There are two incredible shows tonight, so you have your work cut out for you, Des Moines.

First, Clutch w/ Orange Goblin, Lionize and Scorpion Child play Wooly’s. Clutch was the first in a long line of bands I fell in love with out of nowhere. Back when you could get a dozen CD’s for a penny from a magazine ad (yes youngsters, this was a thing that happened) I purchased an album called The Elephant Riders because I thought that was a funny thing to title an album, and I had only 11 CD’s picked out and needed to fill my order. I actually put it in right away when the package arrived, and was blown away. Here we are 15+ years later and I still listen to it regularly, along with a whole lot more of what Clutch has released. I also have it on good authority that Orange Goblin is incredible.

The second big show tonight is B. Dolan, Toki Wright, Mike Mictlan and prettygirlhatemachine at Vaudeville Mews. I spoke of the incredible Toki Wright last time he was in town. Now he brings with him Mike Mictlan from Doomtree and B. Dolan, who is a lyrical genius and world renowned poet/MC. For real, watch that video I posted and check it out. These three are among the smartest, most gifted and most thoughtful talents in the world. They are joined by Des Moines’ own prettygirlhatemachine, a pretty awesome group in their own right. This show may sneak by a few people, but do your best to get to it.

Hit the jump for some housekeeping type stuff and a few links to some other pieces I have been working on:

-I didn’t really go all out for my Gross Domestic Product previews like I did last year, but I didn’t completely abandon the fest either. I wrote pieces for HD Harmsen for DMMC and Annalibera and Land Of Blood and Sunshine for Des Moines Is NOT Boring. I will also have something up tomorrow to kind of last minute preview things.

– Also I wrote a piece about Pink Kodiak and why I hate the 21+ and all-ages law a few weeks back. I do hate that law so. Let’s change things, okay?

-I wrote a bunch of the bios for bands at the 80/35 website. I’d link to each one I wrote, but I think you should read them all because a lot of talented people worked very hard on them. Okay, I wrote : Deerhunter, HOLS, Tea Leaf Green, Roster McCabe, Jon Wayne and the Pain, Trouble Lights, Tires and Kitty. But read them all and buy your tickets.

-Apologies on not being around so much. As you can see, I have been a bit busy. However, things are about to get much busier because my son is going to be born at any second. Because I am like that, I will likely tell you all about him the second he is here. But don’t get mad at me if I suddenly ain’t around. Eh, you’re used to it at this point, I’m sure.