Semi-beloved songwriter and pianist Ben Cook-Feltz is marking 20 years of Twin Cities music making with a vinyl best-of, and a special one-time performance at MetroNOME Brewing. Cook-Feltz will play music spanning his entire catalog, including songs he has very rarely performed, as well as new music and fan favorites (such as his morose cover of Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville”). Rather than bring his full band, Cook-Feltz will instead perform mostly solo piano-and-voice, joined occasionally by trusted musical friends Cole Mickelson, Andy Schuster, Peter Remiger and more. The event will celebrate the release of Ben There Done That, a limited-edition vinyl Best Of. His good friend and fellow songwriter Matthew French will also play a short set. The show promises to be a night of stories, camaraderie, merriment, and more tuneful music than you can shake a stick at. Presuming you wanted to shake a stick at music. Which, fine. It is still a free country.

Ben Cook-Feltz Bio

Described by Iowa Public Radio as “Paul Simon singing songs about broken hearts and pants,” Ben Cook-Feltz is a singer, songwriter, keyboardist and occasional drummer. Combining observational, subtly quirky lyrics with melodies that hearken back to the classic sounds of the 60′s and 70′s, he has been entertaining and confusing audiences throughout the Midwest (but mostly Minnesota) as a dynamic performer, whether playing solo, with his crackerjack band, or supporting some of the finest regional talent (Mother Banjo, Haley E Rydell, Jaspar Lepak). His most recent record, Cook-Feltz Sings Son of Schmilsson, was released in August 2025 and was hailed as “expertise and precision at its finest; art with a limitless sense of fun” (Adventures in Americana). When not indulging in his rockstar delusions, Cook-Feltz is a devoted father, cycling enthusiast and lifelong Godzilla fan.

Matthew French Bio

Matthew French is an evocative singer-songwriter hailing from the heartland of America, whose music intertwines the heartfelt storytelling of Americana with the unmistakable spirit of rock. Drawing inspiration from legendary artists such as Tom Petty and contemporary troubadour David Ramirez, French crafts songs that resonate deeply with listeners, blending poignant lyrics with memorable melodies. His most recent record, Down The Line, was released in March 2026.