LBF preview: Lightnin’ Ridge
When people say things like “this ain’t your father’s…” they say it to mean that this is a new and different way of looking at something. The thing about Lightnin’ Ridge, though, is this is your father’s bluegrass. This is the music that came up through the generations from the front porches and backyards of people all over the country. Lightnin’ Ridge plays bluegrass music. They play it in a way that most people imagine when they hear “bluegrass.” They play it well, they play it tight and they play it fast. They play bluegrass.
Iowa has always been a rural society. Its black soil and the folks who work it have long been its backbone and its greatest strength. Even as the Hawkeye State becomes more urban and more metropolitan, it is nice to be reminded of our rural strengths. It’s why we have the world’s best sweet corn. It’s why we can enjoy festivals devoted specifically to bacon. It’s why we have a band like Mr. Baber’s Neighbors.
Rebel Creek, a band known for it’s distinct fusion of psychedelic, bluesy jam rock, has been making quite the impression throughout Iowa—both because of their age and because of their rare talent.
The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition’s Music University and Drake University’s Entrepreneurship Program present M. Shawn Crahan: On Living Your Dreams, Slipknot and Life. Shawn will share his experience with making your imagination into reality, the success of his work, and getting busy in life before it’s too late. He will also share many stories about his journey in the music industry. The free seminar will be held at Drake University’s Meredith Hall Room #101 on Tuesday, November 15 from 6-7pm.
“Tell everybody to bring a towel,” says 
Join the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition for Music Saves on Sunday, December 4, from 5 – 7 p.m. at 
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Andy Miller of The Big Wu is describing the vibe at his band’s shows to a Little BIG Fest newbie, and he’s definitely not overselling. “The first thing is that the band is very casual,” he says. “We don’t dress up in identical outfits. We’re not particularly good-looking. Nobody’s doing sit-ups in the band…”
On Wednesday night, October 19th, the Vaudeville Mews hosted Dax Riggs on his tour after the 2010 release of his second and most recent album, Say Goodnight to the World (Fat Possum Records).
Brett Dennen has capitalized on the fact that he is weird. We all knew guys like him in our awkward teen years—the tall, red-headed kid with a funky voice. The class clown. The kid who never really fit in. Brett seems to know that he is this kid. But he has made himself so damn cool, you just HAVE to go to his concert, and you just HAVE to whoop, holler and jump around like your life depends on it. Brett Dennen is the weirdest, coolest guy I’ve seen on stage since I saw 
