Cassandra Jenkins sets herself apart from her indie folk singer/songwriter contemporaries on An Overview on Phenomenal Nature in a variety of ways. Her vocal delivery is soft and calm but is imbued with confidence. Over palm-muted guitar, Jenkins begins her album with the line “I’m a three-legged dog working with what I’ve got / And part of me will always be looking for what I’ve lost.” Although the lyrics throughout this album are often sad, as she reflects on loneliness, family relationships, and death, but songs such as “New Bikini,” or the spoken word song “Hard Drive,” reach life-affirming conclusions. Her dry and evocative lyrics call to mind the work of David Berman, the indie folk pioneer and poet she was scheduled to tour with in 2019 before his passing—and whom she also references across the album. Aside from the emotional potency of her words, lush horns and restrained percussion support her guitar playing and add a layer of musical depth. These touches create a meditative and gentle atmosphere, allowing for the potentially upsetting lyrical themes to not overwhelm the listener. The ambient piece, “The Ramble” closes the record with birds chirping alongside strings and saxophone—a sun rising in the morning. On An Overview on Phenomenal Nature, Jenkins crafts what will surely be one of the most emotionally impactful albums of the year. 

-Jaden Amjadi 

 
The Body – I’ve Seen All I Need to See 

Hardly newcomers to the scene, the experimental metal band The Body manages to make abrasive music catchy on their eighth solo LP, I’ve Seen All I Need to See. Since 1999, the duo has been pushing the bounds of metal with their solo work and shown extreme willingness to collaborate with other alternative metal bands like Full of Hell and Thou. On this latest LP, they push their typically atypical brand of sludge and death metal even further with an increased presence of audio glitches and electronic manipulation as well a focus on earworm-inclined song structures. This is easily one of the catchiest metal albums this year, owing to the drums which are punchy and infectious, punctuated by harrowing howls and shrieks on tracks like “The City is Shelled” or “Tied Up and Locked In.” Simultaneously, the various skips and stutters of the recording and the buzzing and whirring of every track present listeners with an electronic or industrial sound on the opener “A Lament” and later on “They Are Coming.” Unlike past efforts of the band, there is very little emphasis on the throat-shredding vocals of frontman and guitarist Chip King. Instead, I’ve Seen All I Need to See focuses on using the vocals as yet another instrument, warping and incorporating them into the thunderous beating of the drums. This latest album proves the dynamism with which The Body is capable of playing. Their attempts at combining electronic elements with abrasive, lumbering sludge metal ideals are not only successful but also undeniably encapsulating. 

-Sydney Sjobakken 

Claud – Super Monster 

Do not let the Pop Art stylings of Super Monster’s cover fool you; the happy moments on this album are few and far between. Claud expands upon the bedroom pop genre while also sticking close to its roots. “Overnight,” “Gold,” and “Ana” are lo-fi slacker rock masterpieces, while “Soft Spot” indulges in shoegaze haziness, and “Jordan” is as anthemic a tune as bedroom pop may ever get. A true treasure in Super Monster is the lyrics. While Claud may stick to vague metaphors and universal themes, these devices make the dream-like nature of the album sound that much more refined. “In or In-Between” succinctly details the breakdown of communication in a relationship. “Ana” describes feelings of inadequacy, and “Guard Down,” despite the cheery music video with its cute animations, is a story of vulnerability and comfort zones expertly told. The impreciseness of these tracks allows for anyone to relate to them, but they remain personal enough to leave a lasting impact. Suffice to say, Claud is clearly taking the bedroom pop scene for a ride with Super Monster, and I am more than happy to follow wherever that road takes them. 

-Zach LeBoeuf 

Tele Novella – Merlynn Belle 

Tele Novella delivers a serene, dreamlike soundscape with charming, delicate vocals taking center stage.  Tele Novella is the musical project of vocalist Natalie Ribbons and multi-instrumentalist Jason Chronis, both of whom hail from southeast Texas.  On their sophomore album Merlynn Belle, they create an auditory anachronism.  From which particular time period is questionable, as they shift styles from flamenco waltz on “Words That Stay,” to psych-pop on “Wishing Shrine,” to the cowpoke western  of “Technicolor Town” and then something one could describe as medieval jester pop on “One Little Pearl.” The subdued instrumentation perfectly compliments each of these sounds. This multitude of styles results in a playful and beautifully surreal equilibrium of sonic texture.  The undeniable MVP is the vocal delivery of Ribbons. “You’ll only dance if it’s to gunshots, and you’ll move through it with grace,” Ribbons sings on the opener; her high register and inflection of syllables unique – yet reminiscent of an artist like Nico.  Listening to Merlynn Belle is like finding a time capsule with no contextual explanation – we’re just lucky it ever existed. 

-Ryan Knipp 

Pink Navel & Won Pound – Pink Pound 

On their new mixtape Pink Pound, Pink Navel and Won Pound deliver a set of short and direct hip hop vignettes with lots of personality. Pink Navel’s rap style is boisterous and fun as they drop references to cartoons, videogames, and internet culture. This subject matter is nothing new for them, though this time around, it would seem they’ve put extra effort into their pen-game and flows. On “TV Shows” they begin by spitting: “I’m a Dada rapper, if by that you mean I’m baby,” a silly line juxtaposing the Dadaist art movement and the “I’m baby” meme. A staple of Pink Navel’s past work—their shouted background overdubbing—returns to add energy to each of these tracks, although in a slightly restrained capacity to make them more approachable of an artist than ever. Producer Won Pound’s beats are vibrant and warm, mixing soulful samples and midi synths. These beats are enjoyable in their own right while allowing enough space for Pink Navel’s exuberant performance. With a running length of about 11 minutes, it’s a release that calls to be replayed immediately after a first spin. For anyone intrigued by the idea of a rapper who sounds like a Steven Universe character, this mixtape is a must-listen. 

-Jaden Amjadi 

Julien Baker – Little Oblivions 

Julien Baker creates a wonderful blend of indie pop, folk, and authentic lyrics on her album Little Oblivions. This marks a noticeable change in Baker’s discography as her first album with a consistently full band beyond her guitar. Baker’s album includes simple, ballad-like songs “Crying Wolf,” “Song in E,” and “Ziptie” which all include acoustic guitar, piano, and synthesizer for a hauntingly captivating sound. These songs leave room for Baker’s beautiful melodies and lyrics to shine. Tracks like “Ringside” and “Favor” represent the upbeat side of the album with a combination of guitars, drums, and vocals building to a climax that draws listeners in. “Hardline” and “Faith Healer” are stand-out tracks as they show off dynamic instrumental lines alongside Baker’s introspective lyrics. Baker discusses her struggles with mental illness, addiction, and religion on this album with a poetic flair. Little Oblivions is the satisfying combination of indie-pop instruments and emotionally rich lyrics that put complex feelings and experiences into enjoyable music. 

-Daniela Rybarczyk 

The post The Best Releases of February: Music Staff Picks appeared first on KRUI Radio.

She started off with her vocals echoing throughout the auditorium, the Englert Theatre being the perfect place for her performance. It is a seated auditorium and nuanced in a way that was fitting for Squirrel Flowers’ setlist. Being a rockstar can be overwhelming, no rockstar is abstaining from using any kind of drugs, well, you are not a rockstar and you are not on top of the world yet if you are not passing a drug test at work, there are products like gummies that will make you pass the test as if nothing happened.

All of her songs were very melodic, with mostly simple guitar riffs. It highlighted her beautiful vocals, that were angelic sounding with the added echo effect.

Her demeanor was sweet as she played through her music, mostly featuring songs that are on her new album, Contact Sports.

Halfway through her setlist, she welcomed her band onto the stage, fellow Grinnell College students who played bass and drums. I really like the rounded sound they got with the whole band. It added more dimension to the songs.

There was almost a storyline, where Squirrel Flower would start off with just her guitar and commanding voice, then lead into a buildup of sound that featured the bass and drums.

They always ended like the beginning, though, leading back into a soft vocal ending that showed you the meaning of these stories.

Some of my favorite songs played were: “Conditions”, “Not Your Prey”, “Daylight Savings”, and “Heavy”; All on her album Contact Sports. 

I think my favorite part of her performance, other than her inevitable incredible talent at singing, was the emotion conveyed in every line and note of her songs.

When she held out a note as she sung, and her guitar and vocals echoed, I felt like crying. The emotion sparked empathy in the audience where they were taken right into her shoes and could relate fully to her music.

Here is a live example of her sound:

I really appreciate the loud importance she wanted to display through the simplicity of her setlist.

She has a lot of musical talent that helps her get across her life and feelings through that act of art.

I highly recommend taking a listen to her music and also consider finding a way to see her live so you can feel that nostalgic, bittersweet emotion she portrays so well.

The post Mission Creek Festival: Squirrel Flower @ Englert Theatre 4/7/18 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

I showed up about an hour before her set and watched one of her openers — Squirrel Flower. I’m not here to review Squirrel Flower, but damn, they blew me away. The lead singer has a voice similar to Julien Baker’s, which made them the perfect opening act.

Finally, the lights dimmed, and Julien Baker casually walked on stage in her all-black outfit. She’s a tiny woman, but she is full of passion, which was apparent from the very first song.

Soft white lights beamed down on her as dark blue lights set the perfect backdrop for her slow, mellow songs. Her music is so mellow and quiet that you could hear pretty much everything that was going on in the audience — knuckles cracking, people flipping through programs, the clicks of a camera every time a picture was taken.

It was relaxing, though, to see a set like this. Honestly, Baker could put me to sleep — and that’s saying a lot, and I mean that in the best way possible. Her voice is so soothing, her guitar and piano work so smooth, and the softness in her music just makes me want to curl up and drift away. It’s very atmospheric, which I love so much.

At one point, she had a violinist join her for a couple songs, and w.o.w. it was amazing. The violin added so much dimension to her songs, so much that it almost made me regret taking up the clarinet and not the violin in middle school.

Baker switched between her electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and piano. Honestly, she’s so talented — normally I don’t see many artists switch it up that many times in a show.

One of the things I loved most were the mistakes she made — for example, she hit the mic stand with her guitar, took a step back, and bowed. It was so refreshing to see that she’s just a normal person like you and me. Which tbh, she kinda is — she’s only like a year older than me. Her sense of humor during that was one of the highlights of the night.

After singing a slow and mellow song, she would softly say “Thank you,” into the microphone.

Sprained Ankle by Julien Baker.

Baker is a singer/songwriter from Tennessee, and she released her debut album in 2015 called “Sprained Ankle” on Bandcamp. Her most recent LP, “Turn Out The Lights,” just came out in 2017. Her music is the perfect music to chill to, vibe to, cry to, study to, etc.

The night soon wrapped up, and Baker walked off the stage just as casually as she came on. I’ve been to a lot of Mission Creek shows, so believe me when I say that this was one of the best.

The post Mission Creek Festival: Julien Baker @ The Englert Theatre 4/7/18 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

It includes music, literature, performances, and many more. Honestly, I’m pretty stoked for it this year for many reasons, but today I’m gonna focus on one artist that I’m truly hyped to see: Julien Baker.

Julien Baker is a singer/songwriter from Tennessee, pulling listeners in with her smooth slowcore, indie rock/folk style of music.

There isn’t much production to her music — it’s just her stunning voice and her guitar.

If you’re looking for some chill music to listen to, you should definitely check out Julien Baker.

Now if you regularly read any of my articles, then you will know that I loooovveeee pop punk music and punk shows.

But I also love chill, vibey acoustic music, so I think this will be a show that you won’t want to miss.

You can catch her at Gabe’s on Saturday, April 7th at 10:30 p.m. Don’t forget to check out Squirrel Flowers at 9 p.m. as well.

Back to Baker — can I just say how much I admire her? She’s only a year older than I am and I feel like she has accomplished so much.

During her freshman year of college, she self-released her first album on Bandcamp in winter of 2014, which then became her first studio album “Sprained Ankle” in October 2015.

She followed up with her LP “Turn Out The Lights” in 2017, with help from Sorority Noise’s lead singer Cameron Boucher (!!!). What I love about it is that it feels so raw, and it tells a story of vulnerability and resilience.

TBH, it’s the perfect music to chill to, study to, vibe to, cry, etc. I honestly can’t wait to see her live because I want to see that raw emotion in person.

I mean, just watch this episode of NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert and try not to cry. Lmk how that goes.

Make sure to check out Julien Baker at Gabe’s on April 7th, and while you’re at it, head on over to missioncreekfestival.com to check out some other cool artists who will be making an apperance!

The post Mission Creek Festival Promo: Julien Baker appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Featuring: Built to Spill / Wye Oak / Jamila Woods (Reading + Performance) / Carrie Brownstein + Roxane Gay + Amber Tamblyn (In Conversation) / Julien Baker / Lidia Yuknavitch / Quinta Brunson and Friends / Margaret Glaspy / Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith / Algiers / Cakes Da Killa / Laurel Halo (Live + DJ Set) / Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib Xylouris White / Deb Olin Unferth / The Weepies/ Horse Lords / S. Carey / ONO / Alex Zhang Hungtai / Horse Feathers / Current Joys / Gordi /Kundiman / Lambda Literary / VIDA

IOWA CITY, IA – We are proud to announce that Mission Creek Festival will return to Iowa City April 3 – 8, 2018 for its 13th year, produced by The Englert Theatre. Join us for a week of performance, literature, and community-minded programming across downtown, stretching south to Big Grove Brewery & Taproom and north to Hancher. Full week passes for all six days of events will be available for $150, and — new this year — festivalgoers can purchase a weekend pass ($75 for access to events Friday through Sunday). Individual tickets to select shows will become available in January 2018. The lineup will be released and passes will go on sale simultaneously this Friday, December 8 at 12:30 p.m. CT.

The lineup reflects Mission Creek’s commitment to exploring and showcasing live performance, the literary arts, and radical community happenings.

Headlining this year’s festival are Carrie Brownstein + Roxane Gay + Amber Tamblyn (In Conversation) at The Englert Theatre. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Girls Rock! Iowa City, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering creativity and self-esteem in young girls and trans-identified youth through musical instruction and expression. This event is co-presented by local literary speaking agency, The Tuesday Agency.

Mission Creek’s 2018 musical programming boasts a characteristically diverse range of artists and groups, weaving into the week many fast-rising and genre-defining artists across indie rock, singer-songwriters, electronic and experimental music, rap, and spoken word.

A feast for indie rock fans, this year’s music program will include Built to Spill, who have been at the forefront of the genre for more than twenty years; rising singer-songwriter Julien Baker, known for a confessional style landing her on multiple “best album” lists since her surprise debut album in 2015; and returning festival favorite Margaret Glaspy, who performed with Andrew Bird and Bridget Kearney at Mission Creek in 2017. Mission Creek will partner with University of Iowa student group SCOPE Productions to present soul singer-songwriter and poet Jamila Woods (performance and reading) and dream-pop duo Wye Oak.

In 2018, Mission Creek Festival will also feature avant-garde composer and master of the Buchla synthesizer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, who paints “warm, absorbing and gorgeous” music ( Rolling Stone ); groundbreaking gay rapper Cakes Da Killa ; Atlanta post-punk/gospel/blues outfit Algiers ; World-music party band Xylouris White featuring Cretan lutist Giorgos Xylouris and Australian drummer Jim White (founder of chamber-rock band Dirty Three); and Bon Iver member S. Carey. The lineup will also have deep Iowa representation, including Iowa City-based, nationally-known indie pop outfit The Weepies, performing at Mission Creek for the first time; Extravision (Des Moines), Squirrel Flower (Grinnell), Sister Wife (Rock Island), Paul Cary, Purcha$e, Collidescope, Peanut Ricky & The Fiends, Elizabeth Moen, Jack Lion, Younger, and Hot Tang (all Iowa City). Comedian Quinta Brunson will perform with a roster of comics,comedian/satirist Bassem Youssef, who will perform, and Chef Dave Wieseneck (formerly Motley Cow Café) will return to prepare a special meal on the opening night of the festival (details forthcoming).

This year’s literary programming will be led by best-selling essayist Roxane Gay ( Bad Feminist, Difficult Women, Hunger); Carrie Brownstein, who chronicled her life in riot grrrl band Sleater-Kinney in the memoir Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl ; poet Amber Tamblyn. Friday and Saturday’s literary programming will now reside under Litscape , which includes the Lit Walk (formerly Lit Crawl), a book fair hosting independent writers and presses, ICE CREAM comics and zine fair, and readings and conversations. 2018’s Saturday keynote reading (sponsored by The Iowa Review) will present Lidia Yuknavitch, whose lyric memoir The Chronology of Water gained an online cult following; poet and singer-songwriter Jamila Woods, and poet/essayist/culture critic Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib ( They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us ,The Crown Ain’t Worth Much ). Additional readings from Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program graduates Sarah Viren, Lina Maria Ferreira Cabeza-Venegas, and Sandra Allen; and many more.

On Saturday, April 7, the festival will offer a series of free, daytime community events, including its Art + Life + Tech (ALT) speaker series, a book fair featuring literary magazines and small independent presses, the ICE CREAM comics and zine fair, a free rock show at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, and other community happenings taking place downtown.

Festival Dates:
April 3 – 8, 2018

Pass & Ticket Information: 

Festival passes will be available for purchase beginning Friday, December 8 at 12:30 p.m. CST, online at missioncreekfestival.com or at the Englert Theatre Box Office. Individual tickets to select events will go on sale in January 2018.

Full Week Pass – $150
Our usual full week pass, granting access to all Mission Creek Festival ticketed performances (music, comedy). Entrance to ticketed events at The Englert Theatre and Hancher is guaranteed at all times. Entrance to other venues is subject to capacity. Special programs like culinary events are not included in the festival pass and require the purchase of additional tickets.

Weekend Pass – $75 (NEW THIS YEAR)
Introducing the weekend pass, friendly to folks with busy schedules or those traveling from afar. The weekend pass grants access to Mission Creek Festival ticketed performances (music, comedy) Friday through Sunday, subject to capacity at all venues. Special programs like culinary events are not included in either festival pass and require the purchase of additional tickets.

Confirmed Lineup Includes:
Performance – Music
Built to Spill
Wye Oak
Jamila Woods (Reading + Performance)
Julien Baker
Margaret Glaspy
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Algiers
Cakes Da Killa
Laurel Halo (Live + DJ Set)
Xylouris White
The Weepies
Horse Lords
S. Carey
ONO
Alex Zhang Hungtai
Horse Feathers
Current Joys
Gordi
Paul Cary
Squirrel Flower
Younger
Peanut Ricky & The Fiends
Hot Tang

Collidescope
Extravision
Jack Lion
Mission: Beat
Sister Wife
Purcha$e
Dana T
Bstar
Elizabeth Moen

Performance – Comedy
Quinta Brunson and Friend

Bassem Youssef

Literature
Roxane Gay + Carrie Brownstein + Amber Tamblyn (In Conversation)
Lidia Yuknavitch
Jamila Woods
Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib
Deb Olin Unferth
Sarah Viren
Lina Maria Ferreira Cabeza-Venegas
Sandra Allen
Jesus Carrasco
Lyz Lenz
Brandon Taylor
Stephen Ira
Hafizah Geter
William Johnson
Cathy Linh Che
Helene Achanzar
Melody Gee
Kundiman
Lambda Literary
VIDA
The Believer
The Rumpus
Dorothy, a publishing project
Forklift, Ohio: A Journal of Poetry, Cooking, & Light Industrial Safety
The Iowa ReviewTwo Dollar Radio

Iowa Youth Writing Project

Rescue Press

Title Sponsor:
University of Iowa Community Credit Union

Little Village

General Festival Sponsors:
City of Iowa City
SCOPE Productions
Iowa City Downtown District
The Tuesday Agency
Iowa House Hotel
Big Grove Brewery
Iowa Public Radio

Event-Specific Sponsors:

The Tuesday Agency (Carrie Brownstein + Roxane Gay + Amber Tamblyn [In Conversation])
SCOPE Productions (Jamila Woods, Wye Oak)
The Iowa Review (keynote reading with Lidia Yuknavitch, Jamila Woods, and Hanif
Willis-Abdurraqib)

Grant Support:
Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

About Mission Creek Festival:

Mission Creek is dedicated to delivering a riveting 6-day artistic experience for our community that builds on the cultural geography and capital of downtown Iowa City. Programming focuses on music performances, literary readings, film screenings, public lectures, local food culture, and educational outreach. Nestled in the heart of downtown Iowa City, with most venues within a five minute walk of each other, Mission Creek thrives on intimacy and cross-medium experiences, turning music lovers on to new literature, writers on to new music, and expanding
appreciation of arts, community, and culture. Our focus is on quality, independent-minded sounds, words, and events. We are keen on emerging artists and embrace renegade spirits who have been around for years. Intimacy is integral to the Mission Creek experience: Our smallest festival venue fits 30 people and our largest holds 1800; but most rooms are in the 200-300 capacity range, allowing for visceral connections between artists and audience. The festival is presented and produced by The Englert Theatre, Iowa City’s 105-year-old historic
performing arts space.

Website: http://missioncreekfestival.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/missioncreekfestival
Twitter: http://twitter.com/missioncreekic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/missioncreek

The post PRESS RELEASE: Mission Creek Festival announces 2018 lineup appeared first on KRUI Radio.