Sound Circuit

Dick, of the band Dickie, is a late bloomer

By Jackie Wilson

7/2/2025

Richard Prall, known as Dick, with the band Dickie, implores music lovers to discover new music. You might not only like the band, but you could be the reason for the band’s success, he says.

“A lot of people say, ‘I’ve never heard of the band, and I’m not going to see them,’ ” he says. “It’s fun to discover new music. Before long, you might say ‘I’m really into these guys.’ You just helped build a fan base and are responsible for the band’s success. It’s a butterfly effect.”

Prall admits he is a late bloomer. The Sheffield native began his musical journey at age 26. As a self-taught guitarist and musician, he began writing songs for the Dick Prall band in Iowa City. He recorded albums, including Dick Prall Presents the Starch Martins, “Dressing Up Failure.” He cites influences from alternative and indie music, such as Michael Stipe with REM, Paul Westerberg and Elliott Smith.

He lived and performed in Chicago and became road manager for Wilco. He has shared the stage with Young the Giant and Toad the Wet Sprocket. He also opened up a small music venue in Cedar Rapids. All of these experiences led up to him moving back to the Des Moines area in the middle of a pandemic.

He eventually changed the band name to Dickie, a name he was “talked into” and a nickname given to him by his mother. In late 2024, Prall’s music writing landed him with Golden Bear Records, where Bryan Vanderpool helped produce his latest EP, “Headful of Hiss.”

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After an album is complete, Prall says a mix of emotions come over him.

“You think you’ve done yourself proud. Then it implodes, and I think, I can’t do this again,” he reflects. “That’s the worst part — the doubt.”

He says Des Moines has a lot of musical talent but not the infrastructure of larger cities. “We don’t have a music row, unfortunately,” he reflects. “Des Moines has venue support to pull together and make a greater impact.”

He is hoping to work on audience development in the community.

“Audience is the toughest (aspect) to crack. It’s an important component,” he explains. “If no one is there at your show, it’s a bummer.”

He adds that it is vital to develop audience locally.

“It’s not a charity piece. It can mean making or breaking a band.”

Growing a band and gaining momentum as a musician is challenging, due to the often-frustrating music industry.

“The streaming services only serve the Taylor Swifts of the industry. I have a quarter million plays on Spotify, but I don’t see much money for that,” he reflects.

When it all comes together at the end of a concert or after writing a new song, a sense of accomplishment fills his mind, reminding him why he is a musician.

“It’s the rush of it all. It won’t always be perfect,” he says. “What made you happy, makes me happy. I’m doing what I love.”

Find Dickie at the Waukee Arts Festival on July 18. For more information on upcoming Dickie concerts or music streaming, visit https://dickiemusic.com.