IOWA LIVE - Richard Arndt, Michael Moncada and Whisky High Band, and Josh Sinclair

This is the first of another weekly feature on Iowa Music Showcase. In case, you missed these bands on We Are Iowa and ABC WOI 5 on Thursday and Friday mornings, you'll be able to catch them here!

Lou Sipolt, Richard Ardnt, and Jackie Smillen on Iowa Live

This week we present a collection of the blues and southern rock of Richard Arndt. We don't stray much farther with the next video, the country rock of Michael Moncada and the Whiskey High Band. And sticking to bluesy, country style, we close with Josh Sinclair.

IHEARIC VIDEOS - Dana T, a Choir, and a Rock Band

Huge Lewis's album cover

This week's collection of IHearIC videos from May 2013 features a return of The Combined Efforts Men's Chorus as well as Iowa City staple, Dana T. Plus, former Iowa City rock band, Huge Lewis.

AUDIBLE FARM PODCAST - Episode 19: Erich Tran

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.

FESTER RAGE VIDEOS - Buick McSnake (Brad Roth and Troy Ulrich) on Halloween 2008

Buick McSnake was a 90s and 00s band featuring Brad Roth and Lonnie Ulrich, both staples of the Des Moines music scene, having worked together since the 80s, most notably in ATOY/A  Testament of Youth.

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA - Episode 42: Goldblums/The Vahnevants

The Goldblums are Des Moines area shapeshifting reptilian overlords. This Iowa Music Showcase page is for their dead homie.

The Vahnevants are Criminals and about death rattling.

The first ever two band appearnce has happened! And I had a blast hanging out with both of them. We laughed, we cried, we bleed, it was long and crazy experience. Both The Vahnevants and Goldblumes played sets and we all sat down and had a goofy conversation afterwards! This was an episode I will cherish for a long time

AUDIBLE FARM - Episode 18: Emery Brown

Emery Brown in the guitarist and singer for the Des Moines area band The Sleepover. We sit down and discuss his experience as a keyboardist in past bands, the music scene in Des Moines, the formation of The Sleepover, and so much more!

"The Sleepover is a post rock band out of Iowa with influences from 80s punk and 70s rock with pop perversions throughout the years."
- from The Sleepover's Facebook page

"The soundtrack to sexy underwear, painting each other's nails and pillow fights."
- from The Sleepover's Bandcamp page

DES MOINES IS NOT BORING - The Vahnevants: Bum Out!

Starting today, we have a new irregular series we will feature from time to time. We will present some old articles from Dave Murphy's music column, Beats for the Soul, from the old website, Des Moines is not Boring. This particular piece is taken from Mar 19, 2015.

The last album I reviewed was the heartbreaking, ethereal, expertly-produced, full length debut from Annalibera, Nevermind I Love You. All those adjectives I used to describe it are absolutely correct and also will not be used to describe The Vahnevants’ Bum Out! That’s not a bad thing, but whereas Annalibera have floated out of the ether on a chariot made of dreams and driven by unicorns, The Vahnevants have sort of plowed their way onto the scene piloting a ’57 Chevy with mismatched doors and engine troubles. Both certainly make for memorable experiences.

IMSC is back!!!!

Howdy all!

Starting this week, Iowa Music Showcase is back!

Last of the Family Farms
by Kinsey
https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/Kinsey-52803

I took some time off to deal simultaneously deal with a divorce and unemployment. The div'Lorce is finalized and I'm ready to do temp work if I have to. So there's no excuse to get this thing back up and running.

We'll be featuring the same stuff as before, and when we can, try to play catch up with the stuff we missed while the site was down!

So I just want to say thanks to my dozen or so regular readers and followers! And if of you want to help me out, so I can keep this site going when I run into trouble, I would greatly appreciate it and you can write me at iowamusicshowcase@gmail.com.

So please let all your friends, neighbors, enemies, frenemies, people you meet on the streets, or whatever that we are back!

As a bonus, here's an updated Back playlist from another time we were gone for a while!

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA - Episode 30: Andersen Coates

"Hey, I'm Andersen. I'm a solo artist from Marion, IA, who enjoys writing, arranging, playing, and recording music as a means of self-expression and stress relief. I also lead worship weekly for my church's youth program. My main influences are various indie/folk artists such as Jon Foreman, the Lumineers, and others. My hope is that my music would bring you some of the same joy it brings me."
- from his ReverbNation page

"An independent singer-songwriter from the middle of Iowa, Andersen Coates creates a unique blend of heartland pop rock, somewhere in between the folky rock'-n'-roll of artists such as Tom Petty and the contemporary pop rock stylings of Coldplay and John Mayer."
- from his Bandcamp page

Last Thursday, Andersen Coates a student in the college of Design and fellow Ceder Rapidian sat down with me in the studio! Man this kid can play, what a fantastic songwritter and guitar player! From folk rock, to Tom Petty inspired Indie rock to Jazz guitar he can play it all! It was a lot of fun talking with Andersen and hearing about the work hes doing on an album with his father, I'm super stoked to get a copy and listen to it!

LISTEN UP IOWA - 5 Iowa Music Festivals You Need To Visit

Listen Up Iowa was a school project for University of Northern Iowa student, Olivia Novak, from September to November of 2017. We will feature some of her pieces from time to time.

This was originally published the Listen Up Iowa website on Sep 18, 2017.

When people think of music festivals, they probably think about notorious ones like Lollapalooza, Coachella, or Bonnaroo, but Iowa has plenty of music festivals worth checking out. To make it easier on you, I’ve gathered five Iowa music festivals that stand out.

80/35
I couldn’t make this list without including 80/35. For two days in early July, Western Gateway Park comes to life with progressive indie and jam music. The festival is organized by the Des Moines Music Coalition, a non-profit company dedicated to building up the music community in Des Moines.

Boasting both free and paid stages, anyone is welcome to come an enjoy. DMMC brings in well-known artists like NAS, Weezer, The Decemberists, and Wu-Tang Clan, but also features many local artists. They even dedicate time to high school performances, encouraging young musicians.

80/35 celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, hosting artists like The Shins and MGMT. And it doesn’t show any signs of stopping.

PLAYLISTS - Random Iowa Music YouTube Playlist 3

Once again, using a random sampling method, we picked out 5 videos featuring Iowa artists.

And diverse lot this is! We start out with the countrified pop of The Nadas, then some experimental music with saxaphone, a polka parody, some more experimental music, and finally close out with some hard rock, showing once again the diversity of Iowa music!

If you're an Iowa (or Omaha, Quad Cities, or Sioux Falls) music act, and you have a YouTube channel, let me know at iowamusicshowcase@gmail.com and I'll follow you!

GRIFFLETV - Poison Control Center Live at The Maintenance Shop in Ames on May 1, 2010

GriffleTV was a YouTube show that ran from May 2010 to Mar 2011 featuring local bands in live perfromances. We will feature some of these videos from time to time.

"The Poison Control Center is a band from Ames, Iowa.

"The band's indie rock sound is strongly influenced by bands of the 1960s, such as The Beatles and The Beach Boys, but they have also touched upon more unrelated genres since their inception. Their earlier recordings show influence of the lo-fi sound and pop sensibilities of indie rock bands of the 1990s, such as Guided by Voices and Pavement, although recent albums have featured more polished production."
- from their Wikipedia page

"The Poison Control Center have long been considered one of Iowa's personal favorite local bands. The creation of Patrick Tape Fleming and many of his friends, the band's inspiration has stood as one of Iowa's music scene's key ideals: community and friendship. Though the numbers and band members have changed throughout the years, the band has continued to release music in a more condensed version, having most recently released 2011's Stranger Ballet. The band is best known nowadays to consist of Patrick Tape Fleming on guitar and vocals as well as Devin Frank, who also plays guitar and sings, Joe Terry, who plays bass and sings (and does a cool thing with a trumpet and some swingin' hips), and Dave Olson, who plays drums (... and he sings, too). Though some of the members have moved away, the band still likes to get together to entertain the masses, doing cartwheels, standing on their heads while shredding through guitar solos, dancing in the crowd, and leading many a sing-a-long with the crowd (basically, putting on legendary rock shows). The PCC have spawned many other great bands around Iowa INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Mantis Pincers, Gloom Balloon, and Histo (technically, not an Iowa band, but we still have love for Don). The PCC have also had special guests perform with them, such as Bob Nastanovich of Pavement, and Paul Shaffer from Late Night with David Letterman."
- from their page in DMMC's Music Directory

PLAYLISTS - Vacation: Iowa Style

Well, since I've been on break, I'd thought I'd just be a playlist about that! So here are some tunes by Iowa artists about vacation, relaxing, and taking a break!

PLAYLISTS - New Iowa Music on SoundCloud 2 *AND* 3

I was going to present the first playlist last week, but instead put together some playlist for The Uncertainty Festival coming up this weekend. I'll be there Friday night. Say hi if you see a balding, overweight, middle age man in Clark Kent glasses!

But since I didn't put that playlist up last week, you guys get a twofer! I've got the playlist I made last week, plus a new up-to-date one.

Over half of the first one was hip hop. But there are some instrumentals in there, one rock, one electronic music, and one piano music.

The second is more eclectic featuring hip hop, electronic music, rock, and a singer-songwriter.

PLAYLISTS: The Uncertainty Music Festival 2018

Today, we present to you four playlists - from YouTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and Spotify - featuring artists who will be appearing at the Uncertainty Festival in Ames, IA, from Thurs, Apr 19, to Sat, Apr 21. For more information, you can go to http://www.novalabs.info/uncertainty-festival-2018/.

It's a fairly eclectic collection of blues, electronic music, folk music, indie music, among other genres. So have a listen, and if it sounds good, drop by Ames and check out the bands live!

"It’s just the second year for the Uncertainty Festival, but the music event has already grown to a three-day affair rather than two. The downtown Ames music fest will be held Thursday, April 19, through Saturday, April 21, and will include four showcases of talent, two of which will offer free admission.

"With a hint of a science theme, the Uncertainty Festival will have three parts: Particle, Wave and Light...

"Dudley said he’s excited by the growth of the Uncertainty Festival’s second year and hopes to expand it even further next year. 'It’s been an amazing experience,” he said. “This year we have all-Iowa performers. We feel like we have some of the greatest bands in the state.'”
- from the article, "Uncertainty Festival returns to downtown Ames April 19-21", by Ronna Lawless, in The Ames Tribune

IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODCAST - Episode 62: Music of Sump Pump Records, Part 2 of 2

This episode, we just continue presenting some of the different and various artists that you can find on the Des Moines record label, Sump Pump Records.

You can catch the first part here - http://iowamusicshowcase.blogspot.com/2018/03/episode-61-music-of-sump-pump-records.html

Sump Pump Records NOT only produces their own records, but distributes a shit ton of Iowa music that you can find on their web page right here - http://sumppumprecords.com/promoted-1/

And they also feature videos from their records - http://sumppumprecords.com/videos-1/ - and a list of shows their bands are performing - http://sumppumprecords.com/events/

And in case, you didn't read the little history we presented last episode, here's how they describe themselves on their "About us" page on their website:

"SUMP PUMP RECORDS WAS FOUNDED IN 1998 BY DAN HUTCHISON, BRIAN WIKSELL AND BILL HEARD. WE RELEASED A VINYL 7" EP FOR WHY MAKE CLOCKS IN 1998 AND A FULL-LENGTH CD FOR CHAD O'NEALL IN 2000...THEN WE GOT PREOCCUPIED WITH OUR BANDS.

"NOW, IT'S A 5 WAY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DAN, BRIAN, WILL TARBOX, CHUCK HOFFMAN & TOM REELITZ RELEASING RECORDS WITH A DIY APPROACH, BY OURSELVES AND OTHER BANDS WE LOVE."

Artwork by Stutterin Jimmy

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA - Episode 23: Moonrabbit

Last Week Joshua and Sascha from Moonrabbit came by the studio and we played some tracks off their upcoming EP!! These guys had some hilarious stories to tell and it was a blast getting to talk to them.

This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm. All Recordings done in the Studio at [88.5 KURE Ames Alternative].

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA is a podcast produced and hosted by Richard Sutton. We feature any new episodes the Wednesday after they were recorded.

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA - Episode 21: SpaceCamp

After a long strange 30 minutes of technical difficulties, SpaceCamp finally made it on the airwaves last thursday. It was one of the most interesting and downright fun shows I have had doing this podcast, its all about the Reuban.

This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm All Recordings done in the Studio at [88.5 KURE Ames Alternative]

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA is a podcast produced and hosted by Richard Sutton. We feature any new episodes the Wednesday after they were recorded.

(This week's episode featured a band from Minneapolis, so it will NOT be on IOWA Music Showcase. But you can still listen to it on Your Own Private Iowa's Bandcamp page. So instead you get a previous episode with SpaceCamp.)

IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODCAST - Episode 61: Music of Sump Pump Records, Part 1 of 2

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

JAZZMAN JOE VIDEOS: Freestyle at The Des Moines Social Club on Mar 7, 2018

"FREESTYLE is an energetic quintet of talented professional musicians from the Des Moines area. Each member's experience contributes to the group's broad musical background performing in dance and night club groups, cabaret jazz, show bands and appearing in shows with national concert artists from Dionne Warwick to country's Sawyer Brown to rock legends Bobby Vee & Little Richard...we've done it all!

"Our SHOWMANSHIP and VERSATILITY has been on display at hundreds of weddings, conventions, corporate and private parties, festivals and school events in the Midwest for over 25 years.

"PRIDE as a professional comes from knowing you have met the needs of the customer. Our pride is the versatility in musical styles we can present to your listening and dancing audience, aged 9 to 90. We tailor music to your needs!"
- from their home page

Jazzman Joe from the video's YouTube page: "THE ROCK & ROLL BAND "FREESTYLE" PERFORMED AT THE DES MOINES SOCIAL CLUB BASEMENT VENUE THIS EVENING, 3/7/18, IN A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK. LED BY ED KELLY GUITAR & VOCALS. OTHER MUSICIANS INCLUDED DAVE KING, GTR & VOCALS, JERRY PEOPLES TENOR SAX, SOPRANO SAX, & VOCALS, GARY MERRILL DRUMS & VOCALS, & SCOTT DAVIS,TRUMPET, PFLUGELHORN, HARMONICA & KEYBOARD."