Jeremy Messersmith 10/8 - Urbandale

Jeremy Messersmith's music has been described as "metropolitan poetry" and it certianly lives up to that description.  His ability to weave a story while plucking his guitar is rivaled by few.

Messersmith based in MPLS (after moving there to attend North Central University) could be the posterchild fort the hip indie music scene there.  Here are a few reasons why I love Jeremy Messersmith and why you should too:

1) His sound is as sweet as sugar, smoother than vanilla, and as good as ice cream.  Exhibit A:

2) Some of his music (including the above song) is for sale at the amazing price "pay what you wish" on bandcamp.  This means that you can try him for free on your iPod, etc. before getting the vinyl/cd/t-shirt you really want or need. Score.  Kind of like test driving a car before you buy it...

3) He is hip as hell and probably coming to a neighborhood home near you.  This fall Mr. Messersmith began what he calls "The Supper Club Tour".  Earlier in the year he sent out requests to everyone on his e-mailing list to find yards, big living rooms, barns, or whatever to serve as places for him to play across the country.  People quickly responded and thus the Supper Club was born.

Luckily, for all you music/Messersmith fans in the area, he is playing a Supper Club show in Urbandale on Monday, Oct. 8.  An intimate setting such as this ought to be a surreal experience. I'm pretty sure it'll blow you away like the feather at the end of "Forrest Gump".

-CK

Manhatten Short Film Festival 10/5

"One World, One Week, One Festival"

Manhattan Short has descended upon Des Moines again this year and due to its popularity, the Des Moines Art Center will show it TWO weekends in a row. I have confirmation from the first showing that this is an event you don't want to miss if you're a film fan, but if you intend to get a seat you had better show up early because the first viewing premiered to a full house.  The second viewing takes place on Friday, Oct. 5 at 6:30pm in the Levitt Auditorium at the Des Moines Art Center---AND IT'S FREE!

Manhattan Short is unique because it is the first global film festival and they don't believe "the masses are asses". Starting Sep. 28 and ending Oct. 7 an estimated total of 100,000 people from 300 cities and six continents (unfortunately not in Antarctica because the emperor penguins can't agree on a location to build a theater) will view and vote for the best film. After the votes are tallied the winner will be announced via their press page. Sweet.

This is the 15th year of the film festival and organizers had to respond to its increasing popularity after reportedly received 520 entries from 49 countries with genres ranging from comedy to drama, thereby making Manhattan Short a truly diverse film experience.

-CK

Jackson Pollack and the Des Moines Print Club

Last week, during the Art Center's usual Thursday evening hours, a special lecturer was invited to speak in the Levitt Auditorium about Jackson Pollock.

Joann Moser, Senior Curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and one-time curator at the University of Iowa, has studied Pollock's works and spent a plethora of time with his largest work titled "Mural"- which was displayed at the Des Moines Art Center this summer on loan from the University of Iowa.

'Mural' - Oil on canvas, Jackson Pollack

Her lecture's focus was not on the 8'x20' behemoth that Peggy Guggenheim commissioned for her flat in NYC, but instead on Pollock's virtually unknown intaglio prints that he made at Atelier 17 in the mid 40's.

'For and Eye, an Eye' -Intaglio, Mauricio Lasansky

Atelier 17 was a print-making studio that started in Paris and moved to New York (where Pollock studied) after the outbreak of WWII.  The studio was started by an English artist named Stanley William Hayter, who's vast influence is connected to many other famous 20th century artists besides Pollock.  While at Atelier 17 Pollock jumped into the medium of intaglio and made seven engravings and found a new and important perspective.  

Intaglio is a form of print making where artists use metal tools to etch, mark, and/or engrave a plate that holds the ink for the print.  After the ink is applied and wiped away from the areas intended to provide negative space, the plate and paper are then sent through a rolling press which transfers the ink and visible indentations onto the paper.  Some intaglio artists, like Mauricio Lasansky (who too created works under Hayter's influence) would also use acid to etch into soft metal plates - which was his preferred material- thereby creating deep pools of ink for the paper to absorb. Lasansky used these jet-black ink pools to create dark moods for some of his works that are thought to reflect his feelings toward the Holocaust (like 'For an Eye, an Eye). 


Pollock's intaglio prints are not impressive (nor do I find them particularly entertaining- in fact they are almost childlike because they lack the overwhelming complexity that his paintings possess) but this phase in his art career was an important step in order for him to make abstract expressionism his own and by examining his intaglio works this becomes very clear.

In her lecture, Moser said that it was while working at Atelier 17 that Pollock showed important growth and without this experience he may never have become the artist we know him for today.  According to MoMA "Hayter’s personal engraving style, based on improvisation and chance, influenced Jackson Pollock, who made seven engravings with Hayter in 1944–5" (even though Pollock later denounced chance as part of his art, stating/believing that he could control the chaos of drip/splatter painting).

In 'Untitled', Moser pointed out the places where burrs made by inexperience and his tools forced Pollock to make something artistic of the accidents, thus introducing chance and feeding his improvisation.  After examining the print up close I can attest to the changed in style that Pollock shows in this piece as opposed to his earlier "organized chaos" work 'Mural'.

'Untitled' - Intaglio, Jackson Pollock

Pollock's dry point engraving will be on display at the Art Center until Sep. 23 as part of the 'Hornets' Nest' exhibit along with several other great prints from their permanent collection. Go and check it out, it's free and stuff.

-CK

Cloud Nothings @ the M-Shop in Ames 9/15

Because I already have a ticket for this intimate space, I'm not concerned about over-publicizing this event... but I am so damn excited for this that I might wet myself and if I keep containing this emotion it might make me explode. Saturday September 15 at the Maintenance Shop, Iowa State's personal venue in the Memorial Union, the Cloud Nothings are going to deliver a great ruckus to those lucky enough to attend (i.e. me).

For those of you who don't know the Cloud Nothings here's a little rundown...

A few months back Stereogum posted the odd video for "No Future/No Past" following the release of the bands latest album Attack on Memory (which is loud, packed full of angst, and driven by speedy, roaring guitars). The album contains some truly genius work and tracks from this 2012 release keep finding their way through my speakers at all hours of the day and usually on repeat.  The band's popularity is growing, in fact The Cloud Nothings have been touring like mad and even stopped at Gabe's in Iowa City this July (to my dismay; stupid work keeps me from being truly happy).

Other key tracks for this album are: "Cut You" (my favorite actually), "Stay Useless" which has a charming cartoon video that sits somewhere between Lord of the Flies and South Park, and the angry and anthemic tune "Fall In".

If you think you can handle the punch these Ohio boys deliver be sure to hit up this link where you can get a live recording from the Grog Shop.

-CK

Poetry Unplugged @ Ritual Cafe

Attention wordsmiths and literary fans of all types: tonight from 7-9 at Ritual Cafe, Miguel Ramirez hosts Poetry Unplugged. This is an opportunity for local bards to be heard and for fans of the craft to be treated to original verse.  If you want to swim in the prose of the metro's aspiring writers be sure to check-it-out.

-CK

Andrew Bird and the Simon Estes Amphitheater

Andrew Bird, almost by name alone, lured me to Nitefall on the River.  After abiding the careful advice of a friend I was ready to embark on a little journey with Mr. Bird. I was even promised a sock monkey sighting, which ended up guiding me to my favorite part of his show.

Mr. Bird put on quite a concert, even breathtaking at times, but I found myself with more questions than answers after the show.  Starting with: behind the sock monkey, what was that odd Y-shaped tornado that created an fantastic sensation when Bird turned it on?   Each revolution on this contraption sent sound echoing in every possible direction. Upon returning each tone had changed, maybe even melted in the time-lapse.  This combined with the natural reverb from the amphitheater was a reel treat to experience.

This infamous instrument is called a "double spinning horn speaker" and I wish it were in my price range...  

To begin the show Bird made the crowd marinate while gathered in the bowl that is Simon Estes Amphitheater.  His subtle plucks, melancholy violin solos, and the double spinning horn speaker going at full speed made me feel awash in the blue glow of the stage light.  What a terrific sensation.  As soon he turned off the machine, however, time seemed to change, like he actually controlled it.  Following the cloud of sound he let a great pause hang in the calm night air thereby creating an enveloping and intimate suspense.

Andrew Bird is one very talented musician.... and does a pretty good Kermit cover.

Casablanca at the Varsity Theater

Des Moines movie geeks know about the Varsity Theater - the old and true independent movie theater located in the Drake Neighborhood.  Until 8/16/12 this movie-showing relic will be screening what is often debated as the greatest film of all time: Casablanca. I'd imagine that this film has played in this theater before, maybe even in the year the film was released (as Varsity Theater has been around a while to say the least).

Casablanca is a tremendous film.  I own a digital iTunes copy and with my iPad or laptop I can watch this gem under almost any circumstance (I am very fortunate indeed).  I only paid $6 to watch it for the experience of the "big screen" (well worth it).  Regardless of the price it cost, I think that it pays more back.  This film has a long kept legacy - and for good reason.

While watching it this time I became more focused on the political atmosphere.  After watching a short clip about it on public television sometime ago, I realized how well my love story was accentuated by the political turbulence.  When the film came out in 1942, it came off as a bit tongue in cheek, but was done so stunningly the world has been gobbling it up ever since.

We're gaining strength by doing this or maybe inducting this story into a canon of sorts.  (If you don't believe me how much culture has nibbled at this film...)  I was making some great connections to a young-adult literature book I read in April called Little Brother by Corey Doctorow.  It was published 2008 and deals with politics in its own technology draped way, but I think the underground movements of the two stories are built on similar territory- through the many parallels both of these heroes see a threat on basic human rights.  A transcendent message as old as the building that houses it...

In honor of basic humans rights go see Casablanca on the big screen at the Varsity Theater before it is too late....

-C.K.

Grow Up Des Moines, quit being immature.

Des Moines, make haste and start growing up.

As a city ripe with young professionals, it is time for the young and inexperienced to grow up; this is a dangerously immature place.  Why hasn’t Des Moines decided to grow up? 

Looking out across most of the city isn’t tough.  Just a glance down I-235 and most of the Metro’s heart reveals itself immediately.  From an aerial view this city might resemble a large cemetery; but no, our city only looks like it is randomly spotted with abandoned gravestones, actually we call those ‘buildings’.  This city had better start thinking about growing up in a serious way soon, as the availability of affordable housing is reaching a spillover point downtown.

Modern architecture has embraced the green revolution by taking to “green-scrapers” like a duck does to water… I mean they have created designs for living spaces with lush, green house like sections apart of a 13-story high-rise.  Up.  

Here is one that looks like a cactus, I think it closely resembles the "corn-cob towers" in Chicago.

More housing in the downtown would be quickly utilized, especially in such a cutting edge, and eco-friendly design.  Beautiful utility withstands the test of time.

Beasts of the Southern Wind

At the 2012 Sundance Movie Festival in Utah this film took top honors and has spurred interest across the country.  Beasts of the South Wind is equally strange and tantalizing and I can see why it caught the attention of the Sundance crew.  What is so interesting about the film, I've found, is the number of perspectives that can be established in a single movie.  One important thing about the medium of film: it controls the POV for the audience. But his film gets around that by acting like a vat of loose symbols floating in a bathtub.  I remember a quote of Hemingway's after he was asked about the symbolism in the Nobel Prize winning novella Old Man and the Sea,  he stated that his story was merely a fictionalized account of a newspaper clipping and the symbolism is brought into the story by the reader.  Beasts of the South Wind accomplished a similarly rich, symbolic-minefield with a strange combination of primitivism and contemporary culture/history.  Besides being a total trip to think about, it also will charm the pants right off you...metaphorically speaking of course.

Beasts of the Souther Wind is playing at the Fleur Cinema & Cafe with regular showings.

Opium Symphony @ Bombay Bicycle Club

With its persona (whether coincidence all this is or isn't,  I don't know), the Bombay Bicycle Club in Clive shares the same kick ass vibe that the band boasts.  By bringing in some great talent, and now hosting Tacopacolypse, this bar-venue is capitalizing on the growing DSM music scene (and you won't hear me complaining).

This Wednesday the Bombay Bicycle club is hosting Opium Symphony.  This Dallas band commands attention with their sound: skillful and enticing guitars which they use to compliment decent hooks and a solid vocal set.  I seriously only decided to write about them because my co-workers and I were drinking at the bar mid-afternoon today and I ended up stealing their poster because it was... nice.  After checking them out, I can confirm that they will be a treat to see.

The Bombay Bicyle Club is in Clive on 86th St. and Hickman.

State Fair Special

While the Iowa State Fair is usually associated with fried food, livestock, and, unfortunately, the election, it is also a great place for beer and live music.

This year the grandstand boasts some big attractions that are sure to draw scores of fans, like George Throrogood and the Destroyers opening for Hank Williams Jr (I'm thinking about jumping the fence for that one).

As an ex-state fair rat, I know the ins and outs of enjoying a free day at the fair - once you get in the gate that is- and one of the best free attractions is the music.  Each year musicians fill the little amphitheaters with great tunes in the shade and this year there are going to be some especially interesting bands performing.

JJ Grey & Mofro - 8/9 Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 8pm 

This band is my favorite of the group.  I first discovered their music on last.fm, where the band was/is giving away free downloads of a few of their songs.  Standing somewhere between full blown southern rock and country,  JJ Grey & Mofro tells stories with music using themes often found in country music (including but not limited to: love/lust, adultry, and alcohol) and then livens them up a touch with spunkier rhythms, keyboards, and by incorporating horns into some of their studio cuts.  This is no group of novices performing either, they have been touring like a good little group of troubadours while also releasing six albums since 2001.

Nadas - 8/9 and 8/10 Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage 7&9pm

As an Iowa-based group the Nadas can be found jamming in your neighborhood bar, but how often can you say that you got free greek yogurt sample from Anderson Erickson at one of their shows? Their folk/rock sound is a favorite with many, so popular in fact they have sold almost 80,000 records on their very own label.

Brother Trucker - 8/11  Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage 7&9pm

Thankfully my friend Kevin told me about Brother Trucker, a Des Moines stationed group.  They perform in DSM regularly at venues like El Bait Shop and Raccoon River Brewery, but here is an opportunity to hear them play two sets and outdoors.  Brother Trucker has a smooth alt/country sound similar to Wilco's, which they let slip into long, jazzy jams that are great for dancing in the summer evening.

Bob Wootton - 8/9 8/10 Budweiser Stage 7:30&9:30pm

Wootton played lead guitar with Johnny Cash from 1968-1998.  I think I've said enough already...

Hairball - 8/13 8/14 Susan Knapp Amphitheater 7:30&9:30pm

This is a performance that is sure to make any 80's hair metal fan smile.  As an 80's cover band, Hairball draws on many of genre's best and most popular songs while impersonating the original group down to the wig and costume.  The band plays long interludes that allow the lead to switch personas in an awesome display of showmanship and characterization.  I think they're downright funny and a blast to sing along with.

Boyz II men - 8/19 Susan Knapp Amphitheater 7pm

Don't miss your chance to see "I'll Make Love to You" live...

BEER!
A recent addition is the craft beer tent that will be flowing with suds, and sounds too.  The tent is located on the east side of the giant slide.  Try samples of local and regional beer, maybe you'll find a new favorite or test something intriguing.  Beer is good.

Brother Trucker, Wednesday 8/1 @ El Bait Shop

El Bait Shop is a fantastic establishment.  Besides displaying a wall completely dedicated to Maurice Sendak and the kid in you, they also regularly host local bands. They also have more beer than you can shake a stick at (my dad used to say that, and I think it means 'a lot').  Anyway, on the first Wednesday of every month it is Brother Trucker's job to swoon the patrons of El Bait Shop.

Brother Trucker brings together rock and country forming a genre they call Americana/alt-country.  What I think fans of Son Volt, Deer Tick, and Neil Young would like. But overall Brother Trucker's smooth sound pairs well with beer. If only it was so hard choosing beer at the El Bait Shop, which boasts a huge selection of brews (many of which are on tap might I add).

This party is set to kick off at 8pm. Let your hair down and wrangle what's left of Wednesday with brews and the boys of Brother Trucker.

-C.K.

Listening to bands because other bands dropped their name...

I promise I can tie this to Des Moines...

Jerseyrock-royalty Titus Andronicus is like one of my vices:  I use them frequently at levels that would make "experts" cringe....   The performance they gave at 80/35 in 2011 was something of a fantasy for me.  That being said, they often drop other bands' names mid-song and  I eventually figured out that these were good tips that Patrick and the gang were practically yelling.

Diarrhea Planet

This band first came to my attention when I saw Titus Andronicus in Des Moines; Patrick wore a Diarrhea Planet t-shirt during their performance.  Since then the band has won some considerable fame-- getting their name dropped in a live recording of a Titus Andronicus song among their live/demo release and made a list as one of JEFF the Brotherhood's favorites.

Anyway, Diarrhea Planet has again released its bowels; the album is titled Loose Jewels.  If you like JEFF the Brotherhood and/or Titus Andronicus then you should grab it fast.

Spider Bags

This group got cover treatment on the Titus Andronicus LLC Mixtape Vol. "Waking Up Drunk". It is  rambunctious tune perfect for a broken heart or an excuse to go on a drinking binge.  [SIDE NOTE: for my Be Orange Gang-- this was my May-Term theme-song.]  Might I add those Springsteen loving, Jersey boys sure do have good taste in music.

-C.K.

Jeff the Brotherhood and Juiceboxxx at the Vaudeville Mews.

(Jake Orrall and his three-stringed guitar)

Jeff the Bortherhood and opener Juiceboxxx blitzed the Mews with tunes last night and I was lucky enough to make the show.  

Juiceboxxx hails from Milwaukee and blasts gigantic, electronic beats that are complemented with stunning guitars, a thunderous drum kit, and charismatic rapping.  This band has a cool sound going, one that is more commonly heard in the mash-up realm with the likes of Dj Danger Mouse's Grey Album or one of my personal favorites Jaydiohead.  Juiceboxxx is an entertaining lot and they put on quite a show.

With smoke-machines pouring semi-opaque clouds into the air, Jeff the Brotherhood took the stage and quickly made it loud, with a mere two people, a drum-set and a (sweet looking) clear-body three-stringed guitar.  They were a roaring good time and dripping with a modest yet magnetic persona.  From the sounds of it, their new album Hypnotic Nights is what it's hyped up to be.

Heartless Bastards @ Wooly's

Those kind, intelligent people at Wooly's are sure out to make a name for themselves, and within the first year of opening up shop in the East Village.  


Not long after their 80/35 after-hours dance-fest featuring Dan Deacon-- the quirky, master of machines with grooves inside of themselves-- they invited Todd Snider and the throwback country boy Hayes Carll to entertain the masses here in he metro.  Once again Wooly's is poised to bring in some more great tunes.  

This Friday night the Wooly's crew will host the Heartless Bastards.  With a new album in tow titled Arrow, these Ohio rockers are set to rock the joint.  The group got together in 2003 and has released four major albums thus far, but their latest Arrow proves to be their greatest achievement to date as it covers every sound their four piece band can manage.  Arrow shows the spectrum of their style, which darts between the likes of Jessica Lea Mayfield and early Deer Tick albums.


You can check out the Heartless Bastards at Wooly's on Friday the 27th, tickets are $13 and the doors open at 8pm -- just in time to get your weekend started off right.

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD at the Mews

Jeff the Brotherhood is a two-man band that makes more noise than all 76 of Meredith Wilson's trombones.  With just a guitar and a simple drum set Jake and Jamin Orrall have created a simple and smooth garage-rock band that sounds somewhere between Sonic Youth and PS I Love You with enough child-like mischievousness to drown all the cats in the neighbor's pool...

On July 29 these boys will tear up the Vaudeville Mews, with special guests Juiceboxxx.  I expect this show to be loud and a perfect way to cap-off a weekend/help you forget that Monday will soon arrive.  The doors open at 8pm and it's $12 to get in.

Manifesto

Des Moines is a growing metropolis that's gaining considerable, cultural credibility.  Its artistic events range from the the raging street festivals that celebrate the visual arts and music to the subtle, but sometimes unseen literary scene.

What I've come to see is that this city is in love with the arts. Several music venues that showcase local, regional, and national talent have cropped up all over the metro and are letting music lovers of all genres get in on some great acts.  The Des Moines Arts Center, which offers free admission and hosts several free events, is a stunning collection of some very important works of visual art.  Then there is the well established performing arts events and venues and the emerging silver screen scene, like the 48 Hour Film Festival.  


In an effort to compile a comprehensive list of the best music, films, performances and other artistic pursuits to roll through town, What's Rocking Des Moines aims to sift through the waves of artists invading the city's limits to raise awareness and create a conversation about the finer things happening in Des Moines. Here's what's rocking...