Partial Traces
Even if I somehow missed Partial Traces' last LP (do'h!) I'm still a big fan of the moody synth-rock made by musicians with mostly punk rock resumes.
Besides playing a more chill style, two band members also opened Cloudland venue in Minneapolis, MN somewhat recently. We caught up with Maren (vocals/keyboard) to talk about the band, new developments, balancing projects and perspective on 20+ years of The Fest.
Scene Point Blank: I don't think you've played Fest in a while. What was the last time you were there and with what band(s)?
Maren: I had to look this up, but Partial Traces played in 2016, Gateway District also played that year. Gateway District played in 2010 and maybe 2012 or 2013? Soviettes played in 2010 and 2012, and maybe another early on.
Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played now? Have you attended more than that?
Maren: I don't know how many I've played honestly! I've been to a few more as a spectator, definitely.
Scene Point Blank: While you haven't been at Fest in a while, you still hear stories I'm sure. What changes are you most curious about as you return for FEST 23?
Maren: I'm curious about what changes and what stays the same -- I like to hear what younger bands are doing musically.
Scene Point Blank: How did your schedule work out that this year is the year to return to Fest?
Maren: Banner Pilot is playing so Nate was going anyway, and it sounded fun!
Scene Point Blank: Is there a specific record or band that really inspired Partial Traces' identity and when/how did you discover it? Any stories?
Maren: Not really a specific band or record, but I remember I was / we were chasing down something "different." I had been doing the same kind of music thing, more or less, for what felt like a long time and I wanted to do something different but I didn't know how. One day, Nate was like "Yeah I have all these songs and fragments in Soundcloud that are too weird for Banner Pilot but I make them anyway if you ever want to listen" and shared it. There were over 60 things in there! Whole songs with parts and changes, bits and pieces of ideas... most of it decidedly different! At the same time, Carrie (the bass player in Gateway) was living in Green Bay, and playing regular shows with that band was getting more difficult, so we just made a new band, which is Partial Traces.
Scene Point Blank: You formed nearly a decade ago, in 2017. Do you think the band's identity or trajectory has moved in any surprising new directions from your initial concept?
Maren: The identity and concept and feel is still pretty aligned with where we started -- if anything, further towards the ideas we were pushing towards, because we have involved more instruments and voicings that get away from the bands of our pasts. Mostly this shift was out of necessity. To keep making music during pandemic, we started using more synth, drum machines, loops etc, and some shows were played with only 2 or 3 people (at one point we were 5). Now, we always play as a 4-piece, and things have kind of stabilized again.
Scene Point Blank: How is it different to sing and play synth/keys as compared to playing guitar? Was there a learning curve to doing both at the same time live?
Maren: Well, at one point, I was playing keyboard AND guitar at the same time as singing, and there was definitely some learning for that! Now I just play keyboard, and really, I barely play it. It's not the big chords or leads of some bands -- it mostly adds a texture and a drone to lush out the song under Nate's cool leads. So it's pretty easy.
Scene Point Blank: How many bands are you in right now and how do you manage it all with Cloudland and other real life concerns?
Maren: I'm only in Partial Traces right now. But with all my other stuff, yeah, I'm very very very busy!
Scene Point Blank: It's been 4 years since your last full-length and two since the last EP. What is next from the group? What format (EP, singles, LP, etc) do you think best fits your vibe and writing approach?
Maren: Not true! We released LP Stay Dreaming in November 2023, which was right after Cloudland opened. We were so busy that I kind of forgot we had a record about to come out, so it was a fun surprise, and then we played a show at Cloudland for it. It's been fun to release the 2-3 song EPs we were doing digitally, and I think some of our best material is there. We will probably do some more of those and hopefully get to another full-length.
Scene Point Blank: As a venue owner yourself, what strikes you the most about the Fest community of 20+ years?
Maren: I'm so proud that a fest like that can continue for over 2 decades, that's just incredible. Hell yeah! I know it's a ton of work for them but what a beautiful thing: people come from all over the world to see each other and dance. They should be so proud of what they've built.
Scene Point Blank: Has running a venue changed your band's dynamics in any way you can describe?
Maren: We have yet to play a different venue since we opened, but I hope to get there (anywhere!) in 2026. Our practice space is kind of nicer, since now we practice at Cloudland. We are all really busy, but that's not new from starting Cloudland.
Scene Point Blank: Can you share any special plans you have for FEST 23 as a band this year?
Maren: It's not really a band plan but, personally, Carrie (from Gateway District, from Wisconsin) is going -- which is awesome since I don't get to see my dear friend very much. She planned it kind of separate so it's an added super awesome bonus.
Scene Point Blank: If Partial Traces were to play a covers set, what band would you pick?
Maren: Wow, good question. Just one band? Hmm. Suicide? Jesus & Mary Chain? I'm going with Suicide, I'll sing less!
Scene Point Blank: What bands/artists are you excited about the most this year?
Maren: It doesn't matter that I have seen Toys That Kill or D4 hundreds of times, I still am always so excited to see them! And I am also excited to see new bands I don't know. And just excited to see FEST!!!!!
