PorchFest DSM 2026 Bands

Blake Schneider - Americana+Folk

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 15:16:11 GMT

Map #2 • 2423 East 9th St
12:00 to 1:00

Trouble The Water , stage moniker of Des Moines singer-songwriter Blake Schneider , plays a brand of Americana-folk that is squarely midwestern and fully his own.

In 2026, Trouble The Water released two EPs recorded at R edd7 and Golden Bear Studios which will be released as a single LP later this year.

Bandcamp : troublethewater.bandcamp.com

Instagram : instagram.com/trouble.the.water

Facebook : facebook.com/troublethewatermusic

Jason Walsmith - Storytelling Racontourist

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:40:14 GMT

Map #21 • 1712 Pennsylvania Ave
4:00 to 5:00

Jason Walsmith:

"I spent the last 29 years playing in a rock’n’roll band called “The Nadas.” When Covid-19 hit, most of our gigs were canceled right away which inspired my wife and I to buy a camper van and travel, self contained, to play socially distanced outdoor shows across the US. It was a roll of the dice but man, it worked.

"In the last two years I’ve played hundreds of outdoor shows across 40 states, traveled over 100,000 miles in our camper van, written new songs and recorded a full length album at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. I’m back on the road with my band nowadays but haven’t slowed down on the solo shows - and love to get to come play a show for you."

Web : jasonwalsmithstoryteller.com

YouTube : youtube.com/channel/UCRFDleOL1gBKkDfnPdh_M9A

Instagram : instagram.com/theracontourists

Tim & Jana West - Rock, Pop, R&B Favorites

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:40:12 GMT

Map #18 • 1707 East 8th St
4:00 to 5:00

Tim and Jana have collaborated in various musical groups and produced their own original recordings for many years.

Driven by the delight of bringing people together through music, they perform a diverse repertoire of rock, pop, and R&B favorites from across the years.

YouTube : youtu.be/J62IXvm7fdk

Facebook : facebook.com/timandjanawest

Josh Sinclair - Rock, Alternative & Country

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:40:02 GMT

Map #12 • 1820 East 12th St
3:30 to 4:30

If Eric Church, Ed Sheeran, & The Black Keys all had a baby together, their musical bundle-of-joy would be JOSHUA SINCLAIR .

Using only a guitar, a microphone, & a loop pedal, SINCLAIR continues to tour over 200+ dates a year with 18 original albums under his belt.

Web : joshuasinclair.com/

Spotify : open.spotify.com/playlist/2L18nW2ZD9KpvX2dqvHFfi

Instagram : instagram.com/joshsinclair

YouTube : youtube.com/joshuasinclairmusic

English - Rock, Funk & Americana

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:40:00 GMT

Map #16 • 1710 East 9th St
3:30 to 4:30

ENGLISH is a five-piece powerhouse band from Des Moines, Iowa, delivering what they affectionately call “tater-tot casserole rock” – all the good stuff you love in one place.

Since forming in 2016, ENGLISH has carved out a distinctive sound that seamlessly blends rock, funk, and Americana into an eclectic, high-energy experience.

Fronted by Chris English ’s dynamic vocals and anchored by a blistering horn section ( Tommy Doggett on saxophone and Hans Decker on trumpet), the band creates a sound that’s both massive and surprisingly nuanced. Russ Tomlinson ’s drums and Justin Goes ’ bass form a tight, pocketed rhythm section that keeps audiences moving all night long.

After a brief hiatus, ENGLISH has returned to live performance with renewed energy and fresh material alongside crowd-pleasing covers

Spotify : open.spotify.com/artist/5FSwPXH03b7T8o3bdobAHs?si=vPfN1ZYiTQOuSQmTas0zaQ

Facebook : facebook.com/englishiowa

Instagram : instagram.com/english.music/

The Bad Vibes - Midcentury Mod Rock

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:57 GMT

Map #20 • 1701 Pennsylvania Ave
3:00 to 4:00

The Bad Vibes is a Des Moines band that play vintage midcentury mod rock with a hint of weary glamor.

A five-piece band (guitar, bass, drum, organ, saxophone), The Bad Vibes is fronted by the smoky singing of Emily Lewis .

The band plays music that makes you feel like you have been invited to the cool kids’ party. Because you have.

Web: https://www.thebadvibesband.com

Iowa Pride Ensemble - Band

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:50 GMT

Map #14 • 1721 East 12th St
3:00 to 4:00

Celebrate music, community, and inclusion with Iowa Pride Ensembles at PorchFest DSM! Based in Des Moines, Iowa Pride Ensembles (IPE) is dedicated to promoting artistic expression, education, community, and acceptance through performance.

This special performance will feature a varied ensemble of talented musicians sharing their passion for music and creating a welcoming space for all.

IPE welcomes musicians of all playing abilities with prior instrumental experience and proudly invites members and supporters of the LGBTQIA2+ community (18+) to participate in its ensembles. Their performances reflect the power of music to bring people together and celebrate diversity.

Web: iowaprideensembles.org

Facebook: facebook.com/p/Iowa-Pride-Ensembles-61572880905696/

Instagram: instagram.com/iowaprideensembles/

The Carousel - Indie & Punk rock

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:47 GMT

Map #13 • 1808 East 12th St
2:30 to 3:30

The Carousel is here to grab your attention and not let go. With rich layered vocals, a thunderous rhythm section, driving guitars, and a lush string section, this band has something for every music lover.

Fans of early 2000s indie and punk rock will find a home here, as will listeners who appreciate strings and other classical influences.

They have recorded their first EP and two subsuquent singles at Golden Bear Studios here in Des Moines, Iowa

Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/album/the-carousel-ep/1842582631

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/3LqI2HgACMGwy2dXEbYc7e

BandCamp: thecarouseldsm.bandcamp.com/album/the-carousel

YouTube: youtu.be/hSXIE3tU93k

D. Smith - Country

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:44 GMT

Map #17 • 805 East Jefferson Ave
2:30 to 3:30

From deep in the heart of the country arrives the beguiling sounds of D. Smith .

Crafting rich songs that reflect the lives and landscapes of middle America, Smith captures listeners with his warm vocals and expressive delivery.

Web: linktr.ee/d.smith

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6Hc3Txu1y6YJEUpvRMm3QF

BandCamp: dustinsmith.bandcamp.com

Brother Trucker - Americana Roots Rock

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:38 GMT

Map #15 • 1704 East 13th St
2:00 to 3:00

The Americana Roots Rock band Brother Trucker’s first 3 albums were released on what was widely considered the seminal, Iowa Independent record label, Trailer Records. Based out of Iowa City, Trailer Records featured the very best of what was nationally coined as “The Iowa Sound”.

Label-mates included such luminous names as the Grammy nominated Greg Brown & Bo Ramsey, blues legend Joe Price, Dave Zollo, Bejae Fleming, Peita Brown and High & Lonesome.

Brother Trucker has toured the Midwest extensively since 2000, playing festivals, bars, political rallies, coffee houses, private parties large and small and a myriad of benefits and causes. They have opened for such notable names as James McMurtry, Leon Russell, Al Green, Gurf Morlix, Greg Brown, Robert Earl Keene and the Rev. Horton Heat.

In 2009, Brother Trucker scored the original music for the award winning film, by Rod McCall “Becoming Eduardo”."

Web: brother-trucker.com

Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=fapK4ZSSk-A

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Brother-Trucker/108155535550

Kim and the Dusty Rose Band - Covers from the 60’s, 70’s and beyond

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:35 GMT

Map #19 • 1645 Pennsylvania Ave
2:00 to 3:00

Dusty Rose Band has been together for about four years and we are all seasoned musicians! Current members have performed with various other bands, and venues around the Des Moines Metro and throughout the state of Iowa. DRB blends harmonies with an eclectic selection of covers from the 60’s, 70’s and beyond.

Facebook: facebook.com/kimanddustyrose

Velvet Trio - Light Rock Harmonies

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:25 GMT

Map #11 • 1820 East 13th St
2:00 to 3:00

Three seasoned artists performing silky smooth versions of easy listening and light rock favorites! Featuring super tight 3-part harmonies with acoustic guitars and drums in an intimate unplugged-like setting.

Remember to stay smooth my friends!

Facebook: facebook.com/people/Velvet-Trio/100091694066711

Willie Mac & the Cousins - Americana & Rootsy Blues

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:23 GMT

Map #10 • 1920 East 13th St
1:30 to 2:30

Willie Mac and the Lost Cousins is a seasoned Iowa band playing Americana style music with rootsy blues overtones. William McKnight on guitar and harmonica is himself a former Iowa Blues Challenge winner supoorted by fellow band members Shannon Bryan on guitar, Kevin McGinnis on bass and Gary Bland on drums.

Facebook: facebook.com/williemacandthelostcousins

Zachary Freedom - Pop, Blues, Country & more

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:18 GMT

Map #9 • 1307 Thompson Ave
1:30 to 2:30

Zachary Freedom is a singer/songwriter who has recently had songs taken by major publishers Smack Songs and BMG Nashville. This family man and lover of food and outdoors will connect with you in ways you didn’t expect. You’ll hear an urgency to live, to love with deep conviction and passion. Not limited or caged to one genre- you’ll hear pop to blues to country and beyond.

There’s something in Zachary’s arsenal for everyone.

Web: zacharyfreedom.com

Soul Searchers - 50’s Blues, Rockabilly & Jazz

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:16 GMT

Map #7 • 2012 East 12th St
1:30 to 2:30

The Soul Searchers have been playing their brand of ‘50’s inspired blues with doses of rockabilly and jazz in Iowa and the Midwest for 20+ years. The core lineup includes Scott Eggleston on guitar and vocals, Mark Grimm on Drums, and Todd Mason on upright bass.

Web: thesoulsearchersband.com

Casey Joe Collins - Folk

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:10 GMT

Map #8 • 2001 East 9th St
1:00 to 2:00

A steward of the road and a custodian of its tales, Casey Joe Collins maintains the country’s story. A well-worn guitar and a pen & paper is all he needs to chronicle these blacktop novellas. A songwriter’s songwriter, Casey Joe’s songbook is vast, yet polished. A body of work replete with characters, some real and some imagined, as colorful as the tattoos that adorn his working-class hands

Web: caseyjoecollins.com

Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/casey-joe-collins/1550385490

Facebook: facebook.com/caseyjoecollins

Instagram: instagram.com/caseyjoecollins

Beggar’s Bargain - Indie Rock & Blues Guitar

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:08 GMT

Map #6 • 907 Thompson Ave
1:00 to 2:00

Born in the heart of Des Moines in 2021, Beggars' Bargain is the soulful indie-rock duo of Micah Spurlock and Joe Bach . Rooted in Texas blues-guitar grit and narrative-driven songwriting, the pair creates a warm, Americana-infused sound that's "worth every penny" (Iowa Public Radio).

Web: linktr.ee/beggarsbargain

Reliable Street Band - Rock n Roll & Punk

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:39:01 GMT

Map #5 • 2119 East 9th St
12:30 to 1:30

Reliable Street , is a theatrical trio of Lyndsay Audra Nissen , Joe McGuire , and Ian Kerns from the wild west side of Ames, Iowa. The band's sound has been described as "pretty darn rock n' roll" but also brings some spunk 'n punk to the cosmic architecture.

Facebook: facebook.com/reliablestreettheband

Bob Pace & Steve George - Blues & Rock n Roll

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:38:59 GMT

Map #3 • 2221 East 9th St
12:30 to 1:30

Bob Pace is a member of the lowa Blues Hall of Fame and the lowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

His rich musical history includes opening for numerous iconic blues musicians, including, John Mayall, Delbert McClinton, Jimmy Vaughan, and Tower of Power.

Bob is a talented composer, sharing his music via social media and playing regularly in Des Moines.

Steve E. George brings to the stage a taste of old-fashioned showmanship. He hopes that his humor and love of life are reflected in his performances. Steve's passion for singing took root in the Baptist Church from which he was inspired as a child.

A veteran of the Des Moines, IA music scene, Steve performed in clubs on the legendary Center Street and other popular venues in Des Moines at (and before!) the age of 18. In the 70's he became front man for the band Antelon, a jazz/funk horn band who enjoyed much recognition in the Midwest and recorded several original tunes.

Over the years, Steve has been invited to sing the blues at Chicago's House of Blues, Buddy Guy's Legends, Kingston Mines, Blues Etc., and Blues On Clark. In addition to performing in the Midwest, Steve has connected with audiences in Hawaii, Nashville, Las Vegas, Memphis, Atlanta, and Florida.

In 2005, Steve was inducted into the lowa Blues Hall of Fame for, to date, 60 years of keeping the blues alive.

At age 76, his passion to entertain, often termed by him as "my golf game", continues to thrive. He considers the many people he has met and friends he has made through his music to be a wonderful blessing.

Matt Jesson - Rock, Pop & Americana

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:38:52 GMT

Map #4 • 2123 East 9th St
12:00 to 1:00

Matt Jesson is a piano based singer-songwriter, drawing from rock, pop, and Americana influences.

Sad songs that sound happy. Happy songs that sound sad.

Web: mattjesson.com/

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/65FG0kcJKZr6Sz0hewE7Jd

Instagram: instagram.com/matthewjesson/

Facebook: facebook.com/mattyj515/

Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/matt-jesson/1704433388

CANCELLED Flash In A Pan - Rock, Pop & Americana

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:38:49 GMT

Map #2 • 2423 East 9th St

** Cancelled due to weather forecast during Porchfest **

Flash in a Pan is an Iowa City-based folk and bluegrass quartet formed in 2012. Known for sonorous vocal harmonies, energetic live shows, and a modern take on traditional string-band music, the group blends bluegrass and Americana influences into a sound that feels both classic and contemporary.

The band has built a strong following across the Midwest, released two albums — Off The Rails and Folklore — and was named Iowa Public Radio’s Artist of the Month in 2024.

Bandcamp: flashinapan.bandcamp.com

All Ages Music School - Community Band

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:38:32 GMT

Map #1 • Heritage Carousel
11:30a to 12:00 noon

All Ages Music School is a 3,000 sq ft Community Music School in West Des Moines, offering individual & group instruction on nearly every instrument- winds, orchestral strings, voice, piano, ukulele, guitar, bass, drums, and more.

Students of all ages (currently 3-76!) receive instruction tailored to their needs in a welcoming, inclusive environment, while reaching attainable goals.

All Ages also offers rehearsal space to local musicians.

Woman/Mom Owned Business: Owned/Operated & Created by Shanda Fordyce

Web: allagesmusicschool.com

Instagram: instagram.com/allagesmusicschool

YouTube: youtube.com/@AllAgesMusicSchool

Our 2026 Graphic Artist: Becca Kaegi

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:55:42 GMT

Becca Kaegi:

Becca is a Stevens Point–based graphic designer and the creative behind One 10 Graphics LLC. Her work blends clean design with a hand‑touched, Wisconsin‑rooted warmth—shaped by years spent living everywhere from Milwaukee to Antigo before circling back home.

She also has deep Des Moines River roots. As a kid, she spent countless summers at Birdland Marine - the family‑owned marina that once stood where Captain Roy’s is today - skiing, pumping gas, eating cheese popcorn, and helping her aunt and cousins keep the marina humming. Later, while attending Iowa State, she lived with that same crew, adding even more river memories to the mix.

Becca loves creating branding and event art that feels welcoming, a little whimsical, and full of genuine connection. A proud UWSP grad, she and her husband have raised two daughters who keep her inspired and laughing.

Web : one10graphics.com

Becca's design for Porchfest DSM 2026 celebrates our 5th year with a bouquet of musical happiness on this year's Heather Gray T-shirts.

Find shirts and more for sale at our HQ booth during Porchfest !

You can take home an iconic new piece for your wardrobe, and help us keep bringing you events all year from the Union Park Neighborhood.

Our 2024 Graphic Artist: Mark Marturello

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 14:47:46 GMT

"Creating art is, and always will be, a passion of mine"

I was a kid who grew up on the south side of Des Moines who loved to draw.

My biggest inspiration was my father, who would sit down with me at the kitchen table and we would draw the comics that were in The Des Moines Register.

It's crazy to think that one day I would create illustrations for that newspaper, and it would turn into a 30-year career.

During that time, my art appeared in a variety of newspapers and my freelance career would take off. I did illustrations for many magazines and ad agencies throughout the country.

My medium of choice has evolved over time. I began with drawing, pen and ink and painting.

Later, I would create with scratchboard and paper sculpture. Most of my art today is digital.

I've been awarded the National Cartoonists Society Newspaper Illustrator of the lear, top awards in the Dimensional Illustrators International, as well as the American Illustration Annual and the Society of Newspaper Design.

I have enjoyed illustrating childrens books, book covers and posters.

Last year I created the art for RAGBRAI'S 50th ride. That was the 8th time I would create their poster.

I continue to freelance and do personal work which has allowed me to connect with many people worldwide.

Creating art is, and always will be, a passion of mine.

-Mark Marturello

PorchFest DSM 2026 Bands

Blake Schneider - Americana+Folk

Map #2 • 2423 East 9th St 12:00 to 1:00

Jason Walsmith - Storytelling Racontourist

Map #21 • 1712 Pennsylvania Ave 4:00 to 5:00

Tim & Jana West - Rock, Pop, R&B Favorites

Map #18 • 1707 East 8th St 4:00 to 5:00