Website for Iowa music of ALL and ANY genres. Showing the wonderful and diverse music our state offers!
We feature music podcasts, interview podcasts, videos, among other media, to present to you what is happening and has happened in the Iowa Music Scene.
To submit a song or website, app, playlist, etc, send audiofile or link to iowamusicshowcase@gmail.com!
TRANZIG is an instrumental solo project founded, written, and performed by Erich Tran of Des Moines, Iowa. Over a two-year period he wrote and recorded all of the album's guitars, drums, and bass parts producing a heavy metal journey through thrash, hard rock, and solo guitar pieces.
With unconventional song structures, this self-titled album is meant to be heard as a whole piece of music rather than individual songs. It also features guest appearances from David Ellefson, Randy Walker, and Stephanie Tran.
- from the Tranzig Facebook page
Erich Tran is a multi-instrumentalist from the Des Moines area. He recently recorded a self-titled solo album "Tranzig" in which he played all the instruments on the album. He also plays drums in Horror Business (a Misfits tribute band), bass in Facecage, and has an acoustic project with his wife.
This is the first of a new weekly feature. It is a show Kristian Day, a long time artist of many genres, does featuring the metal, punk, and alternative music of our state.
Night Listeners -
Iowa Basement Tapes is back this week and its super heavy! I found the remains of the old Iowa Hadcore.com site which is now iowahardcore.blogger.com and found all kinds of goodies including The Tanks, Solid Attitude, and Through Hard Times. Good Ol' Bensmasher also informed me that Sludgeplow's Turned Earth album got remastered and re-released this past October. GET IT. A shout out to The Ruralists in Sioux City for sending me their album.
This month on the Iowa Music Showcase podcast, we present to you a sampling of some of the offerings you can find from Des Moines record label, Sump Pump Records.
This actually started with Chuck Hoffman of Sump Pump sending me a few submissions. So I suggested he send a few more and we could do an episode. He and one of his partners in crime at Sump Pump, Tom Reelitz, ended up sending me enough material for two episodes!
So, if any of you are involved in a record label based somewhere in our fair state, feel free to get a hold of me here at iowamusicshowcase@gmail.com! I'll be happy to promote any of your Iowa (or Omaha, Quad Cities, and Sioux Falls) artists!
Cover by Stutterin Jimmy
But back to Sump Pump Records!
"The story of Sump Pump Records officially begins in 1998 when Dan Hutchison and Bill Heard formed the label to release the debut 7" EP of Why Make Clocks, then a duo of Hutchison and Brian Wiksell. A second release, Chad O'Neal's Evolution No. 9 CD, followed in 2001 before the label went dormant as its proprietors focused on their bands.
"In 2013, Hutchison embarked on a project of his own devising to release a compilation of music from artists based in Des Moines recorded entirely on 4-track cassette. Recording the majority of the tracks himself in his own basement, Hutchison enlisted Wiksell and a few other trusted former members of Why Make Clocks to re-launch Sump Pump Records for its release.
"Since then, Sump Pump Records has produced an eclectic selection of vinyl releases, and amassed a distribution inventory of other releases, largely by artists based in, rooted in, or connected in some way with the label's home state of Iowa, all available through their online store at sumppumprecords.com."
- from an email sent to us
Well, yours truly, Dan OlderMusicGeek, had to take a few weeks off to get some things in my life back in proper order, leaving me no time for Iowa Music Showcase.
But we're back now! And to celebrate, I created a playlist of songs from Iowa artists about coming back and returning, or just doing something again.
Again, as with most of our Spotify playlists, these songs are in no particular order and are best listened to in shuffle play.
And now, starting since last month, we have added a new interview podcast, Your Own Private Iowa, featuring one- to two-hour interviews from Richard Sutton with Iowa musicians. And once a week, we present a video of a live performance from an Iowa jazz or classical act on Jazzman Joe Videos. And once a month, we present a video of an alternative act on our Fester Rage Videos.
And soon, we will be reprinting Culture Myth articles from former Cityview music writer, Chad Taylor!
Also, on the Iowa Music Showcase podcasts, I manage to get covers by Iowa artists or photographers on them! This is a trend I would like to continue. So if you know any Iowa artists or photographers who would be interested, please send them my way!
Welcome back, you who dare come for a fourth and final installment of horrific hymns from the musical children of the corn.
We have quite the rock collection for you in this terminal installment, 90s punk, 10s punk, bluesy grunge rock, indie pop rock, lo-fi buzz punk, old style heavy metal, and just plain old horror rock. But all tunes to bring a chill to your back.
And to help with that back-chilling, we give you a little presentation of Iowa's evil spirits.
Some may not know this, but Iowa has NOT just one black angel in their graveyards, but TWO! One in Iowa City and one in Council Bluffs.
The one in Oakland Cemetary in Iowa City has many legends attached, such as that it went from bronze to black of the evil of Teresa Feldevert. Her husband's grave is where the angel sits.
It is said that any girls who kisses its feet will die in six months, unless she is a virgin. And supposably, if a pregnant woman walks under the wings, she will miscarry.
The other one is in Fairview Cemetary, or "The Old Burial Grounds", in Council Bluffs. This cemetary originally started as Native American burial grounds.
This statue is based on a spirtual being to have visited Ruth Ann Dodge, wife of the chief engineer of The Union Pacific Railroad, three times before she died.
The myths of this statue include that it comes to life and flies around, it shoots fire from its eyes after midnight, children who run behind her base diappear forever, and those who stare into her eyes at midnight will die early.
Iowa City musician, Kate Kane, did a song about it. I didn't put it on this podcast, because I played it in an earlier Halloween episode and I've already accidentally put one of her songs on two Halloween episodes! But you can hear it here - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=930553&songID=7397908
At The Edinburgh Manor, abandoned now but once housed the insane, in Scott Grove, Iowa, a spirit< nicknamed The Joker, is said to reside. He apparently enjoys choking visitors.
And in Fort Dodge, at The Banwell Bridge or "Terror Bridge", you might bump into a floating head. This is supposed to be the head of a woman who hung her children from the bridge where they got hit by a train.
But watch out if you go there, it has been told that the head likes to try to run and scare people of the bridge. And reports have been given of a furry creature spotted under the bridge.
And before The Evil Doctor OlderMusicGeek leaves for another year, I would like to thank Dean Sturtevant for providing all four covers of our Halloween podcasts this year. Especially the first one, where he only had a day's notice!
So with those haunted histories floating in your mind, please enjoy the last installment of Iowa's tunes of terror....
Welcome to this year's third installment of an enticing index of hawkeye musical horrors!
In this aural assault, we present an unique unit of punk, experimental, electronic, progressive, psychedelic, goth, metal, and industrial rock music to give creepiess and crawlies.
And to help with the creepies and crawlies, we present a little lecture on The Van Meter Visitor and Other Iowa Dragons.
In 1903, apparently some smelly manbat creature terrorized the town of Van Meter, shooting a bright light out of its head. Bullets had no effect on it.
It was said to have come out of the mines. And after it finished harassing the town, it was never seen from again.
Whether it had anything to do with the strange "flying ships" with strange men that crashed 8 years earlier in Iowa is unknown.
In the early 2000s, Burlington residents saw a strange flying reptile with a 15-foot wing span and snake-like body flying over its town.
And supposably, the city of Grand Mound sees them regularly.
And sort of related, a giant crow with a 8 foot wingspan was spotted between Marshalltown and Nevada in 2009.
So some nice pleasant stories to think as you listen to the following tunes....
This month's podcast features rock music from Iowa that really hasn't fit nicely or neatly into any other category we featured before. So we have thrown all this mish-mash together in this one episode for your listening pleasure.
But it should give you an idea of the variety and breadth that Iowa's rock music can and does take.
Well, all, this is just the first in a series of playlists I plan on doing from time to time featuring the latest Iowa music on Spotify. If someone is missing, let me know, and I'll add them to my follow list so I catch them next time!
Damn, I am started to feel like the kiss of death. By the time I get to a number of websites and such, it seems they have already died! Or maybe it's because I'm an old man and can't keep up with the cool happenings and going-ons of the youths!
I don't know, but here is a recently died website and show that featured a lot of bands from the Sioux City area as well as other parts of western Iowa and from Nebraska and South Dakota too!
"Before the Lock N’ Load Show aired live musical performances by local musicians on its Internet radio program, it was a sports talk show...
"It was a disaster, according to Foster. The interview didn’t go well and there were unwanted moments of silence – a rough start but the show must go on...
"The show has since found its niche with mixing comedic banter with fun segments like “Craigslist Missed Connections” and “Love and Lust Advice” while also including special guest appearances from local bands looking to promote their music. Episode 39 featured Johnny V and Big Earl from the blues rock band Premium Draft, who also performed live on air. The show brought in more than 1,200 viewers/listeners.
"MUTUAL PARTNERSHIP
"But 'back in the day,' the show was struggling to find background music to fill intermissions. Mainstream music was out of the question for obvious copyright reasons, so Foster and Lock N' Load producer Brandon Sorgdrager reached out to local artists to fill that empty portion of the online broadcast.
“'In return, we would do interviews with them,' said Sorgdrager. 'We were looking for a couple guests to come on and join us and it kind of went into the music and that went really well for us.'
"After a while, more musicians showed up on the Lock N’ Load Show, which is now becoming a promotional stop for local bands. The interviews are fairly relaxed and time is not a big factor.
“'It’s a half hour to an hour of them getting to talk about their stuff,' said Sordrager. 'It gives the audience a chance to get to know the artists.'
'Guests talk about their bands while their music gets played on the show during breaks. Foster said the show strives for an “equal opportunity” perspective when it comes to music genres featured on Lock N’ Load.
“'With the different artists, we like bringing in different genres,' he said. 'We have something for everyone. We’re not just hip hop or rock or country.'
"LOCAL MUSIC, WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE
"Clemons does not consider himself a rapper, per se. He condemns lyrics with violence and drug use, so instead he writes about his experiences. Clemons makes semi-regular appearances on the Internet radio show either as a guest promoting his new songs or just another guy to talk. He said he’s grateful for Lock N’ Load.
“'It means a lot knowing that we have someone that’s here in town able to push the music as well as they have,' said Clemons. ''They get it mainstream and give it to other listeners and viewers. This is the best way for everybody to share what they love doing.'
"Thanks to Lock N’ Load, Clemons was able to share his music video for the song 'Iowa Anthem,' a shout out to Sioux City. The video has received more than 3,500 views on YouTube and has maintained more than 80 likes.
"Dusty Ferris, bassist for local pop metal band Left Astray, said the Lock N' Load show is a 'blessing' for Sioux City musicians.
"'Local artists really don't have a voice anymore,' said Ferris. 'These guys are working with local artists so they can become regional, too.'
'Foster said he sets up a page for artists that appear on the show. He includes the links to bands’ and musicians’ social media and music (ReverbNation, Bandcamp) sites.
“'People worldwide can find them, read all about them, listen to their music and know how to get their music,' said Foster. 'It’s bringing the local music that we have here in Siouxland and making it worldwide.'
'The relationships the creators of the Lock N’ Load show made while supporting the Sioux City music scene have grown over time, according to Sorgdrager.
“'The artists have a need for us and we have a need for them,' he said.
'Foster describes it as a “mutual partnership” and never expected the success the show has gotten.
Well, when I was looking for music for my two podcasts of Star Wars related music from Iowa, I came across some similar music made by our neighbors here in The Midwest. And it seems a waste not to share it!
So here is a YouTube playlist. It features:
"Tatooine" by Jeremy Massersmith from Minneapolis
"No Wars But Star Wars" by In Defence from Minneapolis
"C-3PO's Plight" by Kascade from Chicago
I also included a cover of "Cantina Band" because this Los Angeles, California, band goes by the name of "You, Me, and Iowa",
Plus a podcast, "Midwest Best", that features music from the midwest based on a theme. Star Wars obviously being the theme of the episode featured here.
From time to time, we feature podcast episodes where someone besides me picks the music. I feel it helps add variety. If you'd like to be a guest producer, feel free to write me at iowamusicshowcase@gmail.com.
This month's episode's songs were all picked and chosen by Trinity Neal, founder of the Des Moines music website, Music Tsunami.
In case you didn't read about it last week, Music Tsunami describes itself this way:
"This page is to give support and pay tribute to: All our musicians, bands and artists that are sharing their talents with us. They struggle in their daily lives to trade their passion in for pennies so that we can have music in our world.
"This is an ALL genre promotion page. You will not be turned down because of the genre you or your band plays. All of you are invited as well as encouraged to post to your music, pics, videos, show information, merch etc..."
- from their Facebook page
"This site is dedicated to give support and pay tribute to: All our musicians, bands and artists that are sharing their talents with us. They struggle in their daily lives to trade their passion in for pennies so that we can have music in our world. Support local musicians. Wherever you are go see a show! Buy their shit and talk about them with your buds. THANK YOU FOR ROCKIN OUR SOULS!"
- from their ReverbNation page
Besides founding and working on Music Tsunami, the only things I know about Trinity is she married to 3 people and has a civil union with another! And that for her "me + ☊ = goodbye world". Her politics involve rejecting the system! And she studied blowing shit up with her mind at Iowa State Univeristy. She also studied Human Evolution and Behaviour at You in Nairobi!
