Listening parties put Sioux City bands in spotlight

KWIT-FM 90 arts producer Mark Munger was hard at work, editing a piece that will be part of the public radio station’s ongoing series of stories which featured the Sioux City Art Museum’s Jackson Pollock exhibit seen through the eyes of area musicians.

“When you work in public radio, you learn to tell stories differently,” he explained. “I’ve always thought that art comes alive when it inspires you to create something on your own.”

That’s why Munger chose musicians from all genres to offer their audio reinterpretations to Pollock’s iconic mural.

It’s also why he has begun a series of “listening parties” to bring attention to Siouxland’s music scene. The series began in July, with a show featuring Northwest Iowa post-punk band, WeLiveInSodhouses.

“Sioux City has a much deeper music scene than a lot of people think,” Munger said. “It’s part of KWIT’s mission to highlight all art, including music.”

FM90’s second listening party will spotlight the Sioux City-based alternative-punk The Buddha Cheese Band as they release their new CD, “Dead Ant.”

Audiences are encouraged to attend the listening party, which will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Diamond Thai Cuisine, 515 West Seventh St. The party, which will feature a live acoustic set from the band, is being taped for a show to be aired at a later date.

A few days prior to The Buddha Cheese Band’s listening party, Munger sat down with SCN for a Q&A.

Q: Was it your idea to do a series of listening parties?

A: No, it was actually the idea of (KWIT account executive) Margaret Holman. We’re always bouncing ideas around for the station. I don’t know where Margaret first heard about radio listening parties, but it was a great idea.

Q: Were bands responsive to the idea?

A: Surprisingly so. I chose WeLiveInSodHouses to be the first band because I had done previous stories with (band members) Rachel and Dustin DeBoer. And the show literally came together in three to four days. With The Buddha Cheese Band, we’ve had a little more prep time, maybe two to three weeks.

Q: Obviously, this means great exposure for the bands, right?

A: Sure, they’ll be exposed to an audience who may have never heard of them before. It’s also great for (KWIT) because we want as many listeners as possible.

Q: Do you think creating platforms for local artists and musicians is beneficial for the community.

A: Absolutely. Art should always be creative, expressive and challenge authority. If (KWIT) is able to showcase the diversity of Sioux City’s art world, I think the community will be richer because of it.