Local label Cartouche Records will deliver a cool sonic one-two punch this weekend with a pair of new albums, Devin Frank, “The Vanishing Blues” and Chrash, “Things My Friends Say,” which will hit stores and online music spots on July 15. Both acts were featured in last weekend’s live showcase at Daytrotter and played to appreciative crowds. Frank is a former member of Iowa indie rock band Poison Control Center.  “The Vanishing Blues” is his first solo album.  Chrash is a Quad-Cities mainstay featuring Chris Bernat of the hugely successful ‘90s indie rock band Tripmaster Monkey. ... Read More

The Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree is rolling a high five of fan favorite musical performers at this year’s event, its 37th at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. The gigs will be held July 14-16, 2016 at Iowa 80 Truckstop, I-80 Exit 284, Walcott, Iowa. “We have a great line up this year,” says Heather DeBaillie, Marketing Manager. “Our performers are fan favorites.” Thursday July 14 attendees can enjoy the music of Dani Lynn Howe and headliner Clare Dunn. “Dani Lynn is sure to be full of energy and playing our favorites,” says DeBaillie.  “Clare Dunn has just released her new single Tuxedo.... Read More

When that change arrives, you can get unusual hot flashes, fiery mood swings and unusual ideas and cravings. And by “that change,” of course I’m talking about a theater changing shows from one to the next. Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is going to be transitioning into that more mature era as they closed down “Sister Act” last weekend and this weekend welcome the return of “Menopause: The Musical,” running through Aug. 27. The show will be performed at Circa ’21 on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays evenings at 7:45 p.m., Sundays at 5:45 p.m., and Wednesday matinées at 1:30 p.m.... Read More

Local record label Cartouche Records wants to give you a mix tape. Live. For the first time, the Davenport label is chrashing into Daytrotter with a showcase of some of its most popular acts, offering local fans the chance to check out songs by its artists Devin Frank, Chrash, J.E. Sunde and Brooks Strause, Saturday, July 9 at 324 Brady St., Davenport. Both Devin Frank and Chrash have new records coming out on July 15: Devin Frank, “The Vanishing Blues” & Chrash, “Things My Friends Say”. Devin Frank is a former member of Iowa indie rock band Poison Control Center. “The Vanishing Blues”... Read More

Dawn and On is rising again, with the popular festival hosted by Quad-Cities jam band The Dawn taking place all-day Saturday, July 9 at Len Brown’s North Shore Inn in Moline. Drawing off the success of their inaugural fest last summer which drew more than 1,000 fans, this year’s event will feature regional and national touring acts including Soap, Joe Marcinek, Driftless Sisters and The Candy Makers.  The Dawn will once again headline the event. The Dawn — Sean Ryan on vocals and guitars, Jordan VanOpdoorp on vocals and keyboards, Garrin Jost on bass and Josh Womack on drums – have... Read More

They may have only gone to the crossroads to catch the school bus, and the darkest indigo lyrics they’ve sung are likely about not getting what they wanted for Christmas, but that won’t stop a number of local kids from learning about playing and singing the blues Saturday during the Blues Skool Program at the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest. “BlueSKool is one of the best things we ever came up with,” said Stan Furlong, a member of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and an organizer of the event. “It’s important because we don’t want people in the future to be ignorant of the source... Read More

It’s hard to believe that anything could be better than cover bands, karaoke and gravy, unless it’s a Nickelback cover band that leads a karaoke version of “Call Me Maybe” re-titled “Call Me Gravy,” as they’re making gravy, but, as incomprehensible as it may be even within the realm of quantum physics, Andrew King insists that the new Bix Beiderbomb Presents MAY be even better than that. MAY be. He’s not making any promises or guarantees. So, if your to-do list for the week includes downing cheap beer, laughing at cheap comedy, being surprised by cheap thrills and stories and getting... Read More

Kalispell is ready to cast his spell on local music fans. The Davenport-based Cartouche Records artist will be performing at 7 p.m. Monday, June 27 at Daytrotter, 324 Brady St., Davenport, along with Dan Blakeslee. Tickets are $8 in advance, $12 at the door. Kalispell’s new record, “Printer’s Son”, was released on Davenport’s Cartouche Records on June 3. Connecting an improvisational heart with meticulously constructed arteries of melody, it eschews the stomp-clap boom-chuck trends of indie-folk, instead giving nods to the entranced sonic tapestries of Phillip Glass and lyrical... Read More

It’s a new dawn for Dawn And On. The popular Quad-Cities Jam Band The Dawn will be hosting their second annual Dawn and On Festival on July 9. The all-day music festival will once again take place outside at Len Brown’s North Shore Inn in Moline. Drawing off the success of their inaugural fest last summer which drew more than 1,000 fans, this year’s event will feature regional and national touring acts including Soap, Joe Marcinek, Driftless Sisters and The Candy Makers.  The Dawn will once again headline the event. Festival promoter Mike Mathews is excited to be bringing Dawn and On back... Read More

Time to stir up the Gumbo again. Gumbo Ya Ya,  Mardi Gras in The District, returns to downtown Rock Island Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11, bringing the atmosphere of New Orleans to the Quad-Cities for its 24th consecutive year. A variety of New Orleans style music will be performed over the weekend including zydeco, blues, and more. Louisiana style food will also be available through various vendors and a “French Quarter” marketplace will offer gifts and novelty items. A street magician, David Casas, will perform David Blaine-style tricks among the crowd on Friday night (which will... Read More