Sorry! Started new job

Sorry! Started new job! I'll get things back to normal as soon as I can!

While I'm here, if anyone wants to help me with this website, write me at iowamusicshowcase@gmail.com!

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA - Episode 44: Moonrock The Musical

"Ames artists Lyndsay Nissen (MFA 2015 Integrated Visual Arts) and Sascha Antropov, an Iowa State University senior in mechanical engineering, have written and produced “Moonrock: The Musical,” which will be presented at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 — timed to coincide with the total lunar eclipse — at the Ames City Auditorium, 520 6th St. A group of people wake up from a collective dream and are inspired to travel to the moon. Guided by the once-legendary Captain Rocket, the crew journeys through space, unaware of the evil that lurks among them."
- from the Iowa State University College of Design website

The creators of Moonrock: The Musical join me in the studio to discuss and promote the one time musical event happening on January 20th at the Ames City Auditorium. We talk about how the musical was conceived, how the community came to the call to help put the show on, and we talked about socks. Lyndsay and Sascha duet several of the songs from the musical.

BAND BOMBSHELL - The Mews Know-How

Another feature we will have from time to time on here. The Band Bombshell was a Des Moines music website that ran for a year and a half in 2012 and 2013. It featured interviews, reviews, and other articles of the local scene in Des Moines and Iowa. We will feature some of the articles occasionally.

Originally from the Band Bombshell website from March 21, 2012.

Photo cred: http://www.VaudevilleMews.com

Five things to know before hitting up the Mews
By: Lindsay Fullington

The Vaudeville Mews is my fav music venue in Des Moines. It’s one of those places you’ve passed a million times and probably never noticed (and trust me, if you’ve ever drunkenly wandered in the Court Ave. District, you’ve passed it). It’s the kind of place where you bump into sweat-covered band members on your way to the bar. It’s a place where music-lovers can affectionately get their ears rattled all for the price of a cheap cover charge. But most importantly, it’s a place where the normals can spot an outsider in seconds—so don’t be caught actin’ like you don’t belong.

If you’ve never been to the Mews, take progressive action before you visit. Follow these tips and you’ll be one of the cool kids in no time:

IOWA BLUES SHOWCASE PODCAST - Women in Blues 2.0 part two

Bri Edwards
pic by Rick Pribanic

The second set from last weeks show. Tonight we listen to more from the Women in Blues Show at the Hull Ave. Musicians showing in order of appearance. The Bad Boys of the Blues, Joni, Sherry Luders, Bri Edwards, Krista Haugland, Trish Toma, and Tina Haas Finley. The show was recorded by Lee Bell.

Please like, subscribe, share, and comment. If you are on Podbean please follow!!! THANKS!!!!

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.

IHEARIC PODCAST - Episode 58: Mill Show Preview (01/20/2019)

We have a concert coming up this Friday at The Mill! At 8pm! It's free! Featuring performances by Maul of America, The Twisted Roots, and Treecloud! RSVP and invite your friends here: facebook.com/events/386069291938789

We'll be back on KRUI (krui.fm) at 4pm next Sunday (1/27) to review some highlights from this week's concert.

This episode features music by:
Maul of America (maulofamerica.bandcamp.com / facebook.com/maulofamericaisopen)
The High Water Mark (facebook.com/thehighwatermark)
The Twisted Roots (facebook.com/thetwistedroots.ic / soundcloud.com/twisted-roots-16071477) Wombat (facebook.com/wombatnoise / justinkcomer.com / soundcloud.com/will-yager / carloscotallosolares.zohosites.com)
Sasha Burdin Quartet/Quintet (sashaburdin.com / facebook.com/thesashaburdinquartet / facebook.com/sashaburdin1)
Asher Brown (asherbrownmusic.com / facebook.com/asherbrownmusic / youtube.com/channel/UCQKJMRoU5X_QJPvM9yItymA / soundcloud.com/asherbrownmusic / bandsintown.com/a/12250694 / open.spotify.com/artist/3vlkFn8yanHZrVDgsxZMj7 / instagram.com/asherbrownmusic / twitter.com/asherbrownmusic / asherbrown.bandcamp.com)

IOWA BASEMENT TAPES - #29 1-17-2019

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.

Catch us every Thursday from 9PM -10PM on 98.9 FM KFMG-LP DES MOINES & KCOE COE COLLEGE CEDAR RAPIDS.
-Kristian
#trustkristianday
www.kristianday.com | bandcamp.com/kristianday

The Tanks - "24 Hour Revenge Fantasy" / Slippin Pills (Iowa City)
Solid Attitude - "Smoking Sheets" / BB Gun Picnic (Iowa City)
Through Hard Times - "Brighter Days" / Moving On (Iowa City)
Waverly - "What We Are" / Fledging (Iowa City)
Sludgeplow - "Gut Fountain" / Turned Earth (Cedar Rapids)
The Ruralists - "Ghost" / Birth of Birds (Sioux City)
Telekinetic Yeti - "Beneath The Black Sun / Abominable (Dubuque)
Captain Three Leg -"Fith Column" / The Last C3L Tape (Ottumwa)
The Blendours - "Fairy Tale Love" / Bloated Saturday Compilation (Des Moines)
Harsh Times - "Dear Abby" / Bloated Saturday Compilation (Davenport)
Pink Neighbor - "Green Light Nights" / Green Light Nights (Grinnell)
Space Burial - "Pills" / Space Burial (Dubuque)

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

IOWA BLUES SHOWCASE PODCAST - Episode 139: Woman in Blues 2.0

Barb Baker Miller

This is the first of two shows. The previous women in blues shows did not feature the whole show in its entirely so tonight we fix that! On August 1 2014 The Blues Army of Des Moines in cooperation with the Hull Ave (owned then by Thomas Morris) put on its first Women in Blues Show. Tonight we listen to the first hour of the show. We start with the house band the Bad Boys of the Blues (Tom Gary, Jon East, Norman Sue, and Scotty Hartung) then in order April May, Barb Baker Miller, Michelle Baldwin, Bluebird Page with Jean Marie, and Krista Haugland, and Madam Jules!

This show was a lot of fun and a lot of work to recreate. I had to search for all the tracks, and try to piece together which came first. special thanks to Lee Bell who not only recorded the shows, but left me hints on the tracks on where they belonged. Rest in Peace my friend you are truly missed!

Please like, subscribe, share, and comment. If you are on Podbean please follow us.

JAZZMAN JOE VIDEOS - Tommy Boynton and Robert Espe at Noce in Des Moines on Jan 17, 2019

Tommy Boynton

"Singing 1st tenor and playing bass, Tommy grew up in Aurora, Colorado. His musical journey began in the 3rd grade, singing in a children’s chorus, and studying piano and drums. Tommy’s love for music lead him to Phil Mattson’s prestigious School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa. He then graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts in 2012, where he studied with Dominique Eade and Ran Blake. Boynton continued to share his love and passion for music by returning to SMV where he taught for the three years until he joined the Freshmen. Tommy has shared the stage with several Grammy nominated musicians, including jazz pianist Fred Hersch, and critically acclaimed jazz vocalist Kate McGarry. He is an avid soccer player and cyclist and has toured across the midwest and around the Pacific Northwest on his bicycle, and believes there is no better way to explore an area or the world than on a bicycle. He currently resides in Des Moines, IA. While on the road, he misses his kitties, Alice and Little Brother, more than anything."
- from the Four Freshman website

"Robert Espe currently plays violin full-time with Des Moines Symphony as well as the wcfsymphony. He is a member of the Metro Chamber Ensemble and a regular sub with Quartet 515. He plays with several area ensembles ranging from folk and rock to klezmer and tango and is an experienced pit orchestra musician.

Robert grew up in Independence, IA and began his violin studies at the age of three with the UNI Suzuki School in Cedar Falls, IA. He was briefly concertmaster of the UNI Symphony Orchestra during his undergraduate studies, before earning a B.S. in Bioinformatics, Minor in Music in 2011.

In addition to his work as a violinist, he is also a professional freelance saxophonist, regularly appearing with Turner Center Jazz Ensemble and the Des Moines Big Band, and is an on-call sideman for local and visiting artists at Des Moines’ jazz cabaret, Noce. He is also a semi-regular horn section member of the Colorado-based, modern funk, roots, and vintage soul band Euforquestra. He has also performed with numerous musical icons including pop superstar Katy Perry and Motown legends The Temptations. As a mandolinist, he is a founding member of Choro Moingona, Des Moines’ premier choro ensemble."
- from his entry on the Des Moines Symphony website

Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube page: "NOCE JAZZ CABARET PRESENTED A JAZZ ON THE HOUSE EVENT FEATURING TOMMY BOYNTON, PIANO AND VOCALS (MEMBER OF FOUR FRESHMAN GROUP), AND ROBERT ESPE ON TENOR SAXOPHONE IN A VARIED CONCERT OF BALLADS."

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

PLAYLISTS - New Iowa Music on Bandcamp 2

This is just another in our long series of playlists. And like the name says, this one features the latest music by Iowa artists that I could find on Bandcamp. It features a blend of experimental, metal, instrumental, and electronic music, with a punk tune as well!

CULTURE MYTH - Days 8: San Francisco

Written by Chad Taylor. Originally appeared on the Culture Myth website on March 26, 2016.

Rae Davis and Sara Routh
all pics by Chad Taylor

California gets progressively more lovely, the further north you head. In the matter of the Great Divide within the state, it is clear that I sit firmly on the NorCal side of things. The greens are greener, the hills are lovelier, and the people are -- if you'll excuse the ad hominem painting -- more chill and genuine.

Rae Davis and Sara Routh are spending their time here quartered in different locations. Davis is staying with friends in Oakland, while Routh and a couple of her friends have rented an AirBnB in The City. After splitting up to unpack at their respective host homes, everyone heads into town for a gig at the Revolution Cafe, and right into a situation that has the potential to be the biggest clusterfuck of the entire tour.

The Mission District is one of the most vibrant, vital parts of the San Francisco landscape. It is exactly what you would expect any large city's heartbeat to look like: colorful, loud, frenetic, slightly gross, beautiful, dirty, and eternally entertaining. Looking for the best cafes? The best little places to eat? The best art? This neighborhood--no matter what each city calls it--is the place to go.

The one potential drawback to that much going on in one small area, however, is the chance for overlap in events. Like, for example, today, when Routh and Davis rock up to the Revolution, and find a full-on street fair happening on the street outside. A street fair including an actual stage with musical performers, literally 10 feet from the Revolution's front door. This could be interesting.

JAZZMAN JOE VIDEOS - Paul Bridson and Jason Danielson at The Noce Jazz Club in Des Moines on Jan 3, 2019

"Since 1994 Paul Bridson has played lead and solo jazz trombone with The Des Moines Big Band, and since 2011 he has been the business manager and lead trombonist of the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra. He is a teaching artist with Drake University, and is available for clinics, casuals, commercial and pit orchestra work anywhere within driving distance. He is also the co-founder of Synergy Jazz Foundation, which brings Aebersold clinicians to central Iowa students and provides assistance to students wishing to attend summer jazz camps.

"Paul studied trombone at Truman State University under Dr. Roger Cody and at the University of Iowa under the incredible George Krem. While attending the U of I, he performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival with the Johnson County Landmark band under direction of Dan Yoder. He spent four years in Austin, TX playing the Jazz chair in the Non-Ego Big Band and playing bass for numerous Texas Swing bands on famous Sixth Street. His credits include Jimmy Dorsey, Sarah Vaughn, Red Skelton, The Lawrence Welk Orchestra, Wayne Newton, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, 10,000 Maniacs and numerous touring productions."
- from Paul Bridson's profile on the Des Moines Musicians Association website

Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube page: "TROMBONIST PAUL BRIDSON AND PIANIST JASON DANIELSON COMBINED TO PRESENT A PROGRAM OF BALLADS AND JAZZ STANDARDS TO THE THURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ ON THE HOUSE SERIES AT NOCE JAZZ CABARET 1/3/19. THE VIDEO HERE IS OF THE FIRST SET OF THE EVENING."

IOWA BLOCK RADIO - Live

Da Younger

This episode:
04:29 Uptown ft. Whoppa - coming from
08:49 Baby Boy da Younger - hot boy
25:38 POWER
29:31 Dee~Will - Spotlight (ft. Kaleem, Apollo, Kemyst) [prod by: DownTown Beatz]
34:10 Stoney Notta Hippy UptownShot by DarkPulseProductions

IHEARIC PODCAST - Episode 57: Justin's Modal Exploration (01/13/2018)

I had to reschedule this week's planned guest (stay tuned for February 3rd...). I've been obsessively working on a new composition for the past few days, so I decided that I'd use this week's show to present, demonstrate, and test drive some components of MODAL EXPLORATION!

The patch uses University of Iowa EMS instrument samples, found here: theremin.music.uiowa.edu/MIS.html
Will Huff's "HarpMusic" was an inspiration for Modal Exploration, and you can find his music here: huffcomposer.com
I adapted some data from David Huron's book Sweet Anticipation to help the patch convey the different modes. Check out Huron's research here: csml.som.ohio-state.edu/Huron
I've also made a lot of other music, which you can find all of these places: justinkcomer.com / justinkcomer.bandcamp.com / soundcloud.com/justin-comer-1 / youtube.com/justinkcomer / facebook.com/justinkcomer / twitter.com/justinkcomer / instagram.com/justinkcomer

Our next (*FREE*) iHearIC concert will be 1/25 8pm at The Mill, featuring performances by Maul of America, The Twisted Roots, and Treecloud! RSVP and invite your friends here: facebook.com/events/386069291938789

Next Sunday's show will be a preview of the 1/25 concert and will be broadcast live at 4pm on KRUI (krui.fm)!

LIVE FROM KURE - Elizabeth Arynn (aka Arin Eaton aka Karen Meat)

Post removed by request

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA - Episode 43: Dan DeGeest

"Dan DeGeest is a jack-of-all-trades in the Ames community. He works as a senior software engineer at Workiva, ran for Ames City Council in 2015 and is a relatively new addition to the music scene.

"'If I'm gonna live here, I want to make it the kind of place that I want to live in,' DeGeest said when speaking for his reason to seek the city council seat back in 2015. When he didn't win the seat, he got back into playing guitar with a push from members of the local music scene.

"'I've had a guitar since I was 20, but I never really believed in myself, got busy with family and careers and hadn't picked up the guitar in eight years,' DeGeest said. 'I've always had it in the back of my mind — it's a dream come true for me.'"
- from the Iowa State Daily article, "Acoustic Lounge recap: Dan DeGeest", by Jill O'Brien

Ames singer-songwritter Dan DeGeest joins me in the studio. Dan and I talk about the Ames music scene, the projects he is working on, and playing Max Ames this past year. It was a lot of fun getting to talk with Dan and listen to his music.

IOWA BLUES SHOWCASE PODCAST - IBSC 138 Regional Local number 12

Tonight we have another cool installment of local and regional blues. This show features Rob Lumbard, Don Brown, Curry Harter, Big Daddy Dennis Kain, the Tom Gary Blues Band, Fat Tuesday, George and Gill Davis, Jimmy Pryor, The Soul Searchers, Steve George, and John Lukehart!!!

That's a show!!!!!!!

Please like, subscribe, share, and comment. THANKS!!!!!!

IHEARIC VIDEOS - Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, and Steel Drums

Katie Wedmore

As per usual, we have a rather eclectic mix of videos from IHearIC. We had acoustic guitar player, Katie Wedmore, keyboardist Matt Smart, and Tyler Swick, Aaron Ziegler, and Blake Shaw playing electric bass and steel drums.

AUDIBLE FARM - Episode 17: Cobey Murray

This is the first of a new feature we will be presenting on the Iowa Music Showcase website. It's an interview podcast where Peter Stockdale of Des Moines band, 3 Finger Betty, and Iowa band, Unity,  interviews a fellow musician.

Cobey Murray is the bassist in the Des Moines area punk band The Astro Bastards. He is also the show promoter for New Revolt Promotions. We sit down and talk about how he got started playing instruments, the formation of The Astro Bastards, tattoos, and more!

Favorites of 2017 (and the State of the Website speech and boring statistics)

Well, we entered the fifth year of the Iowa Music Showcase. Unfortunately, we were gone for over half of the previous year! Hopefully, things will go better this year!

We will include all the podcasts, videos, and articles we featured last year. We've also added the podcast, Audible Farm, an interview podcast from local musician Peter Stockdale of the Des Moines punk band, 3 Finger Betty, and Iowa metal band, Unity.

We also, on an irregular basis, will be featuring older articles, audio, and video, from sources like KRUI 89.7 FM in Iowa City, Des Moines Music Coalition, KURE radio in Ames, as well as older websites like Lock N Load from the Sioux Falls/Sioux City area, Des Noise, Des Moines is Not Boring, Iowaves, and Band Bombshell, among others.


I'm not doing any podcast of the favorite tunes from the Iowa Music Showcase podcast, because - 1) I haven't had the time, and 2) we only did four podcasts last year! But below I'll list all the boring top ten's I've listed on previous years.

Also, we may fewer Iowa Music Showcase podcasts, depending on how time and whatnot goes for me. But I will continue to feature playlists, compilation albums, videos, and other websites where you can find Iowa music.


But in the five months we were running last year, we did manage to do a showcase of Sump Pump Records. And if I can get the podcasts up and running again, I'd be happy to showcase other Iowa labels!


Okay, now it's time for all the math and list nerds! Here's some various top ten lists for our website for 2018!

THE MOST VIEWED POSTS ABOUT SONGS ON THE IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODCASTS 2018
10. Ep 61 - Song 2: "Wulf" by Goldblum
9. IMSC Ep 63 - Song 4: "Thrill" by Nicholas Buckton
8. Ep 62 - Song 6: "One Less Thing to Worry About" by Tom Armstrong
7. Ep 60 - Song 2: "In the Dragon’s Mouth" written and performed by Eric McIntyre
6. Ep 61 - Song 5: "Vermillion" by Annalibera
5. IMSC Ep 63 - Song 8: "Koyote Song" by Julie Gordon
4. Ep 61 - Song 8: "I Made You a Card" by Karen Meat & The Computer
3. Ep 61 - Song 6: "Rock On" by Broken Ones
2. Ep 61 - Song 1: "The Punchline" by Chad O'Neall
1. Ep 61 - Song 4: "Dinosaur Park" by Skin of Earth

THE MOST VIEWED POSTS FROM 2018
10. PLAYLISTS: The Uncertainty Music Festival 2018
9. IHEARIC VIDEOS - Some Prog Rock and a Guitar/Violin Duo
8. CULTURE MYTH - Day 5: A rest
7. IHEARIC PODCAST - Episode 20: More Guests Than Microphones (04/22/2018)
6. IHEARIC VIDEOS - Dana T, a Violinist, and a Chorus
5. PLAYLISTS - Vacation: Iowa Style
4. IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODCAST - Episode 62: Music of Sump Pump Records, Part 2 of 2
3. IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODCAST - Episode 61: Music of Sump Pump Records, Part 1 of 2
2. YOUR OWN PRIVATE IOWA - Episode 31: Halfloves
1. IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODCAST - Episode 60: Music from The Iowa Composers Forum

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!