Deb Talan (of the Weepies)

September 10, 2021
Doors: 7:30 PM // Show: 8:00PM
Online Scheduled Ticket Price: GENERAL ADMISSION: $15.00

Deb Talan

has been writing songs since she was 14 years old. Granted, her style has changed a bit since writing the forever-unknown smash-hit “Through the Window” about feeling numb, like life was going on somewhere out there but not accessible to her (at 14. so jaded.) She played clarinet, wrote songs on piano, later taught herself to play guitar in college, got obsessed with Shawn Colvin, was a vegetarian for 4 years, ended that with a hotdog and a swim in lake Michigan, started a band in Portland, OR with her friend Mark, named it Hummingfish, wrote a lot of fun songs that people danced to ‘til they were all sweaty in that hipster/grungy/geeky Northwest kind of way, moved back to the east coast 6 years and a divorce later and began playing solo in Boston coffee houses (read: 4 different Starbucks that she also poured espresso at) opened shows for Catie Curtis (a songwriter hero of hers) met up with Steve Tannen and formed The Weepies, played shows all over the country and the world, toured in a real tourbus! moved to LA, got married to Steve, made 5 records and 3 amazing boy-children together with him, had songs placed in loads of movies and tv shows, moved to Iowa, got breast cancer, got chemotherapy and relied heavily on marijuana for pain and nausea relief(Legalize, for gods’ sakes, can we grow up as a country, please?) recovered from breast cancer, made a solo album, struggled with mental health issues (Childhood Incest Survivor, lucky to be alive, music has helped, and so have many blessed healers) and relationship issues for 6 years, got divorced from Steve. She has a lot she could say these days. She prefers to listen. But playing songs for people is a close second. Music heals. Songs can be prayers.

Deb Talan is some lovely damn proof of that.

Jackie Venson
Doors: August 3, 2021 7:30 PM
Online Scheduled Ticket Price: GENERAL ADMISSION: $15.00
Jackie Venson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter known far and wide for her beautifully complex music and blazing guitar skills. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Jackie has traveled the world playing to massive crowds both as a headliner and as support for major acts such as Gary Clark Jr, Aloe Blacc, and Citizen Cope, to name a few. With the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation of her entire tour schedule, and the wave of social change sweeping across the country, Jackie committed herself to releasing more music than ever before, connecting with her fans directly, and speaking up about the change she wanted to see in her city and country. On April 20th, Jackie released a new EP titled “jackie the robot vol 1” composed entirely of remixes that re-imagine Jackie’s critically acclaimed catalogue, showcasing her growth as both a musician and producer. In October, Jackie released her latest studio album ‘Vintage Machine’, her first studio follow up to 2019’s ‘Joy’. Music from “Vintage Machine” was featured heavily on Jackie’s taping for Austin City Limits’ 46th season, and she released the full set on “Live at Austin City Limits” in December. With the uncertainty of the times we’re living in, one thing holds true for Jackie Venson- she’s going to play her music, speak her truth, and spread as much joy as she can doing it.
Purchase Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/s/38185947

Janee “Cool” Harvey

DOORS: 7PM / SHOW: 7:30PM

GENERAL ADMISSION: $10 (advance only)

Janee Harvey came to Des Moines by way of Brooklyn, NY with her animal zoo, two children and wife thusly raising the noise level of Des Moines a solid 20db. Her quick witted comedy covers topics from parenting to donkeys and everything in between. Harvey made her comedy debut at xBk in 2019 and has remained loyal to the venue ever since. She’s back to take the xBk stage once again in 2021 to reveal the lower half of her face and show off her extraordinarily clean hands.

Live, Local & Loud featuring English
Doors: May 28, 2021 7:00 PM
Online Scheduled Ticket Price: GENERAL ADMISSION: $10.00
ENGLISH is a six-piece ensemble from knee-deep in the heartland, Des Moines. Fusing together the sounds of rock, funk, soul, alt-country and a touch of weird, this spectrum of influences is glued together by the band’s tight rhythm section, blistering horns and dynamic lead vocals…but they just call it “tater-tot casserole rock” to keep it short and simple.
Purchase Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/s/38185921