Building Community from Music
Minnesota Music Resistance is creating a digital compilation album for Bandcamp and we want YOUR songs! We are looking for songs that are resistance-themed, protest-themed, or songs of hope in dark times as a fundraiser to support our organizing work for community groups in need of support.
Send your tracks to minnesotamusicresistance@gmail.com. Be sure to include the name of the track, artist, a short bio, and the musicians featured on the track. Tracks should be submitted in WAV format. The deadline to submit tracks is October 10th.
MMR proudly features a local organization each month. If you have a band, we encourage you to mention and display this graphic at your shows so that show-goers can support the organization’s work in our community. MMR’s Organization of the Month for September is Abortion Access Front. Founded in 2015 under the name Lady Parts Justice League, Abortion Access Front is a team of comedians, activists, writers, and producers that uses humor to destigmatize abortion and expose the extremist anti-choice forces working to destroy access to reproductive rights in all 50 states.
MMR proudly features a local organization each month. If you have a band, we encourage you to mention and display this graphic at your shows so that show-goers can support the organization’s work in our community. MMR’s Organization of the Month for August is MIRAC MN. MIRAC is an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial, and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization. MIRAC fights for legalization for all, an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life.
MMR proudly features a local organization each month. If you have a band, we encourage you to mention and display this graphic at your shows so that show-goers can support the organization’s work in our community. MMR’s Organization of the Month for July is OutFront Minnesota. OutFront Minnesota’s mission is to build power within Minnesota’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and address inequities through intersectional organizing, advocacy, education, and direct support services.”
Thank you to everyone who helped Minnesota Music Resistance event at Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge be a big success. We raised money (and awareness) for American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. Attendees enjoyed 10 great bands and were able to learn about several other local nonprofit and social activist groups.
Performers included:
Lounge Stage:
Community partners included: ACLU, Move to Amend, ERA Minnesota, Dissonance, Women’s March MN and MN Music Resistance.
Photos from Stephan Faerber:
Photos from Dan Michener:
Photos from Claire Luger:
Photos from the Hook & Ladder:
Big thanks to the media to their attention to MMR and the
From the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger:
Banding together Minnesota Music Resistance provides new meaning to art and activism.
St. Paul resident and MMR founder Paul Engebretson also had a passion for music and politics. A year after his retirement from working in marketing at the University of St. Thomas, Engebretson started up MMR out of frustration over the result of the most recent U.S. presidential election, fearing how future legislation might affect civil rights in America. Engebretson passed away in March 2025, a month after receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Most founding members of MMR are also part of other bands. Each of them met Engebretson through the local music community and were introduced to each other through him. The Twin Cities music scene was very important to Engebretson. He was nicknamed “Front Row Paul,” because of his notable and frequent presence at local shows.
and the Brian Oake show June 19, 2025
Claire Luger and Mikkel Bee join us to talk all things Minnesota Music Resistance. It’s a new organization that puts on events to raise money for great causes. Their first event is Sunday at Hook & Ladder Theater & Lounge in Minneapolis starting at 2pm and going until 7. A killer lineup of bands including Silent Treatment Buffalo Weaver, Turn Turn Turn, Dad Bod, Christy Costello and more. It all benefits the ACLU. Get tickets today.
Minnesota Music Resistance