Every Friday at 2 p.m., enjoy the experience of radio in the making! Guests at our downtown location, 211½ Washington St., can be a part of the live audience for the free shows, which are recorded to be broadcast on the Java Blend program that originates on the University of Iowa radio station, WSUI, AM 910.
Serving up fresh-brewed performances and conversation with musicians from around the state and the U.S., Java Blend offers an eclectic mix of live tunes from the vibrant independent music scene. The programs are broadcast on Iowa Public Radio stations across the state. For more information about broadcast times and stations, go to http://iowapublicradio.org/javaBlend.php or iowapublicradio.org.
If you stop by a bit early, you can take part in one of our complimentary coffee tastings, which take place every Friday at 1:30 p.m.
Matthew Santos
Grammy-nominated artist Matthew Santos has established himself as one of the rare and striking talents quickly emerging from the Chicago music scene. Far from all of the sound and fury of the modern music trends, Santos is quietly rising into one of the most remarkable voices of his generation. Santos was nominated for “Best Rock Entertainer” for Chicago’s 2009 Music Awards and his band is featured as one of the “top ten bands to watch” in Chicago by The Chicago Sun-Times. Best known for his collaborations with Grammy-Award winning hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco, Santos has since stepped away from the flash and bang of the lime light in an effort to cultivate his own sound and songwriting, while carving out an independent road to creative success.
For more info visit:The official Matthew Santos website.
Jenny Owen Youngs
Jenny Owen Youngs is where the sweeping, cinematic pop of Regina Spektor, and the irreverently comical lyrics of Liz Phair meet. Born in 1981, Youngs was brought up in a quiet New Jersey suburb. Taking up the guitar at the age of 14, she later attended the State University of New York to study music. (The SUNY system produced other notable contemporaries of Youngs, like Regina Spektor, Langhorne Slim, and Dan Deacon.) Her next full-length release, "An Unwavering Band of Light," is due out on February 7, 2012.
For more info visit:The official Jenny Owen Youngs website.
Cornmeal
Formed over 10 years ago, Cornmeal has grown from humble beginnings into a nationally recognized live music institution. 10 years together is no simple task these days, especially when the last five have seen the band spending over half the year on the road. Heavily influenced by American roots and folk music, Cornmeal blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups’ vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of the past, Cornmeal continues to forge their own path, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers.
For more info visit:The official Cornmeal website.
The Uniphonics
The Uniphonics have created waves of excitement across the United States since forming out of the Iowa City music scene in 2007. Their jam band approach to hip hop has led them to performances at countless major festivals and venues across the country. The Uniphonics tour relentlessly in support of their 2 releases. They’ve played on bills with some of their biggest influences, including George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Rusted Root, Karl Denson, The Roots, and Primus.
For more info visit:The official Uniphonics website.
Paper Thick Walls
Paper Thick Walls presents an elegant mix of deep, reflective, and at times haunting music, which captures elements of sound similar to acts like Arcade Fire and Sufjan Stevens. The almost orchestral arrangement of piano, upright bass, guitars, drums, fiddle, mandolin, and other various instruments has a fascinating way of complimenting the profound fictional story lines that Paper Thick Walls portray through their lyrics.
More information at www.myspace.com/paperthickwalls..
