Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, SD
The Scene - your regional entertainment guide
March 2, 2001

Catch Positive Vibes With Tessman
Minneapolis singer brings barefoot fun to downtown brewery
by Robert Morast

When asked what sets her apart from the rest of the singer-songwriter pack in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis femi-folkie Katy Tessman replies promptly, "I'm a woman and proud of it."

Maybe her feminist tendencies separate her from the circle of musicians she hangs with, but in the wake in Ani DiFranco wanna-bes, feminist folkies just don't stand out. So luckily for the 31-year-old Tessman, she has a performance feature most of her peers can't claim.

When Tessman steps onto the stage, she steps out of her shoes.

It's not an uncommon practice in Sioux Falls. Former Janitor Bob front-man Martin Dill performed barefoot, and Ryan Redman, vocalist for the hardcore group Caligari, likes to hop around sans shoes. But while Redman takes to the stage because he likes the feel, Tessman applies some new-age philosophy to the act.

"It's a message that I'm sending my body to just relax and have fun," she says from her home in Minneapolis. "Some shoes can be very uncomfortable and make you hold your body in an uncomfortable manner. I'm more grounded barefoot."

She'll be grounded tonight when she brings her nature-inspired folk rock tunes to the Sioux Falls Brewing Co. The show starts at 9:30.

Though she's taken to the habit quite easily, Tessman's barefoot practice came by accident after playing a sultry summer birthday party gig for an uncle.

"It was summer time and I think my feet were just hot," Tessman says. "So I just kicked (my shoes) off and played the rest of the show like that." Afterwards her sister, who was in attendance, said Tessman sounded better barefoot. She's been spurning shoes ever since.

But she's not all feet. Together with her percussionist/husband, Tessman sings songs with "happy endings" about nature, heartbreak and her oddball friends.

"People that are a little cuckoo. Friends in my life that are a little different or unique," she says. And she's not just making fun of them. Inclusion into a Tessman song signifies high regard.

"Most of my friends that know a verse or line or song is about them, I think they're pretty honored," Tessman says. "Maybe a little embarrassed. If they're in the audience they don't want me to point them out and say this song is about them."

And she obliges. Tessman simply doesn't want to bring bad energy with her music. "My goal with my song writing is to make people smile and feel good," Tessman says. "I'm very positive and very honest and truthful."

Katy Tessman is a free spirit who likes to sing about positive things and keep the audience in a fun-loving mood. You can hear this proud woman roar tonight at the Sioux Falls Brewing Co.

Photography by Jon Duder.