Whirlwind Sessions Vol. 1 by Dandelion Stompers Recently, John Kenyon — executive director of the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization and one of our area’s most insightful arts analysts — and I were both in the audience at the Englert for a performance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Kenyon wrote about the […]
Flat Black Studios
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Jarret Purdy & Dan Padley — ‘Ecotones’
Ecotones by Jarrett Purdy & Dan Padley When Dan Padley played at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market a few weeks ago, I was impressed (as always) by the liquid elegance of his playing on the jazz standard “All the things you are.” I’m sure there was effort expended, but he played effortlessly, pulling different sounds […]
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Good Morning Midnight’s Charlie Cacciatore knew he ‘made it’ when he snagged a job at Record Collector
“I went to Catholic school in Des Moines, and I guess my way of rebelling was to be a total snob about records,” said Good Morning Midnight frontman Charlie Cacciatore. “Some people are in debate and others play tennis, and me and my friends survived in that ecosystem by taking on that kind of identity. […]
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Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Flat Black Studio
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Track Premiere: Kelly Pardekooper’s “Long Goodbye”
Next Friday, Oct. 26, former Iowa Citian Kelly Pardekooper releases his ninth studio album, 50-Weight (available for pre-order). And, as the title implies, he’s come back to the beginning: his very first demo, 30-Weight, was recorded 20 years ago in his Iowa City basement.
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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.
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Exclusive track: Elizabeth Moen’s cover of ‘True Love Will Find You In the End’
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Iowa City songbird Elizabeth Moen releases a dreamy cover of avant-pop singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston’s 1985 call to action love song “True Love Will Find You in the End.”
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Hallways of Jellie: Jenny Hoyston and William Elliott Whitmore currently recording new albums
Jenny Hoyston and Ellie Erickson of the punk band Erase Errata are bringing their new act Hey Jellie to the Trumpet Blossom Cafe on Tuesday night. The duo resides in Austin, Texas and are currently in town recording their latest album at Flat Black Studios.
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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.”
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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.
