Silenced for Months, Brooklyn Center Musician Makes Sweet Return

It’s been five months since Brooklyn Center musician Dan Ristrom has stood before a crowd and performed live. Until Tuesday night. Ristrom and his band, Grand Theft Audio, wooed the crowd Tuesday night at Floyd’s in Victoria. He has anxiously waited for this moment ever since the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily silenced their performances.

“Music stopped. Weddings canceled. Private events canceled,” said Ristrom.

Ristrom got creative about his craft, doing a few Facebook Live performances with his father. The talented musician also performed at LCM Church in Brooklyn Center, which held virtual services.

Brooklyn Center musician Dan Ristrom and the Grand Theft Audio band are glad to be performing again.

“We were able to meet with 10 people. So, we had a piano, drums a couple of singers. We were all socially distanced,” he explained.

2020 has been rough, not just because of the pandemic. Ristrom also had to deal with a family emergency. His mother, Diane, had a second major stroke in January.

“She’s doing better and her speech is coming along. But, she will never have her full speech back,” Ristrom said.

Brooklyn Center musician Dan Ristrom says music and faith are helping him to heal.

Like her son, Diane is also a musician and taught choir in the Robbinsdale School District for more than 25 years. She also is an organist and choir director at the church where Ristrom is filling in. He says his church family, faith and music are getting him through this trying time.

“I think the joy of music and faith can bring you is unmatched with any otherworldly thing,” said Ristrom.

Brooklyn Center