NEXT SHOW: Forcing Smiles @7pm (artist showcase), followed by Bowl of Oranges & Honey Wolf
Tue, June 16, 2026 @ 7:00PM Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
FREE 40 minutes of original music by Forcing Smiles (Brian Jost & Ryan Riley), including some new songs. 

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Forcing Smiles began as a solo music project with the release of the 2024 album “Making Room” created by Brian Jost, the voice and songwriter behind Forcing Smiles, who crafts raw, unfiltered folk punk that stares straight into the struggle of living with mental health challenges—and the fight to rise above them. Blending the grit of punk with the heart of folk, his songs channel pain, perseverance, and hard-earned hope.

With honest lyrics and stripped-down instrumentation, Jost turns personal battles into anthems of resilience, connection, and catharsis. Every track feels like a late-night confession shouted through a cracked smile—an act of survival and defiance all at once.

Forcing Smiles isn’t just a name—it’s a reminder of the tension between darkness and light, and the stubborn will to keep going even when it hurts.

In 2025, Ryan Riley (guitar, vocals) joined Forcing Smiles. Brian and Ryan performed together for the first time at an open mic on 9/01/2025 at Sociable Cider Works in Minneapolis. They performed their first show together at The Finnish Bistro in St. Paul on 10/23/2025.

Brian thought of the name Forcing Smiles while reviewing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills/techniques, specifically the skill known as “Half-Smile,” an ancient technique borrowed from Buddhism which involves upturning the lips very slightly (for ten minutes, suggested by some) which can help a person to feel joy even during a depressive episode.

Beyond crafting beautiful music, Ryan is also a passionate leather worker (Riley Leather) who handcrafts leather items that are functional, durable, and beautiful.

Brian Jost is the author of the memoir “Grounded by Bipolar Disorder; One Pilot’s Landing.”