Tony Dehner

Waterloo

Host at Iowa Public Radio

Serious Music Person at @iowapublicradio. Please find me on Instagram, or email [email protected].

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Articles

Celebrating songwriting at the Iowa City Songwriters Festival

1 week ago | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

Songwriting can seem like magic, and it’s true that some seem to have a gift for it. But it’s also a skill that can be learned and improved upon. The best way to learn and improve songwriting is to listen to great songwriters and, when possible, spend time with them.
Future Islands returns to Des Moines

1 week ago | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

It’s not too often that a band makes a television appearance that people are still talking about years later. And when it does happen, it’s usually because something went wrong or someone raised eyebrows with something the band said or did.
Your Smith returns to music, and Iowa, on her own terms

3 weeks ago | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

This year’s Mission Creek Festival marked the return of Your Smith, who performed Friday night at Gabe’s Oasis. Near the bar at Gabe’s there’s a poster from a previous Mission Creek with her name on it, back when she was going by Caroline Smith. Her connections to Iowa run deep. She’s performed at the 80/35 Festival and even played a session in IPR’s studios, not long after the release of her 2013 album Half About Being A Woman.
Chroma 63 is Iowa's newest music festival, with a focus on locals and growing the scene

4 weeks ago | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

Live music, as we all know, is good not only for the soul but also the community. It brings folks together in a way not many things do. It’s not like a sporting event, where there’s a chance you’ll leave disappointed with the outcome. If you’re at a live show, you’ve already won!Of course, live music is also a business. Tickets are getting more expensive, and musicians are making less money on tour. And it’s harder than ever for local musicians to find places to play.
Mission Creek turns 20 and faces the future

1 month ago | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

The 20th Mission Creek Festival made news a couple of times before it even began. One week before they were set to headline the festival, Julien Baker & TORRES were forced to cancel several tour dates due to an injury in their touring company. After a few days of scrambling, festival organizers announced they'd booked Kim Gordon and her band for the Thursday night headlining spot at Hancher.
Check out Anthony Worden's new music video for "$20"

1 month ago | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

Iowa City musician Anthony Worden has a busy couple of months ahead. His band Anthony Worden & The Illiterati will be releasing a live album recorded at one of our favorite places, Iowa City's Englert Theatre. He’s also playing with a new punk band called God’s Hand, and they’re releasing a record in April. Lots to look forward to from Worden, and it starts today with a new music video. The song “$20” is from Anthony Worden & The Illiterati’s album Plain Angels, released last year.
Matt Woods works to keep the blues alive in Iowa

1 month ago | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

The Made In The Midwest concert series, presented by Des Moines Performing Arts, is about halfway through its first season. Friday night, they’ll be presenting Ames-based Matt Woods, who’ll be bringing his solo acoustic blues sound to the Temple Theatre stage. I recently asked Woods how he felt about being the only blues performer on the series lineup. “It's nice to be a part of it,” said Woods.
Munk Rivers embrace the "chaos twinkle" and staying present

Feb 12, 2025 | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

One of the bands we’ve had our ears on for a while here at Studio One is the Des Moines quartet Munk Rivers. Their music is expansive and intimate at the same time, and as my colleague Anthony Scanga pointed out, they “pack a ton of feeling into their songs.” Not only do they make great music, Munk Rivers is an easy band to root for.
James Tutson can't help but be a 'Fool For You'

Feb 6, 2025 | iowapublicradio.org | Tony Dehner

Iowa City singer James Tutson is back with new music, and he’s set to debut a new album this Saturday night at the Englert Theatre with some of his friends and fellow musicians. This has everyone at IPR thinking back to the last time we worked with Tutson. It’s always a pleasure to work with him, but frankly…it didn't go great. A little over halfway through a live broadcast at River Place Plaza in Cedar Falls, we lost power.
Studio One's top album picks of 2024

Dec 16, 2024 | iowapublicradio.org | Cece Mitchell |Sean McClain |Lucius Pham |Anthony Scanga |Tony Dehner |Mark Simmet

In case you don’t have all your presents wrapped or haven't built your holiday playlist yet, don't stress. We’ve done the research for you. Here’s our (play)list of the top albums of 2024, perfect for you and the music lovers in your life! Recommended by Cece MitchellThe Last Dinner Party’s debut record Prelude to Ecstasyis a brilliantly crafted introduction to the British band’s unique brand of baroque pop.