The music scene in Iowa in the ’80s was vibrant. Inspired by similar regional scenes nationwide, bands across the state were springing from their garages, basements and practice spaces ready to storm the stages of bars and dorms everywhere. The beacon for this movement locally was the ever-present KUNI studios evening music programming, which regularly […]
Iowa music
Twenty for 2020: Songs that shaped Iowa’s sonic landscape
Video Premiere: The Hex Girls, “Cats With No Teeth (Catch No Mice)”

While live shows are effectively throttled in-person, it has become more important than ever for bands to come up with ways to maintain visibility on their fans’ radar. One such way? By releasing music videos. Once largely considered a necessary evil (albeit a potentially fun and creative one) to help boost album sales, videos are […]
Top five 2018: A look back on Iowa music

2018 has been a trial, as we’ve watched the country succumb to the increasingly outlandish and horrible thrashing in the mud of President Tony Clifton. People have said that great music comes out of dire political times, but I hate that idea … Making great music is a personal, inward-focusing task. […]
Highlights from the 30th Annual Folk Alliance International Conference
See it here: Des Moines band Tires premiers a new video ahead of its single, out May 27

This January, Des Moines band Tires headed into Flat Black Studios to finally record the full album their fans have been waiting for. With a couple of EPs under their belt, it was about time for these tenured musicians to finally commit to something large scale. Tires could quite easily be termed a “supergroup,” in […]
Daytrotter show to celebrate new studio and concert space

Grand Opening Show Daytrotter — Monday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. Music website and recording studio Daytrotter announces the culmination of a five-year-long odyssey: a new all-inclusive recording space and small concert venue, right in the heart of downtown Davenport (324 Brady Street). They’re breaking it in with a grand opening concert on Monday, featuring […]
Jessica Lea Mayfield is heading to Codfish Hollow this Friday for an alt-country blowout
Fairfield’s Beauty Shop to host final show tonight

The Beauty Shop in Fairfield, Iowa will be holding it’s final show Friday, March 14, and it’s going to be an incredible opportunity to say goodbye to one of the best DIY venues in Iowa. With performances from Little Ruckus, Mr. Nasti, DJ Christmas Vacation, and Fearless, as well as Black Daniels and the Bears […]