Katy Tessman
Check out the latest installment of North Country Song Sessions, where Eli met up with Katy Tessman in the green room of Maggie's Farm Theater in Saint Louis Park where she shared an unreleased song, “Speed of a Dream,” that is set to appear on her upcoming full-length album.
Katy Tessman. Photos by Eli Gardiner, 2026.
Minnesota born and raised, local singer-songwriter Katy Tessman wrote the as yet unreleased song “Speed of a Dream” on the eve of her second-born son’s 18th birthday. The song will be part of a new full-length album she is just beginning to record with Matt Patrick at The Library Studio. (Watch and listen below!)
This spring, Katy is releasing an EP centered around the Tessman family, featuring her first-born son, Sweet Lou, who plays all the instruments and handles the mixing and production. Yes, it’s a literal family record.
Katy curates a winter concert series for the jewel-box theater at Maggie’s Farm Theater. Its mission to build community and offer “food for the soul” closely aligns with her own work as an artist and organizer. As Katy puts it, “I care about creating spaces where people feel connected to the music and to each other. That’s the kind of room I want to be in, and the kind I want to help build.”
Before heading out on tour, Katy and her son perform an intimate duo show in Minneapolis centering songs of hope and home and offering a glimpse into the heart of her work. She will then embark on her first New England solo tour, followed by a full-band homecoming show in St. Paul.
Upcoming Shows
All Saints Indian Mission, w/ Sweet Lou
Saturday, May 16 at 2pm
Prairie Musicians, w/ Sweet Lou
Thursday, April 23 at 9pm
Big Green Booth at Dusty’s Bar
Saturday, April 11 at 8pm
New England Tour
June 2026 — See tour schedule here
Homecoming Show w/ Full Band at White Squirrel
Sunday, June 28 at 6pm
About the filmmaker / series creator
Eli Gardiner (Gardiner Productions) is a songwriter, photojournalist, and video creator. You can catch him playing shows all over the Midwest with his band or as a solo performer, and he also captures video and photography for local musicians and nonprofits. His passion is Storytelling through music and pictures.
