Tim Quirk was the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Too Much Joy, a poppy, punky band whose career spanned the 1980s and ’90s. His old band is probably better known for getting in trouble than for their music. Over the course of a decade, Too Much Joy was arrested for performing obscene 2 Live […]
July 2009
Posted inArts & Entertainment
LV Radio Podcast – Ben Hansen – 7/8/09
[audio:7_8_09_Little_Village_Radio.mp3] Little Village Radio 7/8/09 (mp3 download)
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Year Zilch
In the beginning was High Fidelity, at least as far as I’m concerned. An actor I’d never noticed before by the name of Jack Black was channeling Generation X energies like nobody else on the silver screen. His Barry, the record-store slacker-snob, stole the show and left me with the firm conviction that a new […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Mandating Health
A few years ago I was asked to serve on the Wellness Committee that was being formed by the Iowa City School District, under a federal mandate to improve the health of school children. Having made lunch every morning for my kids because I’d seen the “food” they were served in the cafeterias, I was […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Like a Fish in Water
Swimming has mesmerized me since I was very little. It’s one of the main reasons I absolutely love summer. When the weather heats up, I can just hear the water calling my name, beckoning me to dive in. The dichotomy of air and water fascinates me. In air we can move freely, but we’re still anchored […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Joe McNertney | Colloquialisms
Joe McNertney Colloquialisms Mr. McNerty is one of Eric Rohm’s collaborators in The Noble Octopus, and like his label mate on the enigmatically named Pelletier Comes Alive! label, McNerty is not a shouter. This CD is anchored in the acoustic folk songwriting tradition, but also contains generous helpings of sonic experimentation. Some stuff he does […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Noble Octopus | Noble Octopus
The Noble Octopus The Noble Octopus The Noble Octopus was started by Eric Rohn and friends at Grinnell College before moving to Iowa City. With the emphasis on clean guitar sounds and low-key vocals they recall the softer side of Yo La Tengo. The Steve Reich-esque looped guitar piece “Droplets and Isolations” immediately had me […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Testifi | 2 the World
Testifyi 2 The World www.myspace.com/testifyi There’s a lot of recording artists now that give credit to God for their success, but their music has nothing to do with religious themes. Testifyi takes a different approach: There’s nothing but religious themes on “2 The World.” Testifyi has mastered the style of modern hip hop; if you […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Bowerbirds | Upper Air
Bowerbirds Upper Air Dead Ocean www.myspace.com/bowerbirds The sophomore release from North Carolina’s Bowerbirds opens simply and unassumingly with an acoustic guitar and the voice of lead singer Phil Moore. Upper Air isn’t making a grand statement, nor is it declaring a grand departure from the group’s debut Hymns for a Dark Horse, it is quietly calling […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Public Property | work to do
Public Property work to do www.publicprop.com Recorded in the famed Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, Public Property’s new album features some big-name contemporary reggae musicians like Toots Hibbert from Toots and the Maytals–who is playing with the band for their July 2 CD release show in Des Moines’ People’s bar–Ticklah from Dub Side of the Moon,and […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender – July 9-12
Greetings Weekenders! Thanks to Big Ben Hansen for being our special guest last night on Little Village on the Air! You can find Ben – along with the fairest of the fair trade coffee – at The Clean Bean Cafe, a new espresso cart currently posted up on Prentiss St. (down S. Gilbert St, in […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender – July 2-5 – JAZZ FEST PREVIEW
Perhaps freedom isn’t free, but 4th of July weekend is! Jazz Fest (July 3-5) is bringing some of the biggest names in Jazz to downtown Iowa City — all for our very free enjoyment — AND, when the festival finishes around 9:30/10? The Mill is inviting the musicians over for jam sessions both Friday and […]
