Tiny Moving Parts on Tour
On the 1990s-indie throwback single "For the Sake of Brevity" that was released in 2019, Tiny Moving Parts ended the contemplative song by repeatedly singing, "You opened my eyes, and closed them at the same time." The lyric might seem contradictory, although in context with the rest of the words — which address a sudden, painful death — the line ends up a clever, wrenching way to allude to grief's aftershocks.
Such incisive observations are par for the course for the Benson, Minnesota–based emo revival band. Their songs ask probing questions about life's most emotional moments, with a focus on what it means to find your place in the world. Smartly, Tiny Moving Parts' music matches the up-and-down nature of the lyrics. Punkish surges alternate with more contemplative indie-pop, with a touch of post-hardcore grit tossed in for good measure. The band's 2018 album Swell in particular brims with confidence, as the music is louder, more direct, and urgent.
Tiny Moving Parts' lineup features a pair of siblings (bassist/vocalist Matthew Chevalier and his brother, drummer Billy) and their cousin (vocals/guitarist Dylan Mattheisen). The trio began playing music together in junior high, after discovering Blink-182. They later embraced the newer crop of underground rock bands, such as Thursday, mewithoutYou, and Brand New, and soaked up lessons from their town's DIY scene. In fact, Tiny Moving Parts self-released before teaming up with Kind Of Like Records for 2013's This Couch Is Long & Full of Friendship and signing to Triple Crown in 2014 for the Pleasant Living LP.
In the years since, Tiny Moving Parts have continued to release well-received albums (including 2016's Celebrate) and hit the road with indie-emo's biggest names, including State Champs, Modern Baseball, and The Front Bottoms.
They more than hold their own. A Tiny Moving Parts concert is characterized by passionate, generous sing-alongs and scrappy performances that provoke deep catharsis. In 2019, Tiny Moving Parts toured with Free Throw and Worlds Greatest Dad.
