Flow and the Mingos

I joined the Current’s Barb
Abney, the Suicide Commandos’
Chris Osgood and a representative
from Best Buy on that panel
of judges. While I’m not sure
what I was expecting from the
afternoon, I left not only
impressed and filled with hope
for the next generation of local
rockers but also with a glimpse
of possible greatness.
Of the four acts, one immediately
stood out. Led by
pianist/vocalist Sarah Walk,
the group boasts a name so
awful I’m only going to type it
once — Flow and the Mingos.
(I can only hope Walk will come
to her senses and ditch that
name before I have the occasion
to write about her again, which
I’m willing to bet will be sooner
rather than later.)
The rail-thin, vaguely
androgynous Walk spent her
brief set seated behind the
piano, dressed like an extra
from a high-school production
of “Newsies.” Seeing her joined
by a bassist and drummer, it’s
tempting to compare her to a
piano trio like Keane or a
singer/songwriter like Tori
Amos.
But from the moment Walk
began performing, it was clear
neither comparison made much
sense. She effortlessly attacked
her keyboard like it was an electric
guitar and sang with an
intensity that suggested she
could snap Amos in two. This
was rock music, every bit as
raw and passionate as one could
hope. And Walk played not only
like she meant it but also like
she had no other choice in life —
it felt like one of those rare
moments of witnessing a
breathtaking new talent about
to blossom.
At the end of the day, Walk’s
trio was the easy choice for the
first of two winners. But to be
honest, the panel of judges
would’ve been happy to see any
one of the remaining three acts
fill the second slot. - Pioneer Press