Buxton Experience, Squatting Walnut, Robin Mink, Typecats. Friday: The Jaggernauts, Jim Pullman Band, Beercan Pentagram, Yam Cannon, Filthy Sweet, AM Up, Irie Sol, Idle Empress, Arms Aloft, picard, Pit Wagon. Saturday: Venison, Screemo, Drunk Drivers, Not Picard, Twisted Rhythm, Giants of Midgard, DiY DaIsY, Paint Dry, Contingency, Lizzy Diance, The Ronald Raygun, FMDown, Fathom, Distant Friends, Skully Jones. The Torch Sisters will also perform each night of Decadent.


Wausau alt-rock band Barely Civil is getting some cool blog traction for a new song off their forthcoming debut album We Can Live Here Forever that references Eau Claire. The song’s called “Eau Claire? Oh, Claire.” and here’s what Stereogum had to say about it:  “It’s smooth and brooding and lead vocalist Connor Erickson’s woozy utterances mimics the song’s slip from consciousness. ‘All of this time, well, I’ve lost my head in Eau Claire,’ he sings, mixing the thrill of falling in love with the regret of failing.” You can check out the lead single at barelycivil.bandcamp.com


As La Crosse / Winona’s community-driven music festival Mid West Music Fest continues to grow year to year they’re pulling great musical acts from all over the region. The two weekend festival (one is in La Crosse, and the next in Winona) plays out street style where different local venues offer up their space to one of the dozens and dozens of Midwestern bands on the lineup. And of course there’s lots of locals on the lineup as well. You can catch these Eau Claire affiliated bands at the fest this year which runs April 13-14 in La Crosse and April 27-28 in Winona: Them Coulee Boys, The Nunnery, Hemma, Savannah Smith, Rachel Hanson, Lauren Anderson, D. Janakey, Two Castles, and Waldemar.