INTERVIEW: Pop Sensation 9 A.M.’s Legacy in the Milwaukee Music Scene
By: Elizabeth Lintonen
Pop Sensation 9 A.M., or PD, was a hyper-pop artist in the Milwaukee community known for her creativity, quirkiness, eccentricity, and passion for her music. Her influence in the Milwaukee music scene was widespread, stretching across genre, as she pushed the boundaries of DIY and self-production. PD’s music was refreshing, lots of it bright, and catchy. It was experimental and honest and fun. PD was an endlessly loved member of the community who is remembered for her authenticity, her spirit, and her warmth to those around her.
PD’s Memorial Show is tonight, August 29, doors at 6 p.m. at Cactus Club. The bill features Killer High Life, Mizzy, Bug Moment, and Tiny Vamp. There will also be an open mic, and a listening to her posthumous album.
Excerpt from a letter written to PD by her friend, Shannon Brill:
Dear PD,
Remember when you let me come with you to photograph the band Chapped Lips in Minneapolis on a whim? I hadn’t really been on an adventure like that before, at least not on a whim. You had bought walkie talkies from Walmart and made sure to get the most you could for the best price which were two double packs of walkies (Walmarts Onn brand) for around $35 with decent range of about 8 miles I believe. You were so so excited for us to be able to communicate with Chapped Lips on the road from Wasau to Minneapolis, intercom some off the cuff, offhand things, doing it for the meme, you were so silly.
EL: How did you know PD?
Ahnna Baer, PD’s boyfriend: I met PD for the first time at the Nex Benedict benefit show, which was a perfect example of how involved PD was with the local music scene and the trans community. She was the person who introduced me to the local music scene, and thanks to her, I’ve made a lot of amazing and creative friends through the scene.
Lee Behm, PD’s friend: PD performed at one of the first shows I attended while just getting into the local music scene.
EL: What did you love about her music? What did she love about it?
AB: My favorite song of PD’s is either “Lips” or “An Introspective Look Into the Mind of a Narcissist.” I’ve always loved PD’s music for how catchy it is; she was really talented at creating little musical bits that would get stuck in your head. Her music was also really fun to dance to, and her energy while performing was so inspiring.
LB: PD’s music meant a lot to me for that and because it meant so much to her. She’d often be laying on my living room floor working on music when she hung out at my house, and I loved providing an environment for that to happen.
AB: PD was always so kind and encouraging about my own creative endeavors; she loved the poetry and art I made, and we had plans to work together on merch.
LB: I think PD left a massive impact on the local music scene, which is exactly what she wanted to do. She was always up to something crazy and different. I think she was incredibly proud of her music and loved to make people dance, while also having it be her biggest method of self expression. I can’t imagine someone meeting her and not being impacted by the incredible person she is.
EL: How did you choose the bands on the bill? Where will the proceeds from the show go? Why was it important to have this show at Cactus Club?
LB: Cactus Club was an easy choice as a queer staple and being a place where a lot of time was spent with PD. For me personally it’s significant because a Social Caterpillar album release show at Cactus Club was where PD and I first became friends.
AB: For the show, we picked bands that had either performed with PD previously or bands that included her friends. We’re still looking into charities to donate to, so suggestions are appreciated. PD wrote in her will that she wanted the donations to go to a trans suicide prevention organization, but she didn’t mention one in particular. PD often performed at Cactus Club, and it’s where I first met her. The show will be an event to showcase both PD’s music and the impact she’s had on other people’s music.
LB: The show will start with an open mic. There are a couple planned performances, with enough time for a couple people to say some words if they desire. After that the bands will play and we will end with listening to her posthumous album, which was released on August 30th, 2024. There will be a table where people can write down memories of her throughout the show.
SB: You
r van ha d multiple a ccommodations you made for passengers such as a little pull out desk for shotgun and two pull down desks/tables hanging off the front seats similar to a train for the first two back seats, all so you could have your friends keep themselves occupied on long roads. I had certainly used such tables to eat food, draw and read manga off my tablet. Such a soccer mom you were for your friends. And yet I had always complained about how messy it was in your car overlooking your efforts. You had many random things you’d keep in your car such as the mannequin legs, decorated in doodles from dozens of friends, a random skateboard, tiny blankets, sometimes a foam mattress topper, tennis rackets, a cooler for snacks on the road, it was like a little home for PD away from home and I know you’d crash in your car pretty often.
EL: What does it mean for you to play on the bill for the show? Why is it important for you to connect with the community in this way?
Jasmine Rosenblatt, Lead Singer of Bug Moment: Playing the show is to honor PD. One of her wishes was for us to celebrate her life, and be alongside friends. I think it’s important to remember that we as a community owe it to each other to be kind to one another, and be able to share a space in times of grief.
Brennan Deshotel: Lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter in Killer High Life: PD’s music is raw creativity- it’s so apparent that she put every part of herself into her music. My favorite song of hers is “Will This Save my Life?”; that entire album is a work of art.
Adelaide Light White: Bassist in Killer High Life: PD’s music is raw creativity- it’s so apparent that she put every part of herself into her music. My favorite song of hers is “Will This Save my Life?”; that entire album is a work of art. PD did so much to support us and the community and getting to play this show makes me feel a ton of emotions, but the main feeling is gratitude. I am so grateful to have known PD and to have experienced her music. The Milwaukee music community experienced an immeasurable loss and we felt it incredibly hard.
EL: How did PD’s music inspire your own art? Did you ever play with her?
ALW: PD provided us with opportunities in the scene we would never have gotten otherwise. PD helped us set up our very first show and we played multiple shows with her. She had a stage presence and energy like no other, her smile carried the mood of the entire night and all she ever wanted was to bring people together.
JR: Bug Moment played many of our first shows with her. At the time, we didn’t really know how to set up shows, and what that would be like. Pd really was proactive in setting up shows, and got us to start playing live. If it weren’t for her, Bug Moment may not have been performing live as much. Playing with her was always such a blast. She was such a bright light, and always believed in us. We appreciate her art, and her outlook on life. People like her are so needed in scenes. We are truly heartbroken that she is not with us anymore.
SB: There were so many times where you were simply happy to be around people. It goes severely under the radar just how selfless you can be, much more than anyone I have known, without expecting anything in return. I’m grateful for the time I had been blessed with around
you as a friend and I can’t help but wish we had more time, this world is far too cruel, you were crushed under the weight of the world to a breaking point and I understand that feeling. You’re so so incredibly missed.
The show tonight at Cactus Club is all ages and free to attend.
If you or someone you know is struggling:
Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Milwaukee County Crisis Services: 414-257-7222
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
Mental Health Emergency Center Milwaukee: 414-966-3030