ABOUT THE SMALLWEEDS
The Smallweeds are Jim Walsh (guitar/vocals), Grace Walsh (guitar, vocals, drums and keys) and Bob Tipping (accordion). We play a mix of original songs in the folk/singer-songwriter tradition as well as some of our favorite covers – think artists like Wilco, Mazzy Star, Tom Waits, and John Prine.
The name comes from a family of peculiar characters in the Dickens novel Bleak House. The members of this family are hilarious and a tad sinister – just like the band. Those unfamiliar with the book may just think we’re a small patch of weeds, or patch of small weeds. That works too.
MEET THE BAND
Jim Walsh
Jim founded The Smallweeds in 2023, after this trio had been playing as the “Jim Walsh Band” for several years. Jim began teaching himself guitar after his wife gave him a Martin on his 40th birthday, and has been enjoying songwriting and playing a mix of acoustic melodies and folk tunes ever since. He is a retired geologist and collects rocks and publishes poetry and short stories in his spare time.
Guitar, Vocals, Songwriter
Bob Tipping
Bob began his musical career on keyboards, performing with several different Twin Cities’ groups over the years, but now focuses almost exclusively on accordion. The Smallweeds benefit from the subtle, melodic phrasing he coaxes from this instrument. In his spare time he directs the state geological survey and spends time with his grandchildren.
Accordion
Guitar, Vocals, Keys, DrumsGrace Walsh
Grace is a natural musician, skilled at singing and playing a variety of instruments. She is a classically-trained pianist and self-taught at guitar, drums, and sometimes bass. When not playing in the band, she’s a skilled writer, visual artist—including designing The Smallweeds logo and album covers—trained baker, and proud cat dad.