The bass player of Dead Larry has an alt-grass project called Smokin’ Joe– and they’re releasing their debut album “It’s About Time” at Lefty’s Live Music in Des Moines!! They will be joined by local folk/bluegrass group Waning Gibbous. I hope some of our funky friends can make it out for this epic celebration!!
(for more info on the bands read below)

9:00pm doors
$5
21+

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Smokin’ Joe:

Smokin’ Joe is a Minneapolis based alt-grass supergroup fronted by Joe Scarpellino (of Dead Larry). Joe hosts a rotating cast of Midwest talent featuring members of Kind Country, Useful Jenkins, Space Monkey Mafia, and SisterTree, just to name a few. The genre is a mix of bluegrass and 90s alternative rock, with elements of folk, pop, reggae, blues, and funk.

Smokin’ Joe songs focus on the lyrical content and melodies most of all. The songs and stories are often autobiographical, and provide a real and raw look into the tragic yet joyous life of Joe Scarpellino. Joe utilizes his music as an emotional outlet, and the songs are as much therapy for him, as his fans. Overall it’s about balance. You can not have love, hope, and togetherness without fear, despair, and loss. It’s this balance that draws fans to the music. The number one goal is to inspire and to be inspired in return, for there is no greater gift in life.

Waning Gibbous:

Waning Gibbous, of Des Moines, IA, consists of Daniel Wipf – guitar, vocals – Stephanie Gibb-Clark – vocals, ukulele – and Justin Kurtz – bass – whose backgrounds are as diverse as their influences. While Daniel and Justin have decades of combined experience on the Des Moines stage and traditional, rural Midwestern musical roots, Stephanie, as a newcomer to the scene, brings an eclectic background of Classical musical training.

Folk, bluegrass, gospel and traditional melodies combine for an emotional experience that envelops the senses. Listen for 60’s folk favorites, haunting traditional themes and tunes from new, rising names in acoustic sound. Waning Gibbous effortlessly merges the vast musical tradition of bluegrass, folk and Americana with a classical approach for a new sound from the heart of the Midwest.