April Comes
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Friends of music,
Happy Spring time to you . We earned this one.
What a winter it was.
Wow.
Just happy to be here these days.
Working on new songs. Hoping they develop into a new record that doesn't take me a year to make. However. it may , and that's' just fine. Nice to have new tunes to witness as they take their form.
Thinking about a new garden plot of more MN native plants for the pollinators to do their gig. Laid it out apparently last fall so I guess my past self felt strongly about this development for my future self.
Music Mission: Returned from the Costa Grande, Guerrero from a very successful and inspiring Music Mission. Todd Clouser assembled a terrific crew to connect through music. He had set up shows in Mexico City and then I met up with the caravan as part of the Mexico Surf Film Festival in Saladita, Troncones, and the final night in Zihuatanejo. It was incredible seeing the collaborations and open hearted folks against stunning backdrops. One event that stood out for me was a "kid's jam" in Saladita where Terrell X, the beat boxing extraordinaire from MN, created sounds for the kids to explore through movement and painting.
As we move through this month I'm here to share some shows with you music lovers. Here they are.
Wed April 8 6:00-8:00 pm is the final 2nd Wednesday White Squirrel for the season. We then hand the stage keys over to Paul to hold it down until the fall. For this final one, I will be playing music with the trusty crew of Erik Koskinen, Paul Bergen, Steve Murray and Noah Levy. Probably throw a bunch of these new tunes at them for this live rehearsal. Anytime I get to ride with them is my favorite kind of time. Free but we do shake you down for tips.
Saturday April 11 Animales BBQ 3:00-5:00 pm 241 Fremont Ave No. Mpls.
Molly Maher occasional duo begins a 3 month trial of second Saturdays. Love this room and the team that runs it. The food is top shelf. They have a kids playroom and plenty of seating in this luscious space. I'll be joined with trusty Steve Murray on bass. We may add others as we try out this series.
Free but yes, tips.
Saturday April 18 Panino's 857 Village Center Dr, North Oaks, MN 55127
Lemire Maher Morris song swap. It's a "new to us" venue and we are excited to try it out! Thanks to Gregg for helping connect and to Sarah for working on it. I have a standing date with Nikki Lemire & Sarah Morris calling ourselves "Lunch Ladies" where we find new spots to eat and share life things. It'll be a treat to do the same but add our work to it! I adore these two as humans and as artists.
Free but yes tips. Dinner and show!
Thursday April 23-26 the second annual Lutsong Songwriters Retreat at Cascade Lodge. The Lutsong Music Fest team + Morris assembled another great weekend to nerd out about songs with words. Hired lead instructors this year will be Humbird & Michela Anne. I'll be hosting a workshop ; " Taking the OPE! Out of Open Tunings". Excited to get inspired and take a few days for devotions. Just a couple spots left if you're feeling this. https://www.  The summer is shaping up for playing great gigs all about the state. I have space for more if you're looking to fill your backyard, festival, patio with developing tunes. /shows
One show on the horizon I want to share is for "Friends of the Mississippi" annual fundraiser Sat May 30th at Duel Citizen Brewing. I'll be joined by "& her Believers"
( Ylvirsaker, Larson, Murray, Bergen) opening for the iconic Tina Schlieske and her band.
It will be a beautiful night for a worthy cause. https://fmr.org/events/music-
Lutsong Music Festival July 9-12 line up announced soon
Lakeside Guitar Festival Aug 14-15 line up announced soon
Happy April and hope your perennials are ready to pop. Perhaps new garden beds are developing for you as well. Whatever is coming up for you, I hope it's all you want and need.
Thanks for being lovely.
Sincerely,
Molly
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Great to be featured in Minnesota Guitar Society newsletter.
Hello tomatoes on the vine. Hello tomatoes in a pot. Watching them ripen slowly into the gnarliest looking heirlooms, anticipating the salad we will make with that basil forest we have been tending all summer, maybe add a few sprigs of dill. Our patio garden has been a giver this year. I think I've found the sweet spots for all the plants. A little more sun for this one a little less for this one. Summer is definitely ripening. Always a bit of anxiety when Aug 1 rolls in knowing Aug 31 we will be celebrating the MN State Fair and we all know what comes after that. For now, we get eat the tomatoes, cucumbers are stating to roll in at our farmers market and the summers shows are getting ripe for the picking!
SundayAug 3, 6:00 pm Waldmann Brewing - Sarah Morris y Molly Maher trading songs in the beer garden. solo y solo free y beer ( or root beer)
8/8-8/9 Lakeside Guitar Festival - you all know me and get how much work we put into this free fest with a 6 string slant. I can't even begin to tell you about the 15 acts, 4 stages ( including a Swan Boat stage) a rock n roll vendors market, a master class, that bass player from SNL Band, I mean where to start? Just know that Todd Clouser and I welcome you and your whole family to the historic Como Lakeside Pavilion. Please come. Full schedule and artist bios here : https://www.musicmissionmusic.com/lakeside-guitar-festival-2025
8/16 Earthrider Fest Superior WI. Molly Maher & her DisBelievers will be re grouping for what feels like a family reunion. Truly. Our set is a 6:20. Such a great lineup ! For more information and tickets : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-rider-fest-2025-tickets-1328124619489?aff=oddtdtcreator
8/25 Peace Plaza, Rochester MN 12:00 “Harmony for Mayo” . Duo. Free Duo MM takes to the lunch crowd for the hard working medial world as well as the folks who are at the Mayo for themselves or loved ones. We just played near the Mayo and Murray and I commented on give folks a lot of grace down here as everyone is dealing with something most likely pretty heavy.
Speaking of Mayo/Rochester we had a great time opening for the Wailin Jennys last weekend. Really the whole weekend of gigs was such a blast.(w/ blasts of heat, oof!)
8/31 Fest Du Nord , Ely MN . …and her Believers will be taking the stage around 4:00 on 8/31. The fest at Camp du Nord on Burnside Lake is 8/29-8/31. You also know that if Ely is asking, I am there!! This is a gem of a fest at the greatest family camp. Sauna, swim, play music, rinse and repeat. Join us at Camp du Nord on Burntside Lake this Labor Day Weekend for a series of outdoor concerts! Day and weekend passes for concerts are available! For more info : https://www.ymcanorth.org/adventure/events/fest-du-nord-weekend
I'll be on the vine :
8/31 The International Treasures ( Doyle Turner and Ted Hajnasiewicz.)- The Treasures Proper Single Release Party. I won't make the show, but I'm here to tell you about it. I produced this single- doubles last spring for these charmers. I'm super proud of what we made together from some phone demos to a couple of excellent songs on vinyl. 6 hours at Chubby Mammal studio with Issac Levy, Noah Levy and Blair Krivanik, & Doyle and Ted. I didn't let them eat anything solid except for peanut butter filed pretzels, dried catfish and warm water until we had the right takes. Mostly true , but it was also a sincerely incredible day with these beautiful humans making art.
8/29-8/30 Silver Bay Concerts- I'll be bouncing around with Tina and The B-Sides up at Silver Bay MN for the incredible concert series on the north shore. Love supporting this band in any I can. Also please note Tina is doing a rare solo show at the Aster Cafe 8/27.
8/25-8/26 Los Lobos at the State Fair- when you see me there in the audience, know that I am in my true happy home with my favorite band at one of my favorite places. See you there.
Lots of Sept shows of note but I want to savor the rest of summer in August, ripening on the vine. Let's stay here for now .
Future Molly will take some of the cherry tomatoes coming in and freeze them. Bring them out in Jan, tasting the summer of '25 , remembering the heavy humidity and the sun, the bees on the coneflowers, thinking back on the shows we played last summer savoring the time you all sang along with me, the campfire at Lutsong, the sweet breeze that blew in when I was playing in Ely and the smell of the Dogwoods, trying out that new song and how the band carried me. “Taste a little of the summer…” Greg Brown
For all the details : /shows
Savor the ripening summer. See you out there.
Thank you for your support!
Molly
KAXE Interview
Longtime collaborators Molly Maher and Erik Koskinen stopped by KAXE after their Kick it With KAXE set to talk about band chemistry, supporting women in music and a beloved concert series.
Read more and listen here: https://www.kaxe.org/.../building-community-through-song...
June-July rocking
Mainly July dates
Hey all,
Hope your summer is rocking. I'm watching a robin rock out in our new bird bath. We placed it under its nest and judging by the splashing of it, they seem happy with the upgrade. Summer has taken flight here in mellow ol' St. Paul. More shows to tweet about. A variety to meet you where ever you are in your socials. Backyard shows that our hosts have generously opened up to all of you, some patio gigs, some free ones, some ticketed deals. Forecast for music looks like it's rocking! More on all shows here: /shows
Thursday June 26 7:00 Wyoming Arts Center Songwriter Series: Molly Maher, Dan Israel and Ted Hajnasiewicz. Pals swapping songs and stories. Donations accepted!
Saturday June 28 Lilypad Lounge 1008 Charles Ave , St. Paul, MN backyard concert series! Joe Soss opens ; we play at 8:15. I'm calling the band the Believers cuz, optimism! BYOB and chairs. More on guests FAQ:/shows Donations accepted!
Tuesday July 6 Brainstorm Bakery Ely MN. 4:30-5:30 “Listen In” series . I'll be solo ( or with Steve) for this quaint series hosted by the incomparable Sarah Morris while the rockin' Ely Tuesday Market is happening. Donations accepted! Look at this lineup!
July 10-13 Lutsong Music Festival Festival : I am not an official performer this year but those who have been know that I pop up everywhere throughout the fest. From campfires, to sitting in with artists, practicing yoga next to you, to cleaning the green room. Please please please come to our fest and help get the word out as we are growing. https://lutsongmusicfestival.simpletix.com/
Wednesday July 16 Backyard Blues 1761 Douglas Ct, Mendota Heights, MN 55118, 7:00 Another generous host saying, “hey invite your peeps”. BYOB/Chair. Me and the band will be playing 2 sets. Donations accepted!
Friday July 25 Green Room Mpls. opening for the Honeydogs. Doors 7, show 7:30 . We have history with this iconic band and am thrilled for their new record and to open the night for them. Such great men and dear friends. Our full band's first time playing this new uptown room! https://www.greenroommn.com/events#/events/136618
Saturday July 26 Parley Lake Winery 12:30-2:30 Duo. Steve and I have such a blast at this winery/orchard/sculpture garden. Especially these early afternoon sets. There's something for everyone. Great snacks, tractor rides, and such beauty near Waconia. Donations accepted!
Sunday July 27 Riverside Music Series Mayo Park Rochester MN opening for the Wailin' Jenny's . squeal! 7:00 The band and I are honored to be part of this very special night. Love this band and after our 45 min set you'll find me laying in the grass absorbing their harmonies. Free!
Ahead! Lakeside Guitar Festival Aug 8-9 Como Lakeside Pavilion . More to come on this but overall, Todd Clouser and I are pumped and ready for another fantastic groovy fest with a 6 string slant.
Thanks for making all the shows so much fun. Let's do more of that together. I'll be tweeting at you soon enough as we have some really neat shows in August.
You rock,
MN. Guitar Society Newsletter
Happy to included in this summer's MN Guitar Society Newsetter!
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Today is a soaking rain day here in St. Paul. It's been like this for a few days now. Windy, rainy, chilly. Back to baking and roasting using the oven to take this spring chill out of the walls. I don't mind it as my outdoors plants could use a little edge to encourage their life force while I get a day to stay in and work on my own life force. Really I'm here to edge your life force to see some live music. Seems like there's a big garden of shows for you to choose from these days that, at this point, it's pretty saturated. I've got some new projects to choose from as well as limited opportunity for the standards. I'll get right to it as my blueberry lemon scones are almost ready to go in the oven.
Friday May 30th Turf Club Genital Panic- Cindy Lawson- Quatro 8:00 pm show What is Quatro? Quatro is a compelling musical project. Inspired by Leather Tuscadero ( Suzi Quatro) and the urge to run away from home to join the musical circus, listening to records alone in your room after a fight with your parents, feathered hair and skinny combs, good values, aging gracefully and ungracefully , walks at night lit up by loud moons and edibles, and sharing those stories around a campfire or in a greenroom with soon to be your band. The blend of nostalgic influences like Dylan and the Band era , Bonnie Raitt, Boy Genius, filters through a rootsy infused lens with flares of rock and indie sparks. All the members bring their talents from their own bands making up this collective. Quatro 5/30 will be : Tina Schlieske, Molly Maher, Mary Bue, Becky Kapell, Barb Brynstad, Jenny Case and Noah Levy.
We are opening this power of night. Tina Schlieske's “Genital Panic” is her musical answer to the patriarchy of power. Cindy Lawson is a punk rock doo wop diva. Click on the image for ticket link.
Thursday June 5 Icehouse (patio) Molly:ll:Molly w/ The Scarlet Goodbye 6:30 pm show Molly Maher & Molly Dean connect and collaborate for curiosities. Supported by and adding to their conversation will be Jeremy Ylvisaker, JT Bates and Steve Murray. Click on the image for ticket link.
Molly Dean isn't just a songwriter—she's a sonic storyteller, weaving together raw emotion, intricate melodies, and a sense of wanderlust. Molly Maher isn't just a songwriter- she musically resides in a lush grove where there's quiet places to dwell amongst rushing streams and minor thirds. Sunday June 15 Hewing Hotel Rooftop Erik Koskinen Band w/ Molly Maher and her DisBelievers 7:00 pm show Celebrate or ignore Fathers Day from a gorgeous rooftop show. Overlooking downtown Mpls this spot is quite lovely. Seats are limited and first come/served but plenty of standing room or if you're feeling it bring your suit and watch it from the hot tub. I may join you there for Koskinen's set! Grab a bite next door at the rooftop restaurant pre show. Click on the image for ticket link.  Lutsong Music Festival July 10-13 Lutsen MN. North Shore Winery and Caribou Highlands  Friends and music lovers, we are proud to present this groovy growing fest up on the most divine hill. The lineup is a love letter/mix tape from us to you. From the free community kick off on 7/10 to the campfire song pulls, to the hike in concert by Sarah Morris to early am yoga with Mary Bue to the 22 musical acts, you really get the goods. Vendor village and a hot metal pour, it's a weekend of sonic adventure. Or sleep in and join us for the evening North Shore Winery set with a shuttle that runs you safely up and down the hill for the 7:30 set. Or meet us there at 3:30 7/13 for the free weekend wine down set. Tickets are avail for any part you want to jump in on. I'll see you at the campfire for a good singalong. Click on the poster for full schedule & ticket link.
Upcoming shows and all the info here : /shows
Thursday 5/22 Kick it w/ KAXE Grand Rapids MN 6:00 Molly Maher & her Disbelievers w/ Teague Alexy meets Woodblind $= free
Wed 5/28 Backyard Blues concert in Mendota Heights; Molly Maher & her Disbelievers 2 sets 7:00 BYOB and chairs ; $= donations
Fri 5/30 Turf Club Genital Panic- Cindy Lawson- Quatro
Sat. 5/31 Chapel Brewing in Dundas MN Music w/ a view 4-6 Molly Maher duo $= free , tips encouraged
Mon. 6/2 Centennial Lakes Park 7:00-8:00 Molly Maher duo $=free , tips encouraged
Thur. 6/5 Icehouse Courtyard Molly:II:Molly w/ the Scarlet Goodbye ticket link above
Fri 6/13 Blue Birch Mpls Molly Maher duo 5:30 $= free , tips encouraged
Sun 6/15 Hewing Hotel Rooftop Erik Koskinen Band w/ Molly Maher and her Disbelievers ticket link above
More to shout out about soon. More June shows, July shows, Lakeside Guitar Festival announcements but my scones are ready and the rain is still pouring. Better check the dehumidifiers in the basement and recharge my life-force. Looks like I'll be needing it.
Thank you for supporting live music.
Here's to ferns and cosmos,
Molly
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Here in St. Paul at this time of year I start getting twitchy. Technically spring but up in these parts we know to not trust that. We start to wonder outside a little further from the safety of walls , squinting towards the sun, there's warmth and extended light but the air still holds chill and the spring snow storm threat looms. I stay close to home, at the ready with the last of our firewood next to the stove for the last of the snow days. This is the time of year where I book all the summer shows for myself and the other artists I work with. It's dreamy when signing off on a contract knowing in 4 months we get to play that lovely patio at sunset with bare arms and a gardeners glow. Assembling the line ups for our festivals is like putting a mix tape together. Two for you , one for me, maybe this will inspire, maybe these artists should meet, will this be too loud, soft, mellow, rocking, who is taking the time on the stage, who needs more time on a stage? All these factors shout at me while just wanting to make sure if folks spend their valuable time with us, will it be valuable for them? Will it draw them out from their walls?
Here are some shows that I would love for you to leave your walls for!
Jackie Greene
with Molly Maher Turf Club Tuesday April 8
https://www.axs.com/events/821713/jackie-greene-tickets?skin=turfclub
He's a great musician! A his live shows you get a little bit of everything in the roots genre. Gritty songs and groovy guitars. Me “ and her Disbelievers” will be opening. I'm always pumped to play the Turf Club especially with the band.
2nd Wednesday at the White Squirrel ( last call )
w/ Molly Maher & her Believers
Wed April 9 6:00-8:00 pm
Wrapping up another blast of a season at the White Squirrel with one last show before we begin our migration out of the cozy corner that is west 7th. I love how you all show up for these sort open rehearsals and trust falls. We sure have fun! Paul Bergen the saint of bourbon and electric guitars will hold the stage for us until our return in Oct. But one more for us so let's fill ‘er up and break fire codes.
Sunday April 6 6:00-8:00 duo Maher ( Steve and I ) playing a few songs in celebration of the magical Tara’s birthday. Mary Bue will headline with support from Martin Devany too, all at The White Squirrel.
Lutsongs - A Songwriters Retreat. April 24-27 2025
Still some room for you at the first annual Lutsongs Songwriter Retreat at Cascade Lodge on the North Shore in Mn. I'll be hosting a workshop: “Let’s take the “ope” out of open tunings. Molly wants you to find inspirations in open tunings. She will show you two variations of tunings, and a few tricks to move up and down the fingerboard. “Open tunings transformed the way I play guitar and approach songwriting. I want the same spark for you”. Bring your guitar and an open mind. Molly will demystify these really accessible tricks. ”
Other incredible instructors, workshops, break out sessions, performances and a few days to devote to songwriting. Opportunities to choose your own adventure over the weekend. Please join us! Tickets and info here: https://lutsongmusicfestival.simpletix.com/
Thanks for tuning in. Supporting music in any way you can. You do so and I am grateful. Until the next show, I'll be back in the sauna and steam shower waiting for the robins to tell me it's safe to come out and get that patio set up.
My best to you,
Molly
Future gigs here: /shows