I'm with the band.

80/35, Des Moines' burgeoning indie-rock music festival, fell upon us this past weekend. Since Parlours were on the bill this year, we had access to all the stage areas with these nifty little passes.

The last time my husband's band performed at 80/35, I was at the hospital down the street giving birth to Ruby! Of all seven years of the festival, that one was the only time we ever missed (but for good reason, I must say).

We brought the kids along on Day 2, mainly to see Daddy play the drums. Ruby felt pretty special getting to wear the band lanyard, as anyone would.

Watching our friends in the Envy Corps perform on the main stage. 

I love that the kids can splash around in these water features while the whole family can listen to some jams.

Here, Sterling is wearing the same Threadless dinosaur onesie that Ruby wore two 80/35's ago. There's just something about it that screams "music festival". The adorable space-themed bibdanna was lovingly sewn by our friend at Graystitch. Keep an eye out for more of where that came from in the coming weeks!

Parlours doing their thang. 

Ruby, so sweetly, remarked that her Daddy was doing a good job while watching him play. Heart melt.

We enjoyed performances from Dawes, Maids, Max Jury, Surfer Blood, Envy Corps, & Dr. Dog this year. The best part of the fest though is the community surrounding it. I could always find of group of friends at every show to hang out with or get some help with the kids. We love 80/35!!

Some 80/35 Highlights...

This is going to be brief. Mainly because I didn't take many photos this year. We didn't even spend much time at the fest, which can be attributed to the fact that I am 9 months pregnant. But still, good times were had. Also, I deserve some kind of "cool mom" award for enduring the heat/ walking around.

For a variety of factors, we decided not to purchase tickets this year. We had every intention of checking out the free stages though. Then, the day before the festival, some friends off-loaded a pair of tickets on us. SCORE.

Ruby stayed with the grandparents on Friday, so Mama & Papa made a date night out of it. We got hot dogs at Hot Shots (2nd time in a week) and enjoyed shows from Yeasayer, Menomena, and David Byrne & St.Vincent.

(Above: Live art by Van Holmgren)

I've been a long time Menomena fan and was surprised to see them playing a free stage. Their "Friend or Foe" album just *might* be in my Top 10 of all time, so I was pumped that they played "Muscle & Flo". 

I was really glad we got to catch the big show on Friday night - David Byrne & St. Vincent. I'm not as familiar with their mutual musical efforts, but I'm a fan of their individual projects. The two of them on stage together felt enigmatic. No need for dazzling visuals here. The minimalist light show with backing brass band set an almost surreal tone and made for one memorable 80/35 performance.

Come Saturday, we only went to ONE SHOW. I know. But it was a good one. Deerhunter on the main stage. Wayde watched up close while I supervised Ruby in the library fountain/ stream. She had so much fun—I wouldn't have had it any other way:)

So, another great festival year & one of my favorite things about living in Des Moines.

P.S. Check out the Here, Pretty Kitty blog—they featured this prego Mama in their 80/35 street style post.

EIGHTY THIRTY-FIVE, BABY!!

Last year during the 80/35 Music Festival, I was in the hospital having a baby. This year, I got to enjoy it with my beautiful daughter (& husband)! Despite the heat, we all had a great time:) 

There were some challenges with taking a one year old along, but it helped that there were so many spots to refill our water cups and relax in the shade. It also helped that Ruby is such a good-natured little girl and is developing a love for music. She was boppin' her little head and clapping whenever she could. TOO CUTE.

I think it's safe to declare the Avett Brothers show as Ruby's 1st big concert (before she fell asleep). And it was a worthy one, at that! I hadn't listened to a lot of their music before, but I left feeling like I experienced something pretty special.

80/35, Day 2. More bands, more heat to endure...

Leslie & The Ly's.

 

Death Cab for Cutie closed out the festival. It's pretty great to see a band you can associate so many memories with under your own familiar skyline.

Thanks for another great year, 80/35!! xx

Just Another 80/35 Video...

Indie Rock Chick & Hipster Boyfriend are back for a 2nd installment of promo videos for the 80/35 Music Festival. The festival is the highlight of my summers here in Des Moines, so I was super flattered to be asked to take part in these shorts. They've been a complete BLAST to make.

The final product is slated for a mid-June release. In the meantime, check out the first one we shot in which we dropped clues leading up to the big line-up announcement (DEATHCAB! AVETT BROTHERS! + MORE!!)

EIGHTY. THIRTY. FIVE.

What an incredible 4th of July weekend it was!! Unfortunately, we didn't get to experience any of these [see above] due to rain, but 80/35 was explosive enough to make up for the lack of firecracker action. And now, a few highlights:


My brother rockin' the beats for Canby. SO proud of him!

Siblings 4 ever.
The Walkman were definitely one of my favorite shows of the festival. The pouring rain just made it even more magical...

Enjoying the shows with one of my dearest friends in life, Tyrell.

Pennyhawke's set was a pleasant surprise! And if you thought that lady on the drum kit looks familiar, it was none other than thy keeper of the gems herself, LESLIE HALL.

Not even the rain could get us down...SO looking forward to next year!!

Hope you had a great holiday weekend xx

Thought on a Friday // 80-35 EDITION

The 80/35 Music Festival takes place this weekend in downtown Des Moines and I AM PUMPED.

The free stages are going to be where it's at this year. Here's a few shows that I'm looking forward to:

Zola Jesus. I'm really determined here not to be all "if you like [insert band], you're really going to enjoy [insert band], but this Wisconsin chick opened for Fever Ray. For a reason.

Solid Gold. Solid beats. Dance party to ensue.

Flatform. Local DJ/VJ duo [& friends] will keep the dance party going. Des Moines doesn't even know what they have in these guys.

Canby. Scott Yoshimura [of Envy Corps notoriety & friend] solo project grows on me with every performance. I also really enjoy the fact that my younger brother is drumming for him. Go to this show and check out his mad percussion skills.

Even if you're not a fan of all the bands, you'll only be punishing yourself by not indulging in all the amazing *free* events that will be going on.

The YPC Do More Village will be packed with vendors showcasing art, music, and the best of local businesses. There will also be a DIY Craft Fair sponsored by Meredith on Saturday from 12pm – 6pm.

And don't forget to bring:


See you this weekend!!

[Images via Music Philosophy, band websites.]