False Start
Drummer and vocalist Maria Arriola records a song with her band, False Start, in Ferguson Hall at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minn., on Nov. 24, 2025. Arriola is studying at the University of Minnesota for her PhD in music composition.
Friends of the band Romilyn Sotto, left, Kou Yang, Brendan Bonnell and Nhina Nyirenda sing along to False Start during their performance at Acadia bar and grill in Minneapolis, Minn., on Nov. 24, 2025. Nyirenda was in and out of her seat during the band's performance, often moving to the open space in front of the stage for more room to dance.
False Start guitarist Liam Neiwert switches out the batteries in one of his guitar pedals before beginning the band's practice and recording session in Ferguson Hall at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., on Nov. 24, 2025. Neiwert's bandmate, Paul LePage, said Neiwert is the one who fixes things whenever the band has mechanical issues, in part because he's studying to be a mechanic at Saint Paul College.
Guitarist Liam Neiwert's boot on one of his guitar pedals during False Start's practice and recording session in Ferguson Hall at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., on Nov. 24, 2025. Neiwert was invited to join the band by bassist Paul LePage, who he had been teaching with at a program called, Rock 'n' Roll Band Camp. "Liam and I teach rock band camp together, so if I'm gonna be in a band I'm gonna have the guy who teaches guitar play guitar cause he's good at guitar," LePage said.
Indie band False Start, made up of Paul LePage, left, on bass, Maria Arriola on drums and vocals, and Liam Neiwert on guitar, plays their first concert at at venue, Acadia bar and grill, on Nov. 20, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minn. Neiwert said the three of them started playing together as a band about four months ago, after LePage asked him if he'd like to be in a band with him and his girlfriend, Arriola.
Romantic partners and bandmates Paul LePage, left, and Maria Arriola drink a celebratory shot after their performance at Acadia bar and grill in Minneapolis, Minn., on Nov 20, 2025. Their friend had purchased drinks for all three band members, but forgot that Neiwert, the bassist, was only 18, so Arriola passed the third drink on to her sister.