#under violet

Under Violet pull influences from country to indie rock to folk, creating a soothing, Southern-inspired sound that can thaw even the chilliest Minnesota winter. The band’s self-titled debut album, which came out in 2019, showcases singer and guitarist Sara Bischoff’s airy voice, which she brought to First Avenue for the Best New Bands concert.

The band lulled the crowd with the album’s songs like “Flying” and the tender “Blame Me,” as well as Tommy James and the Shondells’ “Crimson and Clover.” Jeremy Ylvisaker turned on an effects pedal to recreate the song’s iconic warbling sound, which had the audience swaying like stalks of sweet grass.

Under Violet Return With Another Dose of Dreamy Folk-Pop on New LP Threes

Under Violet somewhat quietly (pun intended) released their outstanding debut in fall 2019, and have followed up with another slab of dreamy folk-pop on their new LP Threes. The band is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Sara Bischoff (who you may know from Web of Sunsets, Heavy Deeds, etc), with backing from an all-star cast of Chris Bierden (bass/guitars), Jeremy Ylvisaker (guitars/keys) and…

Ahead of Under Violet’s performance at First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2019 in the First Avenue Mainroom on Saturday, January 25, we got to ask Sara Bischoff a few questions. Read what she had to say below:

Joely Kelzer: What music inspired you as a kid and made you realize you may want to make music yourself someday? Sara Bischoff: My mom is a musician so it just made sense to play music as part of everyday life. But songwriting-wise it was Bob Dylan & Ani Difranco, I listened to both a lot as a kid.

JK: You have an ethereal and breathy style, similar to Mazzy star, is there a particular song or album that influenced the sound of this LP? SB: I do love Mazzy Star. Hope Sandoval sings in such a relaxed and simple way—it’s so comforting. I keep bringing up the lullaby thing when I talk about Under Violet but that’s the main idea. There were many other things that influenced the first album, but that’s my main idea with Under Violet as a project.

JK: Besides Mazzy Star, who or what inspires your music? SB: I think dreams, relationships, nature, animals & memory inspire it. The song “Crimson & Clover” and the song “Sweet Jane” and the song “Blues Run the Game”. Also Ted Lucus, Sibylle Baier, Vashti Bunyan, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Joni Mitchell, Jackson C. Frank, Stevie Nicks, Arthur Russell, Neil Young, Invisible Boy, Poliça, Julie Byrne, and The Weather Station. Those are some of my favorite songwriters. Chris Rose (Vampire Hands/Robust Worlds/Web of Sunsets) had a big influence on my music. My songwriting developed a lot from just being in bands with him and observing his approach to songwriting—lyrics, in particular.

JK: You recently released a full-length, self-titled LP. What as the idea or inspiration behind the album? SB: I think it was more of a coping mechanism than anything else. Music is a good friend to have. I think a lot of the songs are about loss and loneliness and finding a way to comfort yourself when you’re feeling that way.

JK: Being from Minnesota, what is your favorite show you have seen in the First Avenue Mainroom? SB: Poliça and The Cactus Blossoms are tied.