Benson Social Presents: Humbird

Date: Thursday, May 9th, 2024

Join BT for a special performance from up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Humbird.

It feels good to be right. We crave the satisfaction, the ease. But what about when you’re not so sure? When you’re unsteady, angry, swayable, and doing your damned best anyway?

There’s something refreshingly humane about that uncertainty; about having the guts to try, even if you might be wrong. This is the central tenant of Humbird’s third full-length album, Right On, a radical ethos in this soap-box age, and an effort worth turning up the amps for, resulting in the project’s most electric, playful, mettled record yet.

Siri Undlin (the songwriter behind the moniker) and her collaborators tracked live and to tape over the course of two muggy weeks in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on her newest release, Right On — a collection of songs unafraid of ambiguity, music that bares its teeth. Anger and dismay sizzle in response to current events. Heartbreak feels like sandpaper, while wildflowers bob and sway in an ever-expanding universe.

Through observation and deft questioning, the lyrics land less like a political agenda and more like a hard conversation with a friend. All the while, you can hear the summertime pace where the recording took place, and the steady confidence of songs that have already traveled many miles on the road.

And those miles – they’re hard-earned. For Undlin, growing up steeped in church choirs and traditional Irish ensembles eventually led to conducting extensive folklore and musical research around the world as a Watson Fellow. That work inspired years of DIY touring around North America, including performing around the twin cities one backyard at a time during the pandemic. Undlin continues to expand and experiment as a writer and bandleader in a way that is fluid with each season, and oddly suited for this particular moment. Following the surprise success of the self-released debut album Pharmakon and the pensive reflections of 2021’s Still Life, Right On is the next iteration in her process of witnessing the world in all its complexity and responding with candid consideration.

For loyal fans and new listeners alike, Right On is a mischievously kind offering: a whole heap of songs that are unafraid to bask in the perfectly ordinary and also excruciating possibility that sometimes we’re right, often we’re wrong, but no matter what, music can meet us where we’re at and keep us company along the way.

Doors Open: 6:30 PM

Start Time: 7:30 PM

Ticket Price: $16

Who Can Come? Humbird’s music is charged with complexity, heartbreak, and references to current events. There are no explitives in her lyrics and all are welcome to attend. If you are curious about the content of her music, please check out her Spotify below!

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Parking Information:

There is a loading zone directly in front of the theatre that you are welcome to use to drop off passengers or theatre patrons. Please observe that you cannot remain in the loading zone for more than 3 minutes. If you require assistance unloading or helping patrons inside, please feel free to ask at our Box Office when you arrive.

Parking for Benson Theatre shows is available in the following locations:

Cavanaugh Law Offices: This parking lot is available weekends and weekdays after 5 PM. It’s located behind the theatre (north) at 6035 Binney Street. When parking is available, you will see a Benson Theatre parking sign at the edge of the lot.

CHI Health Clinic:  This parking lot is available Monday-Friday after 6 PM and Saturday-Sunday after 3 PM. It’s located in the southwest of the theatre at 2734 N. 61st Street. When parking is available, you will see a Benson Theatre parking sign at the edge of the lot.

Public Parking Lot: A free public parking lot is located at 2729 N 61st Street. This lot is first come, first serve and is not managed by Benson Theatre. Please obey the parking lot signage when using this lot.

On-Street Parking: Benson also has on-street parking with some restrictions. There is a 2-hour maximum from 8 AM-5 PM on Maple Street and Military Avenue. There is no parking allowed on these streets between 2 AM-6 AM. 

Please note: The lot directly behind the theatre is not open for theatre parking. This lot is the property of Haney Shoe Store (located off Binney street in the back of Haney’s Shoe Store and Virtuoso Pizza).

We also highly recommend and encourage the use of carpooling to events with friends and family and multimodal transportation to reduce the difficulty in finding parking for an event. On weekend evenings especially, we suggest arriving at least 30 minutes early to allow ample time to find parking. Once you’re here, you can always hit one of the amazing restaurants for a pre-show bite or grab a drink at our lobby bar before the show!