For many punters around the world IOWA need no introduction. These boys are amongst an ever-growing population of bands using digital media to promote and distribute their own music digitally and physically.
The rise and rise of DIY releases is changing the musical landscape forever. I have long been haunted by the dream of living in a world where music was on tap 24/7, where you could pick and choose what you listened to, share, review and purchase limited edition vinyl- all with a click of the computer machine . The dream is fast becoming a reality.
IOWA are an awesome example of three blokes, with a hobby and a passion for playing their guitars and drums real loud whilst channelling the likes of Jesus & Mary Chain, Spacemen 3 and Sonic Youth. They have quite comfortably recorded and released music to the world without any associated industry to do. Who needs band competitions, record labels and distributors that exploit musicians in the draconion belief that “kids wanna be famous and get signed”? Talk to most musicians kicking around the live music scene and they will openly admit they play for the love of it, not the notoriety, not the chance of fame, not the potential to earn a pittance of what a record company is making off their backs. Lucky for the music loving public on planet earth….Corporate types may ask “ how do we monetise it?” Answer: You don’t corportate types, your part to play is to remove your grimy hands from the notion of making money from the talent of others.
It’s the off the cuff passion and intensity that make IOWA such a great band. Without ever having played a gig they decided to record some demos in order to capture what they had been rehearsing back in 2009. The product of said demo recording session was too good not to release, 7 songs captured in the moment ( 1 take) with minimal vocal overdubbing. Not having spent much money recording, IOWA decided their money could be better spent on releasing and distributing what they had. In a stroke of brilliance similar to the the slow release of OFF! vinyl singles over a period of time the band decided to put 7 inch singles out over the course of a few months, giving their fans the ability to download for free from Bandcamp and or purchase the real thing. In an interview with “Beat Magazine” in 2010 IOWA bass player Jordan Barczak revealed “We tried out options like iTunes, but giving the fans a choice of downloading it, along with a link to buy the seven inch is the better option I think.”
It was only a matter of time before IOWA were discovered by bloggers in cyberspace and they began to see punters from all over the world downloading and purchasing their tunes.
IOWA’s tunes are great and apart from all the value the digital age contributes to a bands ability to spread their sound, there is nothing like seeing them live.(keep your eye on the gig guide) IOWA have released two 7 inch coloured vinyl singles available for download also;
The third release being “Complete Control” which is available for download and due to be released on vinyl in 2012.
Undercover are looking forward to having a chat about IOWA with IOWA early in 2012. We love bands that go forward, move ahead and make the most of the tricky yet rewarding musical landscape digital media provides for bands and punters alike. For the time being check out IOWA here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iowa/104525472915976
Iowa - Complete Control from BOOM!PRODS on Vimeo.
