The Rhizomes is a neighborhood band that formed in 2019 after a conversation in a Chester Park alley. Led by singer-songwriter and guitar player Emily Gaarder, the trio performs American folk rock with a sharp feminist groove. The songs examine awkward high-school sex education classes, parenting difficulties, poorly planned wilderness trips, forgiveness and learning to love mistakes. A seven-track demo posted on Soundcloud includes the song “John Hughes,” a bittersweet look back at small-town teen romance. Gaarder is backed by Chris Handsone on bass and Dave Clark on drums.