DSM UNPLUGGED - Chris Ranallo on Jan 6, 2016

I fully admit that I know nothing about this show. DSM Unplugged, that took place on Jan 6, 2016.

I just found a bunch of the performances on YouTube and am sharing them with you. If anyone has any information on the show, please let me know!

Chris Ranallo is a singer/songwriter whose musical talent, songwriting ability, and vocal prowess have graced a variety of stages and venues spanning the Midwest to the West Coast over the last decade. His sound has been described as a fusion of John Mayer and Maroon 5, with heartfelt ballads and a funky soulful flare.

Chris' passion for music was ignited as a child growing up in a creative, musical family in Iowa. By the time he was 9 he was composing his own material on the piano, and at 12, Chris was playing the guitar and joined his first band. As a developing artist, he was influenced by iconic performers, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Police and the Dave Matthews Band, as well as his musical parents’ artistry. Chris spent countless hours listening to his Dad playing the piano, and recalls being mesmerized by his mother’s “captivating” voice. He performed with rock bands all throughout high school, and went on to hone his musicality and performance skills at the University of Iowa.

After graduation, Chris moved to Chicago in 2001, and began to tour as a solo performer. He continued to pen his own material, and returned to Iowa to form a duo with Scott Kacher, a fellow singer/songwriter. Together they performed in Vail, Colorado in 2005, and collaborated on the album “Velcro Dog.”

Chris continued to light up venues as both a solo and duo performer. In 2009 he joined the band Decoy. The band developed an infectious enthusiasm among its loyal fan base. Their 2010 CD, “Nothing to Lose” has garnered well-deserved kudos for their tight harmonies and overall production in a fine first effort.

Chris recently released his solo album, “Exhale,” which features eight original tracks, and he is planning a tour in the Fall 2013. As Chris continues along his own trajectory as an artist, he will always be the kid that fell in love with acting and performing and will continue captivating audiences by sharing his stories through music and creating unforgettable moments with his fans, in the spotlight in which he truly shines.
- from his Facebook page

IHEARIC PODCAST - Episode 26: Feed Me Weird Things (06/03/2018)

Carlos is back on co-host duty as we discuss the Feed Me Weird Things concert series with its director, Chris Wiersema! Chris brings avant-garde and experimental musicians from all over the country to Iowa City and pairs them with equally adventurous local acts, many of which have also played at our concerts and/or been featured on this radio show. Like the FMWT facebook page to keep up with their current season of shows, which started last month and will continue into the Fall: https://www.facebook.com/feedmeweird

This episode features music by:
Will Huff (https://www.huffcomposer.com / https://soundcloud.com/willhuff / https://www.youtube.com/user/TwitchSalivate / https://www.facebook.com/huff.composer / https://twitter.com/Monodreams)
Vero Rose Smith (http://verorosesmith.com / https://www.facebook.com/verorosesmithart / https://verorosesmith.bandcamp.com / https://twitter.com/verorosesmith / https://www.youtube.com/user/Cisoma)
David Clair (https://davidclair.bandcamp.com / https://soundcloud.com/david-clair-1)

Our intro music is from the new JCϟjp album (relics)! Stream and download it at jc-jp.com and check out the companion museum at museum.jc-jp.com!

Check out this Thursday's FMWT concert, where friend of iHearIC Ramin Roshandel (http://soundcloud.com/ramin-roshandel) opens for percussionist Sarah Hennies: https://www.facebook.com/events/192868274686081

If you're in or near Cedar Rapids and want some free weekly entertainment, check out the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band: crmuniband.org

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!

IOWA BLUES SHOWCASE PODCAST - IBSC 106 Saylorhill Sliders featuring Jon East, and Jono Smith

Tonight we hear new recordings of Jon East and the Saylorhill Sliders (Jon, Norman Su, Tom Gary, and Jason Kadiwhompus) and Jono Smith!

The Saylorhill Sliders were recorded live at Dam to Dam performing at the finish line in Coles Commons.

We finish the night with Jono Smith and two of his recordings from his new release Peace & Love & War & Peace.

Thanks for listening please subscribe, share, like, and comment. If you are on Podbean please Follow! Thanks!!!!

The Iowa Blues Showcase Podcast is a weekly podcast put out by Tom Gary, who has been a long time member and supporter of the Iowa blues scene through not only podcasts, but through websites, videos, live shows, and other ways.

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.