By Jared Gudnason, Writer/Reporter

For the first quarter of the Super Bowl last Sunday, I was in a room without a television. I was at The White Squirrel, which is located on West Seventh Street and offers live music, usually multiple times per day. Around six that night, the stage was graced by Maddy Heide of the local band Canary Room.

The Squirrel holds less than 100 people, and depending on when you go, there may be even fewer than 10. That’s what is great about Twin Cities independent music. During the soundcheck, there were about 15 people, with more slowly filtering in as time went on. Heide opened her set with a cover unknown to me. Heide was outfitted in a turquoise sweater and jeans, performing with just an acoustic guitar. The songs were highly reminiscent of the 1970s’ heyday of performers such as Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks.

Heide had no backing band, as I operate under the assumption that Canary Room has more than one member. She played about 10-12 songs overall, all great compositions. There was a slight malfunction with the cable that was plugged directly into the PA speakers, but I was close enough to the stage that I could still hear her guitar regardless. After I left, I made my way back to pick up right before the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show, which was amazing to watch. Whether it’s a performance at halftime or in a cozy room tucked away in St. Paul, music is just so, so healing.