Local Scene Magazine

Local Music I Appreciate: The Velies (Caught In Places)

To Preface: there are no "favorites", and there are many bands I love whose albums I either don't have, or don't have a cover...because they were digital downloads, or because someone handed me a burned CD because they wanted me to hear the music before the printed albums were released. These are NOT reviews. I am here to promote the local music scene. That has not changed. The albums are in the order in which I photographed them, nothing more, nothing less.

It is my hope that by sharing these albums, some of you might find a band you haven't heard and check them out!

Local Music I Appreciate: Avey Grouws Band (Road to Memphis)

There is this "thing" going around Facebook where the poster shares an album that influenced their life (or their music, as many I have seen posting are musicians). Then I noticed a couple of musicians began posting the work of local musicians they appreciate. That is definitely more my speed!

Instead of just posting those local band albums and EPs to Facebook, I decided to add them on my blog page - to share in a more permanent location so people can come back to them if needed. I know how fast that Facebook feed gets away.

Local Bands Independence Day Activities

Many Quad City area Independence Day events feature local bands. We've gathered information about some of the events here.

Red White and Boom information:
July 3, 2018
Modern Woodmen Park
Modern Woodmen Park offers a flurry of activities inside the ball park! Including: bounce houses (1st Baseline Party Plaza), kids activities, live music, an Oath of Enlistment ceremony and a ton of entertainment. Stick around after the fireworks for some great music and some fun while let the traffic die down!

Galva Wins Grant, Music Series Begins Sunday

In June of 2017, John Taylor was taking a grant writing class for a Master’s program. He had an assignment to write a proposal for a grant. He decided he wanted to find a grant that interested him and that he could pursue, and he found the Levitt AMP grant. He wrote the proposal for the class, but continued to pursue the grant. It required a non-profit to receive the grant, so he partnered with the Galva Arts Council. Money had to be raised as the grant was matching funds.

Time. Life and Love - Steve Baumann

Photo of Steve Baumann, photo credit Jasen Hengst

Ellis Kell’s influence can be seen in the children’s programs and live music events at River Music Experience, but occasionally we run across unexpected personal stories of how he touched people’s lives. Such is the case with Steve Baumann, who will be celebrating the release of his first full-length album, Time. Life and Love at a dual-release show with BEEs on Saturday, February 24th.

Winter Blues Program / Home Grown Blues Musicians

I know I say this all the time, but I think it needs to be said often: the Quad Cities is pumping out some pretty impressive musicians.
Five hundred people witnessed this phenomenon just a couple of weeks ago at the Village Theater when the QC Rock Academy bands battled. On Saturday 12/30/17, you can see for yourself that the Blues is alive and well - thanks to the folks at the River Music Experience and about 19 young people in three bands.

New Years Eve in the QC

Stepping away from our usual NYE listing, this year the list will include a few events outside the live music offerings – even though the live music list this year is tremendous!

Steeplegate Inn, Davenport
Funktastic 5 starting at 9 pm. Several packages offered.

Black Watch Room, LeClaire
Bobby Ray Bunch and “My two Brads” from 8-12. Prime Rib Buffet-$50

My Place the Pub, Bettendorf
DJ – food, party favors, champagne. Costume contest – dress as your favorite music era.

The Last Waltz

The Last Waltz, a concert performed by the Canadian American group The Band held on Thanksgiving day 1976 has garnered a multi-generational cult following. Labeled as a farewell concert with The Band being joined on stage by such artists as Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Eric Clapton and a host of other iconic figures in music. This concert spans multiple genres and even cultures with its unique cast of characters. An epic concert movie produced by Martin Scorsese ensured that this musical gem would make it into my living room decades later.

Roberta's Blog - Taking Stock

Bret’s words last night haunted me all night and still this morning. I have been lax in my duties as a self-appointed champion of our local music scene. I don’t get out to 5 or 6 shows every weekend anymore – and I don’t write an article a week. At the peak of this magazine, I was writing up to 3 articles and shooting 10 bands some weeks. That was a crazy pace… but I had the spare time to do it, and it truly was a labor of love.

Navigating Alternating Currents

I set out this weekend to “create my own adventure” at Davenport’s Alternating Currents Festival. Of course my time was limited, but I still managed to get to venues and see both local and touring bands, as well as take in some art exhibits.
My first stop Friday was for an early dinner at Me & Billy. I had managed to work through lunch and was ready to grab a bite. Dinner was accompanied by the soothing sounds of the Ron Tegeler Jazz (Quartet). (Photo 1)