When Frisky recommends music, I listen. He knows his stuff. This past Friday, March 22, as I put the finishing touches on an interview I’d been working on for the better part of the week, a text arrived from my guy, Ty. Minnesota at the Chop Shop, was I in? Heck yes, buddy. Apparently, it’s his retirement tour. After nearly twenty years in the business, at the tender age of 35, dubstep DJ Minnesota is hanging it up. The night’s entertainment would shape up much like Frisky’s musical recommendations, excellent.
It’s about an hour into the city from where I’m at, and a decision was made to meet at Wicker Park Emporium, an upscale arcade, for some pre-show entertainment. Thus, I departed fifteen after 8pm to arrive a quarter after 9. Let me tell you, enjoying activities with friends before heading into a show makes the night all the more meaningful. Whether it’s dinner, gaming, or even just hanging out, delight in the company of friends as often as possible.
At the Emporium, I met a few of Frisky’s compatriots. Wonderful people, and Niki’s celebrating her birthday tonight. I also discovered the Die Hard Arcade game, which I had no idea even existed. It’s actually pretty good, all things considered. With graphics over twenty-five years old, and largely ignoring the movie’s storyline, I found it entertaining nonetheless. I followed that with some rounds of pinball and a few Three Floyd’s, Jinx Proof. Shortly after 10, I was good to go. The time had come for departure to the Chop Shop.
I entered Chop Shop a shade after 1030, a healthy crowd already on site. For those who’ve never been, it’s also a bar and restaurant, from 10-12am daily. A party room in the back hosts live music and events during evenings and nights, mainly on weekends. From time-to-time, they even offer courses teaching attendees butcher techniques. Useful. A corridor between the bar and party room leads to bathrooms. From the musical side of the venue, Abelation’s sound draws me in.
A fun way to describe Abelation’s unique style is distorted bass frequencies, heavy warbles and warps, challenging Earth’s gravity. Chirping signals emitting from deep space. I’ll give you a couple of examples: ‘Kick Down the Door’ and ‘Unstoppable’. His sonic assault prevailed until 1145 when Minnesota entered the building. After an embrace, Abelation played his final track before yielding to Minnesota.
As Minnesota takes the stage, I reflect on the first time I had witnessed his talents nearly a decade before. In 2016, he performed at Spring Awakening Music Festival, back when it happened at Soldier Field. However, it was his inclusion as one of the opening acts for a SAMF after-party headlined by Excision at the House of Blues that truly endeared me to his brand. That night, I came to appreciate his authenticity and laid back demeanor. As he departed the stage, I remember his gratitude, “Thank you all, so fucking much.” At that time, it was a big moment for him.
There was a point, early in Minnesota’s career, where he wasn’t getting booked. You know what he did? He and the homies got together and started throwing their own parties. Renegade style events that supplied the platform he needed to build a following. Give a DJ decks and a sound system, and they’ll supply music to draw the masses.
Now, he’s headlining his final tour. Early into the set, he dropped a rendition of one of my favorite Minnesota lo-fi tracks, ‘HiLow’. Heavy bass and psychedelic rhythms followed amidst cuts and clips from rock, rap, and hip-hop tracks interspersed among dubstep melodies. Renditions of songs both old and new, a heralded professional sequencing it all together. I love it when a DJ looks the part, and Minnesota reflected his veteran status throughout his set. He carried on in this manner until the very end. Shortly after 1am, he played his final track, thanked all in attendance, drawing his final Chicago performance to a close.
The crowd for this engagement was lovely. I had relatively unobstructed vision of the stage and performers all night. Additionally, the balcony space is a sweet place to catch an elevated view and was accessible to all patrons. I appreciated how kind everyone was when I asked to slide in and snap a few pictures for this display. That’s not always the case, people can be quite protective of their space. Moreover, whenever someone ventured into or out of the room and needed to make their way past my presence, they did so while speaking with “please” and “thank you”. If someone stepped on a foot, or jostled a body, an apology ensued. Everyone and everything was largely polite and wonderful, except for one minute occasion.
Matt from Lake Forest and I were bantering while enjoying some complimentary water from a Gatorade cooler when a typhoon rushed past en route to the bathroom, knocking Matt’s elbow aggressively. It was a wtf moment which we both enunciated before her handler, following close behind, notified us, “She’s hot”. I laughed aloud, because hotness doesn’t excuse rudeness in my current world state. As I shared with him my thoughts, she halted her course towards the lavatory and rolled up on me like a tsunami. I felt unimpressed as she crashed benignly against my cliff face. As she glared into my eyes defiantly, I communicated that physical beauty is largely irrelevant in these spaces if manners aren’t attached. Proper code of conduct: treat others kindly.
A reminder for all, being courteous and polite when navigating shared spaces creates a better environment for everyone. When someone isn’t, you have the right to return their energy and display. Give unto others as they give unto you, or take the high road and be better, if you prefer. After the night had neatly concluded, Matt and I came up with some terms to describe this water cooler moment we both shared. Let me know in the comments which of these you prefer: Wookery Cooler, Fountains of Wook, Watercooler Wook Moments, or The Wookery Fountain. If you have your own, please share those as well.
As Minnesota prepares to embrace the next chapter of his life and career, many of us will look back fondly on the moments and spaces we’ve shared with him. I’m thankful I got to enjoy at least one final Minnesota concert at one of my favorite Chicago spots. This and his 2016 performance at HOB form a memorable set of bookends for the entertainment he’s presented over the years. Every single time, he gave his all. Whether representing lo-fi wubs, hip-hop and rap dubs, or other frequencies of his preference, Minnesota always shared his style and taste to the delight of the audience. As well, he was never one to jockey the microphone too often, or too much, just the right amount in my opinion. I appreciate that level of awareness and sensibility.
Is this the last we’ll hear from Minnesota? As of today, he’s got fourteen tour dates left in cities across the country. Check out his website at minmusic.com for more information. Even though this is farewell, I don’t feel like this is the last time we will say hello. You can find his mixes and tracks aplenty through places like YouTube and on his SoundCloud. Plus, when you’ve been a part of an industry and scene for as long as Christian has, that’s not something you generally leave behind overnight. Much like the fact I’ll be enjoying shows and eating pizza at Dimo’s with Frisky and friends again soon, I expect that Christian will continue to appear in some way, shape, or form. If not, and this is goodbye, it was an absolute pleasure, Minnesota. Thank you.
Be well, be successful. Bear Swiftly.
–Electro Scribe–
