Iowa
Articles, blog posts, photos and videos relating to Iowa.
- Lennie Quest Interview ()
In some ways, Lennie Quest is the product of a small Midwestern town, while in others the culmination of a lifetime of experience from a globetrotting traveler. The name itself is the moniker of Dalton Krum, who adopted it to produce his pop-inspired rap over the past several years, but the music which followed hasn’t […]
- Traevfx on “328ix” (Singled Out) ()
Singled Out is a feature focusing on the stories behind a song as told by the artists who made it. This edition finds Traevfx discussing the video he directed for the track “328ix” by lui*. Based in Cedar Rapids, Trae ventured to Des Moines for the shoot, which took an unexpected turn when it was […]
- Oliver Young Interview ()
Making a Scen is a new feature focused around discussions about the Iowa music scene. The inaugural edition features an exchange with Oliver Young, who publishes the Iowa Outcast Zine, which is a self-released zine that “document[s] the Iowan punk and metal scenes,” covering the “oddball goofy bands, the serious ones, and the angrily militant […]
- Electronic Iowa Playlist ()
The Electronic Iowa playlist features electronic and dance music from Iowa including drum & bass, EDM, glitch, house, progressive, trance and more. (Pictured: Husoul) Listen and subscribe to the Electronic Iowa playlist via: Playlist Updates: Ketamonster “Galactic Groove”Husoul “equilibrium.”London Future & Djemba Djemba “Fire to the Room”Alienate “Infinite Ascent”Flex Bormarr “Recovery Operation”Neon Dawn “The Cycle […]
- Iowa Beats & Bars Playlist ()
The Iowa Beats & Bars playlist features rap & hip-hop from Iowa including alternative, beats, boom bap, instrumentals, old school, trap & more. (Pictured: Teller Bank$) Listen and subscribe to the Iowa Beats & Bars playlist via: Playlist Updates: Chino Vivid & DRXCULV “W.W.H.D. 2”Juliano Dock feat. Sqvce “Off White Chicks”Vitamjn x ONI INC. “KAWAII […]
- Iowa Pop Vibes Playlist ()
The Iowa Pop Vibes playlist features pop music from Iowa including dance, electropop, lounge, R&B, soul, and more. Infrequent updates to the playlist were added from December 2022 through December 2023, with a large number of addition tracks being added in February 2024. This playlist is no longer being updated regularly. (Pictured: Annie Kemble) Listen […]
- Iowa Rock Playlist ()
The Iowa Rock playlist features rock from Iowa including indie, pop, folk, roots, blues, and more. (Pictured: Coolzey) Listen and subscribe to the Iowa Rock playlist via: Playlist Updates: New Standards Men “Dunedin”Land of Blood and Sunshine “Wormwood”William Elliott Whitmore “Dance With Me”The Deeves “Make You”Surf Zombies “Badass”The Rush Cleveland Trio “Hard Times”Luke Hawley “Murder […]
- Loud & Heavy Iowa Playlist ()
The Loud & Heavy Iowa playlist features metal from Iowa including thrash, groove, doom, stoner rock, post-hardcore, death metal, grindcore and more. (Pictured: Glass Ox) Listen and subscribe to the Loud & Heavy Iowa playlist via: Playlist Updates: Idolist “Gravity’s Weight”Marcato “Dance Party”Glass Ox “Rogue Sons”Orphic Illusion “Out For Blood”Dredge “Pulling Shadows”In Loving Memory “This […]
- Iowa Alt/Punk Playlist ()
The Iowa Alt/Punk playlist features noise from the Iowa underground including punk, garage, psych, hardcore, post-punk, pop punk, emo, alt. rock, and more. (Pictured: Basketball Divorce Court) Listen and subscribe to the Iowa Alt/Punk playlist via: Playlist Updates: Instant DeTh “Game”Haploid “Solitaire”The Deeves “Outta Sight (Single Version)”Karen Meat “Hot Dod”TV Cop “Getting By”On Your Left […]
- Ethereal Iowa Playlist ()
The Ethereal Iowa playlist features ambient, classical, experimental, instrumentals and other chill vibes from Iowa. Infrequent updates to the playlist were added from July 2022 through January 2024, with a large number of addition tracks being added in February 2024. This playlist is no longer being updated regularly. (Pictured: Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, […]
- Jim Swim Interview ()
Jim Swim is a multifaceted artist living in Iowa City. Born in Davenport, the sound behind the rapper/singer/producer’s work isn’t easily definable, nor is it entirely linear as he moves from project to project. Speaking of his 2018 In It With You EP, for example, Little Village’s Luke Benson called out the project’s “deceptively well-crafted […]
- Husoul Interview ()
Listen to the villin podcast via… Husoul is a Des Moines-based drum and bass musician. In this edition of the villin podcast he discusses how he has transitioned from a rapper/producer to a gamer to where he’s currently at, music’s influence on and relationship to mental health, and the ability to find identity and individuality […]
- villin on The Nasty Collective Podcast ()
March 2023 interview with Miguel of The Nasty Collective, discussing Iowa music and the value of celebrating local talent.
- Imma Interview ()
Listen to the villin podcast via… Imma is a Des Moines-based MC and he just released a new EP titled GOOD. In this discussion we spoke about the release and the influences that contributed to its sound. One such genre that swayed its direction is R&B from the ’90s and 2000s and as we continued, […]
- Annie Kemble Interview ()
Listen to the villin podcast via… Annie Kemble is a Des Moines-based singer, songwriter and musician who just released her seven track debut titled Dive Bar. In our discussion we talked about a sort of dual nature inherent in the release, as it’s simultaneously autobiographical while bearing aspects of a performative persona. Annie also discussed […]
- Zachary Lint (aka Coolzey) Interview ()
Listen to the villin podcast via… Zachary Lint is a multi-medium creator from Fairfield, Iowa, widely known for his music recorded and released as Coolzey. In our conversation we talked about his musical history, including the two albums he’s released this year, but also his new short film called Burlington Paranormal. The horror comedy is […]
- Palisades-Kepler State Park (Mount Vernon, IA) ()
Hiking and trail photos shot November 26, 2022 at Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
- Iowa Record Stores ()
For the music industry, 2021 was definitely a memorable year. With concerts and live entertainment essentially on ice for much of the year, consumers pivoted, directing their expendable income to physical products instead, resulting in a landmark year for record stores. Variety reported in March that 2021 marked the first year since 1996 that both […]
- 2022 Photo Dump ()
Photos shot October 30, 2022 at the Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the Iowa Music Awards. Photos shot October 22, 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Photos shot October 8, 2022 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa (for the Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State […]
- Lacey-Keosauqua State Park (Keosauqua, IA) ()
Hiking and trail photos shot October 23, 2022 at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Keosaqua, Iowa, including shots of the Des Moines River.
- That Honorroll KID Interview ()
Listen to the villin podcast via… That Honorroll KID is an MC based in Des Moines who just released a new album titled Peace God. In our conversation we discussed how the 18 track full-length differs from past work, including the Phase 2 EP which he dropped earlier this year with 1400slim. We also touched […]
- 20 Years Awesome ()
“Music was everything,” said Rick Noggle from behind the counter of his vintage store, 20 Years Awesome, located in downtown Cedar Rapids. “Work was not relevant. Money was not relevant.” Writing, recording and performing under the name imperfekt for roughly two decades, music was Noggle’s main focus—his baby, even—until he had an actual child. Then his world […]
- Mount Trashmore (Cedar Rapids, IA) ()
Photos shot October 7, 2022 at Mount Trashmore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, along with the surrounding Czech Village and New Bohemia neighborhoods.
- Pikes Peak State Park (McGregor, IA) ()
Hiking, trail, and overlook photos shot October 2, 2022 at Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa. Hike began at Pikes Peak overlook following the Bridal Veil Trail to East Hickory Ridge, West Hickory Ridge, Weeping Rock, Chinquapin Ridge and Point Ann trails back to the overlook.
- Iowa Rap & Hip-Hop Fall Music Preview ()
This fall will see a wide range of releases from Iowan artists spanning the diverse rap and hip-hop spectrum. While this is far from a comprehensive list of what’s on tap for the next several months, here’s a cross-section looking at five releases from young, up-and-coming artists who have new projects on the way. [Continue […]
- Big Grove Vinyl Market ()
“It’s a fun atmosphere to sell records in,” Brian Brandsgard told Little Village of the aesthetics and energy Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City. “It’s just a perfect place to have it.” Brandsgard is the organizer of the Big Grove Vinyl Market, which he has held periodically at the brewery since it opened five years ago. Now, […]
- Teller Bank$ “The I & I” Review and Interview ()
The album opener to The I & I by Teller Bank$ finds the Des Moines-based rapper reflecting on the practical value of processing his trauma through his art. In “Friends,” he comments on the market forces which encourage work that perpetuates negative stereotypes: “I had to swing my sword before I use my pen / I had […]
- The Ideal Theater & Bar ()
Once on the brink of demolition, a building constructed over 100 years ago is about to be reborn as Cedar Rapids’ newest bar and music venue. First opening as the Ideal Theatre over a century ago, the building at 213 16th Ave SE will start a new chapter of its story, written by its new […]
- Teller Bank$ Interview ()
Listen to the villin podcast via… Teller Bank$ is an MC and producer based in Des Moines and his new album, The I & I, is the third in a trilogy released with producer Ed Glorious. This discussion drifts heavily into the esoteric, looking at such influences as the 12th book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible […]
- F.W. Kent Park (Oxford, IA) ()
Hiking trail and lake photos shot September 2, 2022 at F.W. Kent Park in Oxford, Iowa.