SKaiser writesAndrew Pelletier of Minor Characters

Two really great things happened since we met up with Minor Character’s Andrew Pelletier. You’re in for a treat. The videos below were released yesterday and feature Pelletier, accompanied only by piano, performing the band’s own "Weatherman" and Big Star’s "Holocaust".

The idea to cover "Holocaust" came one night on the road while the group was traveling back to Chicago from a show. The song came over the radio. "There's a track off Voir Dire, "To Young America", that is solo piano and voice and has the same mood and sentiment as "Holocaust". It reminds us a lot of it, and a lot of ourselves. We all love sad songs. I think Alex Chilton is the weirdest songwriter ever and expresses a lot of what we're trying to accomplish. It seemed like the right song for us to share with you,” Pelletier said.

The group released Voir Dire last October and since then recognize they’re in a place of transition. The album gave them a chance to redirect their creativity and work together on what’s next. Thus “Weatherman” seemed fitting.

“Its message of redemption is clear, for the most part, and I thought it'd be fitting to work in a song about that after the winter we had,” Pelletier said. “We're in a transitional phase - things change, people move, new projects are created - but I see myself always with Minor Characters. We work best when we're creating. Being creative together again is the next transition. We’re all very excited to start writing and push ourselves in different ways,”

Photo by: Shelby Pollard

It's clear each member brings something special to the table. Adam Wayne (bass) recently arrived in Chicago after touring with Springtime Carnivore. Thomas Benko (drums) is a percussion teacher and performs in Blue Man Group. Shelby Pollard's (guitar/vocals) secondary passion is film editing - he actually filmed the videos posted here - and works for Chicago Music Exchange.

Pelletier writes the core songs for Minor Characters. He also started teaching music over ten years ago as a senior in high school. He worked at a local music store and gave lessons to incoming freshman plus a few adults.

Photo by: Adam Wayne

"Teaching will always be in my blood. Both of my parents are retired teachers," he said. "I'd love to move into teaching songwriting and musicianship more, seminars and experience-based education. The art of recording, arranging, etc. Music is crucial to us and our communities, across the country, and that's forever some of the most important work in my life. Making sure that never dies."

Part of continuing that work will pick up next month when he and Pollard start recording a somber folk album together. Then before Minor Characters submerges into working on their next album (yes! and hopefully to be released in 2016) you should check out their show tomorrow night, April 17th, at Schubas Tavern.

Photo by: Shelby Pollard

We love Voir Dire and couldn't help but ask what to look forward to on the next album. "We're bringing back a bit of our earlier sound. More pop but also something to experiment with," Pelletier said. "It'll tell a story. It'll breathe. It'll be manic, most likely."

You can expect to hear a couple singles from Minor Characters in 2015, as well as upcoming solo releases from Pelletier. His approach to the near music future: "Have fun, don't care. Do whatever you want to do," he said. " 2014 was so serious and sober. I just care about being present and making good art."

Midwest Action Video Premiere

Recorded at SHIRK Studios

Filmed by Shelby Pollard