Marques Morel & John Till
Sep
19
8:30 PM20:30

Marques Morel & John Till

Join us to welcome back a couple of our favorite Midwestern singer songwriters Friday Sept 19 $10 all ages 8:30pm doors, 9pm music

Marques Morel is an American songwriter/story-teller, midwestern-twanger/folksinger, guitar-thumper/harmonica wailer, street-performer/wandering troubadour, steadfast woodcutter/migrant worker, a father, a son, and a friend to all.

“Taking his cue from the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, and any number of other tattered troubadours, (Marques Morel) sounds like a cross between Johnny Cash, Bob Seger, and the late John Stewart (solo, The Kingston Trio) reciting ragged tales of the American West and its once-former glories,” writes Lee Zimmerman of The Alternate Root.

Originally from the Illinois corn country, he has performed just about anywhere that anybody would listen: big city street corners around the world, county fairs, folk festivals, hole in the wall taverns/divebars/honky tonks, cabin porches, backyard barbeques, listening rooms, theatres large and small, and beside many campfires and woodstoves amongst the ghosts of his songwriter heroes.

Marques has had the honor of sharing stages with some of the great songsters of our time- Charlie Parr, Arlo McKinley, Joe Pug, Willy Tea Taylor, Riley Downing, Billy Don Burns, Pokey LaFarge, and Chicago Farmer to name a few of his favorites.

John Till is a solo acoustic act out of Bloomington, IL. With slide guitar, banjo, and acoustic guitar come arrangements steeped heavily in the fingerpicking styles of the Delta Blues. Bouncing baselines and dancing melodies driven along with two part foot percussion provide a uniquely dynamic listening experience.

View Event →
FEaST presents: Zoh Amba
Sep
10
8:00 PM20:00

FEaST presents: Zoh Amba

We are steeped in excitement to bring this show to you.

Returning to Iowa City live at Trumpet Blossom Cafe on Wednesday, September 10th is Zoh Amba. 8pm doors

Tickets available:
https://littlevillagetickets.com/events/171912927/zoh-amba


Zoh Amba is a songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist from Tennessee residing in New York. She began her musical journey steeped in the musical traditions of the South and has taken it from coast to coast and is mainly known as a saxophonist who blends avant-garde, noise, and devotional hymns, though has not shied from incorporating folk melodies into that world. Over the past several years Amba has been also been focusing on writing songs on guitar with lyrics that come from the heart and her love of nature and experiences. She has been performing her folk songs primarily in NYC both solo and with her band consisting of Adam Brisben (Buck Meek) also on guitar and Jeremy Gustin (Joan is Police Woman) on drums but also performs solo. Throughout the years Zoh has collaborated with a variety of high profile musicians such Glen Hansard, Tyshawn Sorey, Bill Orcutt, Brian Chase (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Jim White (Dirty Three), etc. Amba has performed at well respected venues and festivals all over the world and has taught workshops and masterclasses at institutions such as New School (NY), Oberlin (OH), and various European festivals.

View Event →
David Lord // Dan Padley
Sep
3
7:30 PM19:30

David Lord // Dan Padley

Wed Sept 3

7:30 doors, 8pm music

$10 GA, $8 student

https://www.foreststandards.com/

https://davidlord.bandcamp.com/

Guitarist and composer David Lord has developed a singular approach to composition and improvisation. His music has been featured in publications such as Downbeat, Dusted Magazine, A Closer Listen, All About Jazz, Under the Radar, Bandcamp Daily, Pop Matters, NPR, Alternative Press, Magnet and Tiny Mix Tapes.

Lord has recorded and performed with Chad Taylor (Chicago Underground, Pharoah Sanders), Jeff Parker (Tortoise, Brian Blade), Devin Hoff (Nels Cline, Mary Halvorson), Billy Mohler (Dolly Parton, Macy Gray), Charles Rumback (Riley Walker, Jim Baker), David Tranchina (Cathlene Pineda), Nathan Hubbard (Mark Dresser, Kris Tiner), Christine Tavolacci (Southland Ensemble), Chris Schlarb (Psychic Temple), Dale Black (Terrance Blanchard), Dave Easley (Brian Blade), James Singleton (Astral Project) and the Los Angeles indie-rock band Timonium.

Lord has released four albums under his own name, Forest Standards Vol. 1 (2018), Forest Standards Vol. 2 (2020), Forest Standards Vol. 3 (2023) and Forest Standards Vol. 4 (2024). All four albums were recorded in Long Beach, CA at Chris Schlarb’s BIG EGO Studios. Volumes 1, 2 & 4 were released via BIG EGO Records and Vol. 3 was a co-release via Astral Spirits and BIG EGO. Vol. 1 features Chad Taylor on drums and Devin Hoff on bass, with guest appearances by Chris Schlarb on guitar and Sam Hake on vibraphone. Vol. 2 again features Taylor and Hake, while adding guitarist Jeff Parker and bassist Billy Mohler. Vol. 3 features larger scale composition and instrumentation, with Christine Tavolacci on flutes, Nathan Hubbard on marimba and vibraphone, David Tranchina on double bass, Chad Taylor on percussion and Lord on guitar and glockenspiel. Vol. 4 features Alex Sadnik on alto saxophone, Brian Walsh on bass clarinet, Billy Mohler on bass and Chad Taylor on drums.

Prior to releasing music as a band leader, Lord released 15 albums under the name Francis Moss and with the bands The Wonder Revolution, Miki Moondrops, Elemental Trio and Solagget.

Lord has created his own extended lydian polychordal system which can be heard throughout his music. Grounded in the natural world, Lord’s musical logic involves themes of the forest, fungi and ecosystems.

https://www.danpadley.com/

https://danpadley.bandcamp.com/music

Dan Padley is a guitarist/composer based out of Iowa City, IA. Since studying music at the University of Iowa, Dan has performed with many artists including Deb Talan, Wayne Newton, Elizabeth Moen, River Glen, Dana T, Blake Shaw, comedian Jimmy Pardo, and many more. Dan has released several albums and EPs, including his most recent full length 'The Walking Hills'.


View Event →
Jeremy Young / Jesse Perlstein / Grain Bin Operettas
Jul
20
7:30 PM19:30

Jeremy Young / Jesse Perlstein / Grain Bin Operettas

Early show, Sunday July 20 Doors at 7:00pm Show at 7:30pm all ages $10 GA / $8 students / if money is an issue, let us know at the door

Jeremy Young is a maker of analog electronic tape music from Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, Quebec. He is a member of the experimental poetry_sound unit Cloud Circuit, the electroacoustic modern classical trio Sontag Shogun, and the analog library music trio Associated Sine Tone Services. Making use of a sine and square wave oscillator system, 1/4″ magnetic tape loops, filtered radio and EMF signal, and foley-inspired sound treatments from amplified surfaces and objects, Young’s improvisational techniques are influenced by aleatoric chance based principles as well as haptics-based praxis and deep listening. His unique, grid-less approach is anchored by combining the physical treatment of audio signal with complex musical content to create sonic narratives imprinted by the media on which they are recorded, edited, and played back.

Here in Iowa City, Young will perform sketches for tape and oscillators extrapolating the material on his new 2025 records, Cablcar (Halocline Trance) and Masses (We, Here & Now!).


http://cargocollective.com/jeremyyoung
https://jeremyyoung.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jeremy_royalblahblah/

View Event →
Dave Moore with Dustin Busch and special guest Pete Balestrieri
Jun
14
8:00 PM20:00

Dave Moore with Dustin Busch and special guest Pete Balestrieri

Join us for a special evening of live music from Iowa City's finest, including Dave Moore, Dustin Busch, and Pete Balestrieri.
Pete will play for a bit during the end of dinner and then Dave & Dustin will take the stage, with Pete joining them for a few.

$18 at the door, all ages.
8pm doors
8:15-9pm Pete Balestrieri, solo
9pm dinner service ends
9:15pm-? Dave & Dustin, joined by Pete somewhere in there

Dave is a singer-songwriter, who plays guitar, button accordion, and harmonica. He was influenced by country blues and conjunto music. Dave lives in Iowa City, records for Red House Records, and was a frequent performer on “A Prairie Home Companion”. He has toured throughout the United States and Canada.

Pete Balestrieri is an Iowa City saxophonist. He toured and recorded with Violent Femmes for twenty years and has a Gold Record for their first album. Most recently, he’s been with Old Scratch Revival Singers, Brooks Strause and The Gory Details, and the Cirque Stupendo Circus Band. He also frequently performs solo.

View Event →
Iowa City Video Zine Season Finale
Jun
13
8:30 PM20:30

Iowa City Video Zine Season Finale

★i.c.v.z SEASON 2 FINALE★!!! will be premiering on FRIDAY JUNE 13TH at TRUMPET BLOSSOM CAFE @trumpetblossom ♡♥︎♡

☆8:30-9:30...moody music by @grey_r0ck and visuals by @missvideo4u (ft. their first video chain letter) ☆★☆
★9:30-10:30...epsiode will screen :3
☆10:30-11:30...we celebrate the season finale, mingle, eat cake & plant creative seeds :P

come out and support your local video scene, the amazing trumpet blossom cafe and fellow artists ♡☆♡!!

Free show // all ages

View Event →
Abbie Sawyer Album Release Show with Sarah Cram
May
3
8:30 PM20:30

Abbie Sawyer Album Release Show with Sarah Cram

$10 all ages

8:30 doors, 9pm music

About Abbie Sawyer

Abbie Sawyer is a Midwest singer-songwriter who uncovers meaning and beauty with her heartfelt lyrics, “unforgettable voice” (Little Village Magazine), and “stunningly intimate” sound (dsm Magazine).

Recent Solo Work

Her latest album, PERSIMMON, witnesses the bravery it takes to love and to gentle our hearts in the dance of being alive. Recorded over four seasons in her Iowa home, PERSIMMON is an exploration of the human experience, the creative process and blind faith.

Her debut solo album, “Love Is a Flood” (2022), illuminates her experiences of motherhood and the pandemic, including postpartum anxiety and depression, joy and healing. This album and Abbie’s experience was featured on Iowa Public Radio and National Public Radio.

Warmth and Wonder

As a life-long performer and musician, Abbie captivates live audiences with a deeply-felt, intimate style using her acoustic guitar, voice, and original music, bringing warmth and wonder to her performances.

She performs with four Iowa bands in addition to her solo work, with a sonic range from retro soul to New Orleans jazz, Americana and women-led Folk.

Abbie has shared billings with The Righteous Babes, Rufus Wainwright, Leyla McCalla, Lake Street Dive, The New Mastersounds, and Fitz & the Tantrums. She has toured internationally and her projects have over 40 million streams on Spotify.

Botanical Maker

Abbie is also the founder and owner of Mama Bare Botanicals, a line of natural skin and soul care products made with love to inspire your inner glow.

View Event →
Death Bag Album Release Listening Party / with Granular Breath
Apr
18
8:00 PM20:00

Death Bag Album Release Listening Party / with Granular Breath

From Gabi Vanek of Death Bag:

It is with bittersweet excitement that I'd like to formally invite you to a listening release party of Death Bag's album Flagellant Songs at our forever home @trumpetblossom on April 18th -- Good Friday, keeping with our love of Catholic pageantry. Inspired by the installations of Phil Niblock, there will be a companion video to contemplate while you listen to a sea of sound. Doors at 7 PM, Show at 8 PM. Thank you Katy for hosting.

Friend Brian Barr as Granular Breath will be opening up the evening. He at the time was also half of @thegarrote , who together with @f_o_r_d put this album into motion. Thank you both and thank you Brian for performing.

@tinylittlehammers , perpetual artist in residence has provided the poster. Thank you Dylan.

Hope to see you all there.

Always,
- deathbag
💀👜

View Event →
River Glen Record Release with Joel Sires Trio
Apr
12
9:00 PM21:00

River Glen Record Release with Joel Sires Trio

"Poignant Folk-Pop" releases April 1st!
AND everyone who attends this release show gets a FREE COPY of the new album!

SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH *All-Ages Show*
@ Trumpet Blossom Cafe (310 E. Prentiss St, Iowa City)

DOORS: 8:30pm
MUSIC: 9:00pm
TICKETS: $10

SPECIAL GUEST...Joel Sires Trio (Cedar Falls) - https://www.joelsires.com/#/

River will be supported by his dear friends Alex Flesher (banjo), Sam Stover (upright bass), and Élan Seven Thunders (hand drums).

Tickets and more info at www.RiverGlenMusic.com

RIVER...
writes poignant folk-pop. His lyricism is evocative, intellectual, and cleverly rhythmic. He sings with powerful and dexterous vocals. His songs have "something to say" and they're also darn tasty. River's no slouch playing instruments either. A natural entertainer, helping create a sense of connection. Creative af. www.RiverGlenMusic.com

JOEL SIRES TRIO...
featuring Jacob Lampman (guitar), Sam Stover (upright bass) and Joel Sires (vocal/guitar) have craved out a fine little niche for themselves these past 2 years in listening rooms, living rooms, theaters and clubs across the Midwest. The oldheads call them “folk” but the algorithm says it’s “Intimate Day Pop”. Touching anything from 2 finger jazz to 60’s British Invasion to the tarnished gold of the Laurel Canyon scene while remaining grounded in the short attention span era of the iPhone. Everybody c’mon down and enjoy. https://www.joelsires.com/#/

View Event →
Get Out the Vote for Oliver Weilein // donations to Iowa City Mutual Aid
Feb
27
7:30 PM19:30

Get Out the Vote for Oliver Weilein // donations to Iowa City Mutual Aid

Performances by Dave Moore, Penny Peach, Justin K Comer, Joshua Thermidor, Bootcamp, thisworldisnotkind

Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm

$10 suggested, but not required, donation

From Oliver Weilein, candidate for Iowa City city council:

Now that we won the District C primary (by 42 points!) we need to carry that energy onto the March 4th CITYWIDE election. So we’re booking a Get Out The Vote gig on February 27th at @trumpetblossom with local punk/hardcore, screamo, noise, poetry, and more. $10 suggested donation (no worries if not able, come anyways!) and it all will be going to @icmutualaid to continue their life saving work this winter. Come slam, bring a friend, get out and vote. I’ll be drumming in @bootcamphotties 😎

View Event →