#dizzyfae

Dizzy Fae, “No GMO Mixtape”

Self-Released / June 25th, 2019

The world is finally starting to open its dusty eyes to the wonderfully intricate universe of Dizzy Fae. With her diversive second mixtape in as many years, we get a fresh taste of the sonics that Dizzy continues to experiment with.

Opening with pitched down vocals and a bouncing beat, opening track ‘Huu R Uu’ sets the tone of the album well. While each song takes its own route genre-wise, there’s no denying the influence of Chicago and Detroit house music throughout. Songs like ‘Big Walls’, ‘Altar’ and ‘Company’ all pull from different sub-genres of house and give Fae a chance to really showcase her vocal versatility.

Regular collaborators Psymun and Su Na are present on the “No GMO Mixtape” alongside new friends Kim Tee, Sir Dylan, Yon and Falls. While everyone adds their own spice to the mix there is no denying the true star is Dizzy in all her blossoming greatness.

We get a closer look into Fae’s personal life with this mixtape. ‘Pink’ echoes the images of love and lust in a way that pulls on your heart strings with little effort. Dizzy as a lyricist is really shining in 2019 and there’s no question her live show is transforming with it. As a triple threat (singer, dancer & actor!) she appears nearly unstoppable. Fresh off an acting roll in Khalid’s new movie “Free Spirit”, we’re left wondering if more feature lengths are in store for her future.  

The last couple tracks ‘Solo’ and ‘Now N’ Later’ are an excellent peak into her future as an experimentalist. Both songs use heavily chopped vocals throughout and feature some of the most riveting production; almost evocative of Sophie or Arca at times. This is not to say that Su Na and Psymun don’t showcase their own unique production on these tracks though. Both artists continue to make and be apart of some of the best music coming out of the Twin Cities at this point in time. And there is no question that Dizzy Fae is one of them.

Dizzy Fae’s second mixtape “No GMO Mixtape” is streaming now at the link above and on all other major streaming services. 

When I moved to Seattle three years ago, I quickly realized that my home state of Minnesota was irrelevant to the West Coast. I never took it personally when my new friends called my home a “fly-over state”, but I was shocked when no one knew that legendary musicians came from my Midwestern home.

Growing up, I thought of my local musicians as hometown heroes. My friends and I saw Atmosphere perform three times and meeting local female rapper, Dessa made me want to become a performer.

I also learned from a young age that music binds my community together. Bob Dylan murals coat the sides of downtown Minneapolis buildings and students at the University of Minnesota boast that the artist attended their school (even though he barely showed up for classes). When Prince passed away in 2016, the entire city went into mourning. The infamous 35W bridge was lit with violet lights for days and 1st Avenue nightclub hosted Prince dance parties every week.

We Minnesotans covet our musicians. They put our Northern home on the map and give us relevance beyond the Spoon and Cherry sculpture and the Mall of America. 

Now that I live in the Pacific Northwest, I like to check on my local music scene to see who will become the next Prince or Bob Dylan. I have compiled a list of my recent favorites who with some luck, might just get their own mural downtown.

Dizzy Fae

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzzn2dWhS-Q 

Dizzy Fae is a young R&B Pop artist from St. Paul whose music makes you want to groove whether you’re at a party or on your commute to work. The rhythms on her first mixtape, Free Form are upbeat and catchy while her soprano vocals carry each song with melodies about finding love. At only 19 years old, she has been featured in i-D Magazine and Vogue.com and has gone on tour with fellow Minnesota artist, Lizzo. This week, Dizzy Fae starts a two-week tour around the U.S. with Toro y Moi and has already sold out shows in Brooklyn, NY. Unfortunately, she won’t make it to Seattle this time around, but I recommend you check her out on Spotify before everyone else does.

Lizzo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00HMxdsVZI

She may not have been born in the Midwest, but Minnesotans have embraced Lizzo into our clan of beloved musicians since she moved here in 2011. I was first introduced to Lizzo in 2014 when she opened the Rock the Garden Music Festival at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Her onstage persona was as sassy and confident as her lyrics, which spoke about body positivity and not giving a fuck about the haters. The crowd went wild on that muggy summer afternoon and I was automatically hooked. Four years later, I saw her again at the 2018 Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco. I was glad to see that she was still on brand: cheeky, enthusiastic, and flamboyant in the best way possible. She donned a poofy yellow tulle dress as she sang “Truth Hurts”, a track about moving on from a relationship. Whether the audience knew her music or not, they twerked and grinded along with Lizzo and her backup dancers, “The Big Girls”. I was proud to see Lizzo’s influence break out of the Midwest, but felt even more proud to scream, “New man on the Minnesota Vikings” into a crowd of West Coasters.

Scrunchies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C604Xk7Zyo

Here’s a Minneapolis feminist punk band that even my dad likes. The four girls that make Scrunchies bring a unique balance of edginess and melody that remind me that feminity and toughness are not mutually exclusive. The band formed in a post-2016 election frenzy to create a force of change with music. Their first album, Stunner, which released in June 2018, includes “Wichita”, a song that addresses modern misogyny. With the midterm elections happening this week, there’s no better time to lend these women your ears.

Gully Boys

https://gullyboys.bandcamp.com/album/not-so-brave 

The Star Tribune called Gully Boys the Sleater-Kinney of the Midwest and I’d have to agree. Their ‘90s grunge rock melodies paired with Courtney Barnett-like lyrics are a mashup that could only be successfully done by a Minneapolis group. This past August, the rock trio released their first album, Not So Brave, which received a stamp of approval from the tough critics at City Pages. The first tracks on Not So Brave, “Greasy” and “I Wanna Go Home!” have been stuck in my head for days. Both are repetitive and aggressive but their subject matter is simple and relatable. Keep an ear out for this band in the coming months. I have a feeling the Seattle rock audience is going to fall for them soon.