 STUDENT 1 DELIVERS ECCENTRIC, RAW FOURTH RECORD TRUANT OUT NOW–LISTEN ALONGSIDE "IDCICANTBEHEREFORTOOLONG" + MUSIC VIDEO–WATCH THE MINNEAPOLIS-BASED ARTIST & PRODUCER BEGINS SUMMER U.S. TOUR WITH GHAIS GUEVARA NEXT MONTH WITH NEW DATES ADDED–SEE DATES OFFICIAL ALBUM RELEASE SHOW TONIGHT AT BOOKCLUB IN CHICAGO Show at House of 1810 Ojeman on July 22, 2026 |
 Photo credit: Justus Louisiana "..glows and grooves across gossamer funk…“kevinkevinkevin” is music for tandem dissociation.”
"..an effortless delivery from Student 1 that pairs very well with the twinkly keys and sharp, yet sparse, percussion..tasteful vocal mixing and lyrics, along with undeniably catchy vocals in the refrain and verses make this one next level"
Minneapolis-based artist and producer student 1 puts a fun, groovy spin on vulnerability with experimental fourth album, truant, out now. Alongside its release is "idcicantbeherefortoolong" and its video. The latest work is an introspective, raw exploration of the difficult, messy parts–feeling absent, distracted and avoidant–while continuing the search for joy, freedom and hope. Student 1 will embark on a U.S. tour this summer with Philadelphia-based rapper Ghais Guevara including Los Angeles, New York City, Nashville, three Texas dates and more. The official album release show is tonight at Chicago's Bookclub with punk band Champions and support from hip-hop artist CRASHprez. See a full list of dates, with new dates added, below and find tickets here. Entirely written, mixed and mastered by student 1, the twelve tracks on truant focus on personal, specific moments of aimlessness, feeling mentally absent, avoidance, and addiction, and how these moments inform who he’s become in both good and bad ways, while additionally feeling like the dysfunction these moments create is part of something bigger. Co-production credits include YUSF, LEEszn, and dog owner man. Listen: truant It was during the making of the project that the artist dug himself out of a creative funk. Student 1 shares, "It’s inspired by the problems these moments create and have created (as well as the desire to solve them), the headspace I was in, drugs, and not being able to articulate important feelings and thoughts. There isn't a substantial focus on this aspect outside of some subtle mentions, but I do mention the loss of a parent, as my father passed away during the making of the album." Out today with the album, "idcicantbeherefortoolong" is one of the artist's favorite tracks on the project. Made with friends, it came together quickly, built around lines that were cheeky and unserious. Aiming to make one song a day without applying pressure to the challenge, student 1 adds, "It's called 'idcicantbeherefortoolong' because this exercise was difficult for me, and I had to learn how to not care so much in order to complete the exercise." On the chaotic, color-changing video, student 1 says, "This is probably the video with the strongest narrative element, came up with it the day we started shooting. It's basically a 'day in the life' style series of events, following me from morning until evening, with some shenanigans that happen by the end as a result of how I went about the day." It includes a cameo from collaborator dog owner man, who plays his boss. Watch: "idcicantbeherefortoolong" Director and editor Erik Astle adds, "Stu is so willing to do the craziest stuff for shots, and I try not to exploit that too much. Hanging him upside down (with the help of his manager) for the dangerous opening shot starts this chaotic video with a fall." Listen: "pissing myself" With a frenetic yet controlled energy, student 1 glides through the track as he moves towards a more realized version of himself. The artist explains, "'pissing myself' is about taking a big step back to examine who I've become and where it's led me, for a final evaluation of everything before I start working toward becoming a more mature person." Recalling the recording process, he adds, "I made it while somebody came into the studio and pissed himself on my manager's bean bag chair." Watch: "pissing myself" (Official Video) Taking its name from Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, the album's lead single "kevinkevinkevin" featuring Minneapolis artist Demon Marcus explores dissociation, disillusionment and being misunderstood. Over a bright, funky groove, the lyrics comment on judgement from others and wonder if things really are the way they seem. POW Magazine wrote the track, “..glows and grooves across gossamer funk…“kevinkevinkevin” is music for tandem dissociation.” Music N Gear added, "There isn’t a note wrong in this from start to finish; this sits somewhere between blissful nostalgia and a summer evening daydream.” Listen: "kevinkevinkevin" Watch: "kevinkevinkevin" (Official Video) Student 1 is an Ethiopian-Eritrean Minneapolis-based artist whose music blends melody and experimental production to explore his inner and outer worlds and profound topics like addiction, grief and mental health. Now, he's gearing up to expand his sonic palette with his fourth project. In 2018, he shared his debut project, drag, and followed up the following year with his sophomore album, UPPRCLSSMN which features "YIN/YANG," a trip-hop, chilled-out collaboration with critically acclaimed rapper and singer, Tierra Whack. In 2022, he shared OFFTHEDUST!, mixed by collaborator, engineer and artist Alex Tumay (Drake, Travis Scott, Metro Boomin, 21 Savage), followed by an instrumental version. Known for his versatility, he has amassed millions of global streams and garnered attention from The Current, Star Tribune, and Lyrical Lemonade. Student 1 has performed hundreds of times on stages around the country, including SXSW, Soundset, Afropunk, and First Avenue’s 7th St Entry. Now, the musician has crafted a dynamic sonic world that services as an honest assessment of his life so far and captures his jovial spirit. The artist's fourth record truant is out now. Don't miss student 1 live this summer with Ghais Guevara and connect via Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
RUANT LP TRACKLISTING 01. fog 02. over here 03. STILL HERE 04. irish goodbye 05. predict/infer [co-prod by LEEszn] 06. kevinkevinkevin (feat. Demon Marcus) 07. urgency room 08. IMA FIX CONFINES (feat. Demon Marcus) 09. memberberries [co-prod. YUSF] 10. idcicantbeherefortoolong [co-prod. YUSF & dog owner man] 11. sitting down.hbu [co-prod. YUSF] 12. pissing myself
student 1 live summer 2026 with Ghais Guevara Jun. 19 - Chicago, IL @ Bookclub (with Champions and CRASHprez) Jul. 10 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Old Cuss Cafe Jul. 11 - Seattle, WA @ Tim's Tavern Jul. 12 - Portland, OR @ Kelly's Olympian Jul. 14 - Oakland, CA @ Eli's Mile High Club Jul. 18 - Las Vegas, NV @ Vegas Underground Jul. 19 - Los Angeles, CA @ Airliner (with Kwame Adu) Jul. 22 - Houston, TX @ 1810 Ojeman (with Cavalier) Jul. 23 - Austin, TX @ Saturn Cocktail Club (with Cavalier) Jul. 25 - Dallas, TX @ Puzzles Deep Ellum Jul. 27 - Louisville, KY @ The Whirling Tiger (with Shloob) Jul. 28 - Nashville, TN @ Cobra's (with Brian Brown) Jul. 29 - Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn (with Cavalier) Jul. 30 - Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse (with Cavalier) Aug. 01 - Boston, MA @ The Cantab Lounge Aug. 02 - Baltimore, MD @ The Depot (with Cavalier) Aug. 04 - Brooklyn, NY @ Baby's All Right (with Cavalier) Aug. 06 - Detroit, MI @ Paris Bar Aug. 10 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club Aug. 13 - Minneapolis, MN @ Icehouse
Photo credit: Justus Louisiana
ABOUT STUDENT 1
student 1 is an Ethiopian-Eritrean artist excavating internal and external unknowns in pursuit of overall improvement. His namesake arose from ironic origins: after dropping out of undergrad, the name became a commitment to study sound as he studies life, prioritizing learning and growth with unflinching optimism. Now a decade in, with tens of millions of global streams amassed and hundreds of shows under his belt, student 1 embodies the act of finding freedom from doubt and negativity. He is a trusted guide through peril… a champion of the underdog. His versatility can't be understated.
CONNECT WITH STUDENT 1 Website | Instagram | Facebook | Soundcloud | Bandcamp | YouTube | Twitter | TikTok |
