The Mission Creek Festival is right around the corner. As usual, a diverse and talented selection of artists will be appearing at this annual festival focusing on music and literatureApril 1-4 in Iowa City.
Here are a few artists from the music side that I recommend checking out:
Black Belt Eagle Scout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di2rv4gmHlo
Where: The Mill
When: Wed., April 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets:$10-$15
Katherine Paul records and performs as Black Belt Eagle Scout, delivering effective songs that express the point of view of this self-described radical, indigenous, queer feminist. Last summer’s acclaimed “At The Party With My Brown Friends” was the second Black Belt Eagle Scout album. Paul presents songs both quiet and loud, and that should make for a great set.
Caroline Rose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3EwDk1zY6g
Where: Gabe's
When: Wed., April 1 at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $6-$12
East Coast based songwriter and musician Caroline Rose is having a moment right now. Her recently released third album is titled “Superstar.” The record is a set of songs connected loosely by the concept of a singer-songwriter rising to stardom. Producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Caroline Rose aims to reach the greatest number of people with her accomplished indie-pop music, and she’s commenting on the journey at the same time. It should be a fun and entertaining performance!
Parquet Courts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZXS8Jpkiac
Where: The Englert Theatre
When: Thurs., April 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$25
Brooklyn quartet Parquet Courts is one of those hard-touring bands with a reputation for having a great live show. At Studio One, we’ve been following the career of Parquet Courts for a few years now and look forward to each new punk-informed release. They will certainly bring their New York rock 'n' roll energy to this Iowa City show.
(Sandy) Alex G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcO-NPtj5BI
Where: Gabe's
When: Fri., April 3 at 9:15 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$20
Alex Giannascoli is a great example of the “bedroom pop” musician, creating his personal indie-rock music just the way he wants it at home in Philadelphia. In recent years he added “(Sandy)” to his Alex G. moniker, and the music has become a bit less lo-fi. Last fall’s “House Of Sugar” album attracted more fans to the idiosyncratic yet tuneful music of (Sandy) Alex G.
Adia Victoria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaCjgtH4zac
Where: The Mill
When: Sat., April 4 at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets:$6-$12
South Carolina born Adia Victoria sings the blues with rich emotion. That comes through on her two albums including last year’s “Silences.” Victoria is a literary-minded musician, and she’ll be doing a reading at the Old Capitol Museum earlier in the day.
Lucy Dacus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLFeeOVrNlI
Where: The Englert Theatre
When: Sat., April 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$20
Lucy Dacus is a rising indie-rock talent. Her second album “Historian” was a critically acclaimed 2018 release. She followed up later that year by collaborating with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker as boygenius. We feel so strongly that we want you to hear this show that we'll be broadcasting it live on the radio. If you can't make it in person, tune in or stream online. Elizabeth Moen, and Chicago based artist Tasha are opening for Dacus.
