Category Archives: Music

Local Singer/Songwriter Bonne Finken to Showcase Talent at People’s Court 5/18

Posted on by
Reply

It’s easy blend into the crowd when you’re a singer, even if you’re a talented singer. Many try and imitate their favorite artists or songs – but not local singer/songwriter Bonne Finken. Finken is clearly an original artist with a distinct sound. Finken’s voice is uniquely enticing because her vocals range from jazzy to funky with a twist of rock. She’s energetic, honest and confident.

“I really believe ‘Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow,’” said Finken. “I’m not afraid of trying something and failing.  I’m only afraid of not trying.  That’s a lot of why I venture into all types of music genres and enjoy different types of shows in all different types of venues with all different types of audiences.  I never want to get too comfortable.”

Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to Finken’s new album “Bonne Finken: Live from the Loft.” The stripped, live music is enthusiastic and filled with passion. You won’t fall asleep listening to this ablum – it definitely keeps your attention with its contrasting rhythms and unexpected riffs. In my opinion, Finken’s voice is refreshing because of its unique character and vocal timbre.

“I wanted to capture both a stripped down version of some of these songs as well as capture some of the energy and magic that happens at live performances that can’t be captured in a studio setting,” said Finken. “You can perform as a band in a studio, but there’s a different level of energy that comes with a live performance in front of an audience.  These songs are very raw: no editing, one take taken – just had levels adjusted and they went on the album.”

You’re in luck. Bonne Finken + The Collective have a live show this Friday!

Check out Bonne Finken + The Collective at the “Live from the Loft” Release Party on Friday, May 18 at People’s Court. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.  Singer/Songwriter Chad Elliott opens the show at 8:00 p.m. followed by Bonne Finken + The Collective.

“The main feature of this show is to highlight the original music and the release of ‘Live from the Loft’,” said Finken. “But one of the very special features is the choreographed dances by Jennifer Kees and her Kees Camp Dance Crew.  It was collaborative – they took some of my music and put dances to my songs.  We took some of the songs they already have routines to, and will perform the songs live for them.”

Admission is only $10 in advance and $15 at the door. If you’re purchasing your ticket in advance via Tikly, do yourself a favor and spend $5 more and snag yourself a ticket and a signed “Live from the Loft” CD. Purchase tickets via Tikly by clicking here. 

“This is the type of show that I wanted to do back in 2008 when I first released ‘Soul on Display’,” said Finken. “It has just taken me all this time to get to a point in my career where I was able to actually pull it all off.  It took some time to get the music where I wanted it.  It took some time to establish ‘who I am’ as an artist and songwriter.  I feel like I’ve accomplished that to some degree.  So now, I’m starting to peel back some of the layers.”

Roxi Copland to Return to Des Moines

Posted on by
1

I’ve always liked Roxi Copland. Her sultry voice, smooth style and witty commentary has always caught my eye and when she moved away from Des Moines – well, that was a sad day for our city. But, I’m happy to announce that Roxi Copland will be making her way back to Des Moines this summer!

Copland has a new solo acoustic album entitled “Pretty Lies” coming out on May 1, 2012 and she’s heading back to Des Moines as a part of a month-long tour releasing the album. The tour wraps up in Des Moines with the official “Pretty Lies” album release concert at the Temple Theatre on June 1, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

“It’s a homecoming,” said Copland. “I lived in Des Moines longer than anywhere other than where I grew up, and some of my favorite people in the world live there – friends, family and fans. I’ve got a lot of great memories from Des Moines and I plan to return as often as I can – it’ll always be a stop on my tours.”

According to Copland’s website, “Copland’s latest effort, ‘Pretty Lies,’ takes her music in a slightly new direction, peppering her jazz/pop stylings with hints of roots rock and Americana.” I had the opportunity to listen to the album this week and the album drew me in with it’s cool jazzy notes and contrasting rhythms. If you haven’t had the chance to hear Copland, join her fan list and get a free download of “Perfect for Me” – one of my favorite songs of hers!

So, what can fans expect of Copland’s upcoming show in Des Moines?

“We’re planning on playing down the new ‘Pretty Lies’ album,” said Copland. “Then for good measure we’ll throw in a few old favorites and a new tune I just put the finishing touches on in April.  For those who haven’t heard Pretty Lies’ yet, I take the music on the album in a slightly different direction, combining jazz/pop with hints of roots rock and Americana. While the album is a solo acoustic effort, I’ll be joined on stage at the Temple performance by my younger brother and bassist Ian Copland. And of course I plan to bite the head off a bat. Just kidding. I like bats.”

Tickets are currently on sale for her Des Moines concert via Ticketmaster. Prices range from $15 for general admission to $32.50 for the VIP table seats.

 

Bess Rogers and Allison Weiss Hit Des Moines

Posted on by
Reply

Des Moines is increasingly becoming a popular stop for many artists on their tours. For Bess Rogers and Allison Weiss it seemed like a natural fit with the rest of their tour appearances, and luckily, there was an opening at the Vaudeville Mews. As Rogers put it, “The rest was history.”

Rogers and Weiss will perform today, Sunday, October 23 at 10:00 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews and tickets to the show can be purchased for only $5 through Tikly.

Rogers’ musical accomplishments include touring as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Ingrid Michaelson and her song, “We believe in you,” landed a leading spot in a national Mott’s for Tots TV commercial.

“Touring with Ingrid has and is wonderful,” said Rogers. “We’re all sort of a big family, and so it’s always a great time. I love her music, and I’ve learned a lot about touring and the music industry from my experiences playing with her. It’s definitely made me a more skilled musician.”

Alongside Rogers will be Weiss, a 24-year-old passionate guitarist and singer who is highly influenced by her feelings and past experiences in life. Did I mention that she has thousands and thousands of hits on her music on YouTube and she loves pizza?

While Rogers is most looking forward to playing the show in Des Moines, she’s open to suggestions as to what else she should experience while in Des Moines.

“I don’t know much about Des Moines,” said Rogers. “If any locals out there have suggestions of where to eat or what to see while we’re here, tweet at me – @bessrogers!”

If you can’t make it to the show, make sure you check out their cheeky tour website filled with quirky ways to support these artistic ladies while they’re on tour. Otherwise, as Bess said, “I hope to see all of Des Moines at the show!”

Follow the fun: @bessrogers and @allisonweiss.

Local + Music = Locusic

Posted on by
Reply

Think Pandora, but for local music, and you have Locusic. Locusic is an Ankeny-based local music streaming service focused on local bands and musicians and plans to officially launch this weekend in Des Moines.

“I wanted to do something to help the local music scene and also local businesses,” said Jake Kerber, founder of Locusic. “I’ve seen great local bands and heard people talk about how great they are, but then they just can’t get any traction. Their music’s better than what’s on the radio, but what can you do? Ultimately I came up with a system where the two groups can help each other.”

When a listener opens Locusic they are prompted to select a genre. Based on the genre and the listener’s location, Locusic will select and stream music from local musicians based within 50 miles of the listener’s location.

“I hope Locusic can increase the general public’s awareness of the high quality and vast quantity of music being produced by artists in our area, ” said Kerber. “When someone’s looking at a list of local shows, they’ll have heard of the bands via Locusic and be able to make a more informed decision of which bands to go see – and ultimately go see more local shows.”

Attend the Locusic Launch Party: Locusic will officially launch their service this weekend in Central Iowa. On Saturday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m., Locusic will host a launch party at the Bombay Bicycle Club in Clive, with musical performances by Obsidian’s Dream, The River Monks, Angle, Faded Pearl and Only. The party is free to attend, the local musicians are sure to entertain, and it’s a great way to support Des Moines and the local music scene.

World Food Festival to celebrate Iowa’s diverse culinary traditions

Posted on by
2

The World Food Festival will add a dash of flavor and culture to Des Moines this weekend when it rolls into the East Village with live music, cooking demonstrations, local and international wine and beer, Cultural Cafés, a marketplace, interactive non-profit activities, and much more.

For the seventh year, the World Food Festival will “reign as Des Moines’ premier taste and entertainment event” on October 7 – 9, 2011. The Festival will be held on the streets of the East Village between East 4th Street and East 6th Street on East Locust Street and on East 5th Street. The hours for the Festival are: Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Festival is free to attend and many different international foods and beverages will be available for purchase. For only $1 the Cultural Cafés will offer samples of their unique dishes and for only $5 attendees will be able to go for the full-plate option for $5 or less. With over 30 different vendors showcasing their foods from Turkey, Ethiopia, Greece, Morocco, Russia, Mesopotamia, Hawaii and more, attendees will be able to find many different options to enjoy. For a sneak peak at what will be offered, click here to check out the menu items before you attend the Festival.

Free parking will be available in the State of Iowa Parking Ramp (corner of E. Grand and Penn) as well as a free bike valet at the corner of E. 4th and E. Locust Street.

Last year the event had a record number of attendee’s at 75,000, and with the gorgeous fall weather that’s in the forecast for the weekend, I’m sure many curious food enthusiasts will come out to enjoy the food, beverages, live entertainment and diverse culture which is uniquely Des Moines.

Free food, wine and live music to kick off Civic Music Association’s 2011-2012 season

Posted on by
Reply

Civic Music Association will kick off their 87th season with a bash at Jasper Winery on September 7, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The free happy hour-style event will feature live music by the Belin Quartet and the Ian Copland Trio, food from Proof and wine/beer from Jasper Winery.

Guests will be able to preview the Civic Music Association’s upcoming season, network, learn more about the Civic Music Association and participate in a raffle, which will include the opportunity to eat at La Mie with season artist, Karrin Allyson, two season subscriptions to Civic Music Association and gifts from Jasper Winery.

After the season is “kicked off” at Jasper Winery, the 2011-2012 concert series will begin with a jazzy season opener on September 23 featuring the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.

“In addition to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, our season will feature the world-renowned Emerson String Quartet, the Oasis Quartet, Jazz Singer Karrin Allyson, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Latin Jazz wonder, Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band,” said Carrie Clogg, Executive Director with the Civic Music Association.

Belin Quartet.

Since its inception in 1925, the Civic Music Association has been an asset to the arts and culture scene in Des Moines. The Civic Music Association is not only building awareness, understanding and respect for classical, world and jazz artistry, but they’re bringing world-class musical experiences to Des Moines.

“We have a fabulous concert going experience,” said Clogg. “All of our concerts are held in the intimate atmosphere of Drake University‘s Sheslow Auditorium guaranteeing each patron an up close and personal view of the concert.  In addition, we offer complimentary coffee from Zanzibar’s at intermission and many of our concerts have “Meet the Artist” receptions after the concert with complimentary food, wine and music!”

If you’d like to get more involved with the Civic Music Association, check out their new website, purchase tickets to their upcoming season, attend the “Kick-Off Party,” like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

“Nothing Compares” to the Iowa State Fair

Posted on by
1

The Iowa State Fair has drawn in hundreds of thousands of visitors year after year and is the single largest annual event in Iowa. The Iowa State Fair has been named the #2 choice for summer fun in America (in 2004 by USA Weekend) and made it into the New York Times best-selling travel book “1000 Places to See Before You Die,” which comes by no surprise to most native Iowans.

The 2011 Iowa State Fair will be held from August 11 – 21 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds located at East 30th and East University Avenue in Des Moines. I have attended the Fair for the past 20 + years, and there are a few things that I look forward to each year at the Fair:

  • Free entertainment: This year the Iowa State Fair has more than $400,000 worth of FREE entertainment, which includes: The Nadas, Tonic Sol-fa, The Band Perry and even the Ying Yang Twins (I didn’t know that they still existed!).
  • Food on-a-stick: While you might only have the stomach (and budget) to try a few of the items on-a-stick at the Iowa State Fair the new one’s you’ll see this year are: Chocolate Covered Fried Ice Cream on a Stick, Peanut Butter and Jelly on a Stick, Fried Cheesecake on a Stick and the most artery clogging of them all – Fried Butter on a Stick (is it conscience that it’s the 100th Anniversary of the Butter Cow?). Foodie side note: Keep in mind that there are a few healthy options at the Fair as well as a few options under $2.00 each!
  • Contests: Each year the Iowa State Fair hosts dozens of unique contests, which are open to the public. A few of my personal favorites include: the Mullet Contest, the Twin Contest (I know a set of twins that have won), the Yo-Yo Contest, the Beard Growing Contest, the Ladies’ Husband Calling Contest and the Mr. Legs Contest. Make sure you check out the contest schedules for the day(s) that you attend the Fair so you can see some of these contests in action!
  • Animals: While I’ve lived in the city for my entire life, there’s something strangely intriguing about going through all of the animals barns and looking at the prize-winning animals. And of course, it’s always mind-blowing to look at the “Big Boar” and other large animals. Tip: be mindful of where you step!

The Iowa State Fair offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Recently, I discovered a great resource on their website called “Plan Your Itinerary.” This resource helps you plan your day(s) at the Iowa State Fair, since there are soo many things to do and see. It’s simple, just visit the Daily Program to plan and organize your very own, personalized Fair itinerary. This feature is perfect for overly planned people like me or for people who want to make the most out of their fair experience!

Honestly…where else can you see a Mullet Contest, Outhouse Races, the Budweiser Clydesdale’s and eat more than 50 different foods on a stick? You’d be hard-pressed to find another venue that offers agriculture, food, entertainment, art and soo much more, all in one place! Make sure you visit the 2011 Iowa State Fair because truly, “Nothing Compares.”

Local jazz artists say “good-bye” to Des Moines with farewell concert series

Posted on by
Reply

The dark, sultry voice of Roxi Copland and the Michael Buble-esk sounds of Max Wellman have come together for a final farewell series at one of Des Moines’ most intimate theaters, The Temple Theater. The “Max and Roxi: Live at the Temple” series kicked off last weekend with shows on both Friday and Saturday nights and will conclude this weekend with a series of shows on Friday (8:00 p.m.), Saturday (8:00 p.m.) and Sunday (7:00 p.m.).

“Audiences can expect new arrangements of a variety of songs ranging from standards to today’s music, as well as a number of my own tunes,” said local musician, Roxi Copland. “Max & I will be backed by a stellar 7-piece band comprised of the some of the best musicians in Iowa.”

I attend the first show of the series last Friday night and I was blown away by the luxuriously smooth sounds that Max and Roxi brought to the Temple Theater’s stage. The 7-piece band was backlit by rich blue and red lights and the jazz sounds filled the room with holistic and soulful beats. Audience members bobbed their heads to the beat, laughed along with Max and Roxi’s antics and even gave a standing ovation at the end of the night.

The show showcased each vocalist and it was obvious to the audience that both performers have a true passion for jazz music and performing for a live audience. Max and Roxi laughed back and forth sharing stories and memories (Roxi used to be Max’s piano teacher), they blended harmoniously (it gave me goose bumps), and they were quick to tout the extreme talent of their supporting band members.

Sadly, Max and Roxi’s show is labeled a “farewell series” for a reason. Shortly after this concert series, Roxi will head to Vancouver and Max will leave for Atlanta – both to further pursue their music careers and dreams. Max recently wrote on his blog:

“To my people in Des Moines, don’t fret! Things will definitely be different in the future, but I will drop in from time to time. However, this is probably the end of my active performing schedule in Des Moines for the foreseeable future. It has been a wonderful ride… I can’t thank you all enough for the support that you have thrown my way.”

Roxi plans on leaving Des Moines the week after the Temple Shows and in true Roxi fashion, she already has a full schedule ahead of herself. She plans to tour the West Coast this fall, to record a full-length acoustic album, and to get ready for a national tour the following spring.

“A number of factors contributed to the decision – I want to spend some time touring the West Coast and it’ll be nice to be closer to family (I grew up near Seattle),” said Copland. “Vancouver has an incredibly vibrant music scene and it seems like a great place to expand into international territory.”

With all of this being said, one thing is very obvious. This is the last time that audience members will see both Max and Roxi on stage together for a while, and the last time they’ll be able to experience these phenomenal musicians in the heart of downtown Des Moines, where they’ve grown and played for the past few years.

Max and Roxi: Live at the Temple is a show you don’t want to miss or you’ll be sorry that you did. Tickets can be purchased online at CivicCenter.org, at all Ticketmaster locations, at the Civic Center Ticket office (open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Dwollapalooza held thanks to Zaarly connections

Posted on by
Reply

Two great things about Des Moines, the startup community and the local music scene, collided last night at Dwolla headquarters thanks to Tikly, Dwolla, Zaarly and Jason Walsmith of The Nadas.

A listing was put up on Zaarly, a website that helps you buy and sell things from the people around you, by Jason Walsmith of The Nadas offering live entertainment. Dwolla, a Des Moines-based startup company, decided to jump at the chance of a personal concert with Jason Walsmith. After a blog post by Dwolla, a few pushes on Twitter and Facebook, and only a few hours,  Dwollapalooza was born. Dwollapalooza was held yesterday from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Dwolla’s office in downtown Des Moines.

“I think Zaarly offers a very interesting way to make connections between artists and people who love music,” said Emma Peterson, communications director at Authentic Records. ”What I’m excited about is the ability to add a gig at a non-traditional show time. Or, let’s say you want to have a party on Friday and would love to have some talent present. Zaarly some live music, you never know who may have a few hours free and would be happy to play your living room. The potential for Zaarly and the music scene blows my mind.”

At Dwollapalooza Walsmith performed for an audience of 20 + people for around 45 minutes. The concert was soo personal that Walsmith interacted with the crowd, took song requests and even joked that it was his first time playing in the Midland Building, his first time playing surrounded by Dwolla’s idea-filled white boards and one of the most intimate performances that he’s ever given.

“I thought Zaarly sounded cool, and seemed like another way to connect with fans in a surprising and barrier-breaking way,” said Walsmith. ”My favorite part about Dwollapalooza was the spontaneity of the whole thing. With a few key strokes we booked a gig and created a buzz that rippled through our social media circle of friends and beyond exponentially.”

With the power of social media, the talent of a great local musician, the willingness of Dwolla to provide the show and the concept of Zaarly, Dwollapalooza was a success.

Related posts:

Nitefall on the River hits the Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater

Posted on by
2

From singing mummies to a past American Idol contestant, the 2011 Nitefall on the River series has music for just about everyone. From the beginning of May until the end of July a wide range of different acts will perform as a part of Nitefall on the River, a yearly concert series at the Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater. Nitefall on the River provides concertgoers a relaxing evening along the river, a beautiful backdrop of the Des Moines skyline and an array of talented musicians.

After going to a few different Nitefall on the River concerts last year, I’ve learned a few things about attending the shows. Here are my tips for maximizing your concert experience:

  1. Before getting to the show, check out the musical acts website, download a few of their songs and get to know the band – you’ll feel more connected and you might even find yourself humming along to the beats or requesting your favorite song.
  2. While there aren’t many “bad spots” at the Amphitheater, I’d go early and stake your claim on a nice spot. Whether you’re rocking a lawn chair or a blanket, you’ll want to have your options open.
  3. It can get pretty hot at the concerts before the sun goes down and a little chilly after the sun sets, so make sure that you wear layers and pack a sweatshirt, just in case. Bonus tip: If you’re going to enjoy an ice-cold beverage at the show pack a koozie too!
  4. Food and beverages are available at the show. Food options include: BBQ, Hot Dogs, Gyros/Pita from $3 – $6 each and beverages include: Fat Tire, Skinny Dip, Ranger, Coors Light, Mikes Hard Lemonade ($5 each) and water, Pepsi products for $2 each. Cash and major credit cards can be used to buy concert tickets at the door and drink tickets, but you’ll have to bring cash to purchase food.
  5. Even though children 10 and under are free with a paid adult, that doesn’t mean that you should invite all of the children you know. Last year I (unfortunately) sat next to a clan of small children – it didn’t seem like a good time for either the parents or the children.
  6. To save some time and a few bucks order your tickets in advance by visiting Midwestix.com or by calling (515) 244-2771. If you want to wait until the day of the show you can still purchase tickets at the door with cash or credit card.
  7. If it happens to rain the day of the show, don’t worry because there are two different rain locations available – People’s Court and the Val Air Ballroom. Check the Des Moines Register’s website and the Nitefall on the River Facebook page for these updates.
  8. Make sure you follow @nitefalldsm on Twitter and like Nitefall on the River on Facebook to get the most up-to-date information and the inside scoop on free ticket giveaways.

Take advantage of the nice weather, bring a lawn chair, blankets, bug spray, sunglasses, some cash and enjoy the 2011 Nitefall on the River concert line-up:

  • Wednesday, May 4 – Slightly Stoopid w/ The Meat Puppets
  • Thursday, May 5 – Here Come the Mummies w/ Shelly Fairchild
  • Friday, June 3 – Hairball (Doors at 7PM)
  • Thursday, June 9 – Big Head Todd w/ Toots & Maytals
  • Monday, June 20 – Natasha Bedingfield w/ Kate Voegele & Andy Grammer
  • Thursday, June 23 – Christina Perri – (Tickets on Sale: 5/6 @ 10am)
  • Friday, June 24 – The Nadas
  • Thursday, June 30 – Toad the Wet Sprocket
  • Friday, July 1 – Umphrey’s McGee (Doors at 7PM)
  • Wednesday, July 6 – Matisyahu w/ The Wailers
  • Friday, July 8 – Yonder Mountain String Band (Doors at 7:30PM)
  • Thursday, July 7 – Gin Blossoms
  • Thursday, July 21 – Lee DeWyze
  • Thursday, July 28 – Keller Williams