Music

Music Quick Hits | July 2016

Eric Christenson |

Eau Claire native and indie songstress YOHUNA, a.k.a. Johanne Swanson, after years and years of moving around and finding her voice, is ready to make a big artistic statement with her buzzed-about forthcoming album Patientness, out on Sept. 9 via Orchid Tapes. In early July she debuted the dreary first single, “Apart,” which has since gotten written up in huge music publications like Pitchfork, Stereogum, and SPIN. Look out for Yohuna as her dreamy, synthy pop tunes take her to new and amazing places.


Mix some Led Zeppelin with a dash of The White Stripes, bake at a smoldering temperature, and you get the sound of Midwest rock band, The Strips. The four-piece group returns to Eau Claire, the birthplace of the band, from their new roots in Minneapolis for an outdoor evening show at The Plus on July 16. They will be jamming with two other Minneapolis-based artists, Sasha Druva and The Violet Rise, in front of anyone of any age that wants to head-bang for a small $5 fee.


Every Tuesday throughout the month of June, local musicians jammed on Chippewa Valley screens as part of WEAU 13 News’ concert series. The artists played during the 5 p.m. broadcasts, typically crooning under the sun on the WEAU Patio, but one unfortunate bad weather day on June 14 forced their second act, do it yourself DaIsY, to play in the studio. Nick Foytik and Lucas Fischer, blues performers who also discussed another Tuesday tradition, Tuesday Night Blues in Owen Park, were the inaugural act on June 7. Do it yourself DaIsY, a garage rock duo made of Nick Arnold and Trevor Kupfer preceded polka phenom Richie Yurkowich & Polkarioty, who encouraged WEAU anchors to boogy on the outdoor stage. June 28 will be the final show for the foreseeable future, but the news network hopes to sprinkle more shows throughout the year as they have done in the past. Kyle Reinke and Kayla Shoemaker will duel on the air with duo piano pieces to wrap up this musical month on WEAU.