It was a beautiful spring night in Des Moines, Iowa at a club that definitely needs more recognition! Vaudeville Mews is definitely one of my favorite venues to see a show. It has that dark, grimy, roaring 1920’s feel to it, where it’s a club one night where people can rock out to it, vaudeville comedy the next night that would remind people of the Laurel & Hardy days, and a scandalous burlesque show the following night. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada’s own Courage My Love, who are rising stars in the alternative rock scene came to throw down with us Iowa folk! Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s own Hunter Dumped Us Here took the stage. I missed out on Street Thieves. Soon, you will get to see our interview with Courage My Love on here!
Out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a band that could be making some noise in Hunter Dumped Us Here. The band started off as a solo project by vocalist Gabe Reasoner, and since then he has recruited Preston West on guitars/vocals, Jason Feight on drums/percussion, and Aslan Denbow on bass/guitars. Gabe and company showcased their talent with their harmonies and precision in their musicianship, definitely getting the Des Moines crowd warmed up. Hunter Dumped Us Here is cut from the similar cloth of bands like Thrice and Emery. I want to encourage you to check out their full-length album entitled “I Understand” which is available at www.hunterdumpedushere.bandcamp.com. Switchblade Saturdays, out of Des Moines, were next to take the stage!
Switchblade Saturdays is a band that I see doing very well for themselves in the future. I can tell by their stage presence and their sound that they were made for the live show in front of a raucous audience. They seem to live by that creed “10 or 10,000”, in the sense that they seem to deliver each and every time that they take the stage. Switchblade Saturdays is a punk rock band composed of Zarrie Solum on vocals/bass, Josh Darnell on vocals/guitars, and Ben Watson(not the golfer) on drums. Switchblade Saturdays is developing a Des Moines punk scene as even out on the streets you scene patches on leather and denim jackets indicating that they are part of the Switchblade Saturdays crew. With their presence, it is easy to see why they have shared the stage with the likes of Motionless In White, Hatebreed, and Motorhead. Canada’s own Courage My Love closed out the night.
Courage My Love, out of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is a three piece band that is composed of twin sisters Mercedes Arn-Horn on guitars/vocals, Phoenix Arn-Horn on drums/vocals, and Brandon Lockwood on bass. I remember happening to stumble upon their set at the Vans Warped Tour in 2014 and they blew my mind live! The twin sisters offer an infectious energy to their live set and Brandon offers a different kind of energy that causes the audience to start the moshing. Tonight proved no different. While the average concertgoer may be disappointed in the turnout, Courage My Love brought their hour-long set as an opportunity for people to remember that set.
Mercedes has such a way about her to cause the audience to pay attention to what she has to say. From her heartfelt lyrics, emotions poured into each song, and the stage presence, it’s plain to see that Mercedes is gaining ground as a frontwoman that is on the rise in the alternative rock scene. Phoenix provides a great stage presence with blending in the lyrics and her precise drumming. They’re a trio that takes their craft seriously! They used this night to play some favorites but also to treat people to some cuts off of their latest album entitled “Synesthesia”, which was released February 3rd! Some fans might wonder about the direction that they’re taking with this album, however, I define it as taking a risk and going with what they’re feeling. The songs are catchy and seem fun, yet Courage My Love leaves their collective souls(not the 90’s band) bare with each song off of “Synesthesia”. There was a sense of vulnerability to this night, yet it was a fantastic set that really showcased their growth and maturity as a band!
If you’re in Canada, I want to strongly encourage you to go see Courage My Love with The New Electric and Hello Moth! Check out tour dates below!
Wednesday, April 12th- The Mercury Room in Edmonton
Friday, April 14th- The Palomino in Calgary
Saturday, April 15th- The Exchange in Regina
Sunday, April 16th- West End Cultural Center in Winnipeg
Wednesday, April 19th- The Mansion in Kingston
Thursday, April 20th- Velvet Underground in Toronto
Friday, April 21st- Maxwell’s in Kitchener
Saturday, April 22nd- Le Ritz in Montreal
Sunday, April 23rd- Rum Runners in London
Thursday, April 27th- Club Absinthe in Hamilton
Friday, April 28th- Club NV in Brantford
Saturday, April 29th- Cafe Deckuf in Ottawa
Click here for tickets and further information!
Go to www.facebook.com/ilovecouragemylove for information on them as well as www.ilovecouragemylove.com for merch and music!
On a special note, I cannot thank the peoples in Courage My Love for giving me and my friends a night that we won’t soon forget. They are seriously the kindest and amazing hearted people out there! Humility is such an amazing trait to find in this band!
Check out their single entitled “Stereo” below!
