Like everyone else, Iowa musicians are home a lot more these days. In any location, creativity continues! Here's a selection of five new videos made at home.
The Avey Grouws Band - Let's Take It Slow
The song "Let's Take It Slow" is a track on the Avey Grouws Band's new album "The Devil May Care." The video is a bigger group effort. In fact, it's what the band is touting as the world's first crowdsourced quarantine original music video. Folks from Iowa, the U.S. and beyond sent video footage that was then edited by Decorah High School Junior Tyler Irwin. A charming way to demonstrate that we are all in this together!
William Elliott Whitmore - Let's Do Something Impossible
It's been interesting to see how musicians have been repurposing particular songs from their past work for the current pandemic situation. For example, I recently enjoyed seeing an at-home video of Willie Nelson and his sons playing "Hello Walls." In Lee County, William Elliott Whitmore settled on a home version of his 2011 song "Let's Do Something Impossible." It's an inspired choice!
Stutterin' Jimmy & The Goosebumps - Scratch and Tic
The Des Moines band demonstrate the art of playing together while remaining apart, in this four-home version of "Scratch and Tic," a song from their latest album. The video was Stutterin' Jimmy & The Goosebumps submission to this year's NPR Tiny Desk Contest.
Anthony Worden - Don't Wanna Hurt Anymore
Some at home videos can feature musicians playing in the same room together, maintaining the proper distance of course. Anthony Worden plays and sings "Don't Wanna Hurt Anyone" from his Iowa City home, along with Avery Mossman on keys. It's a scaled-down version of Worden's band The Illiterati.
Alisabeth Von Presley - American Blackout: Quarantine Style
Alisabeth Von Presley is staying at home in Cedar Rapids, but she can still get a dance routine together with dancers from a variety of their own locations. The party is virtual!
