“July Artist Of The Month Penny Peach Tees Up For A Busy Summer” – Iowa Public Radio
Back in May, we received two separate emails at Studio One, asking for more information about a song. Both times, the song in question was “Think More Deeply” by Penny Peach.
“Video Premiere: The Hex Girls, “Cats With No Teeth (Catch No Mice)”” – Little Village
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 now placed as events in themselves, providing a way for fans to stay engaged with the bands.
“Hex Girls' New Single Was Inspired By 'Wild Adrenaline'” – Iowa Public Radio
The Cedar Falls band Hex Girls had big plans for 2020, as all of us did, before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Still, we are getting new music from the band this year, starting Friday with the single “Cats With No Teeth (Catch No Mice).”
“Album Review: Anthony Worden and the Illiterati — ‘Voilá’” – Little Village
Voilá, the latest from Iowa City band Anthony Worden and the Illiterati, is a record both timeless and out of time, drawing inspiration from an earlier era when bands focused not just on songwriting but creating an album as a full artistic statement.
“Octopus College Hill Is Making A Record” – Iowa Public Radio
As a Serious Music Person, you know that vinyl is a superior way to listen to music unless you’re tuned into Iowa Public Radio’s Studio One. Heady conversation about warmth of sound aside, if you are into collecting limited edition vinyl presses, Octopus College Hill is brewing up a plan that you should know about.
“Just announced: 80/35 brings Nas and the Decemberists to Des Moines” – Little Village
Des Moines music festival 80/35, coming into its ninth year, has announced the first list of acts for its summer event, running Jul. 8 and 9. Headlining the festival are rapper Nas (Friday) and indie folk rockers the Decemberists (Saturday).
“Album Review: Holy White Hounds’ ‘Sparkle Sparkle’” – Little Village
The guys in Holy White Hounds have been kicking around the Des Moines/Ankeny area for a few years in other bands, but it was the 2013 reunion of high school bandmates Brenton Dean (vocals, guitar) and Ambrose Lupercal (bass) that started the path to their debut record, Sparkle Sparkle.
“Des Moines’ Holy White Hounds and Chicago’s Mutts are hitting up the Yacht Club” – Little Village
Des Moines’ Holy White Hounds are a rock and roll band with capital R’s. Lead by Brenton Dean, the three-piece have been playing since 2013 but have already built a reputation for crazy live shows with their in-your-face, tough-guy bravado. Their grimy, dim-lit garage rock will fit in very nicely with the Yacht Club’s grimy, dim-lit basement.