In The Round

Simon Cropp is a nomadic musician, frequently hopping from gig to gig in river towns along the Mississippi River or recharging at Lake Superior. We talk about his upcoming new album, a solo offshoot from his other band Slapdash Bluegrass, and how he first got into guitar and the world of country & bluegrass. We chat about his travels, things he learned along the way, and even briefly discuss rocks – like literal rocks. Stick ar...

This week it’s all about that bass with Blake Shaw! We take a deep dive into Blake’s stunning musical mind, discussing his creative processes from many angles of his busy life as a performer, educator, and composer in the world of jazz and beyond. He shares how he first got into music, then fell in love with jazz, and how he’s helping spread that joy to others. We also discuss the language of music and his approach to composing mul...

Jordan Beem learned to play guitar after his dad teased him about only “playing” Guitar Hero.That ignited the spark for him to hone this new craft, relying on YouTube and a few choir classes to grow his skills, eventually propelling him into the award-winning artist he is today. While he spends much of his time rocking out country covers at venues across Iowa and the Midwest, he’s also released multiple originals including “Fire an...

Meet River, AKA River Glen, a multi-instrumentalist, multi-faceted human who hails from Iowa but prefers life on the road. River grew up traveling with the family band, starting on violin at age 3 and later picking up guitar and mandolin, eventually evolving into his sound as a solo artist which he describes as “truth-to-power folk” and “poetic pop”. He takes his vocation as a musician seriously, using it to commune with audiences ...

This week on In The Round meet Lani, a Colombian-American artist who is all sonrisas y canciones – smiles and songs! Her pop-forward bops are catchy yet heartfelt, led by her glassy smooth vocals with a range that takes us from whispered hopes to powerful heights. We talk about how she got her start, the emotions and heartbreak of her youth that still linger in her songwriting, how music keeps her connected to her Colombian roots, ...

Meet Unique Vibrationz, an up-and-coming band from Iowa that blends elements of hip hop, soul, jazz, rock, and R&B into a raw, authentic, and groove-filled sound. True to their name, this group is all about good vibes, which you’ll hear in our conversation as we discuss how they fortuitously met at open mics, their creative process and the depths of De’An’s lyricism, and most adorably, the love and appreciation they have for ea...

Casandra Carson is a dynamic guitarist and vocalist in the rock scene, known for her energetic performances and earworm melodies that keep audiences hooked. Casandra started playing guitar from a young age, launching a band with her father Paul (Paralandra), and touring the country. Her notable talent gained the attention of other big names in the industry which led to her fronting The L.I.F.E. Project with Josh Rand, and touring a...

Lily DeTaeye has been performing since she was 13, cutting her teeth at the local farmer’s market, busking, and later honing her craft further by touring extensively across the U.S. Her songwriting taps into her own life experiences in a relatable and beautifully poetic way, and she’s also found inspiration from novels through her love of reading. We talk about the music-life balance, her “New Song November” songwriting challenge, ...

Them Coulee Boys have been rockin’ the Midwest and beyond since 2011. Based out of Eau Claire, WI, the band has been fortunate to work with Grammy-winner Brian Joseph who produced their newest album, “No Fun In The Chrysalis”. They demonstrate their superb musicianship and talents through distinctive instruments and vocal harmonies, creating a lush and dynamic sound. We talk about their journey up to this point, writing and recordi...

Good Morning Midnight takes indie rock to a whole new level. They’re purveyors of vibe, simultaneously creating hushed tones and moments of explosive emotion. We talk about the various iterations of the band and their collective talents, Midwestern connections, Charlie’s creative process, therapy through music, and the endless search for tone.

After the episode, hear a clip of “Lucky Penny” off their 2024 release “All The Birds’ M...

Troubadour. Writer. Dedicated dad. Plain talker. Baked bean expert. Jordan Messerole is a prolific Americana artist who took the leap into being a full-time musician in 2021 and has been traveling and sharing his songs ever since. His latest release and 7th studio album “St. Something or Other” leans into his country western side and features a lineup of highly talented collaborators.

Hear our conversation and a piece of a brand n...

Molly Brandt is a lifelong musician who only started writing her own songs in 2021. Her debut album “Surrender the Night” won her the 2023 Americana Artist of the Year award from the Midwest Country Music Awards and solidified her as a noteworthy addition to the Minneapolis music scene and Americana genre as a whole. Hear our conversation with Molly and her partner Eric Carranza, who co-produced their celebrated sophomore release “...

Joel Sires is proudly a man without a plan. Influenced by John Prine, The Beatles, and ‘60s one-hit wonders, he let the music guide him into a sound that’s uniquely Joel – a collection of achingly beautiful, folk-led songs, some laced with humor and others observational. Having played since he was young with his ragtag yet highly talented group of brothers and cousins, Joel cut his teeth by gigging consistently and cranking out new...

Call it swamp metal, call it atmospheric doom, Glass Ox is a 3-piece band that packs a punchfull of riffs. Originally a solo project of singer & guitarist Bo Becker, bassist Mythias Keahna and drummer/lyricist Javi Rodriguez came on board in 2018 to form a supergroup of sorts, releasing their first album in February 2020 right before the world shut down. They talk about the music scene, the nostalgia of cassette tapes, and how ...

If you love Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson, then you’ll love Royce Johns. A talented country artist living and creating from his own backyard here in central Iowa, Royce has a voice that will take you back in time, and a jovial sense of humor. He and his longtime friend turned drummer, Abraham Lopez, sit down to chat about the joys and stresses of parenthood, being full-time musicians, and how patience affects th...

Not too long ago, two bands from two cities combined to create a supergroup named Social Cinema. Now, they are In The Round to talk about their influences, their streamlined songwriting process and taking advantage of bigger opportunities. They also dish on their favorite weird on-the-road snacks.

After the chat, kick back and listen to Social Cinema play their song “Brown Paper Bags & Funny Faces” recorded live in studio.

Dick Prall only goes by Richard when he’s in trouble, though you can call him Dickie on stage, that is if he’s not blacking out for the first few songs. Chill out with Dick as he talks about learning guitar in his mid-20s, working with big acts and the value of having space to fill. He also shares details on his upcoming EP “Headful of Hiss.”

After the interview, listen to Dickie’s song “Minus Thieves” recorded in studio.

How do you know when to stop? This is a question Chris Schiermann asks himself regularly when it comes to writing a song. The process is an emotional journey that always has a different answer. Check out this episode to hear Chris talk about developing his writing over the years, why listening to his own music boosts his confidence and the heartwarming story of how he met his fiancée. After the interview, listen to Chris’ song “Fle...

After nearly 60 years of playing guitar, Carl Verheyen still finds time to push the strings around every day, and that “guitar addiction” keeps him at the top of his game. In this episode, he talks about the magic of improvisation, working in recording sessions with musicians he admires and all the great travel experiences he’s had in his career. After the chat, listen to Carl’s song “Riverboat Sky” recorded in studio.

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