“The native Wisconsinite disarmingly climbed the stairs and took the spotlight in front of his mammoth-sized band. A right-handed guitar hung upside down around his neck. He appeared to be somewhat nervous, but that made him all the more charming. Kivi had nothing to hide, nor did he need to. His friendly appearance and unassuming nature made his story telling incredibly engaging. Kivi's left hand began finger picking the opening number, and the band revealed itself in layers. There is an odd familiarity in Kivi's voice. His youthful yet weathered tone falls kindly on the ear as he unravels his homespun lyrics. I couldn't help but pay close attention.”

“Singer/songwriter Thomas Kivi grew up in Wisconsin but quickly found an appreciative local audience after moving to the Twin Cities in 2008. He spent the past year recording his debut album, "Crying Child," in St. Paul with numerous local musicans and debuts it tonight with a CD-release show at the Fine Line. Members of Gayngs, Communist Daughter, Painted Saints and Liminal Phase will back Kivi as he sings deceptively simple folk-pop songs that should appeal to fans of Bright Eyes, Bon Iver and Chris Koza's Rogue Valley. Communist Daughter, whose "Soundtrack to the End" was one of last year's finest local albums, headlines the evening.”