Goldenboy w/ Colloquialisms, the Noble Octopus | The Mill | April 10 | 9 p.m. | $8 | 21+ after 10 p.m. Goldenboy is fronted by Shon Sullivan, a native of suburban LA. His big break came as a multi-instrumentalist in Elliott Smith’s band, and Goldenboy grew out of that experience. “It started as […]
Tim Gavin
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Country Night! Justin Townes Earl added to Whitmore/Tetons bill – Mission Creek – Blue Moose – 3/30
Justin Townes Earle takes country back to its roots in old-time Americana. Son of the rebellious singer-songwriter Steve Earle, Justin inherited his father’s addiction troubles as well as his musical and lyrical talent, and uses his own journey to rock bottom – and back — as inspiration. His voice sounds wounded and wary, but his […]
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On Sale Friday: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Englert – March 31
Seun Kuti is the 27 year old son of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Seun (pronounced Shay-oon) has inherited his father’s booty shaking creation, Afrobeat, which mixes African highlife music with western influences like jazz and James Brown. Seun, like Fela, makes Afrobeat as primarily dance music that is also actively political. “In […]
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Show Recap: Grand Tetons CD Release with Derek Lambert & the Prairie Fires and Michael Sarah
The English would like you to remember, remember the 5th of November because of some Guy who tried to blow up Parliament. Why anyone would have such a beef with George Clinton is beyond me, but Iowa City’s Mill Restaurant would like you remember Saturday, November 5, 2011 for the great rock show they hosted. […]
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Show Recap: Adobanga, Songbird Bethann, River Glen @ Blue Moose Tap House 10/1/2011
Three Iowa groups performed Saturday, October 1, at the Blue Moose Tap House: River Glen (River Breitbach) of Iowa City, Songbird Bethann (Bethann Gavin) and Zaplin Vermie of Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids’ Adobanga.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Show Preview/Album Review: The Wandering Bears at The Mill, 9/24/11
The Wandering Bears will play this Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Mill, sharing a fantastic bill with Iowa City’s Datagun and opening for Caroline Smith & the Goodnight Sleeps. The Wandering Bears craft smart, unique pop tunes with substance and catchy hooks. Their songs are about men and women and the stupid things we do to each other, but with a mix of sweet reminiscence, real heartbreak, and…
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Show Preview: The Fez at the Blue Moose – 9/16/11
I attended the Fez’s breakout debut in April, and have rarely been so blown away, so surprised and impressed by a musical experience. Steely Dan’s music is epic, and The Fez recreates that giant, smooth sound with authenticity and authority.
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Show Review: Taj Weekes & Adowa, Tribal Momentum – Yacht Club 8/12/11
As demonstrated by all the funky shops, restaurants, and people around town, Iowa City has multicultural tastes. Our local bands are interesting, and our clubs bring in acts from far-flung places to meet those tastes. St. Lucia is 2600 miles away from IC, so that qualifies as far-flung in my atlas. Taj Weekes & Adowa brought some of the culture of St. Lucia all the way to Iowa, and Tribal Momentum showed off a bit of Iowa City’s own crazy culture.
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Show preview: Barnstormer 5 at Codfish Hollow in Maquoketa, IA on 9/3/2011
Barnstormers are returning to Iowa! Daytrotter will bring eight nationally touring artists to Codfish Hollow barn in Maquoketa on 9/3/11 for its Barnstormer 5 tour.
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Show Review: Carnival Hearts & Arts Parade @ White Lightning Wherehouse — 5/21/2011
Carnival Hearts & Arts Collective, a local collective of artists, held their biannual “parade” on Saturday. However, imminent rain forced the event out of the adorable Happy Hollow park and into the White Lightning Wherehouse. Vendors line the walls of this rambling, cavernous space. The event has the feel of a souq, of a community market in the ancient kasbah of Tangier, or of the mystery of London’s Borough market. The Carnival Hearts & Arts collective has an authentic–and almost ethnic–subcultural atmosphere, a collective of tattoos, funky chic, librarian eyeglasses, and wry smiles.
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Show Review: Tribal Momentum, Eugene Kelley, and Hannah Drollinger – 5/17/2011
In preparation for their upcoming show at the Yacht Club, members of the new Iowa City band, Tribal Momentum, hosted a house party and concert Tuesday night. The event evoked the feel of a hidden carnival or a Gypsy fireside, where musicians wander through delighting the assembled. There were artists of music as well as artists of munchies; the wonderful Claire made gourmet treats to complement Hannah’s tasty sangria punch. Everyone there seemed to know half of the crowd, and the convivial atmosphere helped them meet the other half before the night ended.
This show was exciting and friendly, daring yet comfortable, prepared yet extemporaneous, which pretty much sums up the personalities of the artists who hosted. I’d like to thank them for their hospitality, but I’d really like to thank them for sharing some phenomenal music.
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Show Review: Roadside Graves, 4onthefloor, and Kerosene Circuit at Codfish Hollow, Maquoketa – 4/17/2011
To get to Codfish Hollow, you first must get completely lost. Seriously, it seems to be a universal experience among event attendees at this place. Your GPS will send you somewhere 2 miles south. The signage is poor, the road is gravel and winding, and you’ll have a hard time believing that anything remotely hip can happen out here, where cattle outnumber people and seed caps are worn without any sense of irony. But, once you’ve found it you become one of the inside cadre, like the lucky guests of a speakeasy, and then you can pass the word of mouth of how amazing Codfish Hollow is, and pass on how to freaking get here.
If you can find your way, come on down to enjoy a rip-snortin’ good time with some of the best, up and coming artists in this great country. If you can’t find your way, give me a holler and realize that you’re not the first–or the last–person to get lost on the road to glory.
