This originally started out as a blog to provide more details about the music on Iowa Music Showcase.. But now it also features tags that have to do more with the individual artists and bands.
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
"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.
"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!
"Molly Brandt Band is eponymously named for its leader, Molly Brandt. You knew that though... Playing a classic mix of R&B, soul, blues, and jazz. Sources of Inspiration include the likes of Lake Street Dive, Etta James, Nancy Wilson, and Nina Simone...
"Molly Brandt lives and works in Des Moines as a jazz and R&B musician, piano educator, and arts advocate. A recent graduate of Drake University's Music Business program, Molly has found passion and fulfillment through community engagement with the arts and a deep love for the city of Des Moines.
"Since graduating, Molly has primarily worked with the Des Moines Music Coalition as the Advocacy Coordinator, with a goal of changing city ordinances to better serve music venues, musicians, and the overall city. Additionally, she has engaged in research with Drake University to help implement goals of Bravo's Regional Cultural Assessment and gauge challenges and needs for a robust creative economy in Des Moines. She currently teaches piano for all ages and levels. Molly serves on the Board of Directors for Civic Music Association and volunteers time with the 80/35 music festival. Then she sees as much live music as possible and explores the city she loves."
- from their Facebook page
Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube pages: "THE MOLLY BRANDT BAND PERFORMED AT NOCE JAZZ CABARET ON 5/24/18 BEFORE A CAPACITY AUDIENCE "ON THE HOUSE NIGHT". THE VERY TALENTED MOLLY ON VOCALS, KEYS & PIANO. SHE WAS SUPPORTED BY CHRIS WALSH ON BASS, JOSH GORMAN ON GUITAR, ANDREW GRJERSVIK ON DRUMS, TIM ZUO ON ALTO SAX, AND ERIC BROWN ON TRUMPET."
"The Greater Des Moines Community Jazz Center (CJC) was founded in the 1980's with the help of many people, including Scott Davis, Dave Koberdahl, Larry Green, Cecil Stanley, and Phillis Leaverton. As a part of the CJC's outreach efforts, the CJC Big Band was formed in order to travel and perform at the IAJE festival in New Orleans in the late 1980's.
"The CJC Big Band lost a consistent presence until 1993, when Mr. Doug Bown, at the suggestion of Larry Green, worked to start the CJC Big Band up again. Doug Bown was the part time assistant band director at Hoover High School and arranged for the band to rehearse at the school and make use of Hoover High School's music library to get started. Performing a variety of music, notably arrangements of Woody Herman and Count Basie music, the CJC Big Band began rehearsing and performed for a few high school events. Notable pianist Jason Danielson was a Hoover student and with the CJC Big Band during that year or two that Doug Bown led the band.
"Phillis Leaverton, who at the time oversaw the student jam sessions at Java Joes, arranged to have the CJC Big Band play on the third Sundays at the downtown location of Java Joe's. At the time, there was no Fourth Street Theater so the band had to squeeze onto the little stage in the coffee shop. Doug Bown assembled and directed the band for a year or two and then handed it over to Chris Paulson who played drums and directed band at East High School at the time.
"Since the mid 90's the group has been led by a number of musicians, including: Doug Bown, John Kendeigh, Frank IacovazziI, Bob Start, etc."
- from the CJC Big Band home page
Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube pages: "THE CJC BIG BAND, WITH VOCALISTS AMBER DUIMSTRA, CRAIG IRVIN, AND BOB SIMMONS, PRESENTED THEIR SPRING FINALE PERFORMANCE TILL NEXT FALL BEFORE AN ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE OF FANS....NINETEEN SONGS WERE ON THE PLAYLIST."
"Hailed as 'the best currently active rock band in Iowa' by the Iowa Informer, indie rock outfit Halfloves offers a variety of songs on their self-titled debut album made with renowned producer Brandon Darner (Imagine Dragons, The Envy Corps). Halfloves mixes pop sensibilities with heady textures and space to create an emotionally charged sound."
- from their Bandcamp page
This episode was recorded back at the end of March when the guys from Halfloves were rolling through Ames. This is probably the goofiest and one of the most fun epsiodes I had recording. Half of what you hear the band didnt know they were being recorded so it created a good sense of general humor. I had a blast hanging out with these guys again!!
"More than thirty local and reigonal musicians have joined Tina and Brandon (Findlay) on their musical journey over the last four-plus years, including international award-winning bassist Scot Sutherland, renowed artist-educator Dr. Damani Phillips, percussionist/clinician Paul Thompson, and many more close friends.
"Blues, rock and soul meets jazz, jam and gospel- with theatre, jingles, ragtime and whatever the heck we feel like throwing in!"
- from the Diva and the Deacons Facebook page
Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube pages: "TINA HAASE FINDLAY PERFORMED HER TRIBUTE TO ELLA FITZGERALD COMEMORATING ELLA'S 100TH BIRTHDAY AT NOCE JAZZ CABARET BEFORE A NEAR CAPACITY AUDIENCE.SUPPORTED BY HER BAND WHICH INCLUDED HUSBAND BRANDON FINDLAY ON GUITAR."
"Pony Creek, a musical collaboration between Ryan Osbahr and Billie Frost, was formed in the spring of 2016. Hailing from the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro, the name “Pony Creek” is derived from a small creek by the same name that runs between the duo’s homes.
"Playing a variety of folk, blues, Americana, country and rock, Pony Creek has quickly made a name for themselves across the Midwest as one of the region’s hottest new acts. Whether playing Spencer, Iowa’s Wheels Up festival for RAGBRAI 2017 or rocking the crowd for southwest Iowa’s Tri City BBQ Fest in Denison, Pony Creek delivers family friendly entertainment that connects with all ages. Opening for national artists such as Jeremy McComb (Nashville), Jason Eady (Jackson, MS) and Tucker Beathard (Nashville), the band continues to gain popularity in the Midwest region.
- from their home page
Credits:
Ryan Osbahr
Billie Frost
George Cooper
Tim Blair
Travis Goddard
Eric Nelson
"The Beaver Creek Jazz Ensemble keeps audiences entertained with a variety of swingin' tunes! The ensemble consists of 16 amazing musicians that perform at several venues throughout the year in Central Iowa including coffee shops, farmer's markets, retirement communities, corporate events, fundraisers and more."
- from an old event listed on Tockify.com
Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube pages: BEAVER CREEK JAZZ ENSEMBLE PRESENTED THEIR SPRING CONCERT AT UNION PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ON 4/12/18. DENI BASH HOFFMAN WAS THE FEATURED VOCALIST. JAZZ STANDARDS FROM GOODMAN, ELLINGTON, & SHAW WERE HIGHLIGHTED."
"Mississippi Jake is storytelling, working class, folk music from the Midwest. Not the kind of folk that lulls you to sleep, the kind with teeth...
"Mississippi Jake brings folklore from the hills of the Ozarks to the Midwestern stage. He tells fact and fiction with honest guitar chords and gravel in his voice. Solo or alongside his Bootleggers Orchestra, Mississippi Jake showcases one-of-a-kind folk with teeth."
- from his Facebook page
"Mississippi Jake and the Bootleggers Orchestra are working to bring folk music back to where its roots originated. Telling stories of the common person, hard lives, lost love, travel, vices, and adventure are at the core of the songwriting for the five piece band from the Midwest. Modern music has a focus that is fairy tale and fantasy but run from the raw issues that most people deal with on a daily basis. The aggression and victories felt by most are being expressed by Mississippi Jake and the Bootleggers Orchestra in bars and street corners throughout the Midwest."
- from the Mississippi Jake and The Bootlegger's Orchestra's home page
Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube pages: "MISSISSIPPI JAKE FROM AMES, IOWA PERFORMED WITH HIS BOOTLEGGER'S ORCHESTRA AT THE WHISKEY HOUSE IN ANKENY, IOWA ON 4/6/18"
This last week T&A joined me in the studio. It was such a fun show. We read from Weird Al Trading Cards, they played a bunch of covers, I had my Terot read and they finished the set with a song they wrote the day before! This little Marshalltown band is something special.
"Founded in 2005, the BALLYHOO FOXTROT ORCHESTRA is a vintage ensemble dedicated to recreating the jazz and popular music of the 1910s and 1920s. The eight-piece ensemble employs an instrumentation that enables the group to perform a wide variety of musical genres from the period, including foxtrots, Dixieland jazz, blues, novelty songs, waltzes, tangos, cabaret, patriotic songs, and light classical music. So whether the occasion calls for the Art Deco elegance of the Great Gatsby or the zany exuberance of a Prohibition-era speakeasy, the BALLYHOO FOXTROT ORCHESTRA can supply just the right music."
- from their home page
Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube pages: "THE FOXTROT HOT SHOTS qt NOCE JAZZ CABARET on 3/30/18. THIS PREMIER NIGHTCLUB PRESENTS THE FINEST MUSICIANS IN AN INTIMATE SETTING WITH ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCES. Musicians include John Benoit, leader on piano; Scott Davis on cornet; Seth Hedquist on banjo: Mike Short on tuba, and Drew Selim on drums. Gina Gedler handled vocals. SWING DANCERS from WWW.STEPINTOSWING.COM."
We had a concert two nights ago at The Java House! My friend Michele Guild (of the advice and lifestyle show We Are Rhonda) joined me in the studio while I played some live recordings.
Wiitch Tiit joined me this week, and what a blast we had. They wore black hoods, and lit candles. Five different insturments was a first for the show! We had a lot of fun taking about the interesting history of th band and their full moon shows. Every song they performed was beautiful!
"The (Community Jazz Center) was formed by Willie Thomas, a nationally known trumpet player, in March of 1988. It's mission was to provide young musicians an opportunity to interact and share their gifted talents with area students. Since the departure of Mr. Thomas, the CJC has thrived under the leadership of Phyllis Leaverton. Long-time volunteer, Abe Goldstien took over the reins of the CJC in August 2017 and has many new and exciting plans for the future of CJC!
"The main objective of the CJC is to provide young musicians an opportunity to develop their talents and enjoy music in a non-competitive environment. The structured monthly jam sessions are beneficial in this way - to both student musicians and professional musicians alike."
- from The Greater Des Moines Community Jazz Center website
Jazzman Joe from the video's YouTube page: "JAVA JOE'S COFFEEHOUSE, 214 FOURTH STREET IN DES MOINES, IOWA, WAS THE SITE FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL SINGERS SUMMIT. VARIOUS VOCALIST FROM THE METRO ENTERTAINED, ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMUNITY JAZZ CENTER BIG BAND."
Tonight's show was a quick preview of the performers gracing us with their art at this Friday's iHearIC concert at the Java House in downtown Iowa City. The show starts at 8pm and we'd love to see you there! Here's the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/601537416848409
In case you miss this week's concert, tune in to the radio show next week (7pm Sunday on KRUI - 89.7FM if you're nearby and using a radio, krui.fm to stream online) to hear a few recorded selections.
After this week, we'll have two more concerts this season:
April 20, 8PM at The High Ground Cafe
May 5, 2PM, location TBA
This week I hung out with AIBU, her incredible talent of covering songs and making them "original covers" is beautiful. Joining her Quervo, who plays guitar and backs her vocals. Quervo was my first repeat customer as he calls it. These two had a lot of fun jamming out in the studio playing their original song, and covers from Bob Marley to Lorde.
"Traffic Death is a high speed, violent crossover band that has a tendency to crash into a sudden doomy halt. Based out of Des Moines, Iowa. Four veterans of the extreme metal and punk scene came together to form a unique style of music with frequent feel and tempo changes that fuses together several sub-genres of metal and punk, creating a style that's almost impossible to pinpoint.
"Forming in late 2013, Traffic Death has already released a full length LP 'Don't be a Projectile' as well as the recently released EP "Terror on the Freeway" while already having third release ready for pressing.
"Before even forming the members had already collectively amassed hundreds of shows in experience in their previous bands. Featuring ex Black Market Fetus members, Nate Phillips on vocals and Andrew Smeltzer on bass. Dark Mirror guitarist Garan Drozd and NGDS drummer Brian Greenfield."
- from their Facebook page
Credits:
Garan Drozd - Guitar
Andrew Smeltzer - Bass
Brian Greenfield - Drums
Nate Phillips - Vocals
Recorded and Mixed July/August 2017 By Jeff Stone at Third Scoop Studios, Des Moines, IA
Mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering, Chicago, IL
All Songs and Lyrics By Traffic Death
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.
"Formed in 2005 and currently a favorite for Irish pub music at many festivals and pubs in Central Iowa.
"Kelly's Clan revels in the traditional melodies and acoustic instrumentation of the Celtic music genre. The fun-loving trio channels the communal feel of an Irish pub on raucous sing-alongs, and delivers the mellow richly beautiful ballads and stirring rebel songs of the 'auld sod.'
"With guitars/mandolin/percussion/horns the Clan's infectious tunes infuse roots/blues/world music influences, along with the jigs and reels of Ireland, into each performance.
"Based in the Des Moines area, Kelly's Clan is available to add a Celtic musical touch from Eire to inspire 'Ol, ceol agus craic' (a good pint, great music and wonderful entertainment) at any event."
- from their Facebook page
Jazzman Joe from the video's YouTube page: "IN CELEBRATION OF ST PATRICK'S DAY, SNUS HILL WINERY PRESENTED THE LOCAL IRISH GROUP, KELLY'S CLAN, TO ENTERTAIN THE PATRONS OF THIS POPULAR WINERY LOCATED JUST EAST OF MADRID, IOWA. LED BY ED KELLY, ON GUITAR & VOCALS, THE BAND INCLUDED JOHN MYERS, GUITAR & VOCALS, & JERRY PEOPLES, MULTI TALENTED MUSICIAN ON FLUTE, TENOR, SOPRANO SAX, BONGO'S & VOCALS."
