Trouble Lights: Photo courtesy of Facebook
Three more days until Gross Domestic Product! The anticipation is killing us. If you’re in the same boat, check out these interviews with the GDP bands jamming in the 4th St. Theatre. Get your fill here, then pay only $8 to see these bands live!
Is Home Is– 5:45-6:30pm
Band Bombshell: Give us one reason playing GDP is so cool.
Is Home Is: I like playing and supporting GDP because it forces the people in attendance who may only be at the show for one local band they like or the one band their friends are in to be exposed to a bunch of local music, local music which spans so many different genres that it’s literally impossible for someone not to find something new to them that they enjoy.
BB: Which other GDP performer are you dying to see?
IHI: I’m really stoked to see Annalibera because they’re currently my favorite band in the universe. I’ll also be at the Social Club for most of the night; we’re having a huge open mic all night that will include some super group jams made up of musicians from a bunch of the GDP bands, along with space for anyone attending the festival to get the chance to stand on stage and perform at GDP.
BB: What are your upcoming music plans?
IHI: I’ve got an album in the works that should see the light of day this summer. I’ll announce more of those plans soon, but until then I’ll be gigging around town and making occasional weekend trips throughout the Midwest to play shows.
Lesbian Poetry –5:45-7:30pm
Band Bombshell: Give us one reason playing GDP is so cool.
Lesbian Poetry: Playing GDP should be awesome! So many of our favorite bands and best friends have played it in the past or are playing it this year and it’s always a fun time.
BB: Which other GDP performer are you dying to see?
LP: The Seed of Something is one of our favorite bands of all time. They are a huge part of our lives and there songs mean a lot to us, and they have been playing a lot less regularly since Jasper started school so it’s going to be a lot of fun.
BB: What are your upcoming music plans?
LP: We’re going on tour in June and until then we’re going to keep releasing albums, like, all the time and play a shit ton of shows in basements.
H.D Harmsen & The Electrophones — 7:45-8:30pm
Band Bombshell: Give us one reason playing GDP is so cool.
H.D. Harmsen: I played the first GDP with my high school band Slaughterhouse 6 and at that time every band that was involved with that show had no idea what it was. The DMMC was brand new and to be honest I think a lot of people were a bit skeptical of what they were all about. However once all the bands showed up on show day everyone quickly discovered this was a next level event.
For me GDP has always been the best show of the year to go to. It allows people in Des Moines a chance to know exactly what’s going on musically. For musicians it allows you a chance to meet fellow musicians and get your head out of your own world and see what’s going on!
As a fan of local music I can not tell you what it means to me to be offered a slot at this event. I truly hold in the highest of regards.
BB: Which other GDP performer are you dying to see?
HDH: I would say the number 1 band I’m excited to see is the Seed Of Something. This band blows me away. They represent the future of the Des Moines music scene and are incredibly talented. These guys are young and are writing way better tunes than me. It’s not fair!!! I’m also super pumped to see The Wheelers, Dustin Smith, and Lesbian Poetry.
BB: What are your upcoming music plans?
HDH: Well, I just released my first music video thanks to you guys! I have three more to release and I’m super excited for everyone to see them. I have a album that’s going to be released in the next month, and a lot of shows surrounding it. Me and Chris Ford are planning a Midwest tour this summer. I’m also in the process of writing two albums worth of material to decide what direction I’m interested in going in. I like to be in a choose your own adventure situation.
The Seed of Something — 8:45-9:30pm
Band Bombshell: Give us one reason playing GDP is so cool.
The Seed of Something: I think this will be one of the best years for GDP thus far, just because it’s a little more spread out with more stages and there will be a bunch of cool people doing DJ stuff, which will be good. It gives it kind of a festival vibe, all nice and free-flowing. I dig that kinda vibe. Also, I’m stoked that we got an out-of-towner for the headliner, and a legendary one at that.
BB: Which other GDP performer are you dying to see?
SOS: Like I said above, House of Large Sizes is one of those legendary indie bands that people should definitely catch. I saw them the year they played 80/35 (the second year, I think???) and they were great and still brought it hard. I’m really mad I skipped the last of their set that year to go watch Public Enemy without Flava Flav. Big mistake.
Other than that, I’m really excited to see Land of Blood and Sunshine, because I feel like it’s been forever since I last saw them. Wolves in the Attic, who are one of my favorite Iowa bands ever. I’m also excited to see Twins, who I have never seen before but have heard nothing but good things about. It’s really very hard to pick. Like I said, I think this will be the best year so far.
BB: What are your upcoming music plans?
SOS: We are looking around at record labels to put our new album out on. It’s got ten songs, three of them are out on an EP at our Bandcamp site. We plan to play some shows out of town. Also, we’ve been involved in a lot of side projects (Quick Piss, Satellite State, Free Milo the Pennycat, solo stuff…) that we focus on when Seed isn’t busy. Trying not to sit on our asses for too long.
The Olympics — 9:45-10:30pm
Band Bombshell: Give us one reason playing GDP is so cool.
The Olympics: Playing GDP is awesome because the lineup consists entirely of Iowa musicians. We love the camaraderie in the music scene here in Iowa which makes events like GDP so fun to be a part of. It’s basically a multisite hang out with 19 bands from around the state showcasing a wide variety of what Iowa music brings to the table. It’s a great collaboration!
BB: Which other GDP performer are you dying to see?
TO: It’s hard to choose just one! We’ve already had the pleasure to share stages/basements/hugs with several of the other featured artists but I personally (Jeff) would love to catch Trouble Lights. Any music coming out of Fairfield is bound to be really artistic and energetic. I’ve heard some of their tunes and videos and they’re a quality band and I’m sure their live act doesn’t disappoint!
BB: What are your upcoming music plans?
TO: We have some other fun shows coming up! April 23 w/ Emery (Blue Moose, Iowa City), April 27 w/ The Envy Corps (The M-Shop, Ames), May 17 w/ Born Ruffians (The Mill, Iowa City). Beyond playing shows, we have two music videos in progress and have been working on new material which are looking to record this summer.
Trouble Lights — 10:45-12:00am
Band Bombshell: Give us one reason playing GDP is so cool.
Trouble Lights: Playing GDP is cool because it’s rad to be a part of something that focuses on local talent. It shows the community that we can throw a kick ass party full of awesome music OURSELVES.
BB: Which other GDP performer are you dying to see?
TL: I’ve heard great things about Kris Adams and Annalibera, but have never seen them live. I could list them all though – The Wheelers, Is Home Is, Mr Nasti, Lesbian Poetry, Madison Ray, H.D. Harmsen…
BB: What are your upcoming music plans?
TL: We are planning a summer tour with drag queen Tyona Diamond, burlesque dancer Phoenix L’Amour and Beef Cake (aka Nate Logsdon), and writing new music.
P.S. Read interviews with the acts playing the Outdoor Patio stage here.
P.P.S. Read interviews with the acts playing the Vaudeville Mews early stage here.
