After working on their newest album, Kaleidocoi, for close to eight years, Des Moines supergroup Jinnouchi Power is hosting an album release event at xBk on Dec. 9 to celebrate its release. The 11-track record will be streamable on all platforms on the same day. Little Village caught up with JP’s lead songwriter, Patrick MacCready, […]
Des Moines Music
Posted inArts & Entertainment
After making a splash at BET Awards weekend, Entre Luche is ready to enter the spotlight at home in Iowa
“It is the biggest adrenaline rush,” R&B artist Entre Luche said of performing. “I feel like I’m my truest self when I’m on stage. … Not being on stage is the hard part. When I’m up there I’m at peace.” Keeping his peace has kept the Des Moines artist busy, occupying his every weekend for […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The hip-hop horizon: Iowa rappers’ fall releases explore drug culture, punk and ‘ascension music’
This fall will see a wide range of releases from Iowan artists spanning the diverse rap and hip-hop spectrum. While this is far from a comprehensive list of what’s on tap for the next several months, here’s a cross-section looking at five releases from young, up-and-coming artists who have new projects on the way. Up […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Contact Buzz: What’s in a name? In his, musician DK Imamu Akachi finds, and spreads, empowerment
DeAn Michael Kelly has a vision. A creative one. He’s manifesting it through creativity, healthy choices, music and inclusivity — and it truly is inspirational. His personal evolution is the catalyst for the many projects he develops, as well as the next-generation leaders he encourages. His muse leapt into action, and he adopted “DK” as […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: The return of 80/35 this weekend was just what the doctor ordered
If Des Moines seemed to be asleep these past few years, it certainly woke back up this past weekend as 80/35 Music Festival returned for the first time since 2019. Maybe it was the large variety of food vendors or the diverse lineup. Maybe it was the tie-dyed Kum and Go bucket hats or the […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Canadian rapper Cadence Weapon is out to prove ‘the prairie’s got something to say’
“One thing that people maybe don’t know about Canada is that the places above and below the border are similar to each other,” said Rollie Pemberton, a Canadian MC who performs as Cadence Weapon. “I live in Toronto now, and we definitely get kind of Detroit vibes over here, whereas Alberta, where I’m originally from, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Five questions with Rainbow Kitten Surprise, who just sold out Hoyt Sherman Place
After meeting at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, Rainbow Kitten Surprise (RKS to fans) has gone from recording music in their dorm rooms to becoming a festival favorite. In 2022, they are embarking on their first national tour since the start of the pandemic, 50 shows of which are already sold out. For […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Indie venue collective, co-founded by Des Moines’ Tobi Parks, could ‘revolutionize touring’
Rolling Stone recently recognized eight indie venue owners for their determination to support burgeoning artists and help “secure the future of live independent music.” One of the owners featured is Tobi Parks. Parks opened xBk Live, a 250-capacity venue in Des Moines’ Drake neighborhood, in 2019, and serves as the vice president of the board […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Dan Tedesco — ‘Morning Bells’
It can be a dicey affair when an artist who operates in traditional songcraft decides to experiment. They risk alienating some of their audience, while the new audience segment they attract may not appreciate the existing back catalog of their more “standard” fare. Dan Tedesco’s excellent new EP, Morning Bells, manages to navigate this territory […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa Label Spotlight: Station 1 Records in Des Moines
There’s more altruism in music than the notoriously exclusive and abusive mainstream industry would have you believe. Station 1 Records in Des Moines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to not only record local minority and underrepresented artists but to serve as a sort of business school for artist entrepreneurs. “We take on a handful of […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Track premiere: Traffic Death, ‘Crushed By Corpses’
Des Moines quartet Traffic Death is back with their third full-length release, Judas Curse Of The Iron Sabbath, due out next month on Sump Pump records. You can check out a review of the full album online or in our September issue, #298, on stands now. Track one, “The Fury,” is currently available to stream, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Battle rappers are making a scene in Des Moines
“Sometimes, it’s real beef or real grudges that need to be settled on stage,” $ANTHI said of the rap battles he’s been part of over the past two decades. “Sometimes rappers get called out, egos clash, shade is thrown. Some people are picky about who they battle. Some don’t care, and will attempt murder on […]
