Mindchatter at Brooklyn Steel.
On March 16, New York Native Mindchatter brought his Chorus of Monologues Tour to Brooklyn Steel, delivering an introspective yet exhilarating performance brimming with hypnotic visuals, introspective lyricism, and a pulsating electronic sound.
photo by Alexandra Moxey.
New York native Bryce Conolly, better known by his stage name Mindchatter, embarked on his Chorus of Monologues Tour last spring. With his release of singles “Trippy” and “Time Machine,” he has gained significant traction, earning acclaim from BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong and landing an opening slot for Polo & Pan. After attending his March 16, 2024, show at Brooklyn Steel, it’s easy to understand the hype.
I had always been intrigued by Mindchatter’s famous lyrical technique, which mimics the human condition by recreating our internal dialogue. The venue had a warehouse-like feel, with a spacious interior and walls painted black, creating an atmosphere perfect for the music that Mindchatter would soon perform. A hush fell over the audience as synthesizers filled the air. We could just start to make out Conolly on the stage as a large projection appeared behind him, depicting floating eyeballs against a pink backdrop, accompanied by a bobbing Greek bust. The stage lighting provided a perfect complement to the visuals, with contrasting orange and pink hues casting a surreal glow throughout the venue.
The first song, “Simple Economics,” filled the room with a melodic blend of hi-hats and layered vocals, and the crowd began to move to the beat. The song’s message is pretty straightforward: if you give nothing, you get nothing in return. Written during the pandemic, it addresses those who tried to capitalize on the recession by investing in cryptocurrency. With lyrics like, “Give you nothing, expect something,” the song serves as a reminder to stay present and get out of your head. As the song drew to an end, the visuals transitioned to a sunset hue, depicting orange angels with pink wings floating rhythmically alongside a new Greek statue, setting the stage for “Brain Pills.”
I felt a surge of energy when “Brain Pills” kicked in. Brooding synths reverberated throughout the room and gradually segued into an exciting rhythm. The song includes catchy electronic sounds and layered vocals, painting a vivid picture of an overwhelming, fast-paced world and the struggle to find balance. In an interview, Mindchatter said, “‘Brain Pills’ is about my experience being prescribed ADHD meds from a psychiatrist over an app. The whole process is extremely goofy.” That’s a narrative that surely many people can relate to, especially as online ADHD prescriptions become more common and societal pressures to be productive increase. Having dealt with ADHD all my life, the song perfectly captures the state of mental overload that I’ve felt. The repeated lyrics, “Brain pills, from a doctor, on the internet, on the internet,” had us swaying, dancing, and singing along. Ironically, “Brain Pills” could have been pretty overstimulating if not for the adrenaline rush it induced in me.
The energy continued to build in the room and peaked when Mindchatter performed his remix of “Young Folks.” This familiar, whistly tune grabbed the audience and then got us grooving along to its pulsing, electronic soundscape. The song was a perfect fit for the Brooklyn crowd, not only because it was once featured in the show Gossip Girl, but also because it celebrates youth, freedom, and exploration—qualities that have become synonymous with Brooklyn. As the rhythm took hold, there was a sense of unity in the crowd, as we jumped in sync and cheered during the chorus: “And we don’t care about the young folks, talking ‘bout the young style / And we don't care about the old folks talking about the young style too….”
Mindchatter’s simple yet philosophically stimulating lyrics, paired with his entrancing EDM sound, position him as a frontrunner in the electronic music scene. He employs the “beauty in simplicity” lyrical style of greats like Bob Dylan and merges it with energetic electronic music, separating himself from the normative lyrics and themes of the music industry. His ability to incorporate the spirit of raves into his concerts creates a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
edited by Justin Walgren.
photo by Alexandra Moxey.