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Arthur Russell: Iowa Native and Musical Pioneer

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Today marks six years since the posthumous release of musician and composer Arthur Russell’s album, “Iowa Dream.” Although cellist, avant-garde composer, and disco producer Arthur Russell received little to no commercial success during his lifetime, he left a lasting impression on New York City’s downtown music scene throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Before succumbing to an AIDS-related illness in 1992, he released several underground club tracks that went on to achieve cult status, while leaving behind a vast collection of unreleased recordings and compositions. To commemorate the release of “Iowa Dream,” I chose to reflect on the late artist’s musical … Continued

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October, 17th. Prostitute makes their first appearance in Iowa.

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I first heard Prostitute in my Spotify discover weekly playlist around the beginning of last summer and as an enthusiast of any kind of noisy or abrasive rock/punk, I pretty much immediately fell in love with their music. The incredibly energetic vocals and playing, combined with angsty yet introspective lyricism make for such a fun listening experience that continues to maintain your engagement. So a couple months when I found out they were playing a show in my home state, I immediately knew I couldn’t miss out. Driving back to Iowa City from my hometown that night led to me … Continued

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Indie Bliss and EDM Euphoria: Lost Woods Festival 2026 Review

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Masterminded by the Cedar Falls based electro-pop trio Salt Fox, Lost Woods Music Festival 2026 was another spectacular triumph. Building on the success of previous editions, the festival’s fourth year kept what made the experience so special while incorporating a dazzling array of new activities, sights, and sounds.

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2026 Refocus Recap

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The 2026 Refocus Film Festival was Refocus’s fifth iteration and it certainly made a splash in Iowa City. Occurring from October 22nd to October 25th, these four days were packed to the brim with a variety of films and programs. The contributors to this article were unfortunately not able to attend all of them, but we were still grateful to experience even a taste of what Refocus had to offer.  For those unfamiliar, Refocus Film Festival is a film festival started by Ben Delgado and Andrew Sherbrune, Filmscene’s Programming Director and Executive Director plus Co-Founder. The festival showcases films, new … Continued

Music
Logan Melia

Craig Finn Interview

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After discovering The Hold Steady at Riot Fest, Logan Melia sits down with Craig Finn to discuss his new solo record Always Been, the evolution of narrative songwriting, and finding meaning in modern American life. From faith and mental health to baseball heartbreak, the conversation spans far beyond music.

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Festival Preview: Chicago’s New Year Transitions, Dec. 26–Jan. 1st

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Spanning 7 venues across 7 days, Transitions, the New Years Eve celebration by AURIS PRESENTS, in downtown Chicago has cultivated a lineup of the biggest names spinning records and electronica today. From December 26 – January 1st, Chicagoland will be ablaze as it welcomes the likes of 70 artists and a 21-hour marathon to ring in the new year at Outset. Here are the highlights coming this week to Chicago. 

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Interview: KRUI With The Plain White T’s

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At When We Were Young 2025, fellow Chicago area natives Plain White T’s sat down with me as we discussed how the local scene has changed, their tour with We The Kings, and how Las Vegas scares us all the slightest bit. We started the conversation out by sharing a mutual love of Death Cab for Cutie:

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Interview: Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers

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I sat down with multi-instrumentalists Jano Rix before his gig with The Wood Brothers at The Englert Theatre on November 12th. Taking a beat to touch on what shaped him artistically, his favorite illustrators, and the impact dancing has had in his adult life, Jano let us into how he makes a chaotic world feel focused and comfortable.

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Interview: Cecilia Castleman

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Born and raised in Nashville, Cecilia Castleman has spent her life surrounded by music. After releasing her first LP in January, this is only the beginning for the 24 year old singer/songwriter. We spoke about life on the road, the music that has shaped her, and her process for putting out her incredible tunes.

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