Alternative Americana rock band, The Changeups, are based in Minneapolis fronted by vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Alicia Kay. Alicia’s emotional lyrics and twangy heartfelt singing charm any audience and is loved by fans of Neko Case, Lucinda Williams and Lydia Loveless. They play rock, country and pop but also dabble in indie, blues and folk—no songs about baseball...yet.

Alicia Kay is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her musical talent was recognized from a young age by teachers and it was her dream to pursue music. But all that came to a halt when at 17, she was disfellowshipped from the religious group in which she was born and raised, which meant losing ties with her immediate family and finding herself homeless. In an attempt to survive, she put music on the backburner and threw herself into a steady path: college and a career in engineering. She found success in her academic pursuits, but knew in her heart something was missing. She moved to Minneapolis and was in awe of the few local women musicians on the scene at the time, the likes of Marlee MacLoud and Interstate Judy. She took a leap of faith in 2004 and joined her first band with her sister Angela: Amethyst Blyss (precursor to Sawyer’s Dream). This and another band experience would give her the courage to start her own band, The Changeups, in 2009.  Due to lack of experience in band management and booking, the band initially had slow momentum; but Alicia persevered and The Changeups would cut their first album in 2014. They have since become a staple in the Minneapolis music scene and they have been interviewed and played on KFAI multiple times among other radio stations.

While rocking out in the local scene, they are also working out new songs and have started recording their third album. Their latest single ’Pick Up the Pieces’ was released in December 2020 with an official video release in January 2023 celebrated at Palmer’s.  The Changeups released their first recording, an EP, Negative Space, in January 2014, with a release show at Lee’s Liquor Lounge in Minneapolis, MN, where they are based. They released their first full-length album, Unhinge the Moon, in December 2017, and had a release show at Bunkers. They have also played other venues including The Varsity Theater, Turf Club, the Fine Line, Amsterdam Bar & Hall, the 331 Club, the Aster Café and Dusty’s. They have played with artists such as Jillian Rae, Jackson & The Janks, Courtney Yasmineh, Katy Vernon, Jack Klatt, Elour, The Swongos, Christine Hoberg (Moss Kwa), Matt Jennings, Sawyer’s Dream, Bethany Larson & The Bee’s Knees and Courtney McClean & The Dirty Curls.

Alicia Kay: Singer/Songwriter/Guitar
Aaron Rosener: Drums/Percussion/Vox
Dave Cracauer: Guitar
Axel Cracauer: Bass

P.S. Huge shoutout and love to Jimmy Baker, our original guitarist who was with us for 15 years and wrote a few of our songs that we are still playing, a couple of which will be on our next album!
And Jeff Ellington who played with us for many years will also be on a few songs on our next album. Check both Jimmy and Jeff out in our Pick up the Pieces video below!