Author Archives: LB
St. Joe News.net : Maturity and Innovation – The Nadas
St. Joe News.net : Maturity and Innovation : Full Article
Playboy magazine once called The Nadas “the best college band you’ve never heard of.” But in recent years, the Des Moines folk rock quintet has undergone a change. What’s the change, you might ask?
“A collective 40 pounds,” laughs vocalist/guitarist Mike Butterworth. “No, I think we’re just a little more mature now.”
As the former Iowa State students entered their 30s, the band’s lyrical content changed. With their 2008 album “The Ghosts Inside These Halls,” songs about hook-ups and hangovers were replaced by songs about family and finance. The album helped to expand the group’s Midwest fanbase, gaining both older and younger listeners.
“I think we’ve always been known as a college band,” says Jason Walsmith, the band’s other guitarist and vocalist. “Maybe we’re getting a little bit farther from our college days, but the kids still really like us.”
The Nadas have also been …
March 24th, 2009AR hitting TX for SXSW
Heading to SXSW next week? Be sure to hit up the Authentic Records and Hey Cole day party featuring Bonne Finken and She Swings, She Sways:
Thursday, March 19
Authentic Records and Hey Cole Presents
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm Soho Lounge (217 E. 6th St.)
Join Hey Cole Presents and Authentic Records along with Near Records as they present music from up-and-coming artists including April Smith and the Great Picture Show, She Swings, She Sways, Jillian Rhys, Anthony Fiumano and the Medicine Chest, Bonne Finken, Jerzy Jung, Readymade Breakup, Rick Barry and others. Great music is just one reason to join us – we’ll have a generous open bar and free food. Send your name and mailing address to sxsw@heycole.com for entry.
Fear day parties are gonna wear you out? Hit up the Authentic Records Respite Room to take a break from the crowds, listen to some acoustic tunes and take part in intriguing …
March 13th, 2009Jason LeVasseur named Best Small Venue Performer of the Year!
Our congratulations go out to Jason LeVasseur for winning Campus Activities Magazine ‘Best Small Venue Performer of the Year’ award! Learn more about Jason LeVasseur and check out his music on his artist page.
March 11th, 2009Des Moines Register : Second Song of Year-Long Almanac Released
Des Moines Register : Nadas Release Second Song of Year-Long Almanac : Full Article
Jason Walsmith, frontman for Des Moines-based rock band the Nadas, recorded vocals last week for the band’s newest song, “Long Goodbye.” A mere couple days later the track was mixed, mastered and ready for an 8:45 a.m. debut during drive time on local radio station KPTL-FM “Capital” 106.3.
“Long Goodbye” is the February installment of the Nadas’ new album-in-progress, “Almanac.” It’s a year-long project in which the band creates and releases one song per month. The work will culminate in the band’s ninth studio album, to be released at about this time next year.
“I think that by spacing it out … it will give you a snapshot of the whole year,” Walsmith explained.
Every part of the artistic process is documented for subscribers to the Nadas’ Almanac Web site, thenadas.com/almanac. The band (Walsmith, singer/guitarist Mike Butterworth, bassist Jon Locker, …
March 6th, 2009The Daily Iowan : Swing and Swaying to the Music
The Daily Iowan : Swing and Swaying to the Music : Full Article
They didn’t have to travel far to find what they were looking for. The members of She Swings, She Sways didn’t even have to leave Iowa.
The Ottumwa-based band will perform at noon on Friday at Java House, 211 1/2 E. Washington St., as part of the “Java Blend” series. The group has received positive feedback for its latest album, Wasted Love Songs, which was released in July 2008.
The sextet is imbued with a bevy of musical influences. Having not grown up in the “Information Age,” they had to obtain their fill of music the old-fashioned way — radio and MTV — said guitarist/vocalist John Gordon.
“Living in Iowa meant that none of us was ever part of any legitimate ‘scene,’ ” Gordon said. “Most of our musical teeth were cut on whatever was in the top-40 …
February 19th, 2009Fusion 45 : Carrot Soup And Music – She Swings, She Sways
Fusion 45 : Carrot Soup And Music : Full Article
Like this one, from She Swings, She Sways. They’re a 6-man (well, 5-men and 1-woman) band from the home of Radar O’Reilly: Ottumwa, Iowa. They play self-described “Midwestern music” and they once rescued a horse who had fallen through a frozen pond. You can read more about them here.
I popped this one on in the background while making soup for the kids. When it came time to eat and I went to turn it down, my 8-year old said, “Hey, wait, I like that song”.
Their stuff is kind of catchy.
February 11th, 2009The Nelson-Atkins Blog : Fashion and Fun – The Nadas
The Nelson-Atkins Blog : Fashion and Fun : Full Article
A rockin’ peformance by the Nadas got the dance floor hopping. Playboy magazine called them the “best college band you’ve never heard of” and they certainly earned that honor. They kept the crowd energized with their upbeat songs, strong guitar and jamming bass lines. My favorite part was their “snipit montage” which included songs by Michael Jackson and AC/DC.
January 26th, 2009
