Never in my wildest dreams have I imagined someone flashing her pasties at the iconic strike of a G note. Morticia Midwest started the night with a bang (or flash if you prefer) to the tune of “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance. Morticia Midwest and her husband, Johnny Bravado, created the […]
xBk Live
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: The music was choice at Mr. Softheart’s last xBk show, though one band wouldn’t stop blowing smoke
Is it defiance or stupidity that makes something stand out as a rebellious act? Regardless of what you believe, one thing is for certain: that was the most cigarettes I have ever seen smoked within the walls of xBk. On May 14 at 7 p.m., xBk welcomed Des Moines locals Mr. Softheart, alongside supporting acts […]
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As xBk expands, Tobi Parks is doubling down on her mission to uplift local talent
When Tobi Parks opened a 250-capacity music venue in Des Moines’ Drake neighborhood in 2019, she was enacting her plan B. “I think it always goes back to this idea: I was a musician [and] when I first started it was always like, yeah, you can be a musician but always have a plan B, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Armed with a Hammond organ (or two), Delvon Lamarr and his trio have a groovy set in store for Des Moines
It only makes sense that at his home in northern Indiana, Delvon Lamarr’s garage is packed full of Hammond B-3 organs. “I had seven, but I just sold one, so now I got six,” Lamarr told me. “I always regret when I get rid of things. I’ve had all kinds of synthesizers and stuff, and […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Photo Gallery: Des Moines band Munk Rivers at xBk
Des Moines band Munk Rivers brought their self-described “yearn-core” sound to xBk Live in on Tuesday, May 28. Brother and sister duo Tucker and Charlotte Judkins have been performing as a band since February, joined by drummer Izzy Marx and bassist Max Green. Charlotte is the lead vocalist and songwriter, while Tucker serves as the band’s guitarist […]
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Legendary pro skater, punk rocker and Des Moines local Mike Vallely is living his teenage dream
Growing up in New Jersey in the 1970s and ’80s, Mike Vallely was, of course, aware of skateboarding. But it didn’t seem approachable. Popular culture presented it as something made for Californians with nice tans and well-built bodies who wanted to show off and do handstands on their boards. So Vallely didn’t pay it much […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Expect ‘all hits,’ cool outfits and ‘epic cardboard hearts’ at Cupid’s Lounge, a Valentine’s show from Ramona & the Sometimes, the Lovin’ Forkful
Cupid’s Lounge: Songs About Love by Talented Locals xBk Live, Des Moines, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 8:30 p.m., $13-18 Des Moines rock outfit Ramona & the Sometimes wants to sweep you off your feet — or at least rock your socks off — at their Valentine’s takeover of xBk Live, Cupid’s Lounge: Songs About Love by […]
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Midwest rapper Nur-D uses his powers for good, drawing wisdom from Fred Hampton, D&D and body positivity
After spending the past five years leveling up in Minneapolis, Matt Allen is rolling for initiative. “The Rolling Initiative Tour is my first ever me-headlining, like, I’m-the-guy tour,” said Allen, a hip-hop artist hailing from Minnesota who performs as Nur-D, a month before his debut tour kicked off. Back in 2019, Allen toured with fellow […]
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The Gas Lamp goes out after 12 years serving the Des Moines music scene
On the penultimate night of the Gas Lamp’s existence, the music venue filled with couples dancing hand in hand, smiles stretched from ear to ear, the energy of the music from Bob Pace & the Dangerous Band practically palpable. Since 2011, the Gas Lamp has given the community a space to unwind after the work […]
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Five questions with Jinnouchi Power songwriter Patrick MacCready ahead of the band’s long-awaited album release party
After working on their newest album, Kaleidocoi, for close to eight years, Des Moines supergroup Jinnouchi Power is hosting an album release event at xBk on Dec. 9 to celebrate its release. The 11-track record will be streamable on all platforms on the same day. Little Village caught up with JP’s lead songwriter, Patrick MacCready, […]
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‘Nosferatu’ gets the heavy-metal treatment for its 100th anniversary at xBk
For those itching to marathon horror movies during the upcoming Halloween season, xBk Live is offering a stop on your itinerary not to be missed. On Oct. 25, Austin, Texas-based instrumental rock collective Invincible Czars will perform a live score to F.W. Murnau’s landmark vampire film, Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror (1922) in celebration of […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Writing music brought Geneviève Salamone catharsis. Now, she guides other Indigenous Iowa artists through their own ‘journey of self-discovery’
In the front room of her West Des Moines home, violinist and composer Geneviève Salamone writes, produces, records, mixes and masters original music. And while the space looks almost like an ordinary front room, it’s far from it. The space has been fitted by Salamone and her husband with soundproofing drywall. There are microphones and […]
