Knifeplay at the Whole Music Club

KNIFEPLAY

Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Whole Music Club

7:30 PM doors | 8:00 PM show

Knifeplay is a band that eludes definition, existing somewhere between the nihilistic detachment of shoegaze and the emotional
honesty of folk songwriting. Originally a solo bedroom recording project of Tj Strohmer’s, they’ve made a slow and careful shift into
a collaborative, production focused, studio recorded band. Through their ever-expanding genre
palette, range of fidelities, and long list of collaborators runs a unique current that ties everything together.
Informed by his experiences living in Philadelphia and their contrast with his rural southern Maryland upbringing, Strohmer’s
sometimes straightforward, sometimes dreamlike, but always philosophical lyrics feature scenes of darkness from many different
aspects of life. He deals with existential themes of death, drugs, heartbreak, and self-destruction, all expressed
through a delicate vocal style, which, combined with the band’s lush orchestral instrumentation gives a beautiful lightness to the
heavy subject matter.

Since their 2017 debut of home-recorded EPs, Knifeplay have earned a dedicated cult following through acclaimed debut
album Pearlty (2019) and a lengthy B-Sides Compilation (2020), all either self-released or through small run tape labels. In 2021
they entered the studio with producer Jeff Zeigler, known for his work with Kurt Vile, Nothing, The War on Drugs, and more, first
producing the Hurt Someone EP (Born Losers Records) before recording their critically acclaimed sophomore full-length, Animal
Drowning, released via Topshelf Records on October 19, 2022. In 2024, Knifeplay continued their work with Zeigler, releasing
their Spirit Echo EP last November, also to critical acclaim. In May 2025, Knifeplay would tease songs from their forthcoming LP
on Live in Seattle released via Funeral party.

Stalled

Fresh off the release of their sophomore LP Pave Desire, Chicago's Stalled frantically adjusts the dial on their ever-evolving wall of sound between anthemic and crushing. Sharp, angular guitars, off-kilter rhythms and screaming samples of deranged preachers all collide in their take of post-whateveryouwannacallit.

12th House Sun

12th House Sun is an alt rock/shoegaze band from Minneapolis, MN. The band was originally started by vocalist Kyle Schultz (he/him) as a solo project, and now is joined by Ry Shea (they/them) on backing vocals and guitar, Gabriel Miller (they/them) on lead guitar, Bee Schreiner (they/them) on bass, and Sage Livergood (they/them) on drums. The band brings a hard hitting cathartic sound, while all around atmospheric and hook driven.

FAQs

Can I attend if I'm under 18 years of age?

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student U Card or 18+ with valid government-issued ID required for entry. Underage Persons can only attend if they are accompanied by their own parent or legal guardian.

Accessibility requests:

To request accessibility accommodations contact [email protected] or call 612-626-6919 by 09/16/26. We will do our best to accommodate requests made after this date.

What's the refund policy?

All ticket purchases are final and non-refundable.

Click here for a complete FAQ.

Event venue

Whole Music Club, Coffman Memorial Union, Minneapolis, United States

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