Sunday, December 18, 2016

IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODAST - Episode 40: Happy Hawkeye Holidays 2016, Part 3 of 3 - The Spiked Eggnog Edition



We are now at the last of this year's three holiday episodes.

In this episode we feature songs containing words and subject matter that would put you on Santa's naughty list!

So if you're not into hearing the f-bomb among other things, you would probably be happier listening to the first or second of this year's holiday shows.

If things like that don't bother you, then be prepared to hear some interesting and exciting Yuletide tales...

We also feature two songs, one by Billy Catone and one by Rachel Feldmann, done exclusively for this podcast!

Other IMSC posts and podcasts featuring the Holidays:
http://iowamusicshowcase.blogspot.com/search/label/holidays

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode40/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2040.mp3


TRACK LISTING:
For more information, click on the link below the track.

Opening - Iowa Music Showcase theme (Christmas version) by Dylan Boyle
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2015/12/iowa-music-showcase-theme-christmas.html)

Song 1 - "Silent Night" by Billy Catone (exclusive for this podcast!)
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-40-song-1-silent-night-by-billy.html)

Song 2 - "Candy Cane" by Tuff Jerks
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-40-song-2-candy-cane-by-tuff-jerks.html)

Song 3 - "Hatin on Santa" by Rachel Feldmann (exclusive for this podcast!)
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-30-song-3-hatin-on-santa-by-rachel.html)

Song 4 - "The Sister of Santy Claus" by Bob Phelan
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-40-song-4-sister-of-santy-claus-by.html)

Song 5 - "Christmas Tree" by Nuclear Rodeo
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-40-song-5-christmas-tree-by-nuclear.html)

Song 6 - "Punk Rock for Christmas" by Personal Vendetta
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-40-song-6-punk-rock-for-christmas-by.html)

Song 7 - "I Didn't Get You Anything for Christmas" by Lesbian Poetry
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-40-song-7-i-didnt-get-you-anything.html)

Song 8 - "Carol of the Bells" by Shikimo
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/ep-40-song-8-carol-of-bells-by-shikimo.html)

Closing - Iowa Music Showcase theme (Christmas version) by Dylan Boyle
(http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/2015/12/iowa-music-showcase-theme-christmas.html)

All song are copyrighted by the performers and composers, and used by their kind permission.


Next episode: Probably the faves of 2016! The songs from the podcasts you listened to or viewed or read about the most!

Iowa Music Showcase can be listened to and/or downloaded on the following sites:
Home page:
http://iowamusicshowcase.blogspot.com/
Feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/IowaMusicShowcase
Itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/iowa-music-showcase/id1173339660
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iowa-Music-Showcase/364796883703114
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/iowa-music-showcase
Bandcamp:
https://iowamusicshowcase.bandcamp.com/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMPcIaIvvs0Aj4zk2JbXdQ/feed

Iowa Music Showcase is also on Code Zero Radio every Tuesday and Thursday at 10pm central time:
http://codezeroradio.com/

Other websites:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/iamusicshowcase
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/iowamusicshowcase
ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/iowamusicshowcase
Archive.org:
https://archive.org/details/@iowa_music_showcase#uploads
Spotify:
https://play.spotify.com/user/iowamusicshowcase

Ep 40 - Song 1: "Silent Night" by Billy Catone



"Playing Music for 15 years, Fixing guitars for five years, and teaching music theory and guitar playing for three years."
- from his Facebook page

"I'm Billy Catone. I've been playing guitars for over 15 years, and I've always maintained a variety of musical styles, everything from guitar interpretations of classical pieces such as Moonlight Sonata and Silent Night, to classic rock like ZZ Top and George Thorogood,up to 80's thrash such as Metallica and Slayer, all the way to modern metal like Bullet For My Valentine and Lamb of God."
- from his business page

Lineup:
Billy Catone - guitar


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CatoneMusic/

Business page:
https://www.thumbtack.com/ia/dubuque/guitar-lessons/music-lessons

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode40/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2040.mp3

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IMSC Ep 40 - Song 2: "Candy Cane" by Tuff Jerks



"Steve Squires and I made this back in 2005. Christmas album for jerk teenagers."
- from their Bandcamp site

Lineup:
Jason Hennesy
Steve Squires


Bandcamp:

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode40/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2040.mp3

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IMSC Ep 40 - Song 3: "Hatin on Santa" by Rachel Feldmann



This song is listed on the "Punk the Halls" album and last year's Holiday podcast as "Hatin on Christmas". Rachel explained to me that that they got it wrong on the album and she never bothered to correct them, but that the actual name of the song is "Hatin on Santa".

Rachel Feldman was the main singer and songwriter of the Iowa City punk band, Lipstick Homicide, before she moved to Minneapolis, where she is now part of the punk band, 83 Wolfpack. She has also been involved in many other projects which you can check out here - http://iowamusicshowcasesongs.blogspot.com/search/label/Rachel%20Feldmann

This is a song she originally did with Lipstick Homicide that we featured last year. But she was kind enough to do a solo version of this year's Holiday episodes.

Lineup:
Rachel Feldmann - vocals, guitars

Shadow Fox Photography
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowfoxphoto/
83 Wolfpack Facebook page:

83 Wolfpack Bandcamp page:

Lipstick Homicide Facebook page:

Lipstick Homicide Bandcamp page:

Ep 40 - Song 4: "The Sister of Santy Claus" by Bob Phelan



"Just an old fart with a twisted mind and a good heart."
- from his NumberOneMusic page

"Singer/Songwriter (BMI), Originals, Christmas Parodies, Jingles

"Songs for Radio, Advertising and just for fun.

"I started playing drums in bands at age 11. Picked up the bass at age 16 and have played ever since. I started writing in the 80's and it was hit-and-miss through the 90's. The writing bug hit me again around 2009, and I got into writing classic songs into Christmas parodies as well as more original songs. I found that parodies are a real challenge. Taking a classic song and re-writing it into a Christmas story and maintaining the same sound and feel as the original can be tricky.

"I do all my own vocals and most instrumentation myself in my little basement studio.

"I hope you find my music entertaining and inspiring!"
- from his ReverbNation page


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Bob-Phelan-238189963033723/

ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/bobphelan

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCambaQ_GBUqLKNIoIX7F-XA

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode40/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2040.mp3

IMSC Ep 40 - Song 5: "Christmas Tree" by Nuclear Rodeo



"Nuclear Rodeo are a power-pop band, and this is what is in their DNA, and pop bands write melodic songs...dripping with melody, tight with rhythms to get your dancing legs shaking, and a wry wit to make you grin...

'Singer Campbell DeSousa does a great job of jumping back and forth from crooning and narrating to busting out in falsetto that really adds dynamics to the songs. This helps deliver the detailed, slice-of-life lyrics. Some of my favorites are about doing things like going to the grocery store, or about the people in the neighborhood, and there’s kind of a theme of failed relationships and unrequited love....

"Nuclear Rodeo’s world is one where lots of bad things can happen, and about everything in life is impermanent at best, if not outright hostile. But you can point out the absurdities, laugh at yourself, have a good time, and move on, because there’s another great chorus just around the corner."
- from a review by Bryon Dudley on The Ames Progressive website

Lineup:
David "Bobby Thunder H-Bomb" Olson: Drums, Hollering
Campbell "Candy Corn" DeSousa: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Gut Bustin'
Jordan "Finger Party Pompom" Mayland: Bass Guitar, Background Vocal Lovehammer, Sound Wizard
Phillip "Stun Baton Technology" Young: Guitar, Party Brigade
Steven "Mcgillicuddly" Rood: Drums, Life/Band Saving
Dustin "Bad to the Bone/Nice in the Heart" Harmsen: Guitar, Aux Percussion, Keys, Vox, moves

Facebook:

Bandcamp:

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode40/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2040.mp3

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Ep 40 - Song 6: "Punk Rock for Christmas" by Personal Vendetta



"we play awesome punk songs"
- from their Facebook page

Lineup:
Joshua Mutant - guitar/lead vocals
Danny Anderson - bass
Kernan, the Korean Nun - drums/vocals


Bandcamp:

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode40/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2040.mp3

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IMSC Ep 40 - Song 7: "I Didn't Get You Anything for Christmas" by Lesbian Poetry

Taken at Adventureland


"my feelings about these songs are best summed up by 1000 multi-colored heart emojis"
- katie b.

"Some bands and artists are presented in a way that they overcome pettiness and bring sheer beauty to the proceedings with their arrangements and their presentation. The pure scope, much like the electric feeling of a thunderstorm or the rushing waves of the ocean, makes that which doesn’t matter slide.

"That isn’t Lesbian Poetry. They attack the overwhelming feeling of everyday life in a different, maybe more substantial way. Gone are the trappings of production and in it’s place is honesty, simplicity and a different sort of ability. An ability to tell a story. An ability to let you get lost for a moment in the words of someone else and a clear understanding about what songwriting can be when stripped down to its most simple form.

"Lesbian Poetry is a simple band with a simple sound, but they aren’t simple people. What I like most about them is that the overall vibe and confidence they exude. It isn’t about being the greatest performer or the greatest musician, it is about telling their stories in their way with little regards towards what the outside world might think...

"That’s what makes Lesbian Poetry, both the band and album, so intriguing. It is the confidence to be yourself, to present your art and to be one with your life. Comfortable in their own life, their own skin and their own art. So comfortable that it makes you wonder why you cared so much about petty things to begin with."
- from an Iowaves review

"Rice-a-roni. Butts. Kissing. Lesbian Poetry is hard to define because Lesbian Poetry means a little something different to everyone.

"I’ve seen Elliot play more times than I can probably count. The first time I ever listened to Elliot’s music was on his couch in 2009, and he offered me some cereal and we didn’t talk at all. Later, I watched Elliot sing songs a cappella in his backyard with hunnies and fellas floating in the pool behind him. I’ve seen Elliot on a 625-acre farm in Eastern Iowa, unblinkingly rejecting the stage and sound system. With his voice out-loud and arms tied awkwardly behind his back, he stopped hearts with his even-paced drawl against the Iowa countryside. Aided by bare instrumentation, Elliot’s songs read as poems or folk tales. His songs have an amazing sense of humor and life that the listener feels like they’re chatting with an old friend or maybe even someone they kissed at a party once. And sometimes they’re profoundly sad. And that’s okay."
- from a DMMC (Des Moines Music Coalition) article

IMSC Ep 40 - Song 8: "Carol of the Bells" by Shikimo



"I'm a 19 year old electronic producer from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I'm currently signed with Stiriax Records, and specialize in making trance. I started producing in October of 2011, and have loved every minute of it. One day I hope to have an influence in the EDM scene, and play some big shows across Europe. Like my Facebook page for updates and stuff!"
- from his MTV Artists page

Lineup:
Ryan - all instruments

Photo by Jenna Schmitz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-schmitz-a9466693
Facebook:

Bandcamp:

SoundCloud:

Sunday, December 11, 2016

IMSC Ep 39 - Song 1: "Sugar Rum Cherry (Nutcracker Suite)" by Jason Weinberger and The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony



"wcfsymphony is a professional orchestra based in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa. Our mission is redefining the symphonic experience through live performances and community engagement. To this end we pursue inventive, contemporary approaches to ensemble performance as a means of engaging audiences more meaningfully in live music.

"The Courier hails our ‘innovative programming, inventive collaborations and interesting, sometimes surprising twists [which] make each concert a musical adventure.’ Our Artistic Director Jason Weinberger is known nationally for his work across genres and for his approachable, exciting style of presentation and interpretation, all typical of our work under his leadership. We are also unique among our peer ensembles for our singular dedication to American music, particularly new work from around the country and from within our state. As a fine arts and entertainment mainstay in northeast Iowa for the past 87 years we are deeply connected to the life of our community, particularly through our long-standing efforts to share music with young people and to advocate for education and the arts in our region. We apply the highest artistic and programmatic standards to our educational work in the belief that great art offered with passion, insight and joy can change lives at any age."
- from their Facebook page

"Music Director Jason Weinberger has built a reputation over the last 10 years for raising the excitement level with live performances that are a bit outside the box for typical classical concerts. Innovative programming, inventive collaborations and interesting, sometimes surprising twists make each concert a musical adventure.

"People have more things to do with their entertainment dollar these days, and we want to bring them here to the symphony. Live performances are exciting, and it's our mission to set ourself apart and give audiences an experience of a different order," Weinberger said.
- from a Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier article

"wcfsymphony was founded in the fall of 1929 by G.T. Bennett, Director of the East Waterloo High School Orchestra; Ralph Pronk, director of the West Waterloo High School Orchestra; Cressy Whalen, then president of the Waterloo Musicians Union; and the late Myron Russell, emeritus head of the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa. Our first name was ‘Waterloo Symphony Orchestra’...

"Our players include professional musicians from the Cedar Valley and across Eastern and Central Iowa and Southern Minnesota. Our many soloists in the twentieth century included Janos Starker, Gyorgy Sandor, Rafael Druian, Josef Gingold, Victor Borge, Peter Nero and Robert Merrill. In more recent years The King’s Singers, Isaac Stern, Doc Severinsen, Sharon Isbin, Simon Estes, Yo-Yo Ma, Peter Schickele, Chris Thile and Nadja Salerno-Sonenberg have joined us onstage for unforgettable live performances. We are also uniquely devoted to living American music – nearly a third of our repertoire over the past 10 years has consisted of new or recent music from Iowa and across the country."
- from their home page

"Conductor Jason Weinberger stands out among musicians of his generation for his passionate commitment to the entire life of his art form. Known for a wholly contemporary approach to programming, presentation, and performance, Jason is both a tireless advocate for music among audiences of all backgrounds and an emerging orchestra executive and entrepreneur.

"Jason currently leads wcfsymphony in a unique dual role as Pauline Barrett Artistic Director & Conductor and CEO. Under Jason’s 15 years of artistic leadership the orchestra has made major strides, performing a wide variety of new and recent American music by up-and-coming composers including Chris Thile, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Timo Andres, Daniel Roumain, and Gabriel Kahane and hosting some of today’s most important musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, David Shifrin, David Krakauer, Peter Schickele, Brandi Carlile, Matt Haimovitz, and Edgar Meyer. More recently, as CEO of wcfsymphony Jason has refocused its agenda as both a community asset and an industry leader. He is a dynamic proponent of the arts throughout the Cedar Valley and spearheads wcfsymphony’s wide-ranging community engagement initiatives. As likely to be found in an elementary school classroom as onstage or in a boardroom, Jason brings his natural ease with young people to wcfsymphony’s captivating concerts for kids."
- also from their home page

Lineup:
Jason Weinberger - conductor




Home page:
http://wcfsymphony.org/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wcfsymphony/

Jason Weinberger's SoundCloud page:
https://soundcloud.com/jasonweinberger

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode39_201612/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2039.mp3

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IMSC Ep 39 - Song 2: "Hark! The Herald Angels" by Ryan Sheeler



"He calls his sound "small-town soul" because he blends numerous influences--everything from Rock and Blues to Gospel and Country. I'd still classify Ryan as Americana, myself; even when he's rockin' out, I can still hear Iowa in the mix. Like other people I've known from the Mid-West, Ryan comes off as completely genuine--and that's a definite plus in his column."
- from Stubby's House of Christmas

"guitarist, pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer from Iowa. Trying my best to be real about life, love, and the Gospel."
- from his ReverbNation page

Lineup:
Ryan Sheeler - vocals and guitars


Home page:
http://www.ryansheeler.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ryansheeler/

BandCamp:
https://ryansheeler.bandcamp.com/

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode39_201612/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2039.mp3

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IMSC Ep 39 - Song 3: "All About Xmas" by Maids



"MAIDS’ original style of Midwest Disco is all about bringing people together in one place to have a good time and get immersed in waves of electronic dance pop. Whether the music is experienced through headphones or dancing at a live show, Danny Heggen and Mickey Davis have developed a homegrown, Midwestern concoction that reminds all of us that life, simply put, is awesome.

"Des Moines-based MAIDS’ enthusiasm to create has resulted in a new assortment of material, which will premiere on their new EP “These Days” set for worldwide release on May 6, 2016. Co-produced by St. Lucia’s Ross Clark, the duo are finding new inspirations to stretch their voice and dial-in on their Midwest Disco sound. As with their previous material, it’ll make give you all the feels and all the moves."
- from their home page

"Conceptually, MAIDS is one of those projects that sounds like it may be so off-kilter that there’s no way it could work. You take Danny Heggen from Seedlings, a gentle, folkish act, and throw him in a blender with Mickey Davis (aka Is Home Is), an electronic producer and composer of mostly instrumental works. Both artists have put out great releases in their regular acts, but together? Fortunately enough, like chocolate and peanut butter, it ends up being a case of two great tastes going together.

"It’s not too big of a surprise that Davis has created strong backing tracks – his downtempo beats and synth flourishes are reliably magnificent. Hearing Heggen take more of an isolated vocal role, however, is a rewarding revelation – his voice is warm and welcoming at times (the track “June” is a good example), and heartbreaking at other times (the closer “Playing Along”). And somehow, the melodies and arrangements all seem to complement each other in the best possible ways, shining together and never getting in each others’ ways."
- from a review on The DMMC (Des Moines Music Coalition) website

"MAIDS refers to their style of music as “Midwest Disco,” which is a cute, if unhelpful, name for their particular take on electronic pop. While they may be regionally land-locked, their songs stand up against many recent Top 40 bands in the Electronic Pop genre — think: Capital Cities, Daft Punk, MGMT, The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Empire of the Sun.

"But, beyond that, MAIDS brings something to the electropop table largely missing from those bands: a sense of humanity and vulnerability that recalls the first great wave of synthpop in the ’80s. Heggen’s vocals convey that reaching desire that bands like Pet Shop Boys and Spandau Ballet had, and which ultimately is what makes songs universal and timeless."
- from a review on the Little Village website

"The two musicians come from different musical backgrounds and influences, think Whitney Houston and Sam Beam, or Blood Orange and Paul Simon. Talking about a blank sheet of paper, Mickey says, “nothing would terrify me more”, while for Danny there’s nothing more exciting. Although, the two friends that make up MAIDS aren’t necessarily a contrast of personalities...

"'If MAIDS were making a painting, Danny would draw the outline and I would carefully color it in,' says Mickey...

"'I want our music to bring friends and friends of friends together to have a good time. I want our music to feel real – the listener to know there is a person behind the process, creating something that feels good and like they’re a part of something.' – Danny Heggen"
- from an article on Gestalt Creatives website

"MAIDS make pretty music you can dance to. It’s happy pop. It’s music that makes you feel good whether in a dark venue under the flashing lights or in the middle of downtown Des Moines on a warm summer evening. MAIDS mix of stunning vocals and electronic handiwork just brings out smiles."
- from Dave Murphy for The DMMC (Des Moines Music Coalition)

Lineup:
Danny Heggen - vocals
Mickey Davis - instruments, programming


Home page:
http://thisismaids.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thisismaids/

SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/thisismaids

To download the podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode39_201612/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20Episode%2039.mp3

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