By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

DMPulse dials in on independent music

The creator of DMPulse, an Internet radio station that plays local and national artists, is hoping his latest invention will give acts under the radar of commercial radio an opportunity to showcase their music and help increase attendance at their shows in Des Moines.

“Perhaps the piece that I see missing is simply a place for people to hear the music of local artists,” says founder Jay Matthews in a written statement. “When you bundle that with exposure for bands that are coming to the area, people will hear music they really like. When they like a certain band, they can support them by going to the shows.”

Matthews says he combined 12 years of radio experience with his love of music to create DMPulse, which can be found at www.dmpulse.com. The online station’s playlist is dedicated to alternative rock and hip-hop artists, ranging from local acts like The Nadas, The Lifestyle, Why Make Clocks, Like Knives and North of Grand, to national groups like Beck, Gnarls Barkley and Franz Ferdinand. In addition to playing music, the DMPulse includes a listing of local artists whose music it plays and a concert calendar that lists shows at venues like the Vaudeville Mews, House of Bricks and the Maintenance Shop.

This isn’t the first time Matthews has launched an Internet radio station through host Live365 — the world’s largest Internet radio network. In 2004, he founded Radio One, one of Live365’s top 10 alternative radio stations.

“People may think, why Internet radio?” says Matthews. “My response is that music fans are already seeking and discovering new music online. It’s only natural to deliver the local music scene to them where they already are, which is online.”

Scene notes

Local hip-hop group The Des Moines Boyz will sign copies of their new CD, “Students of Tha Game,” on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CD Warehouse in Valley West Mall. Later that night, they’re hosting a CD release show from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews. Admission to the all-ages concert is $10. … The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition sponsors Little Big Fest on Saturday at the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m. Local and regional roots-rock acts like Mr. Baber’s Neighbors, Why Make Clocks, Brother Trucker and Randy Burk and the Prisoners perform. Tickets are $10. … On Dec. 5, Slipknot releases a new double-DVD set, “Voliminal: Inside the Nine,” a behind-the-scenes look at its latest world tour. They’ll also hold a special screening for fans that day at two Des Moines movie theaters yet to be determined, complete with a 20-minute interview with band member “Clown,” that isn’t on the DVD. Des Moines is the only city with multiple screenings. … Kansas City rap king Tech N9ne plays the Val Air Ballroom on Dec. 28. Tickets, available through the ballroom and Ticketmaster, are $22.50. … Freakin’ Records, based in Ottumwa, recently filmed a concert by its artists Matthew Clay, Nik Sorak and She Swings, She Sways. No date on its release yet. ... The Des Moines Metro Opera announced the lineup to its 35th season, which kicks off next summer. It includes performances of “Carmen,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Otello.” Season tickets are on sale now. Visit www.dmmo.org or call 961-6221. ... If you pick up one magazine that isn’t devoted to music year-round but includes music criticism that goes beyond the predictable formats found in most music rags, pick up the Oxford American Southern Music. This year’s issue sports a cover image of Sam Cooke, though its contents include a smorgasbord of genres from old time music to pop and classical. The magazine includes a sampler CD of its eclectic subjects like Joe Liggins, Bob Dorough, Junior Kimbrough, Sun Ra and Townes Van Zandt. … Nine nominees are vying to be inducted next year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame including Chic, The Dave Clark Five, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., The Ronettes, Patti Smith, The Stooges, Joe Tex and Van Halen (with David Lee Roth). Only five will make the cut to be announced in January. CV

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