Wet Spot Presents Michael Rider's Album Release Show Live at The Parkside Lounge

June 28 2025

Doors at 6pm / Show at 6:30pm

Advance $12 / Door $15

Join us in celebrating the release of Michael Rider’s new album “Beauty” (out June 27th on Grimalkin Records.) with Special Guest Medusa.

Beauty, the fifth studio album by singer-songwriter Michael Rider (they/them), untangles the web of an abusive relationship during a time of great isolation under Covid-19. The artist writes about feelings of turbulent love, losing trust in oneself, and trying to be a good partner to the wrong person.

The album is a collaboration between co-producer M the Myth (they/them) and Rider. The title, Beauty, is partially inspired by their western astrological signs both being ruled by the goddess of love and beauty, Venus. It was produced entirely over Zoom, much like the time period evoked in the work, with Rider in New York City and M in Fresno, California. This project marks their second studio album to be released with Grimalkin Records, a collective of like-minded creatives championing the work of marginalized voices, including queer, disabled, BIPOC, and neurodiverse. Rider currently serves as a board member for the organization.

Rider moved to New York City from Richmond, VA in 2013 to attend the School of Visual Arts. Having been a student of both Richmond painter Mary Scurlock (Center for the Arts) and singer/songwriter, Charlotte Martin (Something Like A Music School) Rider’s training is a reflection of their unique visions. They broke their teeth playing open mics at The SideWalk Cafe (Regina Spektor, Moldy Peaches, and Kimya Dawson), playing shows along the east coast, and releasing four studio albums since 2011. Their latest album, Cycle, was Wavy Award nominated in 2022 for Best Album. michaelwrider.com

To make music like Medusa’s, you need three things: thick beats, visceral melodies, and an axe to grind. A storyteller at heart, the self-proclaimed “revenge-pop” musician aims to transform tales of queer joy, desperation, and agony into gratifying music “by any means necessary.” And they make good on the promise; their signature production style - described by Soundriv as “a breakthrough collection of LGBTQ hymns,” and by Bucketlist as “the most inventive [expletive] music we’ve heard in a long time” - feature unconventional samples like wolf howls and cheerleading chants as often as distorted basslines. By stacking intricate layers of sound design over aggressive beats, Medusa builds formidable symphonies that feel larger than life. The result is a unique blend of synth pop, hip-hop, EDM, and post-hardcore with a cinematic edge. medusa-adsume.com

21+

Accessibility Information:
The bar is on the ground floor. The performance venue and accessible bathrooms are accessed via a portable ramp (1.5 steps). All tickets are general admission first come first serve, but if you have accessibility needs and need a seat, need to be close to the stage, or will be coming in a wheelchair, please let us know at checkout and we will have a spot reserved for you. Strobe lighting and fog may be used in this performance.