ELL ( Elliott Graber )

ELL is a pop artist who writes about his personal journeys traveling far from home to pursue his dreams, falling in love, finding himself, and returning to his roots. Visions of beauty and truth permeate throughout his music, tapping into the corners of every lovers brain; bringing these things to life with his gift for vibrant storytelling and sweet melody.

Nomolos

Minneapolis-based artist Nomolos blends intricate fingerstyle nylon-string guitar with honest, introspective songwriting and an easygoing indie rock spirit. Performing with a full band, his music moves fluidly between folky intimacy and upbeat, groove-driven arrangements, shaped by influences like José González, Mac DeMarco, Hudson Freeman, and Tame Impala.

Logan Metz

Logan Metz is a musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in the American Midwest. His songwriting spans several genres, from jazz and rock to folk and country, but it’s all marked by artful chord changes, a character-centric narrative style, and a wry lyrical wit rooted firmly in the Tom Waits/ Randy Newman school of piano-based storytelling. He’s written plays, essays, poems, soundtracks and children’s albums, and in 2015 earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. His thesis was a full-length 1960’s rock-opera adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Othello”. Soon after he released his first solo album, “The Last Remaining Payphone in L.A.” (2016). In 2018 Metz won a Fulbright fellowship to teach at IE University in Madrid, but turned down the award in favor of re-joining his old college friends’ band, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, as a multi-instrumentalist. Since then he has had the honor of playing with Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Joe Walsh, Jimmy Buffett, Eddie Vedder, Warren Haynes, Robby Krieger, John Densmore, Bob Weir, and in 2023 toured on piano for Willie Nelson. He’s currently working on a bunch of passion projects, including a strategy card game, a full-scale stage musical, and a brand new solo record, coming out in 2026.

Taylor Benson ( of Ambient Toad )

Taylor Benson began playing the piano and singing when he was 3 years old. One fateful afternoon in high school, he stumbled upon a Dream Theater song while playing Guitar Hero World Tour. The rest was history. He went on to attend Berklee College of Music on a piano scholarship, where he met his wife Madeline, a talented lyricist. Four years after meeting, they began writing songs together under the name Ambient Toad. Since the summer of 2024, Ambient Toad has been making a splash in the Twin Cities area playing shows at beloved local venues such as Green Room and White Squirrel Bar. Ambient Toad has begun to build a small yet devoted following on the strength of their vivid, introspective songwriting style, and their debut single Lake Street has earned over 1000 streams on Spotify less than a year after its release. As a solo performer, Taylor’s musical influences include singer-songwriters from the 70s such as James Taylor and Billy Joel, and acts from the 90s/mid-2000s such as The Fray and Toad the Wet Sprocket.

The upcoming live showcase Northstar Original Revue and Coffee Break Entertainment presents ELL | Nomolos | Logan Metz | Taylor Benson (of Ambient Toad) promises an immersive evening of original music, creative collaboration, and vibrant local energy. Set for Saturday, May 23rd at the intimate and artist-friendly venue Day Block Brewing Company, this event brings together a diverse lineup of performers who each contribute a distinct sonic identity. Headlining the evening is ELL, whose music blends emotive lyricism with atmospheric instrumentation, creating a soundscape that feels both personal and expansive. Sharing the stage is Nomolos, known for introspective bars and layered production that merges hip-hop with experimental elements. The lineup continues with Logan Metz, delivering melodic storytelling rooted in indie and folk traditions, offering a grounded contrast to the evening’s more ambient textures. Adding another dimension to the show is Taylor Benson, representing the project Ambient Toad. Benson’s work leans into ambient, folk music listening experience that complements the rest of the lineup while expanding the event’s sonic palette. Hosted by Northstar Original Revue and Coffee Break Entertainment, the event emphasizes community and artistry, spotlighting emerging and independent musicians in a setting that encourages connection between artists and audience. Day Block Brewing Company itself enhances the experience with its warm, rustic atmosphere, craft beverages, and reputation as one of Minneapolis’s go-to spaces for live music. Overall, this show is more than just a concert—it’s a curated experience celebrating originality across genres. Whether you’re drawn to indie songwriting, experimental sound design, or genre-blending performances, this lineup offers something engaging and memorable for a wide range of music lovers.