The pandemic has had a devastating impact on America's arts sector and has asked that artists pivot and adapt their efforts. And that's exactly why this event was created; to demonstrate and deliver a top-notch, standard-bearing livestream concert that showcases a variety of artists from across Iowa! The mission of this free-to-all performance is to promote awareness about "the mental health benefits that the arts provide to the public by combating the ill effects of isolation and loneliness associated with COVID-19" (Americans for the Arts) and to deliver a call to action to music lovers in Iowa and beyond about the importance of actively engaging with and supporting the local/regional artists whom they love as these artists adapt their art-making in response to our current constraints. This event is made possible with generous support and funding from the Iowa Arts Council: https://iowaculture.gov/arts
FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY: SARA ROUTH: www.sararouth.com "I was blessed with musical blood and it drives me to live. To seek truth. To feel sadness. To understand loss. To teach the unknown. To accept failure. To praise justice. To express. To trust. And most of all to love. I continue to compose my story and want to share it with you." Mix the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald with Jeff Buckley... you'll end up with Sara Routh.
ADE: www.soundsofade.com A man with a passion for music, family, love, and Blk Boi Joy...Adebayo Oladele-Ajose, known musically as ADE, is a singer, rapper, and instrumentalist; born in New York but raised in Iowa. ADE's style intertwines the solid intricacies of afrobeats, R&B, and acoustic guitar with the consciousness of hip hop lyrics.
D MILREE: www.dmilree.bandcamp.com Solo project of Diana Weishaar (The Host Country, Contakta). "A personal, straight-no-chaser look into my soul. Mixing genres, subject matters, and timelines. A little bit of everything." Bluesy-piano-pop.
LILY DETAEYE: www.lilydetaeye.com Lily DeTaeye is a folk-rock Americana firecracker with alt-rock and blues influences. She’s a spirited songwriter and a harmonica-wielding badass that will remind you of your weird friend from book club who definitely has a few bodies in her closet. Her music is wry and filled with the emotional honesty and vulnerability of a young Dwight Yoakam and the dynamism of Brandi Carlile.
DAN PADLEY TRIO: www.danpadley.com Dan Padley is a guitarist/composer based out of Iowa City. Since studying music at the University of Iowa, Dan has performed with many artists including Wayne Newton, Elizabeth Moen, River Glen, Dana T, Blake Shaw, comedian Jimmy Pardo, and many more. Dan has released several albums and EPs, including his most recent full-length ‘Bloom’.
BLAKE SHAW: www.blakeshawbass.bandcamp.com Blake is a double bassist, composer/arranger, teacher, and singer originally from Lisbon, IA. He plays with Thrio, Blake Shaw Quintet, Goose Town, River Glen, PSA, and dup. Blake loops live vocal beats and bass grooves to accompany his melodies stretching from R&B, rock, blues, pop, jazz, and more. Blake creates an atmosphere leaving you wondering, “Is that really one person?”. Yes, the answer is yes.”
RIVER GLEN: www.riverglenmusic.com This portion of the performance is a WORLD PREMIER along with a VERY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
THE SAVAGE HEARTS: www.savagefiddler.com Fiery bluegrass meets honky tonk. With traditional bluegrass instrumentation and creative arrangements informed by a range of influences, audiences can expect a highly entertaining stage show with drill-it-to-the-wall three part harmonies and bombastic instrumentals. "The most wayward prodigal would have trouble resisting the compelling grace that exudes from The Savage Hearts.” -Greg Blake
CHARLOTTE BLU: www.charlotteblu.com Charlotte is a powerful vocalist, songwriter, musician, and performer who's music is rooted in soul, blues and inspired by artists such as Amy Winehouse, Etta James, H.E.R., and Beyonce. Charlotte was selected to appear on season 20 of the hit TV Show “The Voice” and for her televised audition she performing the song “Love Is a Losing Game” by Amy Winehouse.