Pretty Fort Weekly

Sit back, relax, and shrink yourself down to a microscopic level so you can skitter about on the forest floor – that's right, we're talking, "Ecotones," the latest ambient jazz record from pianist/synthman Jarrett Purdy & guitarist Dan Padley. If you're looking to learn about the history of the Byzantine Empire, this is not the podcast for you. Rad!

Don your leather jacket and hop on your TRON bike... it's time to visit the cyberpunk soundscape of Mr. Softheart. That's right, Chase and PR finally check out the debut single "Caravaggio" (and its b-side, "Flower of Tomorrow").And keep an eye out for our Hinterland 2022 coverage, dropping on the main feed soon! Thanks for all your love and support as we close out this summer strong – we appreciate the good vibes.

Looking for our 80/35 2022 recap? Just search your podcast app for "Pretty Fort" to find our main feed with event coverage, single premieres, artist interviews, and more!This week, PR & Chase summon an orc army and charge into battle. That's right – it's time to talk "Shadow Work," the latest LP from Des Moines metal trio Druids. Rad!

PR & Chase listen to the most Des Moines record of the year so far. That's right – we're talkin' about the new LP, “Did I Miss It? Is It Over?” by art pop legends, Ramona & The Sometimes. We’ve also got an interview with Ramona and Derek Muse Lambert on the way so keep an eye on the Pretty Fort feed for some BTS on the record, the band, and the iconic Exile labels. Rad!

It's time for another debut! PR & Chase are checking out the brand new album from Des Moines based pop rockers Plumero, "Prune Juice." They've been playing together all over the metro for four years... but how do they come together on their first recorded material? I guess you'll have to listen to this week's episode of Pretty Fort Weekly to find out. Rad!

The epic double album, "A Different View," from Des Moines emcee FlyLife is here! PR & Chase dive into one of their most anticipated local hip hop projects of the year. Pods are what they’re worried ‘bout – let’s get it.

As preparation for this summer’s 80/35 Music Festival, PR & Chase are discussing one of their most anticipated local performers on the lineup: B.Well! That’s right, the boys are finally getting around to the spectacular hip-hop/R&B album, "Billy," from the Des Moines-based rapper/singer/songwriter. Rad!

PR & Chase journey from one dystopian capitalist nightmare into another, more "cyber goth" dystopian capitalist nightmare – that's right, the boys are talking about the new single from Des Moines based synthwave duo, Citizen. It's called "Anything You Want" and features the booming vocal talents of country/soul singer/songwriter Clayton Ryan. Keep on spinning.

Three years and over one hundred episodes later... iconic Des Moines alt-rockers, The Envy Corps, finally follow up their comeback single, "Weather Baby," with a brand new album, "Born in Fog." PR & Chase drink some electrolyte-loaded sports hydration beverages to prepare for one of the most hype releases of the year. Indie szn is here. (You can find "Born in Fog" on Bandcamp before it hits streaming services later this summer.)

It's been nearly one hundred episodes since Basketball Divorce Court last graced the feed – but the Iowa City/Minneapolis punk rock outfit is back and gnarlier than ever! That's right, Chase and PR discuss the band's latest singles, "RAWR XD" and "Girlboss." Rad!

Oh yeah, it's a crossover episode! Chase and PR discuss the recent GDP Music Festival. Go subscribe to the Pretty Fort feed for more event coverage, song premieres, interviews, and more!

!!! MAJOR SALT WARNING !!!On what may go down as the most chaotic episode of Pretty Fort Weekly, the boys discuss the new LP, "Raised," from Iowa native (Nashville-based) country singer/songwriter, Hailey Whitters. Chase completely snaps and PR tries to keep the show on the rails. Is he successful? I guess you oughta listen to find out.

One more day 'til GDP! PR & Chase check out the BRAND NEW single from Wave Cage, the Iowa-based electronic jazz band co-headlining the festival. That's right – we're talkin' "Bumpus" (featuring Elvis Phillips & Kyler Boss). Oh yeah!

GDP is just around the corner! To prep, PR & Chase are talkin' one of the festival's most anticipated acts, Allegra Hernandez, and their mathy, alty, shreddy, emo EP, "Pearl." Rad!

The boys are day and date, bay-bee! Go stream the brand new LP from singer/songwriter/bassist extraordinaire, Pictoria Vark! It's called "The Parts I Dread" and it rocks! Pictoria Vark will also be playing the 80/35 music festival downtown Des Moines this year. Rad!

Oh hey... didn't see ya there! PR & Chase get caught off guard before diving into the fourth EP in a series of experimental, dancey, poppy, rocky, everything-y releases from Des Moines indie rockstars LVVMAKING. It's called, "Memory Metals IV." Rad!

PR & Chase discuss the delightful debut single, "Love Is a Flood," from Des Moines singer/songwriter Abbie Sawyer. You can help support Abbie's family by donating via the link below:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-bolgers-during-a-time-in-need

The boys are wandering out of their pop/rock/post-modern-noise-core comfort zone to review some... STRAIGHT-UP JAZZ. That's right, it's finally time to settle into the debut LP, "Datum," from 515 legend himself, Kyle James! Coooooooooooooooooool!

The boys are tired... the world's on fire... but VIBE always remains. It's time to talk about the debut single, "Revenge," from country/blues singer/songwriter Molly Brandt! Absolutely radical!

Somehow we got the episode numbers mixed up but rest assured, this IS in fact episode 122 and we ARE in fact talking about the debut LP from Iowa alt-rockers, The Paddlers! It's called "Ocean and Space" and the boys are ready to take a "dive" right in. Rad!