The First Ever Tiny Church

October 30, 2022 | The cool, autumn breeze of Halloweekend hit the midwestern college scene like a truck full of corn. The gloomy skies reminded the hungover students of West Lafayette that it was time for church, time for tiny church. Hustling and bustling about, Please Her had been posted in the basement in preparation for their first ever “chill” set- something they have been wanting to do for a long time, the execution growing in production possibility like the cheap vines from Amazon posted around the basement.

As the skies threatened rain and thunder, the musty basement felt warm and inviting. Everyone is welcome in the church of Please Her, the band had spent the days leading up to the performance decorating and preparing what was once a college-town rental basement into a dreamy garden.

Decked with a turf carpet, flowers, dorm-room lighting, and hidden trinkets collected from each band mate, Please Her wanted to create an experience that was fun, intimate, and uniquely theirs. From the second fans entered the room, the band felt their nerves of uncertainty- will the drum mics feedback?, Will the fans have a good time?, Will Brain’s camcorder actually work?- wash away. When the cameras started rolling, church had begun, and a strong sense of community filled the basement air.

Producing a tiny church service is no small feat, and Please Her mulled over what songs to play, what to surprise their audience with, what gets to be immortalized on the internet as long as they shall live. Deciding on seven songs, the band opted to play seven of their favorites, what represents their taste and talents, and what would make those on the Target futons (and at home) do a lil dance. Starting with a bluesy Anderson .Paak cover paired with an original, indie tune about living in the midwest, the show’s stripped down nature felt a stark, homey contrast to their Heart covers and gritty diss tracks performed at their typical shows.

Everything around the band must have felt some sort of sacrilege, but it is events such as this, sets that push them as musicians and as performers, the band craves. The tape recorder could not capture the pure joy, the comfort within the discomfort of pursuing a new experience. When the band wrapped up their second take, an audience member requested the band’s typical house-show rendition of “If Not Now, Then When.” Feeling warm, loved, and grateful, the band administered ear plugs and wrapped up the day with a lay-down mosh pit and literal bang.