Local music blog, DSM Vibe

It always bothered Des Moines resident Laurie Dephillips when she’d attend a great local music concert, and there were just a handful of people in the audience. After seeing this happen at too many good shows, she started to think there was something she could do about it.  An avid blog reader, Dephillips realized that by writing about the Des Moines music scene, local musicians, venues, and shows, she could do her part to change things. After talking over the idea with her friend Tyler Hays, a fellow local music supporter, they decided to start the blog, DSM Vibe. They got in touch with local musician Tony Bohenkamp, who helped Dephillips and Hays meet some initial music contacts around the city.

While they originally started writing about all sorts of music related things they loved, they’ve moved their focus to almost entirely be about local musicians and venues here in the Des Moines area. They will cover national acts if they swing through Des Moines and feel it should get some extra attention, but their main goal is to give support to local music. “The music scene won’t grow in Des Moines if we don’t support it.” Dephillips explains. “We have the ability to have a music scene similar to one in a larger city, if we just give local musicians and venues more attention.”

Since starting the blog in January of this year, DSM Vibe has been able to get multiple in depth interviews showcasing local musicians, and they are now sometimes contacted directly by new talent in hopes of getting some coverage. One example of this is the band ‘Rebel Creek,’ which is a group of 4 guys that went to Waukee High School and now attend Iowa State, and Dephillips says they could be one of the best new bands to hit Des Moines.

Dephillips said that the Des Moines Music Coalition and On Pitch have both been extremely supportive of DSM Vibe. The area they are working on is getting more reader engagement on the blog. For example, they love when readers comment letting them know they’ve seen the band they are covering, or are planning on going to the show, etc. As for the future of DSM Vibe, they would love to collaborate with other Des Moines music talent and supporters, and someday help bring more music-centered events to the city. Check out DSM Vibe here, and get out to support the Des Moines music scene!

Have you checked out Dave Murphy’s music reviews on Thursday’s right here on DMINB? They tie in with DSM Vibe very well, check them out.