Flat Black Studio (Long Play Records) was voted Best Local Record Label or Recording Studio in Little Village’s 2020 Best of the CRANDIC awards. Flat Black founder Luke Tweedy and second-in-command Dana T have been cranking out phenomenal records from their Lone Tree oasis for years now. They lure in the best local and regional […]
Flat Black Studios
Political and personal strife fuels Closet Witch’s ferocious, ‘therapeutic’ shows

Of all the hardcore bands and DIY power violence outfits to emerge from Eastern Iowa in recent years, few have been able to channel sheer anger and emotion as effectively as Closet Witch. Forming a little over five years ago, the band is characterized by their aggression, both onstage and on-record. Guitarist and primary songwriter […]
Watch: Live from Flat Black Studios ft. William Elliott Whitmore

The new series Live from Flat Black Studios, a collaboration between Little Village and Flat Black Studios, kicks off today with this track from William Elliott Whitmore, “Hard Times.” This comes just as early bird tickets go on sale for Grey Area 2019. Whitmore will be returning to play the fest again in its third […]
Track Premiere: Kelly Pardekooper’s “Long Goodbye”
Dead Rider’s Todd Rittman talks David Bowie, layered lyrics and Flat Black Studios ahead of Grey Area

Dead Rider is a Chicago rock band made up of Todd Rittman (formerly of Chicago noise rockers U.S. Maple); Andrea Faught on trumpet and keys; and drummer Matt Espy. While their sound is heavy on guitar and drums, keyboard plays a big part, and they seem to wind their own path between rock, jazz and Tortoise-style experimental rock. […]
Exclusive track: Elizabeth Moen’s cover of ‘True Love Will Find You In the End’
Hallways of Jellie: Jenny Hoyston and William Elliott Whitmore currently recording new albums
Exclusive track: Elizabeth Moen and her band cover ‘I Put a Spell on You’

Elizabeth Moen and her bandmates — Justin LeDuc, Blake Shaw and Dan Padley — were out at Flat Black Studios earlier this month, recording tracks for their second LP, which they expect to release next spring. In between takes, they decided to have a little Halloween fun with the classic 1956 track “I Put a Spell on You.” […]
The record collector: Remembering Kirk Walther

Kirk Walther, owner of the Record Collector, passed away on Sept. 24 after more than 35 years of service to the Iowa City music community. As any small business owner will tell you, an owner’s DNA is woven into the fabric of their business. It is an extension of them, a reflection of their ideas, ideals, goals, vision and integrity, and, conversely, the business becomes a part of the owner. I write this about Kirk Walther, a man I consider to be the best boss I ever had, but an even better friend. […]
Photos: A weekend of great music at Grey Area
Prairie Pop: Grey Area festival will suit local music fans, campers and circus freaks

Grey Area, a joint venture by Flat Black Studios and White Rabbit clothing store, is an unusual new festival taking place just outside of Iowa City on Aug. 18 and 19. Featuring live music and a diverse range of multimedia programming, it’s a celebration of our local musical community. The festival will span Friday afternoon to late Saturday night, and is set outdoors (on-site camping is encouraged; bring plenty of water, bug spray and other necessities, as well as blankets or chairs to sit on). […]
Flat Black Studios and White Rabbit announce two-day festival

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] GREY AREA Flat Black Studios — Friday, Aug. 18 and Saturday, Aug. 19 Luke Tweedy has been recording music for over a decade — first in his home studio in Iowa City and now at his “rural recording resort” in a remodeled barn on his property near Lone Tree. The new studio is […]