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Motherfolk’s Eternal Joy Lights Up Mahall’s
- Madison Cozzens
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
An intimate night of synths, singalongs, and Cincinnati pride
Article contributed by Madison Cozzens
Revisions by LJ Portnoy, Editor-in-Chief
Photography by Madison Cozzens
A Venue Frozen in Time
Going to a show at Mahall’s in Lakewood, OH, feels like stepping back into a basement gig in the best possible way. The neon lights, exposed ceilings, patterned paint, and low-lit stage created a nostalgic backdrop for a night where fans stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the artists. Motherfolk turned the cozy room into something bigger—raw emotion, pure joy, and plenty of dancing.
Moonbeau Sets the Tone
Opening the evening was Moonbeau, a Cincinnati husband-wife duo blending synth-pop and new wave with effortless nostalgia. Their dreamy instrumentals, rhythmic guitars, and bright beats had the Cleveland crowd moving instantly.
Even with a few technical hiccups, Christian Gough and Callie Budrick-Gough kept spirits high with jokes, silly dance moves, and chemistry that radiated beyond the stage. With multiple Cincinnati Entertainment Awards under their belt, Moonbeau’s harmonies felt both playful and magnetic—a perfect start to the night.
Motherfolk’s Midwest Connection
The headliner, Motherfolk, carried that Cincinnati energy forward. Made up of Nathan Dickerson (lead vocals, guitar), Joel Borton (lead guitar, vocals), Queenie—aka Karlie Dickerson (keys), Clayton Alexander (bass, vocals), and Ethan Wescott (drums, vocals), the band grew out of a college friendship and has evolved into a tight-knit crew that thrives on honesty and connection.
That closeness showed on stage. In the intimate space, the band’s interactions—between themselves and with the audience—felt like friends hanging out in the living room. After the show, they proved it wasn’t just performance: signing vinyl, chatting with fans, and making Mahall’s feel like home.
More Than a Band, a Community
While Motherfolk’s catalog spans seven records, their heartbeat has always been honesty. They’ve never been a band chasing trends; instead, their songs carry the kind of Midwestern sincerity that feels both unpolished and timeless. Whether it’s the anthemic drive of Family Ghodst or the introspective corners of Eternal Joy, they write like they’re letting listeners thumb through their journals. That vulnerability is what’s earned them not just fans, but a community.
The Joy of Playing Together
What sets Motherfolk apart live is how much joy they visibly take in the act of playing together. There’s no rockstar distance—just friends sharing their craft and cracking smiles at each other mid-song. It’s that combination of grit, playfulness, and reflection that makes their shows feel less like performances and more like gatherings. In an industry often built on polish, Motherfolk thrives by being undeniably human.
Eternal Joy, Eternal Growth
Musically, Motherfolk blends new-wave textures with heartfelt Midwestern grit. Across seven studio albums, their sound shapeshifts but always stays rooted in authenticity. Their latest release, Eternal Joy (June 2025), explores “the rabbit holes of self-help and spiritualism, and sifting through each one to filter the bullshit from the truth,” as Dickerson shared on Instagram.
The live set mirrored that duality—catchy rhythms paired with lyrics that dig deeper. “Kill the Sun” brought the room into a full singalong, while “Money Up” closed the night in pure celebration.
What’s Next for Motherfolk
Motherfolk’s name is spreading fast, with festival slots at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Wicker Park Fest, and more. Their dedicated fanbase is growing right alongside their sound, and the Eternal Joy Tour continues through December 2025, wrapping with “A Very Motherfolk Xmas” in their Cincinnati hometown.
For fans seeking music that makes you dance, think, and feel at once, Motherfolk is exactly where to start.
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