Tiny Moving Parts Makes A Splash in the National Scene

By Brady Bredell
Contributing Writer

As they prepare for a Midwest tour, local favorites, Tiny Moving Parts make plans for a new record and an unforgettable performance at the upcoming New Direction Fest. Consisting of Dylan Mattheison, Matt Chevalier, Davis Bonk and Billy Chevalier, this local quartet isn’t new to playing local shows or venturing on national tours. At HPR, we were compelled to learn more.

HIGH PLAINS READER: Tiny Moving Parts has become a staple in the F/M music scene. Can you fill in our readers on the past history of the band?

MATT CHEVALIER: Dylan is the cousin of Billy and Matt, who are brothers. We grew up in a small, silly town—Benson, MN. We’ve been playing music together since around the 7th grade. The first band was a punk band called The D-Cups. Davis went to a different school nearby,
and our old high school bands played together quite a bit. TMP started in the winter of Matt and Dylan’s senior year of high school, and Davis hopped in with us shortly after that. Then we moved to the Fargo/Moorhead area once we graduated.

HPR: You’ve been called everything from punk to hardcore. Can you describe your sound?

DYLAN MATTHEISEN: That is a very tough question to answer. We played MACRoCk last year in Harrisonburg, VA, and in our description box they wrote: “Shoutin’ passionate vocals over chaotic but intricate drum beats. Makes you feel in limbo when they got sad lyrics over catchy guitar riffs. Makes you cry and groove at the same time.” People think we’re sad.

HPR: How has Tiny Moving Parts’ sound evolved over the past few years?

DM: Growing up in general has changed the way we sound. We realized how important this band really is to us, so we always try our best to make our songs worth listening to.

HPR: You’ll be playing the New Direction Fest on the 26th. What’s your opinion of The New Direction, from your standpoint as an artist?

MC: It is an amazing venue that stands for awesome things! I wish there were more venues around the states that would support both touring and local bands like this. Booking tours can be stressful when dealing with trying to find local support (bands, promoters, etc.) and
it seems that the New Direction gives great support and wants to continue putting on fun shows! They’re the nicest dudes ever, as well, which is always a plus.

HPR: How important are all ages venues in the F/M music scene?

MC: Very important! We do play 21+ shows, but half of us are still underage. Many of our friends are underage as well. We are not very much of a “bar band“ either.

HPR: You’ll be touring in support of your EP, “Moving to Antarctica,” soon. What do you expect to be the highlight of this tour?

DM: Over half our shows are house/basement shows, so we are beyond stoked about it! We’re hoping the shows will be a blast and we’ll make a lot of new friends on the way. We are the happiest campers when we leave a city with some new friends and wonderful memories!

HPR: What cities will you be playing shows in?

MS: 1/26 FARGO, ND
    1/27 CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
    1/28 OMAHA, NE
    1/29 KEARNEY, NE
    1/30 LAWRENCE, KS
    1/31 KANSAS CITY, MO
    2/1 ST. LOUIS, MO
    2/2 BLOOMINGTON, IL
    2/3 ROCKFORD, IL
    2/4 MILWAUKEE, WI
    2/5 MINNEAPOLIS, MN

HPR: When can your fans expect a new album?

DM: We have been super busy trying to write new material while booking our upcoming tours. We do have around four to five new songs done, so hopefully in February we can demo it out—record it in our basement and give it out for free or something. We are extremely excited to show everyone the new jams.

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IF YOU GO:
WHAT:  Tiny Moving Parts at New Direction Fest
WHEN:  Jan. 26th, 8:50 p.m. (New Direction Fest: January 26th, 27th and 28th)
WHERE:  The New Direction, 14 Roberts Street Fargo
INFO: $5 per day at the door or 3 day passes available at both
Mother’s Music locations for $12