Crowfoot Rakes
3/5/2025
Irish music grown in popularity around the globe.
Yet, some folks only listen to Irish music when they have a green beer in one hand and a shamrock in the other.
Times are a changing in Des Moines. You can hear music beyond St. Patrick’s Day with a local Irish band, the Crowfoot Rakes.
The Crowfoot Rakes are the only full Irish band located in central Iowa. Singing and multi-instrumentalist band members include Logan Barleen, uilleann pipes; Bob Barleen, strings; Greg Valentine, fiddle; Brad Millison, whistle; and the one-man rhythm machine, Ryan ‘O’Rien’ Morris. Instruments include guitar, banjo, fiddle, accordion, bodhran, cittern, Irish bouzouki and uilleann pipes, known as the Irish bellow bagpipes.
The group formed after meeting at an Irish jam session, which is held Tuesdays at select spots in Des Moines. Band members who played at the Iowish (Iowa Irish) Festival in Waterloo began chatting and felt they could combine talents to form their own band.
The band formed in 2022. They came up with the name as they lead a “rakish” lifestyle.
“A ‘rake’ is a bounder or a cad, a man who was habituated to immoral conduct,” O’Rien explains. “It’s all in good fun, of course.”
The band plays a mix of original and traditional Irish tunes.
“We play Irish music that’s 40-100 years old,” O’Rien says. “Some of it has a more blue-grassy feel.”
The band performed the Iowa Irish Festival with more than 50,000 in attendance. The festival has been the highlight of their musical journey.
“We have a soft spot for the Iowa Irish Fest. They treat us like rock stars,” Logan Barleen says.
Band members who play hard-to-pronounce instruments are often self-taught or had mentors to help hone their craft. Brad consulted YouTube on how to play the tin whistle and, ironically, met his online mentor in person during a concert.
Logan is one of only two uilleann pipe players in Iowa. He grew up listening to all types of music. When he was 10 years old, his dad and band member, Bob, taught him chord changes on the mandolin.
“My family has been in professional music for 150 years,” Logan explains. “I’ve always had ties to older music, even though I was raised in punk and country. Irish music is like the original punk, as it’s direct in its message with strong emotions.”
Irish music often tells a story rich in history.
“Irish music is counter culture to folk music,” O’Rien says. “We embrace folk music and take a revolutionary pose. It’s a way to express yourself that’s familiar, but different,” he says.
Fans embrace the music, and the band has a strong following.
“Eastern Iowa tends to have a huge Irish following, and now we’re following suit,” O’Rien says. “It’s a lively atmosphere, and we try to create a party vibe. We get dancers on the floor, but it depends on how much whiskey they’ve drank.”
One unique feature of the band is they don’t have a designated frontman. All musicians sing and harmonize, trading leads on songs.
“There’s not one set frontman who does all the talking,” Logan says. “We trade off. I like that about us.”
Their music expands beyond St. Patrick’s Day.
“On St. Paddy’s Day, everyone feels Irish and a bit green. Once you’re exposed to Irish music, you realize you don’t need to be Irish to enjoy it,” O’Rien says. “I think it’s the people’s music.”
“It’s music that makes you feel good,” Logan adds. “It shouldn’t be based on your heritage. If you love the music, listen to it.”
He appreciates the strong chemistry of band members and the support of their loyal fans.
“Thanks to those brave enough to come back. If it was just the five of us playing, we’d keep making fools of ourselves,” he says.
Catch the Crowfoot Rakes on March 15 at Magee’s in Ankeny; March 16 at Murph & Mary’s in Newton; and March 17 at xBk Live in Des Moines. Or, check out Captain Roy’s for various Sunday concerts. ♦
