A longtime Iowa City institution is officially closing its doors after 58 years, according to a Facebook post on the business’s page Thursday afternoon. The Mill is known for its pizza and spaghetti, vintage pew seating, vine-draped patio and, of course, its performance space.
Iowa City music
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Independent musician Ace Jones hones his craft on the Iowa City Ped Mall
Guitar in hand, foot tapping a tambourine, Ace Jones is a one-man show for all who pass through the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. This is where the Marion-based artist has come for years to practice his set in a low-pressure environment. “It’s a great place to just work on songs, or I’ll freestyle a song and see if it sounds good,” Jones said.
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
No music, no problem: Area bars and restaurants that provide a space to eat in peace
“Don’t worry; they don’t have a band tonight. I called ahead to make sure,” my husband said about the restaurant where we were thinking of eating that evening. Though we’d technically passed the threshold already, I think that was the moment we officially entered our 30s. I had to tease him about being old and […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Video premiere: Good Morning Midnight, ‘Josie’s Experiment’
Little Village is pleased today to premiere the video for Good Morning Midnight’s “Josie’s Experiment,” a driving, melodic tune that’s the perfect capper to sophomore album ‘Both Neither and Both.’
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Kevin Gordon — Tilt and Shine
As I write this, it has been one year since the passing of one of America’s greatest songwriters, Tom Petty. It’s appropriate, then, that I’m writing a review of another “songwriter’s songwriter.” And, like Petty, Kevin Gordon’s formative years were spent in the American South.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: A response from a guilty artist to ‘Let’s retire the $5 show’
I want to thank Luke Tweedy for his Sept. 29 letter to the editor. Artist compensation is an incredibly important subject that isn’t discussed in concrete terms nearly enough. I spend quite a lot of time thinking about it while I sit at a desk working a job I don’t really care about, dreaming of a day when I can support myself entirely on my art.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: The $5 show and the Iowa City DIY music community
With respect to Mr. Tweedy, I appreciate what he wrote and I agree with him on most points. I believe that this has been said quietly within the community and it’s important that we not take for granted the power of the press to broadcast these ideas.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Let’s retire the $5 show
I think it is time for every venue in the area and every band to revalue themselves. Do what you want, certainly—I sure don’t want people telling me what to do. That said, I do take advice. Is a goal of $10 shows by 2020 too lofty? Would suggesting that all shows from here on out charge a $7 base price seem ridiculous? If so, ask yourself, do you really support music and the arts? Certainly some do not, but they were not coming out at any price.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Elizabeth Moen’s moment
While in France trying to make friends, a 15-year-old Elizabeth Moen buried a language barrier beneath guitar chords and a rising voice. She returned to the United States with budding spirit and, after five more years, played her first show — an open mic at The Mill. At 21, she wrote her first original song. Moen has since become a staple of Iowa City’s music scene, cementing a place in the hearts of local music lovers that, at 24, is still surreal for her to hold.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
No Mo’ FOMO: This weekend’s hottest shows, in summary
Lookin’ to get down, but not sure where to go this weekend? It’s OK; happens to the best of us. Don’t let Monday find you with no great stories to share. Little Village has the lowdown on this weekend’s can’t-miss shows.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Interview: Esmé Patterson goes sci-fi
Trumpet Blossom Café will host a formidable tripleheader on July 22, 2018. Headliner Esmé Patterson is making her first appearance in Iowa City since Mission Creek 2016, bringing a shift in song style from angry protest rock to a more energizing dance vibe. She’ll be joined by two talented local artists: Brooks Strause and Elizabeth Moen. Tickets are $10-12; doors open at 9 p.m. Patterson took a few moments from her studio time to talk to me on the phone on a hot day in mid-July.
Posted inUncategorized
Younger LP: Pre-sale now through July 31, 2018
Little Village and Younger are excited to bring 180 grams of garage rock gold to a turntable near you! Pre-sale for the Iowa City trio’s debut LP is happening now in the LV shop, and will run through July 31. (Pre-sale perks will be announced soon. For now, just know that your advance purchase […]
