Start Listening To: she’s green

The Minneapolis quintet talk transformation, nature, and the making of their new EP Chrysalis.

Few bands capture the quiet beauty of their surroundings quite like Minneapolis quartet she’s green. Their new EP Chrysalis captures a period of change and self-discovery, shaped by long tours, shifting relationships and time spent in the Midwest’s calm landscapes. We spoke with the band about recording with Slow Pulp’s Henry Stoehr, finding inspiration in nature, and what comes next.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

We’re she’s green from Minneapolis, Minnesota. We make textural music revolving around introspection and nature. We started making music with no expectation to be anything but as an emotional outlet for us and to have fun.

What was the inspiration behind the title of your latest EP, Chrysalis, and how does it reflect the music within?

A Chrysalis is a caterpillar before coming out of its cocoon as a butterfly and it seemed to be a perfect theme for the songs since we’ve been going through such a period of transformation as a band. We’ve gone through a lot these past few years from finishing up school, to relationships changing, and developing our sound as a band, playing a ton of shows on the road. Each song is reflecting on the journey in its own way.

Do you typically start with lyrics, melodies, or a particular concept in mind?

We have always started with a guitar part and worked from there. The melodies normally come next, singing gibberish and then the lyrics come from the images in my head, sometimes coming to fruition right away or over some time meditating on it. Our process has always been very natural. There hasn’t been a lot of thinking about concepts first in order to achieve this thing specifically, it’s just spewed out.

Can you share a memorable moment from the studio while recording Chrysalis?

We recorded Graze and Figurines with Henry Stoehr from Slow Pulp at his studio space in Chicago back in the summer of 2024. It was such a fun and rewarding experience, but had its share of silliness too. A lot of takes had to be abandoned because a hardcore band was practicing really loud just a couple rooms down the hall. While it may have been difficult to get clean takes, I can’t lie, that band sounded awesome. I wish I figured out what their name was.

Did anything unexpected happen that shaped the final product?

There’s always a lot of things that come up when you’re recording. Zofia was sick and had to record vocals for hours on end, Raines fractured his thumb a few days before tracking guitars, and we had to finish in a short time period between tours. All those things make recording hectic but also a unique experience.

Your music often incorporates themes of nature. How does your environment in Minneapolis shape your artistic vision and sound?

The Midwest has an almost feminine nature to it with bushy, soft hills and small trees. You drive about an hour away to farmlands with glowing cornfields at twilight and prancing deer. We have gorgeous blooming flowers on trees in the spring and summer, and bright colored leaves in fall. Winter is filled with days of fluffy snow covering everything you see, reminding you how pretty streetlights can be. The softness of our nature has impacted our love for lush textures in music and our love for cinematography as well.

What’s the significance of the visuals you choose to accompany your music?

When writing music, we take a lot of inspiration from nature, so these natural spring-fed creeks and forests seem a natural place for us to set the songs. Most of the album and single art is made at places that are pretty important and meaningful to us, natural places we’ve spent time reflecting.

What do you love right now?

I’ve been loving time home with my cat. Also looking forward to touring, enjoying the color of the fall leaves, and pupusas.

What do you hate right now?

The U. S. government and the price of Mexican food in Minneapolis.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?

Demon Days by Gorillaz and Out of the Blue by Electric Light Orchestra. These albums are so much fun. There are so many elements to these songs that constantly amaze.

When someone hears your music for the first time, what do you hope sticks with them?

The goal is always to make emotional music, so we hope people can find something that resonates with them, whatever that is. It’s really interesting hearing the different meanings and interpretations people get from our songs.

You’ve recently been in the studio working with Sonny DiPerri (DIIV, Julie). What’s coming next for she’s green?

More music very soon!