City Counselor

City Counselor is a Minneapolis-based electronic pop band making music about the sorry state of the world. The group prominently features the voice of composer-organizer Nicky Steves (Lunch Duchess, BOYF), “a singer of remarkable caliber” according to Minnesota FM station Radio K. Nicky weds thoughtful social commentary with infectious harmonies, all wrapped up with lush orchestrations and a dance beat. Minnesota Public Radio celebrated the group’s vision in 2016: “The next four years will yield a mighty crop of political music. Nicky is among those leading the charge in the Twin Cities.”

In 2016, City Counselor performed in France, the UK, the Netherlands, as well as the Midwest and Washington, DC. City Counselor received the Cedar Cultural Center’s highly-competitive 2017 Cedar Commission, composing for and performing with an 8-piece orchestra and 5-piece choir. This collection, Questions & Lies, became the basis of the permanent four-piece lineup, which includes Amy Hager (Fort Wilson Riot, Pornonono) on keys and vocals, Antoine Martinneau (Moors Blackmon, 2018 recipient of the Cedar Commission) on bass guitar, and Jared Hemming (The Florists) on drums. They have since performed at the Walker Art Center, the newly reopened Parkway Theatre, First Avenue’s 7th Street Entry, and more. They released their debut EP, Public Record, in January 2017, which was featured as Radio K’s Weekly Release Spotlight.