Jeremy Messersmith to debut new material during upcoming show in Rochester
When Jeremy Messersmith returns to Rochester this Friday, he will be bringing new music with him.
The acclaimed Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter plans to debut his new single, “666,” during his performance at the Rochester Civic Theatre. The show is part of of Rochester Civic Music’s three-part fall indoor series.
For Messersmith, the single — a “spooky, tongue-in-cheek orchestral rock song” — is the first new music to be released under his name in four years.
"This will also be my first show with a full band in about a year or so,” Messersmith said in an interview. “So, we are ready to hit big chunks of the catalog and then mix in some new material, too."
The catalog Messersmith is referring to is one of the strongest of any Minnesota songwriter of the past two decades. Since recording his first project, The Alcatraz Kid, in his basement in 2006, Messersmith has released five albums — including 2010’s critical success The Reluctant Graveyard, which included the song, “A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard.”
Noted for his clever lyricism and tender voice, Messersmith has been lauded by the likes of the New York Times and Rolling Stone; and in 2011, he was invited to perform a set for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
Despite the early success, however, Messersmith has felt comfortable exploring new territory, as evidenced by his latest project — a stripped-down celebration of sonic minimalism recorded under the moniker Mixtape for the Milky Way — which was released during the pandemic.
"I am simultaneously more sure of myself and less sure of myself,” he said. “I am a little more laid back as far as actual songwriting itself. I feel like I have learned to let go a little bit and let the songs be without fussing over them so much."
While he is unsure whether his latest single will be accompanied by a full album, Messersmith says he does have a few other new songs he is preparing to bring to his live sets, including material recorded earlier this year at Pachyderm Recording Studio in Cannon Falls.
"The music scene right now kind of feels like Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day — everybody is starting to peek out from their little holes and are starting to do stuff again,” said Messersmith. “It feels like everybody is trying to reconnect now, which is nice."
Before his concert at the Civic Theatre, Messersmith will be stopping by Mayo High School to spend time with music students. He said he hopes is presence will help inspire young people to find their creative voice.
"I don't think I met a songwriter growing up until like my 20s — so I think it can be an important experience just to expose students to music,” said Messersmith. His message to them: "Follow the path of joy. Follow the path of excitement. And whether that's creative writing or practicing an instrument, your body will tell you what's great and to follow that."
Friday’s show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. There are also two other indoor shows scheduled this fall at the Civic Theatre: Grammy Award-winner Dom Flemons-The American Songster on Nov. 11 and Mick Sterling's "A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” on Nov. 26.
Ticket info
Tickets are available at Rochester Civic Music in City Hall (walk-in or by phone, no handling fees), the Mayo Civic Center Box Office (walk-in, no handling fees), and Ticketmaster (online). Order by phone at 507-328-2200 or in person at 201 4th St. SE, Suite 170 (City Hall). Group rates available. More information at rochestermn.gov/civicmusic.
