2010 DOWNTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT PERFORMANCE BIOS AND DESCRIPTIONS
June 19
Mutiny in the Parlor:
Mutiny in the Parlor plays hot jazz, swing and parlor tunes from the 1910s-1940s. It's the music your dearly departed Great Grandmother made out to. Picture it: Victrola spinning away in the corner, palms damp as Great Grandpa-To-Be leans in to steal a kiss while the chaperone fiddles with her knitting... Is it hot in here, or is it just your Grandma?
We love the old tunes. And the new tunes that sound old. We love to play for swing dancers, toe-tappers, and folks who aren't afraid of a little tuba in their life. Mutiny in the Parlor specializes in melodies, harmonies and syncopated rhythms. For songs lovely, sentimental and just a little bit naughty, tap out a telegraph to Mutiny in the Parlor. Lineup consists of Chris Clark singing and playing tenor sax, Ron Hillis playing banjo, guitar and trumpet, Russ Peterson on Piano, tubist Patrick Bigsby, and washboard wizard Monica Brasile.
http://mutinyintheparlor.blogspot.com
Rae and the Honeybees:
Rae started the Honeybees in October of 2007, and within six months recorded her first EP "Faders Up". Rae has played everything from coffee houses to historic live music venues like Lion's Lair in Denver; and in just a little over one year has shared stages with many acts including up and coming artist Coles Whalen and national touring artist Dick Prall. Rae combines her eclectic mix of musical influences into a sound that can take listeners on a journey from intimate and melodic ballads to can't-stay-in-your-seat rock.
Rae is in a perpetual state of writing new music and is ready to head back into the studio for her first full length LP. Rae is working her way across the country to bring her unique acoustic rock sound to a live music hive near you.
http://www.myspace.com/thbfan
June 26:
Arthur Lee Land:
Arthur Lee Land combines the eclectic influences of Folk Rock, World Beat, Bluegrass to create a fresh new musical vibe he calls: Afrograss Folk Rock. During a tour of Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa in 2001, Arthur spawned the concept of Afrograss. Touring as a multi-instrumental solo act dubbed “A One-Man Afrograss Folk Rock Ensemble,” he utilizes the Art of Live-Looping to create a full band sound.
Arthur has perfected The Art of Live Looping during one-man performances that have dropped jaws at clubs and concerts across the country. With his exquisite artistry and multi-instrumental architecture, Arthur constructs songs before your very eyes. Setting up live looping masterpieces you will forget you are watching one man, hearing instead compositions rich and intricate enough for an 8 piece band. Weaving together djembe, talking drums, congas, bongos, shakers, beat boxing, bass, rhythm guitar, lead guitars, talk box, organs, trumpets and more with his mastery of sophisticated technology, songwriting, and top level musicianship. “Lee Land is one of those guys with so much natural talent his jaw-dropping virtuosity seems effortless" said John Farmer of Frontier Airline's Wild Blue Yonder Magazine.
http://www.arthurleeland.com/
Tony Brown:
Tony Brown is an energy packed musician, songwriter, vocalist, artist and performer whose live performances are packed with the energy of a thousand souls that are committed to speaking truthfully, singing and dancing freely. He has dedicated his life to sharing the message of hope, peace and love. Tony has performed in Europe, Africa, North and South America, Central America and The Caribbean. Tony has been awarded local, regional and national awards for his music, performances, writing and singing, but he feels his greatest award has been the people he has met and the different cultures he has been honored to experience in life while traveling the world. Tony Brown’s music affects the broad spectrum of diverse social/cultural influences and is unique in its scope, encompassing a wide range of styles from old school Blues through R&B, Soul, Ska, Reggae, Jazz, Funk and Latin flavors. At the same time, Tony’s music is full of the spirit of life, entertainment, humor and joy.
http://www.myspace.com/tbrown608
July 10 (special location – Black Hawk Mini Park):
Dr. Eli Calico’s Cirque Stupendous
Iowa City has its own Circus? Yes we do! Cirque Stupendous is a collection of Iowa City's most talented musicians, contortionists, tap dancers, jugglers, tight rope walkers, odd-balls and well... circus types. Come on out and experience your home town circus!
http://www.myspace.com/drelicalico
July 17 (special location – Black Hawk Mini Park):
Poetic Rebound presents a Night of Dance
Poetic Rebound Performance Company will curate a night of dance at Black Hawk Mini Park. Bring your lawn chairs and your love of dance for a night of movement!
http://web.me.com/prpc/Site/Welcome.html
July 24:
William Elliot Whitmore
Hailing from a horse farm along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, William Elliott Whitmore has developed an intense love and spiritual understanding of the land, which he flawlessly conveys through all of his records. With live performances of a caliber to leave one completely stunned in silence, and albums full of songs not only from the heart but also from the heartland, William Elliott Whitmore is one of the most interesting contributions to today's diverse collection of musical ingenuity. This night will feature Will solo on banjo and guitar, singing his tunes for the audience that love him the most: Iowans!
http://www.williamelliottwhitmore.com/
The New Bodies
www.thenewbodies.com
July 31:
SOULsa:
SOULSA! of Dubuque, IA is a salsa band with members from all walks of music. Influences include Latin jazz, classic rock, traditional salsa, merengue, cha cha, mambo and cumbia. Get ready to groove in your salsa shoes because the members of SOULsa! bring the soul to your traditional salsa step.
Lead Singer, Saxophonista and Percussionista Katie Roldan of Iowa; Leo Roldan, of Argentina; along with Congero, Elkin Garcia of Colombia began playing together in a premier Latin rock group in Dubuque in 2004. Branching off Latin rock and delving deeper into the roots of traditional Latin music, they began transforming what is now SOULSA of Dubuque with fourth core member trumpetista Bill Rowley, of Iowa. Other members include Marlon McNaught of California, on drums; and Aaron Pustina, on Bass.
http://www.myspace.com/luchoreyysusalsera
Alma Sub Rosa
Dubuque band Alma Sub Rosa is comprised of Bob Bucko, Kristina Castaneda, Tim Connelly, Shawn Healy, Mike Ironside, Tim Knautz. Perhaps Iowa's best unsigned band.
http://www.myspace.com/almasubrosa
August 7
Sarah Cram and the Derelicts
Powerhouse front-woman Sarah Cram (Awful Purdies, Diplomettes) leads this americana, roots rock-a-billy band. Crams strong voice and witty lyrics will move you and her band will get you moving.
http://www.reverbnation.com/sarahcramthederelicts
Dave Bess
Public Property front man Dave Bess plays solo using looping machines. Reggae, roots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtCIdv0YqWo
August 14
The Gilded Bats
One of the best old time bands around, The Gilded Bats host a night of "old timey music" featuring a children's square dance caller for the first hour of the show!
http://www.muddauberrecords.com/Gilded_Bats.html
August 28
Christopher the Conquered
Christopher and his group of musicians have come to see music clearly for what it is: true expression of the magical human body. Christopher has been spreading his message around the country since 2006. 2010 saw his crew touring the US and Canada with the fantastic Leslie & the Lys. The tour was a great success, highlighted by numerous sold out shows, including one at NYC's Mercury Lounge and memorable performances at iconic venues such as Tucson's Club Congress, LA's Echoplex, and San Diego's The Casbah. Chris Ford and his crew deliver a high energy show that constantly breaks the wall between stage an audience. This might be the only show this summer that the lead singer jumps off the stage and hugs you.
www.christophertheconquered.com
Poison Control Center
The Poison Control Center have been hanging from chandeliers and doing somersaults around the country for the last six years. Releasing numerous EPs and Singles, garnering national press for their explosive live shows, been featured on NPR, played the CMJ festival twice, opened for their idols, headlined festivals, and even had Max Weinberg siting
on drums for a show. They are floored to be newest part of the Afternoon Records family. The Poison Control Center's debut full length album, "A Collage of Impressions" came out in 2007 and found its way onto the Top 100 on the CMJ charts and was supported by over 80 tour dates, which included stints with the Apples In Stereo and Dressy Bessy. The 16-track album was put to analog tape on the banks of the Mississippi River with Patrick Stolley (Daytrotter) in the recording booth and mastered by Doug Van Sloun (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, Cursive). The Poison Control Center's songs continue being spastic psych-pop vignettes that fill minds with images and ideas, as their live shows usually end with a massive pig-pile of band members and spectators. "We want to break down the wall between crowd and band, everyone needs to feel each others' sweat to make it magical!" The PCC are planning another full-length release in 2009 on Afternoon Records. The PCC have shared the stage with Apples In Stereo Dressy Bessy, Rogue Wave, Deerhoof, Elf Power, The Thermals, Mountain Goats, Buddy Guy, Tapes 'n Tapes, Max Weinberg, and many others.
http://www.afternoonrecords.com/poisoncontrolcenter.html