Christopher the Conquered is made up of Chris Ford, Brandon Ruschill, Nate Logsdon, Kate Kennedy, Donny Peterson, Derek Lambert, C.J. Howard and Brian Stout. We caught up with Chris Ford to talk about Gross Domestic Products past and present (was hanging from a chandelier involved?) and how Iowa is the right place to be building a killer music community. Take it away, Chris!
Throughout the years, Gross Domestic Product has been known as a showcase of Iowa talent, regardless of genre. For every acoustic songwriter who has a story to tell, there has been an MC with a different way to tell their story. For every electronic genius with an Apple and Pro Tools there is a group of people who just want to drop heavy notes and hard vocals. And for every rocking party band, there is a sweet-voiced angel singing her heart out. Somewhere in all of this is Hath No Fury.
Mumford’s is a “wild freak-folk storyteller dance band with a horn section” — or a psycho freak band, for short. The band is made up of Nate Logsdon, James Doxon, Kate Kennedy, Kai Tanaka – lead guitar, Tushar Dayal / Chris Lyng, Donny Peterson, Paul Hertz, Brian “Wild Man” Stout, Erich Sneller and Dave Atchison. We caught up with Nate to talk about Gross Domestic Product and the joys of being an Iowa musician.
Several of the bands performing at Gross Domestic Product got together to tell you why they care about supporting local music! A big thanks to Christopher the Conquered, Hath No Fury, Tires, Mumford’s, Trouble Lights, & Love Songs for Lonely Monsters for their support. Join the revolution and be part of the “eternal conversation” at Hotel Fort Des Moines on April 14! Tickets are on sale now for $10 in advance and can be purchased through Tikly. Tickets are $15 day of show.
Learning that the elegantly eerie magic of Love Songs for Lonely Monsters originated at Carl’s Place somehow feels wrong. Not that any of us at the DMMC mind tossing back a few at the comfortable Sherman Hill dive. But if you saw LS4LM’s intensely cool performance at last summer’s 80-35 or caught their recent show at the Mews, you’ll understand why we were picturing something more otherworldly—like, maybe, a mysterious gravitational attraction that led the five talented musicians out of their homes to the oak-shrouded lawn of Hoyt Sherman Place—across the street from Carl’s—where they spontaneously made their music in the shadows of a cloud-cloaked moon.
While Indie Folk Rock band The River Monks have been playing their hearts out at SXSW in Austin, we’ve been getting geared up for their upcoming appearance in our own fabulous music festival – Gross Domestic Product – on April 14.
These Des Moines-based 80/35 alums are an incredibly talented mix of multi-faceted artists. Their impeccable blend of interesting instrumental melodies and thoughtful lyrics makes for an amazing collection of music that just plain makes you feel good.
Trouble Lights is a musical duo from Fairfield, Iowa. It’s made up of singer Adrien Daller and producer Philip Rabalais. They’re performing at Gross Domestic Product in Des Moines on April 14, and we caught up with them to talk about music in Iowa, 8-foot tall animal warrior queens, and lady-pop electric dance music. Take it away, guys.
Electronic rock band Tires plays primarily instrumental music, with an emphasis on groove and a layered palette (including the occasional electric drill on guitar). The huge sound produced is accomplished by just two people: Phil Young on guitar and electronic sound manipulations, and Jordan Mayland on drums and synthesizers.
The two are in a virtual “who’s who” of Iowa bands, including The Wheelers, The Volcano Boys, The Mantis Pincers, Nuclear Rodeo, and many others. As if that wasn’t enough, they often control their own lighting during performances as well.
You may be surprised to learn when listening to the mix of guitar, bass, piano, and drums on any of Unknown Component’s nine albums that this band is made up of only one member: Keith Lynch. In addition to his vast musical talents, he records and mixes all his music, releases and promotes all the albums, and even creates his own cover art.
Keith Lynch is a completely self-taught musician who started playing at age 16, when he found an acoustic guitar in the attic of his home. He has been working as the one-man-band, Unknown Component, since 2002. He continually works to improve his skills as a musician, striving to make each new album better than the last.
Get geared up for another great year of Des Moines’ finest local music showcase. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will take place at Hotel Fort Des Moines on Saturday, April 14. This year’s lineup will again exemplify the best and brightest of the Des Moines music scene. GDP will feature 10 bands spanning and transcending the indie, folk, hip-hop, rock, acoustic, electronic, and pop genres.
