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Sound Circuit

The machine doesn’t stop

11/25/2015

Prettygirlhatemachine plays Lefty’s on Saturday, Nov. 28. Doors at 9 p.m.

Prettygirlhatemachine plays Lefty’s on Saturday, Nov. 28. Doors at 9 p.m.

It has been a big year for Prettygirlhatemachine (PGHM). First, the Des Moines-based hip-hop trio released its album “Real is a Joke” back in April. It was also around that time that the group played its first Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC) event, Gross Domestic Product, which they followed up with a bigger set at the 80/35 Festival.

“It was great to finally get to play those events,” said PGHM’s Toby Diligent. “Playing 80/35 has been a goal of ours for years. We really enjoyed that set. And I’d say we definitely picked up a handful of new fans from it.”

The 80/35 set served as a nice counterpoint to the GDP outing, where the act was hamstrung with the last set time of the night in Steetcar 209 rather than Wooly’s.

“GDP wasn’t great for us,” Diligent admitted. “But we took it in stride. In this case, we just had a bit of an unfortunate time slot. But, to us it was just business as usual. I will say that watching the two bands on before you perform to 200-plus people, then seeing 75 percent of those people leave before you take the stage, was definitely a humbling experience.”

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Now, as the group gets ready for its last shows of 2015, the next year looks to be another big one. Both Diligent and his stage partner, Doug “D Average” Epping, are working on solo projects, which should see the light of day in the first half of 2016. Additionally, PGHM plans on working on a spring tour. The group is also working on songs for a new album.

It has been a big year for hip-hop in general in Des Moines. Despite a series of venues closing or limiting their live music dates, there are more places than ever that are showcasing local hip-hop and giving artists chances to earn new fans.

“I think in terms of places to play, it’s as good, if not better, than it’s ever been,” Diligent said. “We now have the Mews, The Basement, Lefty’s and Wooly’s regularly hosting hip-hop shows. There are more and more guys out there putting on their own events, which is good for the scene. There is a lot of talent within several different camps throughout the city. I’m eager to see how things unfold.” CV

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