the villin mix features music from artists playing shows around Iowa, in addition to the best new music from the state’s local and homegrown talent. Here’s what’s on tap for this edition, covering September 25 – October 1, 2023. (Cover photo: JAWNY.)
Listen and subscribe to the villin mix via Spotify.
The Handsome Family “Far From Any Road”
The Handsome Family will be performing Sunday, October 1 at the James Theater in Iowa City.
Dan Tedesco “Morning Run”
Dan Tedesco is playing CSPS Hall Saturday, September 30 in Cedar Rapids.
Sean Tyler’s “Drive Me Home” is the first track from the Iowa City-based guitarist and vocalist’s recently released NOR THERE EP. The song, as he explained in a Q&A interview, stands at a crossroads, bearing sonic inspiration from Link Wray while leaning thematically toward the abstract.
Paul Cauthen “Still Drivin’”
Paul Cauthen will be playing Laurisden Amphitheater (at the Des Moines Water Works Park) Friday, September 29, with Colby Acuff supporting.
William Elliott Whitmore “Adaptation and Survival”
Michael Moncada & Whiskey High “Fuck Him”
Michael Moncada & Whiskey High will be playing Lobo’s Salsa Friday, September 29 in Bettendorf, as the final event of Common Chord’s Live at 5: Summer Concert Series. For more on the band, The Echo published a Q&A with Moncada earlier this year.
Brittany Sword “Johnny”
Brittany Sword is playing Elray’s Live & Dive Friday, September 29 in Iowa City.
John Raymond and S. Carey feat. Aaron Parks & Gordi “New Meaning”
John Raymond and S. Carey will be performing Shadowlands Saturday, September 30 at the James Theater in Iowa City, with Bella Moss supporting. Bella Moss was recently featured by Iowa Public Radio as their Artist of the Month for September.
Jim Swim & Ahzia “New Digs”
Kassa Overall feat. Lil B, Shabazz Palaces & Francis and the Lights “Going Up”
Track Zero is The Englert’s new concert series that presents burgeoning, diverse, and boundary-pushing artists in Iowa City. Kassa Overall will be performing Friday, September 29 in Iowa City as part of the series.
HU$H “Into the Sun”
HU$H will be playing Gabe’s Saturday, September 30 in Iowa City, with Fyoomz, Matt Rissi, DJ Sonar, SK80 and FLOR-X also on the bill. Read more about HU$H’s 2023 release, SKUNKWORKS, in this Q&A interview.
thirtyfourpercent “CRY DIAMOND TEARS$s”
Alienate “Infinite Ascent”
“Infinite Ascent” is from the recently released full-length album titled (ascension), from Cedar Rapids’ Alienate.
Medicine Place & Basura “G Style”
Fyoomz “Faxing Berlin”
Pearl & The Oysters “Pacific Ave”
Pearl & The Oysters will be playing xBk Live Thursday, September 28, with Thaddeus Lee also performing.
JAWNY “Honeypie”
JAWNY is playing Wooly’s Friday, September 29 in Des Moines, with Adan Diaz also on the bill.
Estereomance “Dung Ding Dang”
Estereomance will be playing Raccoon Motel Saturday, September 30 in Davenport. [This show has been cancelled.]
Thelma and the Sleaze “Roses” & Early Girl “Sawhorse Sweetie”
Thelma & The Sleaze are playing Gabe’s Thursday, September 28 in Iowa City, with Early Girl and Good Habits also performing.
Elsewhere, here are some recent links featuring articles, reviews, shows, and other music coverage from around the state:
Isaac Hamlet explored “Whatever happened to the Riverview Music Festival?” for Little Village.
Rick Abasta recapped a TV Cop show at Juggernaut Music in New Mexico for the Navajo Times.
This past week’s Iowa Basement Tapes featured music from ILL OMEN, Early Girl, Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops, and more. Listen and subscribe via Apple and Spotify.
And for more of what’s going on around Iowa, visit Little Village’s Events Calendar, Iowa Public Radio’s Live Music Calendar, or Thrash Panda’s Show Calendar.
