Alternative Americana rock band, The Changeups, are based in Minneapolis fronted by vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Alicia Kay. The lineup consists of co-founder and guitarist/songwriter Jimmy Baker (Crazed Individuals, Eddie Mac), as well as drummer Aaron Rosener (Matt Jennings, Manual Controller), and bassist Jeff Ellington (The Fake McCoys, The Roosevelts). Their various backgrounds as rock, country, R&B and folk musicians make for a distinct sound changing the song style throughout a performance. Alicia’s emotional lyrics and twangy heartfelt singing trickled in with Jimmy’s fun pop songs charm any audience and is loved by fans of Neko Case, Lucinda Williams and Lydia Loveless.

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. 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.

They frequently grace the stages of the 331 Club, Aster Café and Palmer’s and have also played the Turf Club, Fine Line and Varsity Theater. Members have played across the US and they have been interviewed and played on KFAI multiple times among other radio stations. They play rock and country but also dabble in indie, pop, blues, folk and bluegrass—no songs about baseball...yet.

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 and the Aster Café. They have played with artists such as Jillian Rae, Courtney Yasmineh, Katy Vernon, Christine Hoberg (Moss Kwa), Sawyer’s Dream, Elour, The Swongos, Bethany Larson & The Bee’s Knees, Courtney McClean & The Dirty Curls, and Matt Jennings.

Alicia Kay: Singer/Songwriter/Guitar
Jimmy Baker: Guitar/Songwriter
Aaron Rosener: Drums/Percussion
Jeff Ellington: Bass