Instead of getting into the details of A Classic Education schooling their audience on powerhouse Brit-pop, The Wandering Bears plucking tambourines from a red-lit, skeletal branch whilst belting out sweet downhome harmonies, and an ecstatic audience parting for members of the U of I brass section to join Rubblebucket onstage for a thunderous finale, what I would like to write you instead is “please come do this.”
Music
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Show Preview: Zomes, Skull Defekts, Alex Body & Joe Pavillion @ White Lightning 3/29/2011
On the 29th of March, Iowa City will a reunion of sorts as well as the return of a past festival guest. The returning guest is Daniel Higgs. A long-time staple of the underground, both internationally as well as in Washington, D.C. for his work in Lungfish and more general epicness, Higgs played a beautiful […]
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An Interview with Alex Toth of Rubblebucket
Rubblebucket is playing Monday, March 28 at Gabe’s (13 S. Linn St.). I asked Alex Toth, trumpeter for Rubblebucket, some questions.
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An Interview with Marshall LaCount of Dark Dark Dark
I had the chance to chat with Marshall LaCount (banjo, clarinet, vocals) via email from France, where he
offered early-morning insights into what’s happening in the world of Dark Dark Dark.
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An Interview with Michael Sempert of Birds & Batteries
Mission Creek is gaining a reputation for opening on a high note — last year’s strange and wonderful Pocahaunted show at Gabe’s was an unexpected festival highlight. This year’s first-round lineup looks to be no exception, featuring an act I’ve become particularly excited about…
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Show Photos: Vagabonds, Ernie Hendrickson, Cory Chisel @ the Mill – 3/18IS
Local darlings and lullaby gurus, the Vagabonds, played for us last Friday. There are few bands that can hush the din of a bar on a weekend, but they do that pretty well. They have beautiful voices that capture peoples’ attention even when they sing quiet. They are also talented musicians. Among the three ladies, […]
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Show Photos: NERV, Los Voltage, Holy Sheet, Wild Child @ the Wherehouse – 3/15
Another Wherehouse show, another great line up. A little loud, a little weird, way good with front men flying everywhere!. NERV and Los Voltage are both locally grown bands, while Holy Sheet hails from Providence and Wild Child from Minneapolis. They all performed short, wild sets, so this was a night for those who like […]
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Englert Live 3/19/2011 — Live Recordings
Last Saturday Night was another in the “Intimate At The Englert” performance series, and I was on hand to record the proceedings. Phil Ochs started the event with some solo electric guitar. His finger-picking was transmuted by pedals into a shimmering haze of guitar sound. As int the work of Rhys Chatham, the harmonics and […]
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The Fire of the Legendary Roots Crew
Since the beginning of hip-hop, the genre has changed, the industry transforms constantly, and The Roots have followed right along with the evolution of its medium. One thing I could not shake after their performance at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) it is the idea of change, as in growth or learning, yet not one sidestep from…
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Show Preview: The Dead's Kreutzmann Brings Cajun Jams With 7 Walkers at Englert on 3/24
In November, 2010 Grateful Dead drummer and founding member Bill Kreutzmann- who reportedly never missed any of those over-2300 shows- released the debut album for his latest project 7 Walkers which will be performing in Iowa City at The Englert on Thursday.
7 Walkers will be performing at The Englert Theatre in Iowa City at 8PM on Thursday night. It is General Admission. Tickets are $25 and $20 for students.
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Show Photos: Wandering Bears in the Hall Mall – 3/13
I caught wind of a secret show in the hall mall, and wandered in on the Wandering Bears warming up in their practice room. Fewer than 20 people jammed into the adjacent room to watch them play through a doorway. I was able to cram myself along the wall in the room with the uber-talented […]
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Show Photos: Ed Gray, Wolf Wars, Miracles of God @ Blue Moose – 3/11
Holy cow! This was a good one. Friday night held a much anticipated show for me. Ed Gray, Wolf Wars and Miracles of God, whom I had not seen live before this (despite chronically singing along to Honeyham Cunningham a trillion times this year.) This was another great lineup courtesy of the . Local icon, […]
